Sign up to be a DB Pirate –training kicks off this month
Jump on a boat to explore a deliciously different side of Hong Kong
New ways to beat the back-to-school blues
Your favourite DB North playcentre is open again through August 31
HEADING INTO YEAR 13 AT DBIS, HONG KONG, CHINA NATIONAL TEAM CRICKETER DANIEL MAPP IS READY TO DELIVER
NOT‧
Food AngelFOOD ANGEL FOOD ANGEL
Food Angel is a food rescue and food assistance program different sectors of the nutritious and communities in
Food Angel is a food rescue and food assistance program launched in 2011 with the mission of "Waste Not, Hunger Not, With Love".
The program rescues edible surplus food from different the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of as waste. Following strict safety protocols, the rescued food items will then be prepared as nutritious meals in our central kitchen and food packs. They will be distributed to serve the underprivileged communities Hong Kong.
Currently, Food Angel rescues 33 tonnes of edible surplus food each week, producing over 20,000 nutritious meals and helps distribute over 6,500 other meals and food packs daily free of charge for people who are in need of food assistance.
Food Angel nutritious food assistance. over and 32
million nutritious and is both body and
Since its founding in 2011, Food Angel has collected over 16 million kg of edible surplus food and produced over 32 nutritious meals. By reducing food waste and providing food assistance, our mission is to nourish both the body and soul of those who need it most.
HELP US SERVE 40,000+ MEALS A DAY HELP US SERVE 40,000+ MEALS A DAY
NOT‧ US DAY A DAY
Food Angel Jockey Club Food Production Centre is a new milestone for Food Angel this year. It helps to expand the meal production capacity to 40,000 meals or more daily with larger facilities and automated machinery. To support our daily operations, we require more food ingredients and volunteers. Community and business support are essential for increasing production to 40,000 meals or more, allowing us to meet the needs of our society.
The Food Production Centre a new milestone for Food Angel this year. It helps to production daily larger facilities and automated and essential increasing allowing needs of our society.
difference! Your support help and foodangel.org.hk
Join us in making a difference! Your support can help us secure the ingredients and resources necessary to provide hearty meals and warmth to those in need.
Together, we can let lives be enriched through giving and receiving! foodangel.org.hk
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Our layout encourages integration and interaction among members. Engage with fellow professionals and cultivate relationships in an inspiring setting that encourages creativity.
Our workspace is equipped with everything you need for a productive day, including a printer, scanner and shredder, a full kitchen and outdoor BBQ for social gatherings. We also provide free coffee and snacks to fuel your work!
Join us and become a part of a vibrant community that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
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RACHEL AINSLEY
Managing editor rachel@arounddb.com
KRISTIN JIANG
Sales manager kristin@arounddb.com
SARIN ALE
Art director sarin@arounddb.com
KAYLI LIEBENBERG
Digital marketing coordinator kayli@arounddb.com
ANDREW SPIRES
Photographer andrew.j.c.spires@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Ray Au, Mervyn Black, Elizabeth Kerr, Peter Sherwood, Andrew Spires, Inka Viirret
PRINTING
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ADB OFFICE
L/G Unit 3, Block 1, 92 Siena Ave, DB North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
Through August 31
DB Summer Splashtopia is in place through August 31. Open daily from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 6.30pm on Tai Pak Wan, it’s billed as Hong Kong’s biggest beach water park. You can expect eight massive inflatable bouncy areas and a 10-metre water slide, along with myriad splashtastic games and sports. [PHOTO BY Sarin Ale.]
Lantau Yacht Club became Hong Kong’s first marina to achieve the prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Platinum status in June. One of only five marinas in Asia to receive this elite recognition, accredited by the Marina Industries Association, the club was also awarded Superyacht Ready Marina status. This dual accreditation showcases LYC’s commitment to excellence in superyacht hospitality. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBSML.]
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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.
© AROUND DB 2025
All year!
Hong Kong Disneyland’s year-long birthday party is now in full swing with an all-new castle stage show; the largest parade yet at the resort; a special 20th anniversary edition of Momentous ; delicious food; adorable merchandise and some truly magical special offers.
Our top pick is the Friendtastic Parade, the park’s largest yet, complete with 11 dazzling floats, around 100 performers and including more than 30 Disney characters. Four original songs have been developed for the parade, which features floats themed to the Walt Disney Animation Studios films Zootopia, Big Hero 6 and Encanto , and Pixar Animation Studios films Toy Story, Monsters, Inc, Turning Red, Inside Out and Up . Duffy and Friends and the Disney Princesses are included in the lineup, and Red Panda Mei from Turning Red , Isabela from Encanto and Officer Clawhauser from Zootopia are making their park debut. The parade starts between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland and makes its way to the beginning of Main Street, USA.
Another top pick is Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle! , an electrifying new concertstyle show featuring the 20th anniversary anthem, two brand-new original songs and a stunning LED decor. Then there’s Momentous: Party in the Night Sky! , a special anniversary edition of Disney’s well-loved nighttime spectacular. The show’s stunning castle projections have been extended all the way down Main Street, USA, and you can expect drones, illuminated water projections, choreographed water fountains, flames, lasers and pyrotechnics. To find out more, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com.
Be sure to catch the third edition of the DB Open Water Race Challenge at Tai Pak Wan and Sam Pak Wan beaches on August 31. Organised by Open Water Swim Series HK, the event includes three solo swim races (3.8km, 1.7km and 400m) and two 400m swim relays. Races are open to participants aged 6 to 75. To find out more and enrol by August 24, visit www.eventshorizons.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Open Water Swim Series HK.]
DB Pirates is on the lookout for new players of all ages and gender: training for the 2025-26 rugby and netball seasons starts on August 31. Founded in 2003 and known as DB’s ‘friendliest sporting club’, DB Pirates continues to go from strength to strength, with teams competing successfully across Hong Kong and beyond. To find out more, turn to page 20. To register for the new season, and learn about volunteering and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.dbpirates.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Chris Pearce.]
Registration is open for the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks, organised by Action Asia Events, and the two peaks in question are, of course, Lantau and Sunset. There are two distances: the 23km (two peaks: elevation gain 1,889m), which you can run solo, with a partner or in a team of four, and the 15km (half peak: elevation gain 854m), which is run solo. To sign up to race on October 5, visit www.actionasiaevents.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Action Asia Events.]
Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong has earned a spot on Dianping’s prestigious Must-Stay List 2025. The Must-Stay List celebrates hotels that excel in providing consistent quality, value-for-money and unique guest experiences. It’s a valuable resource for travellers, helping them choose accommodation based on real user reviews and AI-powered analysis of various factors like service, cleanliness, room ambience and breakfast quality.
Smart textile collection machines are cropping up all over DB. In addition to clothing, the machines also take in shoes, bags, toys and accessories. You’ll also find a set of Smart recycling bins for plastic bottles, metal and paper in Siena Two near the Graceful Mansions bus stop. When recycling, you can earn points to redeem gifts. Scan the QR code on the machine, register as a member, and accumulate points to cash in.
[PHOTO BY Kayli Liebenberg.]
Yashasvini!
ESF students across Hong Kong achieved an average IB score of 36.1 this year, well above the global average of 30.3 in 2024, with over 298 achieving a score of 40 or more. An incredible 15 students, including Yashasvini Agarwal of Discovery College, attained the maximum possible score of 45 points, 27 students scored 44 points and 64 students 43 points. Overall, 914 ESF students gained their IB Diploma – at a 97.6% achievement rate. Additionally, 62 ESF students who followed the IB Careers Related Programme received the IB CP award. [PHOTO COURTESY OF ESF.]
