Around DB October 2023

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HALLOWEEN DELIGHTS Scarily tasty treats to make with the kids

MEET POLLY SNAITH

Championship paddler, transracial adoptee, artist and all-round superwoman

All revved up!

GET SET FOR THE HLG KART RACE

NO BARRIER TO SUCCESS

Helping dyslexic children flourish in the classroom and beyond

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OC TOBER 2023 W W W. A R O U N D D B .CO M

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FEATURES 20 PROFILE Polly Snaith discusses art, adoption, paddling with the LBC and the IVF World Distance Championships

26 COMMUNITY In it to win it: tips for young DB daredevils competing in the HLG Kart Race in November

32 PARENTING No barrier to success: helping dyslexic children flourish in the classroom and beyond

38 INSIDER

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The lowdown on Chinese fine dining etiquette, and what not to do with your chopsticks AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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20 QUESTIONS Scary Movie Quiz

08 DB NEWS

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ESCAPES Rome: The Eternal City

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RECIPES Halloween treats

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OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back

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O c tO b Er 2 0 23 | A R O U N D D B.CO M

HALLOWEEN DELIGHTS Scarily tasty treats to make with the kids

MEET POLLY SNAITH

The HLG Kart Race

Championship paddler, transracial adoptee, artist and all-round superwoman

ISL AND -WIDE NEWS

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HUNGRY FOR HALLOWEEN EYEBALL MOCKTAILS AND GHOST CAKE POPS

All revved up!

GET SET FOR THE HLG KART RACE

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Helping dyslexic children flourish in the classroom and beyond

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SPEND, SAVE OR SPLURGE AT THE FLOWER CLUB! Since its inception in 2017, The Flower Club DB has been all about community, sustainability and customization. The team source 90% of their flowers locally, use eco-friendly packaging and offer bespoke bouquets for all budgets. They cover most locations across Hong Kong for bouquets and event flowers, and source exotic flowers upon request. To find out more and place an order, visit Facebook/ Instagram @TheFlowerClub or call 9706 0783. [PHOTO COURTESY OF The Flower Club.]

Be sure to make the most of the Spooky Pumpkin Forest photo ops in DB Plaza from mid-October: the ultimate setting for you to show off your Halloween costumes and enter the Best Costume Photo Contest. And on October 29, you can head to DB Plaza to shop Handmade Hong Kong’s Halloween Night Market: attendees with pets can dress their furry friends in spooky costumes to join the Petwalk Costume Contest. To find out more, follow Facebook/ Instagram @VisitDiscoveryBay. [PHOTO COURTESY OF HKRCL.]

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D I S CL AIME R The views expressed in Around DB are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission. © BAY MEDIA GROUP 2023

BAMBOO BUDDIES RETURNS TO DBIS! Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is excited to announce the return of its Bamboo Buddies programme. This fun programme is open to children aged 24 to 36 months who are either siblings of current DBIS students or are FS-1 (Nursery) applicants who have paid the application fee and will be joining in August 2024.

The programme encompasses a play group and a book club, and is sure to delight your little ones. It’s a great opportunity for children to experience the learning environment, make friends ahead of joining DBIS next year and access the school’s fantastic facilities and wide range of resources for young children.

Each participating child should be accompanied by one adult. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply and be added to the waiting list, call in at DBIS EYFS reception, next to DB fire station. To apply for a place in FS-1 at DBIS, go to dbis.hk/apply.

To find out more about DBIS, visit www.dbis.edu.hk. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF DBIS.]

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DB NEWS

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DB DRAGON BOAT GALA

DB’s Dragon Boat Gala is taking place on October 9 at Tai Pak Wan. You can expect mixed, open, ladies, under-23 and community races. The event runs from 7.30am to 5.30pm, with a course length of 430 metres for standard boats. To find out more, visit Facebook @DynamicDB. [PHOTO BY Mark Horton.]

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DB BAKING COMPETITION ONLINE VOTE

Now’s your chance to vote for the finalists in the DB Baking Competition 2023! You can cast your vote from October 1 to 15 on Facebook / Instagram @Around DB. This year there are eight short-listed teams competing. You can view their submissions, which include a complete recipe, and photos showing the ingredients, the bakers baking and the finished product, on page 12 or on Facebook / Instagram @Around DB.

IN OCTOBER!

ENROL FOR THE HLG KART RACE

The HLG Kart Race returns to DB on November 25 with a 16-foot-long ramp set up on Discovery Bay Road cycle lane. While standard karts are provided, kids also have the opportunity to compete in their own kit-made karts. There’s no enrolment fee for participants (aged 7 and up) in the freestyle category. For those competing in HLG karts, the entrance fee is HK$250 per person with all proceeds going to charity. Register to race at www.hlgkartrace.com; find out more on page 26. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Harvey Law Group.

HALLOWEEN FUN AT EPICLAND When it comes to celebrating Halloween, EpicLand in DB North Plaza never settles for less. This whole month, the 14,000 square-feet indoor playground is specially decked out for the occasion, and visitors are welcome to wear Halloween costumes.

Spooktacular weekend activities include The Haunted House, Lights Out and Face Mask Painting. For a chance to win a monthly pass for one child accompanied by one adult turn to page 18. To find out more, visit www.epiclandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF EpicLand.]

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY OCTOBER 7 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in DB Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm. Visit Facebook @DynamicDB.

OCTOBER 8 & 29 | SHOP THE HANDMADE HK MARKETS in DB Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.

OCTOBER 15 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the gate to DB/ Nim Shue Wan at 2.10pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org to RSVP.

THROUGHOUT OCTOBER | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit Facebook @dbmf.collection.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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DB NEWS

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TAKE PART IN A HANFU SHOW

DB non-profit One World Spirit Association is looking for models and backstage volunteers to take par t in a series of Hanfu and drama shows. Children aged four and up and adults are invited to get involved and take advantage of this fun, cultural learning experience. All nationalities are welcome. To know more, call 6219 3817. [PHOTO COURTESY OF OWS.]

MOVING AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Looking for a reliable moving ser vice to make your move seamless and stress free? Look no fur ther than Tung Chungbased Rocket Movers. The exper t team provides a full range of residential and commercial moving and packing ser vices, plus a truck rental ser vice, a storage ser vice, a handyman ser vice and a disposal ser vice. To find out more, call 5134 0044, email info.rocketmovers@gmail.com, or visit w w w.rocket-movers.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Rocket Movers.]

CALLING ALL DB BLOOD HEROES

As par t of a crusade to spread awareness and ac tion regarding blood and bone marrow donation, Hong Kong Red Cross is holding its fif th DB Blood Hero event on Oc tober 6 in DB Plaza. You can drop by the mobile blood donation truck to donate blood from 10.30am to 4.30pm and/ or enquire about registering to donate bone marrow.

To find out more and sign up, WhatsApp 5469 1748 or visit Facebook @Dynamic DB.

THE DB CHIPPY

Established in 2015 by the Barnetts, a DB-based family, The Chippy is a traditional British fish and chip shop with a long family history. Now open right on the waterfront in DB Plaza, The Chippy serves everything from cod and chips to jumbo pork sausages and Pukka pies (which are the best-selling pies in England).

The Barnetts are passionate about serving the finest fish and chips in Hong Kong and, for this reason, just about everything on the menu is directly sourced from the UK. A friend of the family runs six fish and chip shops in Derby and is one of the biggest wholesalers in England, so they import directly from him. He makes his own mushy peas, curry sauce, onion gravy and even his own batter mix. So, the only item the Barnetts buy locally is the tomato ketchup, which is Heinz ketchup.

There’s a stigma that chip shop food is unhealthy because most of the food is fried, but at The Chippy, it’s fried in a very healthy way using 100% UK-sourced solid vegetable fat. What’s more, the Barnetts’ signature cod, which they are renowned for serving in Hong Kong, comes from the sustainable waters of Iceland, one of the purest waters in the world.

The vibe the Barnetts have set out to create at The Chippy is traditional British fish and chip shop meets traditional British pub, and it goes without saying there’s a good selection of beer, cider, wine and even cocktails on offer, as well as best of British soft drinks like Vimto and Lilt. The Chippy is a place where you can eat, drink and have a good time. And, yes, you’re welcome to drop by to pick up a takeaway.

To find out more or book a table, call 2987 8688.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF The Chippy.]

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DB NEWS

MINISPORT HOLIDAY CAMP

Minisport is holding its first-ever holiday camp in DB, mornings from October 24 to 27 at Discovery Bay International School.

Activities, for kids aged three to five years, include hockey, football, basketball and rugby, plus awesome party games.

The experienced coaches are also planning a trip to the beach – no swimming, just sand play. To secure your child’s spot (only 20 spaces available), visit www.minisport.hk.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Minisport.]

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OCTOBER AT TREASURE ISLAND

It’s all happening at Treasure Island on Pui O beach: there’s a Sunday Market on Oc tober 15, and the 11th Lantau Beer Dash on Oc tober 21. Autumn Adventure Camps run from Oc tober 23 to 27 for children aged five to 17, and on Oc tober 27, at the Freak y Friday Halloween Par t y, you can expec t trick-or-treating and a kids movie night followed by live music sessions. Last but not least, you can enjoy Sunset Beach Sundowner Specials ever y Friday from 5pm to 8pm, with 30% of f selec ted drinks. To find out more, visit w w w.treasureislandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Treasure Island.]

COOKIE DECORATING WORKSHOP

DBSML is hosting a spooktacular cookie decorating workshop on October 30 from 4pm to 7pm at DB Office Centre. Participants get to decorate delicious sugar cookies with spooky designs using vibrantly coloured icing – and take home 10 cookies each. To enrol, visit Facebook @DynamicDB.

DISNEY’S WICKED FUN TOUR Head to Hong Kong Disneyland through Oc tober 31 to take par t in a Halloween-themed Wicked Fun Tour.

