Around DB August 2026

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A U G U S t 2 0 2 6 | D I S CO V E R Y B AY ' S O R I G I N A L CO M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E - P U B L I S H E D S I N C E 2 0 0 2

STRANGE SIDE OF PARADISE Seven beaches that have to be seen to be believed

FROM THE FLIGHT PATH

How Vicky Edwards found purpose at the end of the Earth

HIDDEN HONG KONG Unexpected adventures beyond the tourist trail

Encore, please!

MEET THE LOCAL ARTISTS WHO ARE REVIVING DB’S LIVE MUSIC SCENE

AROUNDDB.COM

The Only British Boarding International School in Hong Kong

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WORLD-CLASS BRITISH BOARDING EXPERIENCE. PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

www.harrowhongkong.hk

AUTUMN TERM 2026 秋季游泳班 17 August - 12 December 8月17日至12月12日

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Indoor Heated Pool

Low Ratios

Pro-Rated

Enrol at Club Siena or DBRC Reception Members & Non-members

+852 2575 6279

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OLYMPIANS ASIAN GAMES

swimming@harrywright.com.hk

13 COMMONWEALTH

www.harrywright.com.hk

AUGUST 2026 W W W. A R O U N D D B .CO M

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FEATURES 16 PROFILE Veteran air-controller Vicky Edwards reports back from a six-month stint in Antarctica

24 COMMUNITY Meet the local musicians who are reviving DB’s live music scene – the future looks bright

28 INSIDER From freshwater rockpools to Hakka walled villages: get off the beaten track in HK

34 EDUCATION

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How DC’s Academic Scholarship Programme is preparing students for bright futures AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

REGULARS

AGENDA

12 EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

04 DB NEWS

22 CLIENT TALK

20 AT THE MOVIES QUIZ

What you’ve been up to

CBI in Antigua and Barbuda

31 GOOD READS

Six books about exploration

32 ESCAPES

The world’s weirdest beaches

44 AT A GLANCE

Inside HK’s imports

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P A R E N T I N G

ON THE COVER

A U G U S t 2 0 2 6 | D I S CO V E R Y B AY ' S O R I G I N A L CO M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E - P U B L I S H E D S I N C E 2 0 0 2

STRANGE SIDE OF PARADISE Seven beaches that have to be seen to be believed

FROM THE FLIGHT PATH

How Vicky Edwards found purpose at the end of the Earth

HIDDEN HONG KONG Unexpected adventures beyond the tourist trail

Jay Javier Apungan rocking DB

36 KIDS CORNER 38 HOME CHEF 39 ADB SCAVENGER HUNT 42 LOCAL NUMBERS If you have an event we can help promote, a friend you’d like to see featured or an idea for an article, please reach out to the editor: rachel@arounddb.com.

Encore, please!

PHOTO BY Col Sim Photography

MEET THE LOCAL ARTISTS WHO ARE REVIVING DB’S LIVE MUSIC SCENE

AROUNDDB.COM

KINDERGARTEN & PRIMARY

開放⽇

PLAY, LEARN AND GROW WITH US!

OPEN DAY 愉景灣幼稚園校舍

Discovery Bay Kindergarten Campus

東涌幼稚園及⼩學校舍

Tung Chung Kindergarten & Primary Campus

TC 852-29878070

Admissions Talk: SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 9 19 ( ) 10 : 30 am

⽉ ⽇ 星期六

Admissions Talk @ Kindergarten SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 10 10 ( ) 1st Session : 9 : 30 am 2nd Session: : 11 am

⽉ ⽇ 星期六 第⼀節 第⼆節

www.discoverymind.edu.hk

Scan QR code for registration

掃描 ⼆維碼登記 DB 852-29878088

DB NEWS

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Through October 11

August 15

CONTACT US P:

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info@arounddb.com

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RACH E L AI N S L E Y Managing editor

rachel@arounddb.com STEE N S KOV F O G E D

Business development manager steen@arounddb.com S ARIN AL E Art director

sarin@arounddb.com KAY L I L I EBEN B E RG

Digital marketing coordinator kayli@arounddb.com

HOMEGROWN CABLE CAR

Did you know Ngong Ping 360 has introduced a limited-time DB-themed cable car on the Tung Chung to Ngong Ping line? The cabins are decorated with cartoon illustrations of local landmarks like DB North Clock Tower, the Pavillion and DB Plaza. You can catch a 25-minute ride through October 11.

ns A Congratulatio

A NDR EW J . C . S P I RE S Photographer

CONT R I B U TO RS

Sam Agars, Ray Au,

Ashwin Hotchandani,

Elizabeth Kerr, Martin Wray, Elena M. Zepeda

OUTSTANDING IB RESULTS AT ESF

PRIN T I N G

Promise Network Printing Ltd,

ESF is celebrating another year of exceptional IB results: its 2026 cohor t achieved an average score of 36.4, a full 5.9 points ahead of the 2025 global average, with 323 students achieving a score of 40 or more. An incredible 27 students, including Advait Sethi of Discover y College, at tained the maximum possible score of 45 points; 43 students scored 44 points and 58 students 43 points. Overall, 1,0 07 ESF students gained their IB Diploma – at a 98.3% achievement rate.