You don’t have to be a Discovery College student to attend art class at the school on Tuesday evenings. There’s a regular class from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, and a combo class from 4.30pm to 6pm – both running from August 19 to December 9, and led by instructors from Banana Art Club. Kids, aged 5 to 13 years, get to focus on any two of the following: drawing and sketching, watercolour, oil/ soft pastel, canvas painting and cartoon and manga. To register and find out more, call 6020 5476 or visit www.bananaartclub.com.
Enrol by August 31
The enrolment deadline for the DB Dragon Boat Gala 2025 (the event’s 35th edition) is August 31. The races will be held at Tai Pak Wan on October 26 with categories for the whole community to enjoy. Spots are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. To enrol your team, visit https://forms.gle/3kpGWR8LnJk7nbfz6.
Through August 31
Cinderella Adventure has popped-up at the former EpicLand in DB North Plaza and will be in place through August 31 – longer if we’re lucky. Guests get to enjoy all the play centre facilities plus handicrafting (alpaca-shaped money box painting and sand painting). In addition, each guest receives two tokens to use at the claw machine in the hopes of grabbing a free soft toy. Cinderella Adventure is open from 10am to 6pm daily; children must be accompanied by an adult – entry is HK$288 for two, HK$100 for each additional visitor. To find out more or make a booking, call 6315 0611.
Reminder!
If you’re a regular ferry commuter, be sure to look into the discounts available – worth it when you consider the standard single-trip ticket fare is HK$55.8. There’s no monthly travel pass available but DB residents can pick up a special Octopus card at the Discovery Bay Transportation Customer Service Centre or DB Ferry Pier to bring the fare down to HK$38.2 per trip. Non-residents can look into the stored-trip option which is valid for 60 days: 20 trips to Central Pier 3 for HK$884 (HK$44.2 per trip). There’s also HKRCL’s ongoing Spend & Ride Offer, which gets you (and three companions) a free ride back to town if you spend HK$150 (HK$250 on the weekend and public holidays) at a designated DB restaurant, bar, or store. To find out more, head to www.visitdiscoverybay.com.
BUY DURABLE ITEMS.
Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. They save money over time.
CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS.
Look for recycled and recyclable, organic, local, or sustainably sourced products.
MAKE AN INVENTORY.
Before buying anything new, check what you already have at home (notebooks, stationary, backpacks).
BUY USED OR RECYCLED.
Consider secondhand uniforms, backpacks and electronics.
MINIMISE PACKAGING.
Choose items with minimal or recycled and recyclable packaging.
CONSERVE PAPER.
Use last year’s notebooks if they aren't full and write or draw on both sides of the paper.
BUS.
If not, take the school bus instead of a golf buggy.
CARPOOL.
Reduce traffic by sharing golf buggy rides – can you carpool, bike, or bus at least one day each week?
PACK WASTE-FREE LUNCHES.
Use reusable food containers, bottles and lunch bags. Avoid individually packaged snacks. Try homemade snacks and swap wet-wipes for cloth napkins.
RECYCLE.
Some packaging can be recycled at the weekly Green@Community collection near Parkridge (note: only plastic bottles in your building's bin). Encourage kids to bring packaging home for proper recycling.
COMPOST.
Check if your school composts food waste. If not, use the purple food waste bins found in most Discovery Bay buildings.
Together, our choices create a cleaner, greener future for everyone!
Find more from DB’s homegrown environmental charity at www.plasticfreeseas.org.
A celebration of all things feline is running at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 1 to 3. Expect a variety of exhibitors showcasing the latest in cat food, toys and accessories, plus cat competitions, a cat breed parade, grooming demonstrations and educational talks. The expo is themed Ancient Egypt – back then cats were worshipped as deities – and photo spots include a 4-metre-high pyramid. Purchase tickets (HK$30) at the door.
August 1 to 3
August 1 to 3
Through September 28
Head to the Wanchai Harbourfront Event Space through September 28 to enjoy this year’s fun-filled edition of Summer Fest. Expect live music and dance, wandering ukulele players, arts-and-crafts workshops, and yoga and cookery classes. There’s also a market and a sports playground, open daily, with a lineup of seven interactive games perfect for all ages. Admission is free.
Through September 4
Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage , showing August 22 to September 4 at Cityplaza, is brought by environmental nonprofit The Nature Conservancy to shine a light on Hong Kong’s vanishing oyster reefs. These biodiverse ecosystems once flourished around Lantau and in Deep Bay, providing not just a habitat for marine life but also natural coastal defences and a livelihood for oyster farmers. Expect interactive displays, VR experiences and community-led restoration stories. Admission is free.
Running August 1 to 3 at the Event Space, 1/F Central Market, Gin Fest Meets Tequila Fest spotlights international spirit producers alongside rising homegrown talent. Expect tastings from 100+ gin and tequila brands, mixology demos and limited-edition pours. Each ticket, priced at HK$300, includes five drink tokens and a steel cup. Make a booking at Klook.
Hong Kong’s annual International Arts Carnival, running through August 17 at various venues, attracts world-class performing arts groups from across the globe. Highlights include the Summer Cine Family Fest; interactive multimedia theatre by Mime Wave; Phoebus Chan’s energetic Sounds of Sports ; and The Secret Agent Spin-off: Hidden Treasure, a musical adapted from the bestselling novel series. Book tickets at Urbtix.
As of this issue, you are invited to take part in the ADB Scavenger Hunt! We’ve elected to make it a little harder – and much more fun – for you to win four complementary drinks from Uncle Russ and The Pier Bar!
HOW TO PLAY: Answer the riddle on the right, head to the DB destination we’re hinting at, take a photo and share it on Instagram #arounddb. You have until the 15th of the month to enter.
IF YOU WIN we’ll contact you on Instagram #arounddb, on the 15th of the month, and ask you to email us the winning photo in high resolution (1MB). Your winning is dependent on your doing this, as the photo will be published on this page in the upcoming issue of Around DB
From now until the end of the year, we’ll release one riddle each month, leading you to exciting destinations across DB. All destinations are family-friendly and well-known to the community. We hope you enjoy the ADB Scavenger Hunt!
Find and photograph me before the 15th of the month and share the photo on Instagram #arounddb
On July 5 and 6, some 4,000 festivalgoers headed to Tai Pak Beach for the Nextwave XX25 Beach Music Festival, Hong Kong’s largest. There were seven live performances per day with Eric Chou, Chung Ha and ITZY headlining, plus food stalls, a marketplace and large-scale sea park. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]
Over the past few months, City Management has been giving residents, aged six years and up, the chance to try their hand at fun, trending sports like Mölkky, Dodgebee, Cornhole and Pétanque. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of CM.]
Island Dance has been teaching dance to children since 1993 out of DBRC and Club Siena. This year’s showcase, School’s Out , was held on June 21 and 22 at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre. Performances included dances in Freestyle, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop and Acro; songs were inspired by all things ‘school’ from science class to Physical Education. The show featured over 100 DB dancers who embodied the Island Dance motto of ‘Turning Passion into Performance’. [PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon.]