The three-hour tour for groups of six cost s HK$8,988 and includes park entr y and access to all the at trac tions. Check out the t wo Halloween shows House of De Vil-lains and Let ’s Get Wicked, and at tend Mickey’s Halloween Time Street Par t y to trick- or-treat with all your favourite Disney villains. To f ind out more, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Hong Kong Disneyland.]

WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

Supported by many in DB, Women Entrepreneurs Network (WEN) is a nonprofit founded in 1980 with a mission to empower women entrepreneurs in scaling up and successfully exiting their businesses. Congratulations goes to Rowena Gonzales, the visionary leader of Liquid Interiors (www.liquidinteriors.com), who placed first in WEN’s annual Woman Entrepreneur Awards in September. To find out more and get involved, visit www.wenhk.org. [PHOTO COURTESY OF WEN.] AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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D B B A K I N G CO M P E T I T I O N 2 02 3 BAKE TO BE KIND!

FROM OCTOBER 1-15 ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @AROUND DB Now’s your chance to vote for the winners of the DB Baking Competition 2023! You can cast your vote from October 1 to 15 on Facebook and Instagram @Around DB. This year, eight teams have reached the final stage of the competition by sharing a delicious bake recipe that they love to make as a gift. You can view more of their submissions, which include a complete recipe, and photos showing the ingredients, the bakers baking, the finished product and the baker’s gifting their bake to a special someone, on Facebook and Instagram @Around DB. The three teams with the highest number of votes will win cash coupons to spend at Peony Discovery Bay: Winner: HK$3,000

1st runner-up: HK$2,000

2nd runner-up: HK$1,000.

The results will be announced on October 20 on Facebook and Instagram @Around DB. DB Baking Competition 2023 coincides with World Kindness Day (November 13), and recipes by the winner, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up will be published in the November issue of Around DB. To find out more, visit www.arounddb.com.

Love.Together@DB is a community-caring platform initiated by Hong Kong Resort Company Limited dedicated to serving the Discovery Bay community. The platform has been supporting and coorganising diversified corporate social responsibility initiatives with NGO’s, community leaders and volunteers to promote the loving and caring culture in the sustainable and multicultural DB community.

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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PANDAN CAKE

uk C h in Y r id a a F Y in & ingrum an Kusum

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STICKY TOFFEE CAKE

A k if a h Ja m sh e e r & Reva K a m a th

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APPLE & BLUEBERRY PIE

Lo u is V e rr e a u lt & Uki Tam

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VEGAN CARROT CAKE

& lark Tim C Clark ley Stan

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PUMPKIN COOKIES

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CARROT, BEETROOT, APPLE & GINGER CAKE

s Ann Dorca & n Leu g ng Leu Sarah

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GINGER SNAPS

o tt & Gunnar Sc tt c Jo e ll e S o

no & Li z a A v e li e n io D a is y E u g

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PINEAPPLE & NUT MOONCAKES

E la in e H u ang & Jo se p h Huang

! t u o b A & t u O

EVENT ROUND-UP

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WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO! AT THE OPEN WATER RACE AND TRIATHLON CHALLENGE

DB’s first Open Water Race and Triathlon Challenge on September 24 was open to competitors of all ages and abilities. Race day delivered three solo swim races (3.8km, 1.7km and 400m), aquathon, duathlon and triathlon races (solo/ relay) and a family 400m-swim/ relay. [PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com.]

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

EVENT ROUND-UP

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EVENT ROUND-UP

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MOONGAZING IN TUNG CHUNG

Lantauers were out in force in the lead-up to the Mid-Autumn holiday, enjoying the Happy Moon Lantau Festival at Tung Chung Promenade. [PHOTOS BY Beatrix Malan - www.atscollective.com.]

WITH DEBORAH AND FRIENDS

Long-time Tung Chung resident, singer/songwriter Deborah Mannas performed with Deborah and Friends on August 18 at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, with a repertoire spanning everything from Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse to Nina Simone, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Deborah Mannas.]

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

GIVEAWAYS

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EPICL AN D

IS OFFERING TWO READERS A MONTHLY PASS (WORTH HK$1,200 EACH) EpicLand’s monthly pass for one child (under nine years) accompanied by an adult opens up endless possibilities. Whether your child is into slides, trampolines, ball pits, rock climbing, zip-lining or mini golf, EpicLand in DB Nor th Plaza is quite simply the place to be. Billed as Hong Kong’s tallest indoor enter tainment centre, EpicLand is home to Hong Kong’s first “air-trek,” complete with eight sky-high obstacles, and a state-of-the-ar t VR Arena for a thrilling 360 experience.

For special occasions, EpicLand of fers par t y and group packages designed to keep kids of all ages – and adults – ac tive and enter tained. To learn more about the 14,000-square-foot venue and the dif ferent packages available, visit w w w.epiclandhk.com.

CONGRATUL ATIONS TO L AST ISSUE’S WINNER

Tina Li for two tickets to see Deborah and Friends perform on August 18.

HOW TO WIN!

Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 15th of the month to apply. Simply scan the QR code or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form. (Terms and conditions apply.)

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

PROFILE

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! e m a G r e h oT p of WOMAN EMPOWERED

Landscape architect, outrigger competitor, artist, adoptee. Polly Snaith is a juggler first and foremost, adept at keeping many different balls in the air. Elizabeth Kerr reports PHOTOS BY Sarin Ale & courtesy of Polly Snaith 20

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

PROFILE

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s the great philosopher Yoda once said, “You must unlearn what you have learned.” That comes close to summing up 25-year Discovery Bay resident Polly Snaith’s life right now. She’s standing in the shade near what was once Pacific Coffee looking as sporty as she claims she is not. A light sheen of sweat dots her forehead. “I’m still not accustomed to the heat,” she cracks. “It’s embarrassing. I go someplace and I’m the only one sweating buckets. It’s ironic, because genetically I’m from here. Both my birth parents are from Hong Kong.”

A stroll back to Polly’s home goes along DB’s water front, from the ferr y pier to the beach, and if you enjoy that little jaunt, you can thank Polly.

Raised in the UK, Polly landed in Hong Kong in 1992 to take up work as a landscape architect, which she would do for the next 30-odd years, contributing to MTR stations, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park’s expansion, as well as DB Plaza. Now “knocking on 60,” Polly is doing an about face, back into her first love – ar t – as well as hitting the open seas for some high-profile outrigger racing.

CHAMPIONING WOMEN IN SPORT “I’ve gotten to a station in life where I’m happy to advocate for cer tain things, and one is women’s health and strength,” Polly says. “Too many people think exercise isn’t for them – or they feel marginalised. They’re self-conscious about going to a yoga class full of young, beautiful, bendy women.

But the paddling crew I was with at the Worlds [more on that later], I have to say, we have a bunch of kickass 50- and 60-somethings.”

Polly’s been paddling in various forms for a while now: a founding member of Lantau Boat Club’s (LBC) Outrigger Paddling Section in 2004, and a keen dragon boater since 1999. She claims an early aversion to water, explaining she’s only recently started paddling alone. “I wouldn’t say I was particularly sporty, but I got a bike when I was a girl and suddenly my boundaries were that much broader. Just doing a little bit of adventure lit the fire.”

Lately, paddling has led Polly down a fresh road stumping for women’s health and visibility in spor t, with a focus on older women. The “kick-ass women” she referred to are a crew drawn from five paddling clubs scattered across the SAR. They’re just back from the 2023 International Va’a Federation World Distance Championships in Samoa, the so-called Olympics of outrigger canoeing. The Cathaysponsored Women’s Masters 50 OC6 Team of Hong Kong placed sixth. They are already looking ahead to a race in New Zealand in 2024, and a return to the IVF in 2025 – in Brazil.

“Regardless of our seemingly lofty athletic aspirations, we are normal busy folk, juggling career, home, family, as well as devoting time to our clubs,

POLLY HAD A HAND IN DB’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN

building community and promoting inclusiveness and diversity,” Polly says. “Outrigger canoeing is such a fabulous low impact spor t that is truly suitable for all ages and abilities, from juniors all the way through to people in their 70s, even 80s!”

ADVOCATING FOR ADOPTEES Polly is also busy advocating for adoptees – “bringing better awareness to the realm of adoption, and imploring people to educate themselves” – and it’s similarly personal.

Polly grew up the only Asian kid in a white family in Leeds, so it was obvious she was adopted. She located her bir th mother about a decade ago right here in Hong Kong. She admits it was rocky emotional terrain, but a switch flipped when she had her own child and a lot of relatives of that generation star ted to pass away. “I thought if I don’t do something about it, I may not have the choice,” she says. “There will come a time when it’s too late.”

Polly got the ball rolling on finding her bir th parents with help from a social worker, which gave her mother veto power. She didn’t consider retail DNA testing or ambushing the woman on Facebook. “That’s a bit of a bull-in-a-china-shop approach, which is intimidating,” she says. “I don’t necessarily agree with that.”

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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PROFILE

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WITH OUTRIGGER PADDLING TEAMMATES AT THE LBC

Polly was particularly curious about racial experience as a transracial adoptee – transracial being an adoption-related term: parents of one race adopting a child from another. While gender is a construct and one we’re increasingly understanding is a choice, you don’t choose race. Sadly, the word has been hijacked, most famously by renowned race relations idiot (and welfare fraud) Rachel Dolezal. “She’s confused people as to what transracial is. It’s a privileged voice,” scoffs Polly, who was already considering identity when the Black Lives Matter movement exploded in 2020, and then broader gender, history and representational reckonings. “Racial experience is a thing. We need better allyship in the whole arena.”

INFORMING THROUGH ART Polly’s transracial status now informs her ar t, which transcends pen and ink (a medium she likes) to be more installation-based relational aesthetics. She wants her work to be interactive, tactile and thoughtprovoking – like The Bog Log, which demands “par ticipants” stand in cer tain way that makes it seem as if they’re cleaning a toilet. The idea, of course, is to interrogate class and labour distinctions. It’s a crude analogy but in the way histor y is written by the victors, adoption narratives have been written by adopters. As adult adoptees connect and discover common ground, they’re finding their own voices, like Polly.

“So now, my mission as an artist is to try and understand how I experience the world through a transracial adoptee lens, so that I can understand what I see and be more purposeful in how I disseminate,” she says.

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WITH THE WOMEN’S MASTERS 50 OC6 TEAM OF HONG KONG

Polly is active with local groups – Adoptive Families of Hong Kong, Mother’s Choice, Hong Kong Adoptees Network and the British Adoption and Fostering Association – that are helping not just her figure things out, but adoptees across the city. She says she still feels like an outsider in Hong Kong, and probably always will. “I’m just a Yorkshire lass,” she quips in her gentle lilt. “I can navigate that; I can tell you when you’re about to get your head kicked in.” But in advocating for better understanding of the issues surrounding adoption, Polly has found a comfor table space where game recognise game.

“I’ve bonded quite quickly with the transracial adoptees I’ve met, because there are just so many things we get to the core. It’s funny because white siblings or friends just don’t get it, but then you sit beside another transracial adoptee and it’s all, ‘Oh, yeah, I know.’ You don’t need to explain.” She’ll be willing to tr y, though. Ar tistically. Watch this space.

ACROSS HONG KONG

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! e t o N t h g i R e h T INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE

With music lovers across Hong Kong anticipating the return of Musicus Fest this November, renowned cellist Trey Lee reveals just how much we have to look forward to PHOTOS COURTESY OF Musicus Society & ©IGOR STUDIO

M

usicus Society, a Hong Kong registered charity, founded in 2010 to promote cross-cultural, international musical collaboration, is hosting its annual Musicus Fest in November. The festival’s Ar tistic Director, renowned cellist Trey Lee will be leading top international musicians and local talents in a series of compelling programmes with most of the concer ts taking place at Hong Kong City Hall.

Launched in 2013, Musicus Fest is a meeting point for artists from across the world and as such its impetus is twofold. Firstly, it provides local music lovers with the opportunity to see talented musicians from Hong Kong and overseas perform together. Secondly, it gives Hong Kong artists and students what their counterparts overseas have long enjoyed: a chance to hone their talent through meaningful interaction with distinguished artists from different parts of the world.

Camerata Salzburg, the world-renowned resident orchestra of Salzburg’s Mozar teum Festival, is per forming twice at this year’s Musicus Fest, initially on November 25, featuring Trey as the cello soloist, and secondly at the Festival Finale on November 26, presenting Mozar t’s Concer tone for Two Violins and Orchestra in C and the Jupiter Symphony as central pieces. Trey is quick to point out how much Hong Kong ar tists and students will benefit from the collaboration.

“Camerata Salzburg are the purveyors of the Mozart sound: they’re all about tradition in that a lot of their players learnt from their teachers, who learnt from

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ACROSS HONG KONG

their teachers, and so on, all the way back to Mozart,” Trey says. “So, you’re talking about Mozart’s style and traditions being handed down from generation to generation. And this year, young Hong Kong musicians get to learn from them and perform with them. Local talents are going to be connected directly with Mozart, which is an amazing opportunity.”

Among the Hong Kong talents per forming with Camerata Salzburg in the Festival Finale are two rising stars: violinists Jeremy Hao, a graduate of the Mannes, Juilliard and Yale schools of music, and Fan Hiu-sing, a graduate from the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, and first prize winner of the New York International Ar tists Association Violin Competition.

As an additional treat for Musicus Fest audiences, Trey himself is gearing up to per form with Camerata Salzburg on November 25. The orchestra will interpret monumental works by Mendelssohn (The Hebrides Over ture), Shostakovich (Cello Concer to No. 1) with Trey as solo cellist, and Beethoven (Symphony No. 7). The per formance concludes Trey’s Greater China Tour with Camerata Salzburg. “This has been my first time per forming with Camarata Salzburg,” he says. “I know a lot of the orchestra members because they’re all top-notch musicians, who play all over the world. I’ve worked with some of them before, and I’m just excited to be playing with all of them, the whole orchestra, at once.”

In the hands of Trey and Camerata Salzburg, Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 is a tour de force accentuating the piece’s rhythmic power and relentless drive. “This is probably the closest thing that the cello reper toire has to rock ‘n’ roll or techno because it’s got this crazy beat that doesn’t stop until the final note,” Trey says. “I live in Berlin so I’m surrounded by clubs and bars and I hear techno music all the time; I’m always thinking, wow, this reminds me so much of Shostakovich. Cello Concerto No. 1 has the never-ending techno beats, funky rhythms and syncopations. It’s always pulsating and nonstop. It’s one of those pieces that has a groove to it and it’s just relentless; it’s ver y power ful.”

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This year, Trey is delighted to welcome not only Camer at a Salzburg but also award -winning French- Canadian pianis t Louis Lor tie to Musicus Fes t. Louis, one of the foremos t solo pianis t s in the world, will be per for ming with Musicus Solois t s Hong Kong on November 21.

“Louis is k nown to be one of the world’s mos t elegant and sophis tic ated musicians, and he has great t as te. There’s an old -world, gentlemanly kind of demeanour about him and his music,” Trey says. “Impor t antly too, he brings with him dec ades of ex perience having per for med with all the big name musicians, orches tr as and conduc tor s.

“Louis is af filiated with one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium,” Trey adds. “He’s used to working with talented young musicians, and we are delighted he has chosen to work with Musicus Soloist s Hong Kong, which is full of Hong Kong’s ver y best players. It ’s a great oppor tunit y for them.

Normally they just have a teacher telling them what to do in a lesson. But in this case, they’ll be playing with their teacher and per forming with him.”

A mong those per for ming with Louis at Musicus Fes t are Hong Kong - bor n violinis t s Aaron Chan and A ngela Chan. Aaron, who has won the Canadian Sylva Gelber Award t wice, is cur rently a Rebanks Fellow at the Royal Conser vator y of Music in Toronto. A ngela is a New England Conser vator y gr aduate, and was the Fir s t Prize and Concer t Per for mance Award winner at the 8th Inter national Louis Spohr Competition for Young Violinis t s. Both were invited to join Musicus this year through it s Young Ar tis t Audition.

“Great ar tis t s are not only bor n with great t alent, they are also inf luenced by their peer s and those who have come before them, through tr aditions and k nowledge pas sed down from previous gener ations,” Trey concludes. “Join us in November to witnes s an ex tr aordinar y collabor ation bet ween our over seas gues t s and Hong Kong t alent s.”

Musicus Fest is running through November, primarily at Hong Kong City Hall. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.musicussociety.org.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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COMMUNITY

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! s u o i r u F d n a t Fas AT FULL THROTTLE

Ahead of the eighth edition of the HLG Kart Race on November 25, Ray Robertson sits down with founder Jean-François Harvey to get the lowdown on the event and some advice for the thrill-seeking young competitors PHOTOS COURTESY OF Harvey Law Group

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C

onceived by Jean-François Harvey of Harvey Law Group, the HLG Kart Race has quickly grown from a small community event into one of the most anticipated races in Discovery’s Bay’s packed racing calendar. The first race in October 2015 attracted over 20 competitors. The most recent race in October 2022, saw 52 children, aged 7 to 12, vying for trophies. Last year, 156 trials and qualifying races were held over the course of the day (220 one-on-one races in total) and Jean-Francois is hoping for an even stronger turnout in November.

So how did the first race in October 2015 come about? “We were looking for a way to give back to the community at large,” Jean-François explains. “I finally hit upon the idea of a kar t race because there is something about kar t racing that’s so familiar, so simple. So many of us have good memories of it.

Also, it’s not typical, so people are interested.”

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT There’s no doubt that Montreal-born Jean-François’ passion has struck a chord in DB, and af ter a strong star t in 2015, interest called for t wo event s in 2016.

That same year, an improved brake system, devised by the event ’s main sponsor Milwaukee, allowed Jean-François to lower the par ticipant age to seven years old from the previous edition’s eight. In 2022, he took things a step fur ther by doing away with the handbrake and fit ting all kar t s with a pedal brake instead.

“In previous years, kids were having problems using the handbrake, par ticularly at corners when they didn’t want to take one hand off the wheel to slow down,” Jean François explains. “Now we have a pedal brake system that should solve this problem, meaning more competitors will make it to the finish.”

COMMUNITY

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“IN THIS EVENT, KIDS ARE EQUAL WHETHER THEY ARE ATHLETIC OR NOT. IT’S OPEN TO EVERYONE BUT IT’S STILL A REAL COMPETITION - JEAN-FRANÇOIS HARVEY If the age group has fewer than eight racers, the kids par ticipate in a quar ter final, and the four with the best time qualify for the semi-final. The two fastest racers then go head-to-head in the final.

While standard kar ts are provided, kids also have the oppor tunity to compete in their own “freestyle” custom-made kar ts. “Some will go for style, some for speed, so there are per formance and design prizes,” Jean-François says.

For Jean-François, himself a dad, kids’ enjoyment is the driving factor. “I wanted to find something where ever y single child would have the same chance of winning,” he says. “In this event, kids are equal whether they are athletic or not. It’s open to ever yone but it’s still a real competition. There’s a trophy for the winners but no par ticipation medals.”

The spec for freestyle kar ts is brief but precise. They must be capable of being steered, they need to have a braking system and they are limited to gravity power (no propelling mechanisms). The maximum width of each freestyle kar t is 91 centimetres, and the minimum distance between the front and rear axle is 72 centimetres.

In order to level the playing field, the race is divided into age-group categories, so the kids race against their peers. An eight-foot-high ramp, almost 16-foot long and 8-foot wide, is set up along Discover y Bay Road cycle lane, and the track covers approximately 150 metres. Competitors are required to wear properly fitted bike helmets, closed-toe shoes (trainers) and race shir ts; they are advised to wear long trousers and gloves.