Heading into Year 13 at DBIS, Hong Kong, China national team cricketer Daniel Mapp is ready to deliver. Elizabeth Kerr reports
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of Jonathan Mapp
“Idon’t really speak too much. I think my PE teacher, Mr Lugg, recommended I do this interview,” opens Discovery Bay International School student Daniel Mapp on Google Chat. “No offence. I just don’t like being the centre of attention. On tour I don’t like doing interviews; it’s not my type of thing. But I’m open to it, I guess.”
For the record, on this mid-week afternoon, 17-year-old Daniel comes across as reserved rather than disinterested – that is until the conversation turns to sport, cricket in particular, when his reticence vanishes entirely.
On the cusp of starting his final year at DBIS and at 6’ 5”, Daniel would fit right in as a shooting guard on any American college basketball team or as a wide receiver in gridiron. But the Cape Town native has eyes only for the world’s most enigmatic game. For the uninitiated, cricket can resemble baseball for its batsmen, fielders and wicket keepers – “kind of like catchers,” Daniel explains patiently. Bowlers are like pitchers, anyone can play up to three positions, and unlike baseball there are multiple formats: T20, T10, limited overs, five-day Test matches…
Does cricket have tries? “No, that’s rugby,” Daniel corrects gently before breaking down the myth of those week-long games. “Test matches are played by the best teams in the world. I’ve only ever played 50 overs (an innings), which is usually nine hours.”
Cricket is far from a mystery across Asia-Pacific –including Hong Kong and dominant India – the UK and the Caribbean. Its popularity in South Africa made it part of Daniel’s childhood. His dad played when he was young and Daniel started flirting with the game when the family lived in Dubai before relocating to Hong Kong 12 years ago.
“I would go down to my older brother’s training, aged 4. I wasn’t old enough to play with them yet, so I was just on the sidelines watching, messing about. One day the coach handed me a bat and a ball and I’ve been playing ever since. Growing up in DB, I played rugby, football and cricket but eventually it got to a point where I had to focus on one. I just liked cricket the most. I think there’s a lot of versatility to it; you can’t really get bored because there are so many aspects of the game.”
The chances of getting bored are also narrowed if you’re playing at Daniel’s level: he’s an integral part of the Hong Kong Cricket Club junior and senior squads, which play in multi-team local leagues. And he plays for the Hong Kong, China national team Men’s U19 and Men’s A – he recently took six wickets against Tanzania for the latter.
“Now I play club cricket at the Hong Kong Cricket Club over on Hong Kong Island, but before that I played for the local cricket club here, DB Smashers. They were a big part in my development as a junior cricketer.”
These days, Daniel feels equally supported by DBIS: he references a recent class visit to the Hong Kong Sports Institute – a real eye-opener for students, particularly those considering a career in sports.
Bigger picture: DBIS has been flexible enough to allow Daniel the freedom, sometimes two weeks, to compete in regional tournaments. “I’m expected to finish all my work on time, even though I’m playing nine-hour days,” he says with a grin. “But I’ve had a lot of support from my school and the online classroom with additional catch-up time provided and distance learning.”
Daniel’s returning the favour too. As a sports ambassador at DBIS, he’s a role model for younger students and a leader on lower school sports days. No surprise, he plays cricket for DBIS, and he’s also on the school’s U20 football and basketball teams. “We did pretty well; our football and basketball teams placed third this year. We haven’t won silverware in a while so it was pretty good.”
The tours and tournaments that take Daniel off campus have seen him play in Oman, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and, most recently, Nepal… “Nepal was probably one of the best places I’ve toured. Not a lot of people know cricket is so huge there. Even their junior teams get treated like kings. When we played their U19 national team, there were 300 or 400 people watching.”
Though Hong Kong, China fell to Nepal and Afghanistan in Kathmandu, the team beat Oman by 10 wickets – and Daniel was awarded man of the match in two of the three matches. That boded well for a busy summer. In July, Daniel headed to the UK to case universities and train with Kent County Cricket Club in Canterbury. The training opportunity was organised by former Hong Kong, China Men’s A coaches Simon Willis and Simon Cook. This month, before term starts, he’s back training with the Hong Kong, China Men’s U19 to tour Malaysia under coach Mark Farmer.
The UK trip was made with an eye to the future. “England has a good cricket culture, so I want to go play for a university or a county,” Daniel says, before admitting, “If I had it my way, I wouldn’t go to university; I’d just play cricket there. But that’s not an option for me. My mum would prefer I go through uni.” Daniel’s first choice is Loughborough University,
which is renowned for its sports programme and a favourite among cricketing students eager to go pro.
At this point the physicality of the sport comes up. Daniel has played or watched American football, rugby, you name it. But he makes a case for cricket as just as white-knuckled as any sport. “It’s quite dangerous. At the top level the speed the ball is coming at you from the bowler gives you a split second to react,” he says, sparking to the subject. “You have to trust that you’ve trained enough so that when you’re batting, you see the ball and you react like you have a motor programme for it. It’s definitely quick. We get broken fingers, broken arms. That’s why we have all the padding. I mean, baseball doesn’t have as much padding.”
But baseball is slow and wimpy. You don’t need padding, right? Daniel dodges a comment on the veracity of that claim. “Contrary to your opinion, I think it’s quite interesting,” he says with a grin. “It’s just it’s kind of one thing. There are more variables to cricket, but I do have a bias.”
Daniel’s grateful he had a few classes lined up over the summer designed to give him a head start on what he expects will be a challenging academic year. Heading into Year 13, his final A-level exams in Economics, Psychology and Physical Education are looming, and there’s that all-important Hong Kong, China national team tour of Malaysia coming up. But the question has to be asked: what does Daniel do when he has a free weekend?
“I just do what every teenager does. Sleep and play video games, hang out with my mates, play other sports, golf mostly,” he says. His video game of choice? “NBA 2K.” (Not Cricket 24.)
Registration for the 2025-26 rugby and netball seasons is open now and training kicks off in late August. Find out why you want to join the DB Pirates. Mervyn Black reports
You would be hard-pressed to have spent any significant amount of time in Discovery Bay and not heard of the DB Pirates. The club’s eye-catching green and black strip is carried by adults and children alike through the plaza, on buses and, of course, on the rugby pitch and netball court.
Fresh off a big 2024-25 season that saw plenty of success and with the backing of sponsors Cathay Cargo, Figos, Three Sheets and Coopers, the DB Pirates are building steam ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 season.
A club built with rugby as its foundation, the DB Pirates cater to rugby players from four years of age through to seniors, while their netball section runs from seven-year-olds up to ladies. After building nicely since the Covid-19 pandemic, the DB Pirates are looking to forge ahead with both their existing sports and new offerings.
“We’ve come through Covid stronger than most of the other clubs in Hong Kong and that is a fantastic achievement,” opens new DB Pirates chairman Chris Pearce. “There was a lot of expat drain on the south side of Hong Kong and there are clubs there that were heavily impacted by it. We’ve managed to maintain about 75-80 percent of our membership, whereas other clubs were down by over 50.
“This club survived Covid better than many and now we want to build on that and take it forward because we are in a great position. We are reaching out to new members, getting out into the community, getting new sponsors and looking at ways we can do more community engagement. We are putting the Pirates out there as the premier Lantau club.”
Chris, a 30-year Hong Kong resident, is well-placed to tackle his new role: he’s been with the DB Pirates for the past nine years, and all his kids have played netball and rugby for the club. “I’ve been basically running a financial firm over that period so I’ve got a good idea about business strategy and sponsorship and I want to bring that to the Pirates,” he adds.
Part of growing the DB Pirates is rebuilding the club’s dragon boating and hockey sections, with director of rugby Simon Tasker confirming new volunteers are very much welcome.