Importantly, each kart is checked and serviced throughout the race. “Our karts have been built with custom-made parts thanks to our sponsor Milwaukee,” Jean-François says. “The karts will be used many times on the day of the race so you can imagine we need to spend some time fixing them. Bumpers get broken, each kart will break down two or three times during a race so we have mechanics on the spot.”

For each age group, each racer competes in two timed qualifying races. The eight racers in each age group with the best time qualify for the quar ter finals.

While race officials are on hand to help, no outside suppor t is allowed between the star t and finish lines of a race. Parents are asked not to push a racer along any par t of the track.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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COMMUNITY

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RACE DAY TIPS So how about race days tips for enthusiastic young racers? Looking at the big picture, Jean-François says there aren’t any complex race-strategy or karthandling tips to share with competitors. “All our carts are the same; they all have the same wheels, the same steering system,” he explains. “As long as the kids know how to drive left and right, they will be fine.

“Competitors should keep in mind that the race is all about speed, so they need to steer their kar ts to the finish in a straight line, as much as possible,” JeanFrançois adds. “Ever y time they make a turn, they lose speed, so the key is to keep to a straight line.”

Since 2018, all HLG kar ts have been fitted with double bearing wheels, which Jean-François says makes them ver y fast. “If you are building your own kar t, be sure to choose wheels that roll ver y well,” he advises. “Avoid lawnmower wheels. Bicycle wheels could be a ver y good choice.

“Staying calm and steady is ver y impor tant,” Jean François adds. “It’s quite something for kids to go down that eight-foot ramp. Then the track goes down quite fast all the way to Seabee Lane. Some courage is necessar y, especially in the first heat.

Self-confidence is key.”

Kar ts like these don’t have engines but they come off that ramp at high speed – they have to, in order to make it to the finish line without losing impetus. For this reason, competitors are advised to keep their foot off the brake as much as they dare. “Unless their opponent swer ves across their path or they find themselves approaching a corner too fast, competitors should brake only after crossing the finish line,” Jean-François confirms.

While the logistics are fairly simple, par ticipant safety is paramount and Har vey is quick to acknowledge the suppor t of the HLG Kar t Race officials, and of Hong Kong Resor t Company Ltd and City Management.

Parents make up the bulk of the race committee, and Har vey himself is also determinedly hands on.

The global managing par tner of Har vey Law Group doesn’t look like a speed freak or a mechanic but appearances can, as they say, be deceiving. “I like to build things,” he says. “Come race day I’m the pit stop. I’m the repairman. That’s what I do all day long. I sit there with my tools. I put on my hat and hide under the trees… with cuts all over my hands.”

So here’s hoping for a strong turnout next month (registration is open at www.hlgkar trace.com). As Har vey concludes, “The most satisfying par t is to hear from parents after the event. We had a parent write to us about how his daughter’s friends came over for two or three days to see her trophy. When you hear things like that, you know you did something right.”

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20 QUESTIONS

! a i v i r T f o t i B tle

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it L A

HALLOWEEN QUIZ Test your knowledge of the scariest movies of all time 1. Who directed Halloween?

A. John Carpenter B. George Lucas C. Guy Ritchie 2. In The Ring, how long do people have to live after watching the videotape?

A. 7 days B. 2 weeks C. A month 3. Which movie is accredited with coining the phrase, “What’s your favourite scary movie?”

A. The Host B. The Blair Witch Project C. Scream 4. In which film did Annabelle the doll make her debut?

A. Child’s Play B. Orphan C. The Conjuring 5. In From Dusk till Dawn, who do the bar staff reveal themselves to be?

A. Zombies B. Vampires C. Werewolves 30

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

20 QUESTIONS

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6. Which movie includes the iconic line “Here’s Johnny!”?

14. In The Sixth Sense, who sees dead people?

A. The Shining

B. Cole Sear

B. M3GAN C. Beetlejuice 7. What colour is Freddy Krueger’s sweater?

A. Malcolm Crowe C. Cole Porter 15. What was the first horror film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture?

A. Black and red

A. The Exorcist

B. Red and green

B. Don’t Look Now

C. Green and purple

C. Frankenstein

8. Michael Myers’ mask is based on a mould from which famous actor’s face?

16. What is the name of the child who is abducted by ghosts in Poltergeist?

A. John Wayne

A. Carol Anne

B. Boris Karloff

B. Raggedy Anne

C. William Shatner

C. Anne Boleyn

9. Who directed Psycho?

17. How many movies are there in The Omen franchise?

A. Eli Roth B. Quentin Tarantino

A, 2

C. Alfred Hitchcock

B. 4

10. Who rides a red tricycle in the Saw franchise?

18. Which actor played the lead role in 1408?

A. Jigsaw

A. Richard Gere

B. Chucky

B. John Cusack

C. Pennywise

C. Johnny Depp

11. What is the name of the main antagonist in The Nun?

19. In Hocus Pocus, where do Max and his sister move to?

A. Valak

A. Sydney

B. Sister Irene

B. Southampton

C. Lorraine

C. Salem

12. In Scream, which famous actress plays the opening victim?

20. In Tick ‘r Treat, when does Sam appear?

C. 6

A. Winona Ryder

A. Whenever one of the characters breaks a Halloween tradition

B. Drew Barrymore

B. At midnight on Halloween

C. Uma Thurman

C. When the children go trick or treating

13. When does Pennywise come back to the town of Derry in IT? A. Every 5 years B. Every 10 years

You can check your score at www.arounddb.com> 20-questions>halloween-quiz.

C. Every 27 years AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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PARENTING

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! a i x e l s y D f o t f i G he

T

NO BARRIER TO SUCCESS

One in 10 people are dyslexic. Ray Robertson reports on how parents and schools can help dyslexic pupils flourish in the classroom and beyond PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

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PARENTING

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The first thing you need to know is that dyslexia effects at least 10% of any given population. This makes it one of the most common learning difficulties in the world.

The good news is that dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence and ever y thing to do with the brain processing information dif ferently. It is also known to run in families. If you have a dyslexic child, take a look at your family; you may recognise the same traits in other family members. In fac t, in taking a close look at your son or daughter, you may begin to see why you struggled so much through school yourself.

SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY Thankfully, attitudes towards dyslexia have become much more enlightened in recent years but for some, there is still a massive stigma attached to these children, who have what is perceived as a learning abnormality. It’s essential that you find a school that celebrates dyslexia as a gift rather than seeing it as a special educational need. Fail to do so, and students can become casualties of an education process that has pushed them to the back of the class, sent them out because they are causing a disturbance, told them they are not tr ying or are just stupid. In reality, they simply see things differently; the way they learn does not match the way they have been taught and frustration has led to outbursts or disruptive behaviour. As this cycle of imposed failure and rejection occurs again and again, the child retreats into his or her own world.

C

"

hloe r ushes up to her bedroom as soon as she comes home from school. If I tr y to ask her about her day, les sons or friends, she yells at me and slams the door.”

“Danny, is a scatterbrain – ask him to do things and he forgets. I give him a few things I’d like some help with and he stands there looking confused and mouthing my instructions.”

“I’m so worried about Sam, I sometimes think she is bipolar; she can be lovely, sociable, kind – she has some great friends, she loves sport and art, but she can get so angry and frustrated; it’s as if she’s a different girl altogether.”

If you can see your son or daughter in one of these quotes, it may be a sign that he or she has dyslexia.

Interesting enough, when it comes to teaching methods, what works best for a dyslexic, actually works best for all children. Ever y child has a preferred way to learn; if teaching and learning is tailored then not only does it become much more effective, it becomes much more enjoyable.

At school, teachers will want to discuss a student’s problems with reading and writing, the jumbling up of words and possibly poor organisation or difficulty carrying out a sequence of directions. Perhaps the one most common factor for dyslexics is how they process information and instructions. Their processing speed is much slower, meaning they become very easily confused by multiple instructions.

If you would like to tr y something simple at home to help ease frustrations on both sides, you can tr y a technique that teachers call “chunking”. Rather than asking your son or daughter to do multiple things, just say, “Please can you help me by taking the trash out?” Follow up with the next request once this has been achieved and make sure you praise them ever y time they succeed in achieving a task.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

33

PARENTING

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL There’s no doubt that dyslexics can flourish in a mainstream academic context, provided they are enrolled in a truly inclusive school that caters for children who learn dif ferently. A model of small classes, highly specialised mainstream teachers, exper t 1:1 and small group SEN specialists, who teach strategies that dyslexic children are able to use in mainstream lessons, provides the academic springboard for achievement.

Dyslexic students need to be encouraged to use their laptops for writing – there are so many speech-to-text and text-to-speech apps available to ease the process. They can also use their phone to set reminders – to help them remember what they need to do and coordinate where they need to be. A good mind mapping programme is also invaluable, so children can put their ideas down quickly before they forget them, and then get them into an order once they are recorded.

A lot of the stress for dyslexic pupils is remembering where all their pieces of work are and what they need to revise. Technology like Google Classroom that allows work to be saved to a cloud can do this for them meaning their anxiety levels decrease.

While get ting away from the neurot ypical chalkand-talk approach and into engaging kinaesthetic learning is essential, there has to be a wider mechanism in place to unlock a dyslexic child’s full potential. Dyslexic s need to be inspired to fulfil their absolute holistic potential, in academic, physical and moral aspec t s of life. Provide an environment that develops each of these areas and you will discover a young adult ready to take on the world. Focus on developing charac ter, confidence, leadership and self- esteem, and then wonders can happen.

There is still one more key to a truly holistic education and it is ver y simple – creating a sense of belonging for ever y child. School should not just be a school; it should be a community where both pupils and parents find a place of belonging.

Education is a three-way par tnership between parents, children and the school.