“We did have hockey a couple of years ago, we had a very strong hockey team actually, and we had a very strong dragon boating section, but because a lot of that was operated through volunteers, when Covid hit we weren’t able to retain that knowledge,” Simon opens. “We will be rebuilding this season with a view that next season we will be able to offer more sports to the community. We want to provide the
opportunity for people to get fit and healthy, and enjoy a good variety of sports.”
The DB Pirates’ rugby section runs from mini rugby into youth rugby and onto men’s seniors, while there is also a women’s touch rugby team for local domestic helpers, with club trainings taking place at the Discovery College and DB North Plaza pitches most weekends.
“As of last year, we were close to 500 members across the three main rugby sections. We’ve got a very large junior section which is probably going to be about 75-80 percent of that number. That ranges all the way from under 5s to under 12s boys and girls,” says Simon. “Beyond 12, we then split into youth, which is divided into under-13 boys, under-14 girls, under-16 boys and under-16 girls.”
Where it gets interesting for young DB Pirates is that the club has a strong relationship with Kowloon Rugby Club. “As part of our agreement with the union, because we don’t have a Premiership side, we need to be able to find a player pathway for our older kids. Anyone that graduates the under-16 programme, be it male or female, gets absorbed by Kowloon,” Simon explains.
“The idea is to foster those players in a Premiership setting, so they can then either progress into Premiership or Premiership A. From a bigger perspective, it allows Hong Kong China Rugby, the governing body for rugby in Hong Kong, to have an idea of who is coming through the system outside of the traditional big six clubs.
“We are very much a provider for the football clubs, the Valleys and the Kowloons – we don’t have a Premiership men’s side,” Simon adds.
That means that while the DB Pirates seniors play at a level suitable for varying ages, abilities and fitness levels, those up-and-coming talents with the desire to strive for higher honours – like ex-DB Pirates and current Hong Kong players Alessandro Nardoni and Liam Doherty – have a pathway to do so
While the DB Pirates’ membership base has historically been a very international group made up largely of DBers, Simon is pleased to confirm a recent uptick in local players and members from across Lantau.
“We’re getting recognised outside of DB, which is nice. This year, for the first time in a long time, we’ve been able to recruit and attract more local talent. We’re a product of our environment, which is traditionally expat, so we don’t really have a lot of local guys join us,” he says. “But this year we’ve picked up half a dozen or so Chinese lads from the local schools in Pui O. It’s been really good for us. The good work that everyone is doing is resonating beyond our borders, which is nice.”
Registration for the 2025-26 rugby and netball seasons is open now and training kicks off in late August, with Simon – who has been involved with the club for 14 years and himself played rugby for Hong Kong – having a simple message for anyone considering taking the plunge.
“If you’re new to Hong Kong or new to DB, this is a great way to meet people. We centralise everything
“WE ARE REACHING OUT TO NEW MEMBERS, GETTING NEW SPONSORS AND LOOKING AT WAYS WE CAN DO MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- CHRIS PEARCE
around the community, so you’re interacting with people on a daily basis and you’re eating in the local restaurants,” he says. “It’s a really nice way to get yourself plugged in.
“We have been so successful because we are so community based. The rugby is based around family – mums and dads getting involved. A lot of the dads who play for us are or were coaches. It’s very sociable, there are no barriers. It’s seriously social rugby and we’re your one-stop shop for rugby in Lantau.”
Simon wants to see growth across the club, and he is equally focused on older players. The DB Pirates seniors – who play in the Hong Kong China Rugby Men’s Championship League 3, the fifth tier of senior rugby – are in the middle of a run of sustained success, with the team coming off a big win last season.
“Four years ago, we were Prem A grand champs finalists. Then Covid hit and there were all the austerity measures but now we’ve been promoted two consecutive seasons,” says Simon.
“We won three actually – there was a mini Covid league we won, the next year we won the league which meant we went up a division but we lost the grand champs. This year we didn’t win the league, which was good for us because the winner of the league earns automatic promotion, but we won the grand champs.
“In terms of the quality of rugby, it’s pretty decent,” Simon concludes. “Obviously we’re all amateurs, so we are not going to be going anywhere beyond where we are at the moment, but it’s certainly a lot fun.”
Since 1986, Bethune House has been Hong Kong’s most reliable refuge for migrant women in crisis. Bethune House is a community-driven emergency shelter that provides food and other forms of assistance. Through providing for basic needs, we enable migrant women in crisis to seek justice and achieve empowerment because of insufficient support systems in Hong Kong for these women.
Food shelter
Guidance & Assistance
Case guidance
Welfare, emergency & medical assistance
Education, Training & Advocacy
Rights-based education
Life skills development
Intercultural exchanges & social functions
Faith-based reflections & Bible studies
Public education
Mental health & Welness
There is a high demand for service with very few providers. We will not be here without supporters ike yourself!
Volunteer with us!
Teach skills
Accompany clients
Translate documents
Cooking lessons
Donate to Bethune House
Scan the QR code to donate by credit card, by cheque, by direct deposit/transfer, by FPS and
l please get in touch with us for cash donations.
Perhaps the saddest sport requires hours of serious dawdling and flailing hopelessly at grass with a stick; a religion of excruciating tediousness posing as a game. This lollygagging lunacy and its private-jet exponents excite frenetic hero-worship by the herds, mesmerised by turgid inactivity. Golf’s god, Tiger Woods, has won everything and made a dozen fortunes, while enriching orthopaedic surgeons of the spine, knee, neck and hip variety. Pushing 50, he remains obsessed, shambling around 18 holes with a team of specialist physios. Incomprehensively, the mob loves it.
Consider the high-priest status piled on to those who reach golfing nirvana with a hole-in-one. Sprayed with Moet Chandon, our celebrated golfing gladiator is carried shoulder-high to the clubhouse to be stuffed and mounted behind protective glass for generations to adore. I don’t get it. The raison d’etre of this popular waste of time is the least number of strokes, ergo, one is the least number, so why the fuss?
I’d like to liven up the game, making it fast and exciting with the highest score winning, not the lowest. Make it a blood sport: players hacking at the ground for hours and whacking each other with their five irons. A countrified Colosseum but with a socially useful outcome. The fanatics would have something to go crazy about, and the ploughed ground could be used for something useful, like potato farming.
With 38,000 chemically enhanced courses worldwide, golf is an environmental disaster along with filthy F1 which the industry says is becoming environmentally friendly. That’s like saying Australia’s deadly Eastern Brown Snake will kill you slower than a Box Jelly Fish.
F1 racing is a storm of pollution: moving the entire circus from country to country involves squadrons of 747s. It’s like Chernobyl with the roof off. Twenty races to proclaim the winner – by a few seconds. Golf pretends to be wonderfully bucolic but it’s just as bad, devouring vast quantities of water and poisonous pesticides, wiping out plant and animal life for picture-perfect green grass and a clear view. (If you think that’s off, consider the Middle East’s desert courses, fed by disastrous desalination). There’s not a lot to laugh at with the game, although Tiger did say years ago, “Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.”
Fast or slow, it’s all a game. Or as Muhammad Ali famously noted, “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.”
The Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) is one of the simplest European residency programs around. It gives applicants and their dependents the right to live in Malta indefinitely, has no language requirement, no minimum education or professional experience requirement and, above all, it has no physical residency requirements.
On top of gaining the right to live in Malta permanently, MPRP holders and their families can enjoy visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period, basically treating world-class European wineries and beaches as their extended backyard.
The MPRP should not be confused with the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program which was recently found by the European Court of Justice to be non-compliant with EU laws. The MPRP is well-established: it can be used as a pathway to citizenship after five years of residence in Malta and it attracts individuals from all over the world. An important feature, particularly appealing to nationals from the Asia region, is the ability to include up to four generations of one family in a single application.
Applicants can choose between purchasing a property worth at least EUR375,000 or renting an apartment for no less than EUR14,000 annually. This flexibility means applicants can either invest in a comfortable house to accommodate all family members, or rent a small flat to use during the holidays. Those choosing the rental option are required to make a government contribution of EUR60,000; the contribution amount is reduced to EUR30,000 for applicants choosing to purchase property. The property holding period is at least five years.
Although the Maltese Government also imposes an administration fee of EUR50,000 for the main applicant plus EUR10,000 per dependent, the MPRP remains one of the most affordable permanent residency-by-investment programs, estimated at around EUR212,000 for a family of four. The application process typically takes six to eight months from submission to approval.
Some applicants are drawn to Malta for its relaxed environment, Mediterranean climate and yearround sailing and travelling opportunities, while others appreciate its world-class health and academic institutions, and safe and politically stable environment. What’s more, English is one of Malta’s two official languages, alongside Maltese. Malta is also, arguably, the most tax-efficient jurisdiction within the EU. Hong Kong residents benefit from a tax system that is hard to beat: it’s possible to adopt a non-domiciled tax status, meaning no tax of foreign incomes that remain outside Malta.
If you are considering Malta as a possible destination of choice or even simply as a possible back-up plan, you may contact Harvey Law Group. With over 32 years of experience in investment residency and citizenship programmes all over the world, we would be happy to advise on the destinations and programmes most suited to your personal goals.
Take in Malta’s greatest hits from fortified medieval towns and megalithic temple complexes to sublime beaches
� B ase yourself in Valletta, Malta’s t iny (0.55km2), picture-postcard c apital. Nestled on a peninsula s urrounded by the deep blue M editerranean, the walled f ortress town dates back to the 1500s and is a UNESCO World H eritage Site
� M arvel at the Baroque glory of S t John’s Co-Cathedral – modest o n the outside, all gold leaf and m arble inside. Wander Republic S treet to tour the Grandmaster’s P alace and admire the domes of O ur Lady of Mount Carmel
� E nd the day at Lower Barrakka G ardens watching the sun set o ver the seven forts that guard t he Grand Harbour. Eat rabbit s tew or seafood ravioli
� H op on a combo boat-and-quad b ike tour to explore Gozo and C omino, two smaller islands in t he Maltese archipelago – way e asier than navigating ferries and m uch more fun
Day 3 ⇢ Mdina & Rabat
� D rive 18 minutes inland from Valletta and you get to step back in t ime in golden-hued Mdina. M alta’s capital in medieval times, i t’s now known as the ‘silent city’ t hanks to its cloistered atmosphere a nd narrow, car-free streets
� Pu t plenty of time aside to explore M dina’s myriad museums, palaces a nd churches. Check out Palazzo F alson, a beautifully restored m edieval palace, and stop for l unch at the relaxing rooftop café
� W alk to Rabat, just outside M dina’s walls, for a more bustling a nd everyday Maltese experience, p lus Roman ruins, crypts and c atacombs, most notably St Paul’s
, Har vey Law Group is a prem ier multinational law fir m, s peciali zing in estment ( RB I) and Citize n by In v estme nt (CBI) for over 30 y ear s. W it h world w ide representing over 30 di ffe rent cou n tries and th eir res pecti ve igratio n progra ms , Harve y Law Group h as prov ided it s se rv ices to ov er om all aro un d the w orld. As the de m and for In ve stment I mm igration prog rams grows , var ious emergi ng co m pa n ies ha ve latc h ed on to the se rv ice offe rin g, but Ha rvey La w Group remai ns the on ly legacy la w fir m that s peciali zes in I nv estment Im m igratio n as a di s cipline
If you have a favourite Greek recipe to share, please email it to rachel@arounddb.com, along with photos of you preparing or eating the dish. You may find yourself featured in the next issue of the magazine, or in our upcoming ADB Around the World Cookbook
Reside n cy by I nve st ment i n ov er 6 c on t in ents o v er 2 0 c ountrie s
Ou r p rogram s:
� O n Comino: head to the Blue L agoon, a picturesque cove s urrounded by rugged cliffs and r ock formations. Its shallow, clear, t urquoise waters are perfect for s wimming, snorkelling and diving
Reti reme nt Vi sa s
� O n Gozo: visit a ‘place of giants,’ G gantija Archaeological Park. In t his Neolithic temple complex, the g igantic megaliths (standing stones) a re dated around 3200 BC, older t han the Egyptian pyramids
� M ake a beeline for Ghajn Tuffieha: p ack water, wear hiking shoes and f ollow the rugged cliffside trail to Gnejna, a glorious, sandy beach
� Stop by the Blue Grotto early in the m orning to see the sea caves lit by t he morning sun. Stay on for a s eafood lunch – grilled swordfish, mussels in garlic wine sauce, or o ctopus stew
Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia Pacific
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� W alk Marsaxlokk harbour, known f or its Sunday fish market and v ibrant display of luzzus (traditional f ishing boats). The luzzus are b rightly coloured and feature an ‘eye of Horus’ on the bow, b elieved to offer protection
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The start of a new school year can be a stressful, anxious time for both children and parents. Andrew Spires has some smart hacks and simple solutions
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of Pexels
Having gone through the rigmarole of tucking my two kids into bed and thinking I’d got them down, my youngest (7) snuck out into the living room. “Daddy, I’m scared.” She said. “Oh, Monkey, there’s nothing to be scared of,” I said. “There are no monsters in your room.” “I know, Dad. It’s not monsters I’m scared of,” she replied. “It’s school.” Yup. Whether you’re 7, 17 or 47, that Sunday evening, back-toschool feeling never leaves you.
I tried in vain to explain that fear is simply the absence of experience, that once she’d got the first week back under her belt, she’d be settled in and making new friends, but until she can experience it, she can’t picture it. Luckily, there are other ways to put the OO back into school.
A child without a routine is a nightmare. Kids thrive on the familiar. Unfortunately, the summer holidays are an entropic cooking pot, with late nights and irregular eating times which whilst fun for six weeks, are not conducive to a focused and eager learner.
Here’s my advice: two weeks before the holidays end, start by gently reintroducing the school routine back into daily life. Shift bedtime back in 15-minute increments. This means less of a shock to the system and will avoid those “I could go to bed at 10pm yesterday” conversations. It’s generally recommended that kids aged between 7 and 10 should be tucked in by 8pm and asleep by 9pm latest. This routine not only helps the child fall asleep more easily but also helps in the child’s brain formation.
Getting kids to do any meaningful work over the summer is a fruitless task, so don’t bother. You could all do with a break. Make sure they complete all their homework in the first week of the holidays, whilst they still have their academic cap on, and you’ll save a lot of back-to-school arguments. Around the last week of the holidays, to slip them back into work mode before school starts, organise a few ‘educational’ trips to galleries and museums, sneaking knowledge into them surreptitiously whilst getting their brains used to critical thinking in a fun way.