We all know, sometimes with a cer tain amount of embarrassment or even pain, that learning ac tually comes most ef fec tively through failure. We need to encourage dyslexic children to just tr y things and not worr y about whether it will work or not. The home and school environment needs to be a place where failure can be safe and positive – a place of belonging. In such a place, children know that there will always be someone to pick them up, put them back on their feet, dust them down and say, “Here have another go.”

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EARLY SIGNS THAT YOUR CHILD MAY BE DYSLEXIC • Has difficulty decoding single words (reading single words in isolation) • May be slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds • May confuse small words – at/ to, said/ and, does/ goes • Makes consistent reading and spelling errors including letter reversals – d for b as in dog for bog; word reversals – tip for pit; inversions – m and w, u and n; transpositions – felt and left; substitutions – house and home • May transpose number sequences and confuse arithmetic signs (+ - x / =) • May have trouble remembering facts • May be slow to learn new skills; relies heavily on memorising without understanding • May be impulsive and prone to accidents • May have difficulty planning • Often uses an awkward pencil grip • May have trouble learning to tell the time • May have poor fine motor coordination

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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

/

SC HOOL APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN; WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? Anne Murphy, Director of Asia School Admissions at ITS Education Asia, has the lowdown There comes a time when all parents face a critical decision in their parenting journey: which school to choose. In Hong Kong, this is made more complicated by the myriad choices, curriculums and campuses.

Not only do you need to ensure your child enters a suitable school, but you often need to tackle the admission process for a number of schools before there is a positive outcome.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES Firstly, applying to three schools is wise – applying to more than five is unnecessary. We suggest this because the application fees are expensive, and it puts undue pressure on children. The procedure is lengthy and cumbersome, so make it easier by applying with focus.

What you should submit with your application differs from school to school. Mostly, schools have an online application portal, and you must submit electronic documents. Before beginning the application, consider what is required and prepare high-resolution copies.

Next, you must set ample time aside for the parent questionnaires. Your perspective is highly valued because you know your child better than anyone.

How do you provide insight on an application form that helps schools see your child’s unique qualities?

Answer using examples and stories. For example, s h o w h o w y o u r c h i l d i s i n d e p e n d e n t , c re a t i v e , resilient, or empathetic through specific anecdotes.

“Why are you applying to (our) school?” is a common question. Take notes on what the school says about themselves during open houses, tours, etc. What is their mission statement? What is their ethos? Keep these notes handy as you match the school to your child and family. Make sure your responses are unique. Last but not least, give convincing examples of why you think your child would thrive in the school.

Review all answers before you click submit.

You will be notified by the admissions departments when your application is processed and placed in the waiting pool. During this stage, you should take note of other dates, such as school tours, information sessions, and interview/ entrance tests. Learn as much as possible about specific exams and what schools test in the interview. Speak with colleagues, friends and educators about your preferred schools. It would 36

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

be worthwhile to bring your child on a school visit or even to a school event. Discuss the options with your child and provide as much information for that vital transition to their new school.

INTERVIEWS AND ENTRANCE EXAMS Interviews for younger students entering reception, Year 1 and Year 2, are conducted in small groups.

Children are tested by experienced teachers on their fine motor skills, numeracy, language abilities and age-appropriate physical skills. Teachers also want to see that children are socially and emotionally developed for their age.

For mal assessments, including interviews and academic tests, are for upper primary to secondary level. Prospective students are evaluated on reading and writing skills, verbal and nonverbal reasoning and cognitive ability. Be sure to check with the school what test is administered.

At ITS Education Asia, since our inception in 2005, our dedicated School Placement team has worked with hundreds of families to secure international school places, not just at any school but at the best school for their child.

We can manage every stage of the application process, ensuring that every family receives the best, most professional advice to achieve their maximum potential. If you need help with the school application process, come and chat. We can guide you on the right path.

Anne Murphy is Director of Asia School Admissions at ITS Education Asia, the original Hong Kong school admissions consultancy and publisher of the Unique Asia Schools Guide and the Hong Kong & Singapore School Search Database. To sign up for a consultation, visit www.itseducation.asia.

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INSIDER

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! s p i T p To

CHINESE DINING ETIQUETTE You can slurp and burp as much as you like in a dai pai dong but don’t be deceived, at a Chinese banquet or corporate dinner, you’ll be judged on your table manners. Ray Au has the lowdown PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels 38

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

INSIDER

I

n traditional Chinese culture, sharing a meal with someone is more than socialising, rather it ’s a way to honour guest s (and host), strengthen bonds bet ween friends and make connec tions in the world of business. Thus, expat s need to take formal Chinese dining as seriously as any company meeting; the manner in which you conduc t yourself during a meal will be used to judge you in other aspec t s of life.

Here are some basic rules to follow.

LET’S BE SEATED The seating arrangement is probably the most impor tant par t of Chinese dining etiquette, and for this reason the host arrives in advance to lead ever yone to their seats. You should allow your host to tell you where to sit. Be sure to formally introduce yourself to your fellow guests.

In general, when seated at a round table, the guest of honour faces the entrance with his back to the wall. The most notable guests are seated nearest the guest of honour and the host. The “least impor tant” person sits closest to the entrance, direc ting and communicating with the waiters.

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TOASTS ARE COMMON DURING CHINESE BANQUETS, WITH THE FIRST BEING MADE

BY THE HOST AND THE SECOND BY THE GUEST

Toasts are common during Chinese banquets, with the first being made by the host and the second by the guest of honour. Personalised toasts are then made around the table, so be prepared for your moment in the spotlight.

OF HONOUR

TIME TO ORDER

order individual plates of food – dishes are placed in the centre of the table for ever yone to share.

Tea is ser ved as soon as you sit down in a restaurant, while you consult the menu. Af ter filling ever yone’s cup, the waiter leaves the teapot on the table, guests then ser ve themselves, and each other.

THE MAIN EVENT

We use both hands when we of fer someone tea – hold the handle with one hand and the bottom of the cup with the other hand. When someone pours tea into your cup, tap the table with your first two fingers two or three times – this is a way of saying thank you. The pourer will stop pouring when seeing this gesture, since it indicates that you have had enough. Table tapping is also a way to signal to your waiter that the teapot needs refilling.

Although guests are encouraged to look at the menu and say what they would like to eat, it is the host who places the order. Expec t him to be ver y solicitous and ask questions like, “Is there any food that you don’t eat?” “Which dishes do you like?”

“Would you like me to order more?”

If your host insists you order a dish, choose an inexpensive one that ever yone is likely to enjoy.

Remember that when dining formally, we seldom

At the beginning of a formal Chinese meal, you will be of fered a wet towel on which to wipe your hands, don’t use this to mop your face. If you are going to eat shellfish, chicken or fruit, you will also be given a small bowl of water – don’t drink it, use it to wash your fingers.

Note that the rice bowl is for your food; the small plate is for bones, seeds and other scraps that you find inedible.

In the West, people rest their plates on the table and bring the food to their mouths with a fork; we Chinese pick up our rice bowl, bring it close to our mouths, bend over the table, and eat facing the bowl. You pick up your bowl with your thumb on the mouth of the bowl, your first, middle and third finger suppor t the bot tom of the bowl and your palm is empt y.

Tr y not to be the first to star t eating, and always wait for your host to say, “Let’s eat,” before you begin.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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INSIDER

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When helping yourself to the shared dishes, you should take food from the plates in front of you rather than those in the middle of the table or in front of others. You are free to fill your bowl yourself but you should also take the initiative and fill the bowls of those around you. Be sure to use the ser ving spoons or ser ving chopsticks provided – not your chopsticks. If fellow guest s add food to your bowl, always express your thanks.

As of ten as not, a Laz y Susan will be provided to make the sharing of dishes easier. Before you spin the “turntable” (ver y gently), check to see that no one is in the process of ser ving themselves from a shared plate.

If you can, sample a lit tle of each dish and don’t be surprised if your host continually asks you to eat more, and tr y ever y thing. At the end of the meal, be sure to leave a small amount of food in your bowl to honour your host ’s generosit y. Never

empt y your bowl – this would imply your host has not provided enough to eat.

LEAVING THE TABLE A formal Chinese meal can last three hours or more and you should tr y to stay the distance. But if you decide to leave early, quietly inform those seated beside you (don't say goodbye to ever yone at the table), and then make your excuses to your host. You need to apologise to your host without taking up too much of his time – keep him talking for too long and he would be forced to neglect his other guests.

Things get complicated when it comes to paying the bill. As an invited guest you must show that you are willing to pay – you need to ask to do so several times – but you will always be refused. The bill has to be paid by the host eventually, other wise he will lose face.

ON USING CHOPSTICKS Do…

Don’t…

• Learn the art before dining with Chinese friends – you need to be able to grasp food securely with your chopsticks and move it smoothly to your mouth

• Tap your chopsticks on the table or on your bowl

• Separate pieces of food into two by exerting controlled pressure on your chopsticks while moving them apart • Put your chopsticks on the table to indicate you have finished your meal. In between courses, place them on the chopstick holder or the edge of your plate 40

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

• Point at anyone with your chopsticks or wave them around too much • Stick your chopsticks vertically into your rice bowl • Stab or skewer food with your chopsticks • Use your own chopsticks to pick food from the central dishes • Burrow through the central dishes with your chopsticks to find the tastiest morsels for yourself

Ch

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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

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ARE YOUR FAMILY OR VALUABLES BETTER PROTECTED? Neil McCormick, Head of the Insurance division at Lifestyle Insurance, urges you to say “Yes” to Life and Critical Illness cover We know that financial planning is essential for long-ter m success, especially when it comes to providing for you and your family’s future. However, the majority tend to focus on the “wealth creation” part of financial planning and put off the “asset protection” part thinking it will never happen to them. We don’t think twice about insuring our homes, our cars, our expensive valuables but is our life equally insured?

The right type of insurance can come to your rescue in uncertain times and when your family needs it the most.