Everything has a home. Everything. If you have an object that floats about, find it a home. If you can’t, throw it away. It’s a brilliant method for time saving, but also for ensuring you’re not running around looking for things come the end of the holidays. At the beginning of the summer, wash, iron and put away ‘in their place’ uniforms, homework, bags and all other school accoutrements. Make sure you’ve got everything ready, as if the next day were a school day. It’s a game changer and saves so much time and stress the night before the first day back.
Shopping is always high on the agenda the week before school starts and it can really lighten the mood. My kids love anything new. I bought a floor fan and it was like Christmas had come early. Getting new school kit is a great way to get kids excited about heading back to the alma mater. Physical shopping is much more effective than TaoBao. Think erasers in the shape of pandas, quirky pencil toppers and pencil cases with hidden compartments. Sham Sui Po is perfect for this, and
GET SCHOOL BAGS
PACKED & READY TO GO
whilst there, you can explore the old Roman-style reservoir up on Woh Chai Hill for an educational and fun addition to the shopping trip.
Heading back to school after the holidays is going to be much easier for kids if you’ve at least tried to avoid the summer slide. Reading helps with this and whilst some kids enjoy reading more than others, the key is to find something they want to read. Any reading material is good, from What Car magazine to Stink and the Zombies . You could also
try titles like Rosie Revere – Engineer by Andrea Beaty, which addresses anxiety through excellent and poignant rhyme.
Consider summer camps not only to get the kids out of your hair, but to give them social interaction and to engage their brains. Try to find a camp (many run through August 22) that engages both physical and mental activities, such as Estelle Davies’ Living Ocean Education or Kim Doherty’s iGym. If finances won't allow for a camp, especially for two kids, set
EXCITED ABOUT SCHOOL. TALK WITH THEM ABOUT ALL THE FUN THEY’LL HAVE WITH NEW KIDS IN THEIR
them a project to do. Give them a research topic and a strict set of guidelines to complete it. We were off to France this summer, so the kids had to discover 10 key facts about the country, then look up the best areas to travel to, things to do in those areas and possible places to stay. That not only engaged their brains and analytic skills for half a day, but also got them excited about the trip as they felt they had ownership.
The summer holidays give the gift of time. Use this to give the kids more independence. They can practice cooking their own lunch and dinners, ironing (under supervision of course) or popping to the supermarket to get things on a given preprepared shopping list. It’s important to celebrate when the kids get things right. My daughter, 7, came back from Fusion with not only a complete list of items, but a few extras I’d forgotten to add as she’d taken it upon herself to check the fridge and the cupboards for bits and pieces we might be running out of. That work of independent thinking won her maximum respect points and a choice of treat from the treat box. She can also take these new skills back to school which will give her more confidence to learn independently.
When it comes down to it, what you want is to get your kids excited about school. Talk with them about all the fun they’ll have with new kids in their
class and different form tutors. If you’re children are older, approaching GCSE or A Levels, make time for a couple of big chats: encourage them to align their passions outside of school with the subject options offered. My dad used to work in the chemistry labs at Cambridge University and was adamant that I was to study chemistry at A Level, even though for the previous five years, I’d shown zero interest or ability. So for two more years, I studied chemistry and, well, you could spell xylophone with my results. It was a waste of time and I was miserable. I wanted to study photography and as luck would have it, I’m now paid to take photographs. Life finds a way. What’s the take-home here? Work with their strengths and you’ll have happy and confident kiddos.
We’re all on a big spinning ball of rock hurtling through space. Appreciate this and don’t sweat the small stuff. Children are emotional sponges. They don’t listen to what you say so much as mimic what you do and feel. If you’re often moaning about stress in the office or projecting your own Sunday night, back-to-school blues, that’s going to manifest in your kids. Astronaut Chris Hadfield said life is like flying a plane – keep your attitude (the pitch of the nose of the plane) up and your plane will soar, and it's the same for people. Keep your head up, stay positive, and the world and school become a brighter place.
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Put on those sunglasses and jump on an early ferry to one of the outlying islands. Within minutes, you’ll find yourself well off the beaten track, writes Jason Pagliari
As we DBers know, Hong Kong is much more than a harbour city with crowded streets: this glorious territory with its cloudy mountains and rocky islands also offers rural landscapes with breathtaking views. Much of the countryside is classified as Country Park and, although 7.3 million people are never far away, it is possible to find pockets of quiet that provide a total break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
If you’re after a change of pace and a bit of a step back in time, exploring Hong Kong’s outlying islands is a good place to start. There are 263 sizable islands (over 500m2) in the territory, some uninhabited, many easily accessible by ferry. The outlying islands have been and to some extent continue to be Hong Kong’s hinterland, home to rustic fishing villages, the occasional temple or monastery and little else.
The islands are car-free, so you’ll want to take to the trails on foot or by bicycle to find stunning coves, beaches, rock formations, stone carvings… and the occasional anomaly. At Tung Lung Chau, there’s the remains of a fort demolished in 1810,
and at Tai A Chau, if you make it past the beach, you’ll come across the concrete foundations of a large-scale Vietnamese refugee camp, home to thousands from 1991 to 1996.
Aside from familiar destinations like Lamma Island and Tai O, there are so many other islands to discover. There’s flat and rocky Tung Ping Chau, lying just 48 metres above sea level; Tap Mun, known for its rolling, grassy hills and sea urchin fried rice; and Kat O with its giant boulders and Hakka heritage. Read on for a guided tour of our top picks: Peng Chau and Cheung Chau.
A 10-minute ferry ride from Discovery Bay takes you to the sleepy island of Peng Chau, where you can enjoy the peaceful village atmosphere with some good hiking, ‘templing’ and dining options thrown in.
Arriving at the pier, you notice the avenue of Banyan trees going inland and the old folks sitting out, chewing the fat. There’s a Wellcome on the left and an enormous modern sports hall on the right, with facilities that rival those found in Mui Wo. The sleepy main strip, Wing On Street, is lined with old-style stores supplying the usual assortment of Cantonese snacks, cakes, stationary and... bikes.
A bustling industrial centre during the 70s, thanks to its lime kiln and match factory, Peng Chau is now best known for its temples. At Lung Mo (Dragon Mother) Temple, you can touch the ‘dragon bed’ for good luck and at Seven Sisters Temple, pray for fertility. The Tin Hau Temple, meanwhile, houses a Qing dynasty stone tablet that attests to a deal the then government made with the villagers, not to commandeer their fishing vessels in the ongoing war on piracy.
Despite quaint, rustic first impressions, Peng Chau is rapidly becoming one of the city’s trendiest art hubs as evidenced by the vibrant graffiti art you come across on and around Wing On Street, and the growing number of art galleries and art cafés squeezed in alongside the mom-and-pop stores. In fact, one of the most popular attractions on the island is the Fook Yuen Leather Factory. Established in the 1930s, the factory has been revitalized and is now a Grade III historic building with a highly Instagrammable art space. You can also join ceramic workshops that offer a glimpse into the oncethriving ceramic handicraft industry in Peng Chau.
A good plan for the day is to walk clockwise round the island. The coastal trail takes you past some nice beaches and the landmark Fisherman Rock, a
precariously balanced boulder over the sea. The trail then cuts inland through jungle before emerging at a horseshoe bay, facing east, where there are barbeque facilities on the beach. On a clear day West Kowloon looks surprisingly close, reminding you of the island’s proximity to modern civilisation.
Next up, you’ll want to climb Finger Hill, the highest point of the island at 95 metres, with its panoramic views and giant boulders. The ascent is well signposted, and you can stop for a cold drink at the little shop halfway up with its rickety table and chairs and radio blaring non-stop. There’s a trail down the other side of Finger Hill to a pagoda on the island’s east side, if you feel you haven’t walked far enough.
Before heading home, you’ll likely want to rest up and have a bite to eat. Some of the best restaurants (all with a sensational sea view) are found on Wing On Street, where you can enjoy everything from Cantonese or Thai to all-day breakfast. Local specialities include fried prawns and a deliciously gloopy ‘Orange Chicken’.
Hop on the ferry at Central Pier 5 (or the Inter-Island Ferry from Mui Wo) and spend a day exploring lively and historic Cheung Chau. Best known for its bun festival held in May, the island has plenty to offer – glorious beaches, wild rock formations, a pirate’s cave and, of course, incredible seafood restaurants.
If it’s seafood you’re after, you’ll find the most popular restaurants on the island’s west coast, on Praya Street – the waterfront road, right by the main ferry pier. As you sit down to your catch of the day, fishing trawlers and all sorts of smaller craft stretch as far as the eye can see, enhancing the fabulous sea views.
Most of Cheung Chau’s development is centred on a spit of land sandwiched between two hills to the north and south, and to make the most of your visit, you’ll want to venture beyond the main village, on foot. Northern Cheung Chau offers up some glorious hiking country but if you’re looking for a leisurely ramble and excellent views, head south by way of the east-coast beaches, which offer up full facilities and several windsurfing and kayaking centres.
To make your way to the south-side, turn left off the ferry, then right at Kwok Man Road and walk inland to the main beach, Tung Wan. Head towards and past the high-rise Warwick Hotel, with its excellent dim-sum lunch menu, to the next beach, Kwun Yam Wan, perhaps the island’s finest.
From here, you can make your way along Cheung Chau’s Mini Great Wall – you’ll see signposts leading uphill through the jungle and past the Kwun Yam Temple. This reasonably short stonework trail hugs the south-east coast passing various boulder formations, all with bizarrely fitting names, such as Human Head Rock, Elephant Rock, Rodent Rock and even Zombie Rock.
At the lookout at the end of the Mini Great Wall, you can either head back to the main ferry pier (turn left at the temple) and take a kai-to to the south coast or continue on foot, up a steep set of stairs. Assuming you choose the latter, follow the coastal paths and turn left onto Don Bosco Road, towards remote and rugged Nam Tam Wan, with its large temple overlooking Wailingding Island. There are regular informational maps to guide you. From here, it’s a bit of a walk up and over Peak Road, past the meteorological station and crematorium, to the signposted trail that drops down into truly off-the-beaten-track Pak Tso Bay. This trail follows along the coast and up through a stunning boulder cavern towards gigantic Reclining Rock.
Next stop is Cheung Po Tsai Cave, named after the famous pirate who is said to have hoarded his loot here. Armed with a powerful torch (a phone flashlight won’t do it), you can squeeze vertically down through a narrow opening and pass through the cave to another entrance. From here, it’s a short walk over the hill to the Tin Hau Temple on Sai Wan, where you can take a kai-to back to the ferry pier... and order up that well-deserved plate of seafood.
PRETTY OLD TOWN is UNESCOlisted and packed with beautifully preserved baroque buildings, museums and galleries. Start your trip by walking the medieval city walls – a 2km circuit. From high up on the battlements, you can soak up stunning views of the old town’s terracotta rooftops and the glimmering Adriatic beyond.
There’s the Cultural History Museum, housed in a 14th century palace, where you can see how the aristocracy used to live; the Red History Museum, which focuses on life in Croatia under Tito (19451991); and the Maritime Museum, which reveals Dubrovnik’s extraordinary wealth and naval power in the 16th century.
MEDITERRANEAN and Central European flavours – think olive oil, fresh herbs and spices. Must-try dishes include peka (slow-cooked meat and vegetables), štrukli (cheese pastry) crni rižot (black risotto with cuttlefish ink) and skorupa , a cake layered with cream and almonds. Dubrovnik is famous for its fresh-caught fish and seafood.
crop up everywhere, and you can sign up for a dedicated guided tour. Dubrovnik’s castles, palaces and formidable fortifications play a big part in the show, so fans will experience déjà vu at numerous sites, including Fort Lawrence, Gradac Park and the Jesuit Staircase.
in the heart of the old town, the Franciscan Pharmacy is one of Europe’s first, founded in 1317. Those in the know head here not for the brand-name medications but for jars of Mala Braca 1317 AD, a natural hydrating face cream, based on rose, lavender and rosemary, that’s made by the monks according to a secret, centuries-old recipe.
at Lopud, a lively destination with soft sand underfoot rather than the usual (for Croatia) pebbles. Low-key bars and restaurants line the beach, where you can settle in for some superb seafood. The shallow, crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkelling or, if you’re after an adrenaline rush, you can hop on a jet-ski.
MIGHTY MOUNT SRĐ provides amazing views of Dubrovnik, and you can ride the cable car to the top. There are plenty of bars and restaurants with viewing decks: the perfect sspot to watch the sun dip behind the ocean at the end of day. If you’re feeling fit, you can hike back down via a winding 2-kilometre path that’s lined by the 14 Stations of the Cross.
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Heat 1tbsp oil in a large pan and add the onion, frying for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the garlic, stirring to combine for 1 minute, then toss in the diced beetroot and cook for 15 minutes. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until the beetroot is tender. Season well and
Meanwhile, heat the grill to high and put the sourdough (diced into croutons) on a baking sheet drizzled with the remaining oil, and toast until golden. Whizz the soup until smooth using a hand blender. Then leave to cool completely and chill for a couple of hours before serving. Serve with the croutons, plus some finely sliced
How much do you know about the month of August?