TYPES OF PROTECTION Term Life Insurance is the most cost-effective way of providing Life Insurance. While it will never acquire a cash value, the sum assured/ death benefit will be paid out to your beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event of your death. This can be used to p a y o ff o r s e r v i c e o n g o i n g l i a b i l i t i e s s u c h a s mortgages, inheritance tax, education fees, while also maintaining your family’s standard of living.

Remember, some peace of mind is always better than nothing.

Critical Illness Insurance is often overlooked but is arguably one of the most important personal protection covers. Unlike medical insurance, which will reimburse you for medical expenses, critical illness insurance provides the insured with a lumps u m p a y m e n t i f t h e p o l i c y i s t r i g g e re d w i t h a diagnosis of one of the defined critical illnesses in the policy. Nowadays, some policies also have multi-pay options and coverage for early-stage critical illnesses.

insurance is exhausted and pay off any other debts. You should also consider the financial consequences of survival if you cannot return to your previous way of life.

FINDING THE RIGHT TIME Many people will only start thinking about cover when they have responsibilities, such as a family or a mortgage to fund. However, you need to consider the following: •

As you get older, coverage will be more expensive.

•

You cannot guarantee your health – adverse medical history could present problems with insurability.

•

You are almost certainly going to need cover at some point.

The time to protect yourself and your loved ones is always now.

Cost of insurance will always be a major consideration, but your circumstances and requirements are unique to you. A thorough overview of the market is essential for your understanding and decision-making process.

Working with an independent advisor can save you not only time and money but importantly ensure the protection provides the cover you need.

You can use the funds to replace lost income, pay for private medical expenses after your medical Neil McCormick is a DB resident and Head of the Insurance division at Lifestyle Insurance. He has 15 years of experience advising individuals and families on all types of insurance. Contact Neil at neilmccormick@lfsinsurance.com, or WhatsApp 6120 1829. For more on Lifestyle Insurance, visit www.lfsinsurance.com.

Any DB resident who becomes a member of the Bay Media Rewards Club (www.baymediarewardsclub.com) will be offered up to 25% discount on travel, domestic helper, and home contents insurance policies and a 25% discount on health insurance arranged through Lifestyle Insurance.

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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THE ETERNAL CITY All roads lead to Rome PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

WHEN IN ROME, you’ll want

to get a feel for the ancient city.

Visit Palatine Hill to see where the emperors and aristocracy lived, and the Roman Forum – the site of elections, processions and criminal trials – for an insight into day-to-day Roman life. The Pantheon is Rome’s best preserved ancient monument, with the largest unreinforced, concrete dome in the world.

A GREAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING, the elegant, butterfly-

shaped Spanish Steps feature in Roman Holiday (1953), The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) and the Bob Dylan song When I Paint My Masterpiece.

There are 135 steps – don’t mistake the slightly elevated drainage system for the first step – linking Spanish Square below with Trinità dei Monti church above.

BUILT WHERE THE ANCIENT ROMANS

went to watch the “games,” ovalshaped Piazza Navona is Rome’s largest “square.” Today, it’s a centre for openair cafes and seasonal fairs, lively with painters, fortune tellers and street performers. It’s best known for its jawdropping Baroque fountains: Fountain of the Four Rivers, Fountain of the Moor and Fountain of Neptune.

44

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

ORIGINALLY THE 17THCENTURY ESTATE of

ESCAPES

/

Cardinal Scipione Borghese, Villa Borghese is set in a lovely 80-hectare park, with naturalistic landscaped gardens arranged in the English style. The onsite art gallery, housing the Borghese’s private art collection, boasts paintings

by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian, as well as sculptures

by Bernini.

IN THE COLOSSEUM, which

used to seat 50,000, you can walk in the footsteps of emperors, and explore the underground complex, where gladiators prepared themselves for battle. If this speaks to your imagination, sign up at the Roman Gladiator School, which offers classes for children as well as adults. Visit www.gruppotoricoromano.it.

NO ONE IS EVER PREPARED FOR

the size and magnificence of St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica (the largest church in the world), or the Vatican Museum, which is over 14.4 kilometres long. The Renaissance wow-factor carries through to Michelangelo’s glorious Sistine Chapel, and its world-famous frescoes. To book your place at Pope Francis’ weekly audience, visit www.citywonders.com.

NO TRIP TO ROME IS COMPLETE without a glimpse of the outrageously Baroque Trevi Fountain. Arguably the best-loved fountain in the city, every night about HK$28,000 is swept up from its basin, and donated to needy families in Rome. What makes visitors to the Trevi Fountain so charitable? Throw a coin into the water and, legend has it, you’ll be sure to return to Rome.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

45

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

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S A F E G UA R D I N G YO U R B U S I N E S S W I T H CYBER MONX Next generation cyber protection in Discovery Bay I n t o d a y ' s e v e r- e v o l v i n g d i g i t a l l a n d s c a p e , businesses, like yours, are continuously adapting to harness the power of technology for growth and innovation. However, with these advancements comes an increasingly pressing concer n: cyberattacks. These malicious acts, ranging from data breaches to ransomware incidents, can wreak havoc on businesses, leading to significant financial losses.

As a leader in cybersecurity, Cyber Monx is here to guide you through the intricacies of this crucial issue.

trust and credibility, ensuring that your business maintains its positive image and customer loyalty.

DIRECT FINANCIAL LOSSES: The immediate and often crippling financial impacts of a cyber-attack are undeniable. Businesses may face substantial financial losses related to countering the attack, such as engaging cybersecurity experts, recovering data and restoring compromised systems. Furthermore, the legal and regulatory expenses, including compliance with data breach notification laws, can mount rapidly.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE: In today's digital landscape, cyber threats loom large, and the best way to secure your business, whether large or small, is by preventing attacks from happening. Cyber Monx offers a proactive approach, providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, risk assessments and employee training programmes that equip your organisation to recognise and thwart potential threats. By investing in these preventive measures, you can safeguard your business's financial wellbeing from the outset, ensuring a secure and prosperous future.

At Cyber Monx, we understand the urgency of mitigating cyber threats. Our comprehensive services encompass risk assessment, threat detection and incident response. W ith our expert team at your side, you'll be well-prepared to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity and minimise the financial impact of potential attacks.

O P E R AT I O N A L D I S R U P T I O N : B e y o n d t h e immediate financial blow, cyber-attacks can disrupt your business operations, causing productivity to plummet. Downtime resulting from an attack can lead to lost revenue, affecting your bottom line.

Cyber Monx's services extend to business continuity planning, ensuring that your operations remain resilient even in the face of a cyber crisis.

Our team works tirelessly to minimise downtime and assist you in swiftly recovering from an attack, saving you precious time and resources. We understand that every moment counts in the business world, and we're here to help you regain your operational footing.

N AV I G AT I N G T H E L E G A L M A Z E : The legal implications of a cyber-attack can be daunting.

Stringent data protection laws, such as GDPR in Europe and CCPA in the United States, can result in substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance. Additionally, affected individuals may pursue legal action against your business.

PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS' FUTURE: I t ' s e s s e n t i a l t o re c o g n i s e t h a t t h e f i n a n c i a l repercussions of a cyber-attack can extend far beyond the initial incident. Insurance premiums may increase, and securing coverage may become more challenging. The long-term consequences of a tarnished reputation can lead to reduced customer loyalty and decreased revenues.

Cyber Monx's holistic approach to cybersecurity considers the long-term financial health of your b u s i n e s s . We p ro v i d e c o s t - e ff e c t i v e , g l o b a l support to ensure that your business’ cybersecurity measures adapt to evolving threats, safeguarding your company’s future prosperity.

R E P U TAT I O N M A N A G E M E N T: I n t o d a y ' s interconnected world, your business reputation is priceless. Customers trust companies with their sensitive information, and any compromise of that trust can lead to a loss of clientele. Cyber Monx recognises the significance of reputation management in the aftermath of an attack.

Our services go beyond just securing your digital assets; we help you devise a robust reputation management strategy. We'll work with you to rebuild 46

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

Contact Cyber Monx today: hello@monx.team

We will be running a special kids activities supplement in our summer publicatio AroundDB & Life on Lantau. We are offering a FANTASTIC promotional packa choice of options including a box entry and display ad for a few months. Apart fr exposure the guide will also be promoted on our digital and social media plat maximum coverage for FREE. Special discount packages available. Book your s Starting November Issue

TARGET LANTAU AND DB KIDS WITH YOUR PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES Outdoor - Sports - Camping - Dance - Ballet Theatre - Music - Art - Language Adventure - Science - Coding Cooking/Baking - Keep Fit - Martial Arts

DONT MISS OUT! SPACES LIMITED We are running a special kids activities guide in the winter publications of both Around DB and Life on Lantau. Take advantage of a FANTASTIC multi-month promotional package, with a choice of options including a box entry and a display advert. Apart from the print exposure, the guide will will also be promoted on our digital and social media platform for maximum coverage for FREE. Special discount packages available.

For costs and enquiries please contact : philip@baymedia.com.hk Tel: 2987 0167

RECIPES

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DIABOLICAL DELIGHTS Halloween treats that little witches and wizards can help to make PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

MUMMY JALAPEÑO POPPERS Makes 20 4 slices bacon, chopped 190g cream cheese 180g cheddar cheese, finely grated 2 scallions, thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, finely grated 10 large jalapeños Crescent rolls, refrigerated 1 large egg, beaten 10 black olives, halved

48

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Fry the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove any excess oil and combine, in a bowl, with 170g cream cheese, the cheddar, scallions, garlic and a pinch of salt. Halve the jalapeños lengthwise with the stem intact, and remove the seeds. Fill each half with the cream cheese mixture.

Unroll the crescent rolls and cut into 10 strips. Wrap each jalapeño half with two of the strips.

Arrange the jalapeños on a prepared baking tray.

Brush the tops of the strips with the beaten egg. Bake until golden brown and the filling is hot, 13 to 18 minutes. Use the remaining cream cheese to form the mummies’ “eyes,” and finish with olive “pupils”.