BY Kayli Liebenberg
01. Martin Luther King Jr gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech on August 28 of which year?
A. 1958
B. 1960
C. 1963
02. W hat is August’s full moon called?
A. P igeon Moon
B. S turgeon Moon
C. B ludgeon Moon
03. W hich national day is celebrated in the US o n August 5?
A. N ational Underwear Day
B. N ational Mountain Day
C. N ational Kindness Day
04. W hich iconic Hollywood actress died on Au gust 4, 1962?
A. M arilyn Monroe
B. A udrey Hepburn
C. G race Kelly
05. W ho opened the first-ever Woodstock o n August 15, 1969?
A. R ichie Havens
B. Arl o Guthrie
C. J oan Baez
06. W here is the 1956 movie Teahouse of t he August Moon set?
A. O kinawa
B. Hokkaido
C. H onshu
07. W hich music icon, often called the Queen o f Pop, was born on August 16, 1958?
A. W hitney Houston
B. Madonna
C. Kylie Minogue
08. W hat is August’s birthstone?
A. Peridot
B. Quartz
C. Opal
09. W hich Leonardo da Vinci painting was s tolen from the Louvre on August 20, 1911?
A. The Virgin of the Rocks
B. The Last Supper
C. Mona Lisa
10. Isabelle Allende was born on August 2, 1942: what is the name of her first novel?
A. Eva Luna
B. The House of the Spirits
C. V ioleta
11. Yves Saint Laurent was born on August 1, 1936: which fashion house hired him at a ge 17?
A. Gucci
B. C hristian Dior
C. Fendi
12. O n August 24, 79AD, which mountain e rupted destroying the ancient Roman c ity of Pompeii?
A. M ount Vesuvius
B. G ran Paradiso
C. M ont Blanc
13. W hat are August’s zodiac signs?
A. L eo and Virgo
B. P isces and Taurus
C. L eo and Scorpio
14. E lvis Presley died on August 16, 1977: w here was he buried initially?
A. Gr aceland
B. F orest Hill Cemetery
C. M emphis National Cemetery
15. W hich famous sprinter and Olympic gold m edallist was born on August 21, 1986?
A. A safa Powell
B. M ichael Johnson
C. U sain Bolt
16. August is the eighth track on which Taylor Swift album?
A. Folklore
B. Fearless
C. Evermore
17. W ho plays Tom, a dot-com entrepreneur, i n the 2001 movie August ?
A. J ames McAvoy
B. J osh Hartnett
C. L eonardo DiCaprio
18. Which Wiccan sabbat falls in August?
A. L itha
B. Lughnasadh
C. M abon
19. W hich famous explorer set sail on August 3, 1492, in search of a westward route to Asia?
A. F erdinand Magellan
B. M arco Polo
C. C hristopher Columbus
20. J ohn August co-wrote the screenplay of Aladdin (2019) with which British f ilm director?
A. G uy Ritchie
B. Da nny Boyle
C. R idley Scott
BY Inka Viirret
I TALIAN ICE CREAM
S AUSAGE IN A BUN
B AKED MEXICAN C HILI PEPPERS 16. S ALAD WITH W ORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
B UFFALO-MILK CHEESE
M USSELS IN WHITE W INE SAUCE
01. P INEAPPLE AND HAM O N DOUGH
WI MBLEDON FAVOURITE 03. R AW MARINATED FISH 04. G RILLED YELLOW VEGETABLE 05. S QUASHED PAVOLVA
TORTILLA-WRAPPED BEEF
C OLD SPANISH SOUP
GRILLED YELLOW VEGETABLE 5. SQUASHED PAVOLVA 6. TORTILLA-WRAPPED BEEF 7. CRUSTACEAN SOUP 9. AVOCADO SALAD
JAPANESE FISH AND RICE 11. CHOPPED CABBAGE WITH MAYO
COLD SPANISH SOUP
Discovery Bayʼs original community magazine, Around DB is the trusted provider of local information for DB residents. The magazine is delivered to every village in DB, plus key local businesses and we now also have a very active online presence. Our website receives over 45,000 visitors per month, and the Around DB Facebook and Instagram pages have more than 25,000 followers.
We are currently offering special advertising packages (both print and digital) for 2025.
For tailor-made advertising packages to reach our unique readership, email our sales manager Kristin Jiang at kristin@arounddb.com
Tung
YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC)
Direct Subsidy Scheme, Tung Chung-based secondary school providing an international-style education with English as the medium of instruction. Call 2988 8123
North Lantau Hospital
Rural general hospital in Tung Chung with a 24-hour accident & emergency service. Outpatient services include the North Lantau Community Health Centre. Call 3467 7000
Co-working Space@DB
Hybrid workspace encouraging interaction between members. The hi-tech, ergonomic interior is boosted by a spacious outdoor lounge area. Call 2426 8828
Guidepost Montessori
Authentic Montessori programme scientifically structured for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Seafront views & an outdoor play space at DB North Plaza. Call 2185 6134
Auberge Discovery Bay
Five-star hotel in DB North with 22 mountain/ ocean-view rooms & suites. Meetings & events, dining, wellness & recreation. 25 minutes from HKIA. Call 2295 8288
Harvey Law Group
International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services, including investment residency programmes. Meeting facilities in DB. Call 2416 8618
Bernardo Removals
DB-based, HK-wide service: home & office relocations. Full packing & unpacking services, plus handyman jobs & furniture disposal. Storage space rental in DB. Call 9854 4410
HK Dragons Football Club
Coaching for girls & boys aged 2.5 to 14 years at DBIS & DB North pitches. The professional coaches (FA level 2 or above) are First Aid & CPR qualified. Call 2987 4274
Harry Wright
Trusted swim partner offering expert-led lessons at Club Siena with a structured progression system, small group sizes & international-standard coaching. Call 2575 6279
Tekkerz
Curriculum for U3 to U14 boys & girls designed to develop technical skills & overall game play by using a ‘maximum touch’ approach. Training at DB North pitch. Call 9770 4548
il Bel Paese
Heart-warming
0202
3619 0937
Osmanbey Turkish Restaurant 5401 8350
Pachanga
Pasha
Peony
2626 3008
6340 0903
There’s a 60% chance of a tropical cyclone hitting HK this month. Here’s what you need to know
3 8 9 10 STRONG WINDS 1 A STORM IS NEARBY
gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours
CYCLONE IS A RAPIDLY ROTATING STORM SYSTEM CHARACTERISED BY A
CENTRE OR ‘EYE’
THE EYE IS SURROUNDED BY A RING OF INTENSE STORMS CALLED THE EYEWALL
GALE- OR STORM-FORCE WINDS ARE BLOWING
LY GALE OR STORM
gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours
GALE- OR STORM-FORCE WINDS ARE INCREASING
LY GALE OR STORM
gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours
HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS
LY GALE OR STORM
SEEK SAFE SHELTER stock up on essentials and charge devices
gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours
SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS outdoors to prevent them from becoming projectiles
the eye of a typhoon is very close
GALE OR STORM HURRICANE a storm is nearby and may develop into a typhoon strong winds and an approaching storm
STAY INFORMED through official channels (HKO news updates and government advisories)
TAPE UP LARGE WINDOWS and reinforce doors
the eye of a typhoon is very close
AVOID GOING OUT unless absolutely necessary
STRONG WINDS can cause structural damage, uproot trees and generate dangerous flying debris
HEAVY RAINFALL can lead to flooding and landslides
STORM SURGE (a rise in sea level) can inundate coastal areas
Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters (typically 27°C) where there’s enough moisture and instability in the atmosphere. A pre-existing low-pressure disturbance is also necessary
A SPIRALLING ARRANGEMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS CAN EXTEND FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES
41 - 62 KM/H TROPICAL DEPRESSION 63 - 87 KM/H TROPICAL STORM
TYPHOON WIPHA (2025) at 118KM/H was the first typhoon to trigger a T10 since Typhoon Saola (2023)
-
TYPHOON HAIKUI (2023) brought a record-breaking 641.1MM of rainfall
SUPER TYPHOON MANGKHUT (2018) at 285KM/H is the strongest on record
Fo un ded in 19 92 , Har vey Law Group is a prem ier multinational law fir m, s peciali zing in Res idency by I nv estment ( RB I) and Citize n by In v estme nt (CBI) for over 30 y ear s. W it h ove r 20 office s world w ide representing over 30 di ffe rent cou n tries and th eir res pecti ve In ves tme nt I mm igratio n progra ms , Harve y Law Group h as prov ided it s se rv ices to ov er 10,00 0 families from all aro un d the w orld. As the de m and for In ve stment I mm igration prog rams grows , var ious emergi ng co m pa n ies ha ve latc h ed on to the se rv ice offe rin g, but Ha rvey La w Group remai ns the on ly legacy la w fir m that s peciali zes in I nv estment Im m igratio n as a di s cipline .
Ou r p rogram s:
Reside n cy by I nve st ment i n ov er 6 c on t in ents o v er 2 0 c ountrie s
Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia Pacific
Reti reme nt Vi sa s Citi z en s hip by Anc estry