RECIPES

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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RECIPES

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SPOOKY GHOST PRETZEL RODS Makes 12 450g white chocolate 1 bag pretzel rods 1 tube black decorating gel

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt the white chocolate over a low heat. Once melted, pour into a tall drinking glass. Dip the pretzel rods into the chocolate and place on the baking tray. Refrigerate to allow the chocolate to harden.

Once the chocolate is hard, remove the pretzels from the fridge and draw a “face” on each using the black gel. You can store the ghost pretzels at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to three weeks.

50

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

UNCLE RUSS INSTAGRAM COMPETITION

SHARE A PHOTO #AROUNDDB TO WIN PRIZES FROM UNCLE RUSS COFFEE AND THE PIER BAR! Your mission this month is to share your favourite photo of DB on Instagram #arounddb.

You have until the 15th of the month to enter.

This is your chance to win four complimentary drinks from Uncle Russ and The Pier Bar. The Warriors CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST MONTH’S WINNER: Jennifer Bongar @jenbongar

We will contact the winner on Instagram #arounddb. Good luck!

CLASSIFIEDS

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Packing, Moving & Storage Services. Fixed price quote upon onsite survey or choose from the rates below:

Hire a Truck: HK$220/hour. Minimum 3 hours.

Short Trips: HK$200 & up.

Hire Movers: HK$120/hour per mover. Minimum 3 hours.

Cartons and Packing Materials: 16x14x14" (Small): HK$12.

23x15x15" (Medium): HK$15.

24x18x16" (Large): HK$18.

36x23x11" (Flat Carton for Hanging Clothes): HK$30.

24x22x47" (Wardrobe Boxes): HK$90.

Plastic Wrap: HK$60/roll.

Packing Paper: HK$160/ream.

Bubble: HK$50/roll.

Packing Tape: HK$8/piece.

Plastic Boxes & Used Cartons can be provided free of charge. (Subject to availability.)

Serves Lantau, DB, Tung Chung and the rest of HK. www.akash.hk 54

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M O D E R N A P A R T M EMODERN N T S IAPARTMENTS N D I S C OINVDISCOVERY E R Y B A BAY Y

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TUNG CHUNG

EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station HOME & REPAIRS Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Mr Chan 24-Hour Handyman Papabo Shun Yu Engineering HOTELS Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel Sheraton Tung Chung The Silveri Hong Kong - MGallery LEARNING CENTRES Clement Art School Discovery Mind International Play Centre Discovery Mind Primary School Greenfield International Kindergarten Salala Kids’ House Sun Island Education Foundation Tung Chung Catholic School YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College MEDICAL Bayside Dental Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Hospital North Lantau Physiotherapy Quality Health Dental Quality Health Care Medical Raffles Medical Raffles Medical Emergency

REALTORS 2988 8282 HomeSolutions 3483 5003 2988 1898 3661 1999 REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 2109 2330 ReloSmart 2561 3030 9343 3718 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 5541 1502 2988 1488 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Caribbean Coast Clubhouse 2109 9277 Caribbean Coast Management Office 2109 9288 2179 6678 3969 1888 Coastal Skyline Clubhouse 2179 6621 3602 8888 Coastal Skyline Management Office 3473 8700 2286 8888 Seaview Crescent Clubhouse 3473 8833 2535 0000 Seaview Crescent Management Office 2403 6770 3602 8989 Tung Chung Crescent Clubhouse Tung Chung Crescent Management Office 2109 1222 RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY A Tavola Bar & Grill 2321 5500 Andante, Novotel Citygate 3602 8828 Cabana Breeze 2777 8982 Café Aficionado 2286 6238 Café Lantau, Sheraton Tung Chung 2535 0021 Funky Monkey 2427 1111 Jasmine Tung Chung 2162 8018 La Rosabelle Bar & Grill 2881 8788 La Vista 2368 6866 2535 0023 2185 6550 Lobby Lounge, Sheraton Tung Chung 2330 0131 2109 9396 Maison Du Mezze 3500 5885 2109 2288 Man Mano Italian Restaurant 2762 8077 3467 7000 Mint & Basil 2116 8149 2194 0020 Moon Lok Chiu Chow 2907 6918 2403 6613 My Thai 2234 9199 2403 6623 Nha Trang Vietnamese Cuisine 2297 3588 2261 2626 PizzaExpress 2261 0999 Regala Café & Dessert Bar, Regal Airport Hotel 2286 6618 9757 9157 2987 8070 2915 0666 2162 5538 2611 9193 2420 1068 2121 0884 2988 8123

Rouge, Regal Airport Hotel 2286 6868 Skycity Bistro, SkyCity Marriott 3969 2500 Sunset Grill, Sheraton Tung Chung 2535 0025 The New Chapter 2907 6988 The Tavern 2907 6822 Upper Deck 2757 8889 Yue, Sheraton Tung Chung 2535 0028 Velocity Bar & Grill, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott 3969 1888 RETAIL FTC Apparel Lantau Balloons

2428 2566 9733 5483

SPORT & RECREATION Asia Pacific Soccer Schools 2385 9677 Aqua Gym 2914 0658 B & S Art Gallery 2493 8895 Dance for Joy 9264 8597 Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre 6688 2167 ESF Sports 2711 1280 Fitness in Motion 9744 4736 HK Dragons 2987 4274 Kinder Kicks Soccer 2385 9677 Perun Fitness 6443 6597 Rugbytots 5307 6677 Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool 2109 9107 Tung Chung Sports Centre 2109 2421 Tung Chung Rugby Club 6079 0825 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Royal Pets (Pet Sitting) Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung Chung Vet Centre

6314 9887 2988 1534 2328 7282

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Max Beauty Spa OM Spa, Regal Airport Hotel Tung Chung Nail Ninjas Quan Spa, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott

2162 5752 2286 6266 9551 6468 3692 1888

The Gallery The Kitchen Treasure Island Beach Club

2980 2582 5991 6292 5236 7013

RETAIL Bella Ciao Lantau Friendly Bike Shop Garden Plus Island Wines Loi Chan Frozen Meat Co. Lantau Base Camp Lantau Grocer Red Hall Chinese Antiques Steak King Mui Wo Tony’s Salon Value Vigilantes VIBE Book & Music Shop

9321 0487 2984 2278 2980 2233 9521 8481 2984 8346 9889 4375 2702 0050 2988 1368 5988 2005 2984 0990 6132 9120 9088 2370

SPORT & RECREATION Long Coast Seasports South Lantau Paddle Club Treasure Island Beach Club

5545 5625 6058 8843 2546 3543

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Pause by the Banyan Spa Ambiance

9708 0187 2984 2488

SOUTH LANTAU EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Lantau South Police Mui Wo Fire Department

MEDICAL 3661 1696 North Lantau Hospital 3467 7000 2984 1570 REALTORS HOME & REPAIRS Findley Leung 2984 8334 Koon Wah Hardware 2984 8487 HomeSolutions 3483 5003 Lee Wo Construction Engineering 2984 1802 Man Shun Construction & Engineering 2984 9833 REMOVALS & RELOCATION New Look Design 9783 5840 Akash Removals 2421 8088 Papabo 5541 1502 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 Lee Hing Loong 2984 2268 HOTELS ReloSmart 2561 3030 Silvermine Beach Resort 6810 0111 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 Tai O Heritage Hotel 2985 8383 RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY LEARNING CENTRES Bathers 2504 4788 Ashville International Kindergarten & Nursery 2109 9886 Bella Ciao Lantau 9321 0487 Buddhist Fat Ho College 2985 5365 Cafe Isara 2470 1966 Lantau International Kindergarten 2984 0302 Caffe Paradiso 2984 0498 Lantau International School, Reception, 2984 0302 China Bear 2984 9720 Lantau International School, Lower Primary 2980 3676 La Pizzeria 2984 8933 Lantau International School, Upper Primary 2984 0302 Lantana Italian Bistro 5465 5511 Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten 3689 7033 Long Island 2320 2001 Mui Wo Language Cafe 5511 6107 Pause Cafe 5267 5549 Silvermine Bay School 2984 0006 The China Beach Club 2983 8931

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LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY BUSINESS SERVICES Monx T8 Consulting Ltd

5286 0155 2517 8248

EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 China Light & Power Emergency DB Fire & Ambulance Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline Lantau North Police Report Room

2728 8333 2987 7502 2435 4511 3661 1694

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank of China 2160 8585 HSBC 2233 3000 HOME & REPAIRS Chameleon Design & Interiors China Light & Power Information DRS Company Good Luck Engineering Hung Kee Co Island Cleaning Solutions

May’s Furniture & Curtain Design Rich Point Hardware Materials Water Fault Reports Water Supplies Department Well Supreme Laundry

9219 8169 2678 2678 9156 0360 2987 1313 2987 5087 6091 5176 2987 0222 2987 0789 2811 0788 2824 5000 2987 5151

HOTELS Auberge Discovery Bay

2295 8288

LAWYERS & INSURANCE Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services. Meeting facilities available in DB. Contact 24168618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com,

Manulife 9172 9152 LEARNING CENTRES & SCHOOLS

MEDICAL Bayside Dental Practice 2987 0855 DB Medical Centre 2987 5633 Health & Care Dental Clinic 2666 6183 Island Health 2987 7575 North Lantau Hospital 3467 7000 Quality Health Medical Centre 2987 5633 Quality Health Physiotherapy 2473 6200 Lok Kwan Home Care Service 2803 2103 Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lok Kwan District Support Centre (Islands) 2548 0060/ 2546 3739 Yulana Stynder Physiotherapy 5514 1008 PLACES OF WORSHIP DB Alliance Church Community Centre DB Anglican Church DB International Community Church Trinity Chapel

2987 8136 2987 4210 2987 7061 3590 8017

REALTORS Headland Homes 2987 2088 Kingsland 2987 2987 Land Master Property 2987 6238 Okay.com 2102 0888 Savills 2987 1919 REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals FTC Relocations ReloSmart SwiftRelo

2421 8088 2814 1658 2561 3030 2363 4008

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DB Office Centre DB Lost & Found DB Management The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Typhoon Signal Enquiries

2238 3388 3651 2345 2238 3601 2259 3422 2835 1473

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY

Discovery Montessori School A reputable & well-known international school for authentic Montessori bilingual (English & Chinese) education for children aged 1 to 12 years. Beautiful campus & highly qualified teachers. Contact 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk EpicLand Billed as Hong Kong’s tallest indoor entertainment centre, EpicLand is home to the city's first ‘air trek’, complete with eight sky-high obstacles, trampolines, slides and more. Contact 2441 0098, reception@epiclandhk.com, www.epiclandhk.com

Bayview House of Children 6114 2436 DBIS 2987 7331 DBIS Kindergarten 2914 2142 Discovery College 3969 1000 Discovery Mind International Play Centre 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Kindergarten 2987 8088 Discovery Montessori Academy 2812 9206 Dr Bear Education Centre 9685 7856 EpicLand 2441 0098 Funfit 6302 6327 Guidepost Montessori (DB) 2185 6134 HKILA

2416 3198 La Petite Enfance Kindergarten 8191 0813 Mandarin for Munchkins 2480 3909 Mathemagic (home tutoring) 9135 4724 Rigolo comme la vie 5495 8810 SKH Wei Lun Primary School 2987 8608 Treasure House 2987 4217 Woodentots 6108 9131 Yifan Mandarin 9208 7611 Zhi Zhi Chinese 9648 2966 58

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

The Rink Italian Kitchen Located in DB Plaza Extension, the THE RINK Italian Kitchen offers guests a unique gastronomical experience of authentic Italian flavours. To reserve a table, call 3709 6451.

101 Tasty House 2658 9696 Bones & Blades 2383 0792 Café Bord de Mer & Lounge 2295 8299 Caffe Pascucci 2591 1426 Cali-Mex 2904 7698 Coffee Academics 2882 2280 Ebeneezer’s 2987 0036 Epic Foods 2172 6111 Figos Seaside Café 2987 2995 il Bel Paese 2987 0202 Island Café 2987 9311 JOO Korean Grill & Bar 6706 7520 Koh Tomyums 2987 0767 La Creation & Châteraisé 2987 1829 Levain Bakery 2726 4922 Lekker Laa 6857 1620 McDonald’s & McCafe 2987 1033 Moofish by Zak’s 2987 6318 Osmanbey Turkish Restaurant 5401 8350 Paisano’s 2673 4445 Peony 2215 0833 PizzaExpress 3164 1340 Raf & Sons/The Rink 3611 8369 Shanghai Breeze 2987 7808 Sushi No En 3705 9984 The Chippy 2987 8688 The Pier Bar 2520 2166

LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY Three Sheets Marquee Bar 2987 0966 Uncle Russ 2840 1188 Viet Bu Tong Kitchen & Bar 2338 8970 Zak’s 2987 6232

Yoga Bay 6704 9851 Yogika 6749 7836 YogaUP 6805 4996 Yrock 6180 0817

RETAIL & DAILY NECESSITIES 7-Eleven 2299 1110 Bloom 6117 7653 Bones & Blades Butcher 2383 0683 Bookazine 2987 1373 Circle K 2991 6337 DB Post Office 2987 6046 european touch 2918 0868 felix and mina

2130 7013 Fusion by PARKnSHOP 2987 7486 Garden A rtemis 9137 4833 Gillian Florist 2529 8256 Greenmont Kids 5345 1451 Havana@ DBay 2918 0868 Island Wake 2636 0601 Japan Home Centre 2987 1041 Market Place and IKEA 2947 9092 Nomadic

2987 8460 Open Kitchen 2987 8720 P-Solution 2987 1777 Polishfood.hk 9546 0374 Tai Fat Hardware Store 2987 0789 The Optical House 2987 1368 Toysland 2987 7859 Watson’s Pharmacy 2987 4089 Watson’s Wine 2987 0268

TRANSPORTATION DB Golf Cart Services DB Transportation Services Limousine Rental Wiselink Golf Cart Services

2914 2727 2987 7351 5303 3489 2987 9368

VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Island Veterinary Services

My Pet Shop Pets Gallery Pet Space Club Ready, Pet, Go! The Dog's Garden

2987 9003 2987 8873 2987 0428 2788 1599 5721 6181 2987 2077

SPORT & RECREATION HK Dragons Football Club Football for girls & boys aged 2.5 years to 14 years. Contact 2987 4274, dragons.hk

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Ingredients of Wellness Mindfulness training for children, teens & their parents and teachers. Offering Mindfulness Matters, Mindfulness in Education (for adults), AMT Mindfulness Teacher Training.

Contact 9048 5425, angie@ingredientsofwellness.com, www.ingredientsofwellness.com

Afflatus Hair Workshop Bay Spa DB Pure Spa Head to Toe Spa By Nailed it Herbal Health Care Hypnotherapist Margaret Liu Nailed It! Salon De Coiffure Sophia Essentials Spa Botanica, Auberge Discovery Bay

2987 0283 9837 0969 9794 0918 2988 1188 2834 7276 5925 3469 2987 2266 2987 4112 2527 0118 2295 8129

Island Dance ISTD Freestyle, ISTD Hip Hop, RAD Ballet, Tap & AcroDance classes at DBRC, Club Siena & DB Plaza.

Five professional instructors, teaching six days a week.

Contact 2987 1571/ 9159 0663, info@islanddance.com.hk, www.islanddance.com.hk

Tekkerz Football programmes for boys & girls for age groups U5 up to U14. Contact 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, www.prosportsasia.com

BMSE Community Centre 2259 3422 Caissa Chess 6938 7603 Club Siena

2987 7382 Daruma Judo 6244 6093 DBees

9867 9240 DB Ice Rink 2234 0187 DB Pirates 9255 6133 DB Golf Club 2987 7273 DB Recreation Club 2987 7381 DMR 5210 7208 Dream Sports Academy 3462 2626 Embody 6624 8712 EpicLand 2441 0098 EMS Fitness Hong Kong 6200 2463 Future Stars Dance Academy 2987 6867 Gallery Jeeum 9819 7176 Harry Wright International 2575 6279 HK Yoga 6113 6770 Kaisei Ryu Ju Jitsu 5315 0227 Kapuhala Train-in-Space 6101 8434 Korea Taekwondo Cheung Do Kwan 9663 8077 Lantau Yacht Club 2987 9591 MGK Fight Club 9303 2996 Tinytots 3488 7724

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY @ www.arounddb.com To add your own directory listing box, call the Bay Media office on 2987 0167, or email info@baymedia.com.hk

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2023

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OUT THERE

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NANO NONSENSE FOR NATIONAL DAYS

Forget the joy of small things. Big is best, says Peter Sherwood PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

I’m hardly innocent when it comes to national day features in the press, having written a few of these drear y pieces after inter viewing embassy officials stuck for a lifetime in a bureaucratic quagmire. The inter view process is inevitably followed by nightmare encounters – to-ing and fro-ing with embassy wives conscripted into this farcical enterprise to proofread in between Bridge games. Anyone forced to read this stuff would prefer the 1963 Turkish telephone director y or a book on quantum physics in Swahili.

Depressing? An arm full of heroin and a pile of Prozac couldn’t fix the ennui that such articles produce. Sad too that the jokers who initiate it think we’re excited to read about their trade figures and history of the national flag. Hey! No. One. Cares. Sherwood’s Law of Readership states: “The level of intellect required to read a national day supplement equals a pork chop.”

Of course, there are curious pedants hellbent on using a magnifying glass to decipher this drivel just to be sure that the writer’s got his facts right.

I imagine these supplements are used as a form of tor ture for prisoners in solitar y confinement and with only the toothpaste tube to read – and as a substitute for waterboarding. (These methods of inflicting suffering can be replaced by audio miser y: Mamma Mia on a 24-hour loop).

Competition in the nano world is fierce: a leatherbound version of The Lord’s Prayer in eight languages was published by the Gutenberg Museum in 1952. It measured 5mm x 5mm, the size of the end of a pencil.

A nano Bible with 1.2 million letters has been created on a disk the size of the tip of a pen and requires an electron microscope to read it. An ad for Netflix’s Busted in Variety measured 1.712cm x 2.529cm. A special edition of the Por tuguese language weekly Terra Nostra, measuring just 18.27mm x 25.35mm, was cer tified by Guinness World Records as the world’s smallest newspaper.

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UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

touchingly old-fashioned announcement for a cer tain countr y’s Independence Day appeared in the South China Morning Post. The 35cm x 25cm half-page was about 3,500 words, about 12 pages of a paperback novel, defying anyone to read it. Reading it, you would risk blindness and insanity, the only saviour being narcolepsy from excruciating boredom. I’ve been around publishing since Trump told his first lie and had no idea that print could be so tiny. But the announcement would also be unreadable in 64-point type over 20 pages, such was the epic tedium. Likely it began as a full page until cost was mentioned.

What’s the point, you ask? But we could ask the same of national day nonsense, which brings me to the small brains depar tment. The nematode worm is a 1mm-long non-ar thropod inver tebrate with just a 302-neuron brain compared to the human version of 80 to 90 billion. Note: 298 neurons are required to produce a national day supplement.

But enough quibbling. Let’s end with a power ful and internationally impor tant reflection on something seriously big and vastly more interesting than any national day: the biggest pineapple ever recorded was grown by Christine McCollum from Bakewell, Australia. It measured 32cm x 66cm and weighed 28kg, a pineapple pinnacle.

Peter Sherwood has lived in DB for 20+ years. The former head of an international public relations firm, he is the author of 15 books and has written around 400 satirical columns for the South China Morning Post.

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