G/F, Block B, Phase 4,

Kwun Tong Industrial Centre, Kwun Tong Rd, Kowloon A D B O FFI C E

L/G Unit 3, Block 1,

92 Siena Ave, DB North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

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 2026

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STUFF TO KNOW

andrew.j.c.spires@gmail.com

D I S CL AIME R

dvait Sethi!

You can sign up to tour Mil Mill, Hong Kong’s only dedicated beverage carton and assorted paper recycling plant, on August 15 from 1.20pm to 5.30pm. The facility processes over 50 tonnes of difficult-torecycle paper waste daily to produce paper pulp. The tour is free and you get to learn about closed-loop recycling, and attend a workshop to craft your own recycled-paper diffuser stone. To find out more and enrol, call 5469 1748.

NEW EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AT PFS

Homegrown environmental education charity Plastic Free Seas (PFS) has launched a new animated video about the issue of plastic pollution in Hong Kong, along with five corresponding lesson plans, making it easy and stress-free for educators to teach about this global problem. The video is suitable for primary and secondary school students, and the lesson plans are suitable for primary and lower secondary classes. The materials are free to download and available in both English and Cantonese at plasticfreeseas.org.

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

Free to downloa

d!

Golf buggy, anyone?

Enrol now!

DB NEWS

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Dear readers,

DRAGON BOAT GALA SIGN-UP

Early-bird enrolment for the DB Dragon Boat Gala is now open. The races will be held at Tai Pak Wan on October 25 from 8am to 6pm with mixed, open, ladies, U23, A45 and community categories. To book your spot, visit FB @db.community.hk.

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Golf buggies are one of our community’s most distinctive features but should there be more of them? of licensed private golf buggies is limited The number and demand is extremely high, with bugto about 500, gy-and-licence packages sometimes selling for over HK $gy2 million.

Increasing the number of licences wou make getting around easier for more residents, and itldcou golf buggies more affordable. On the dow ld also make low-traffic, pedestrian-friendly environmenside, DB’s greatest strengths and adding more buggient is one of its s could disrupt that. So where do you stand?

Should there be more golf buggies in DB ?

Scan the QR code to cast your vote. appreciate your feedback, and will share it on our socWe ial me dia channels mid-month.

Best regards,

The Around DB Team August 30

IN AUGUST! Bravo Shayne Meng!

OPEN WATER RACE CHALLENGE

The fourth DB Open Water Race Challenge is scheduled for August 30. Organised by Open Water Swim Series Hong Kong, the challenge is open to swimmers of all ages, and there are a variety of distances to suit different abilities: three solo categories (3.8km, 1.7km and 400m) plus two 400m relays. Races start at Tai Pak Wan, Sam Pak Wan and the Disneyland Resort Pier. To find out more and enrol, visit eventshorizons.com.

Every month!

DB CHESS CHAMPION

After winning the Hong Kong Under-8 title, DB resident Shayne Meng went on to be the sole Hong Kong representative at the 2026 FIDE World Cup (U8 –U12) in Batumi, Georgia, this June. Competing in the Open U8 category, the eight-year-old DB resident finished an outstanding 18th among 118 players, setting a new best-ever result for a Hong Kong player in the event.

GONGFU TEA GATHERING

Local non-profit One World Spirit is now hosting monthly Gongfu tea gatherings in DB, celebrating the rich culture of tea sharing. At each gathering, participants sample the six major categories of Chinese tea, while learning about tea’s history – dating back to 2737 BC – as well as its health benefits according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. To get involved, WhatsApp 6219 3817.

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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DB NEWS

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SMILES IN FOCUS: DR SAFAR AT BAYSIDE DENTAL You may have already spotted a new face at Bayside Dental.

Originally from Ukraine, Dr Safar Baisov joined the practice 10 months ago after spending a decade working in Beijing, bringing with him extensive experience in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, dental surgery and complex root canal treatment.

For Dr Safar, Hong Kong offered the perfect next step. “It’s more international – and it was a climate choice; I like the warmer weather,” he opens. “Beijing was a great experience, challenging; I learnt a lot there and met some amazing people. But Hong Kong is somewhere to settle long-term, somewhere to plan retirement.”

Although he currently lives in Central, Dr Safar already sees DB as his future home. “DB is a great place to get to know people – you bump into them on the ferry, at the supermarket. In Central, I don’t know my neighbours. In DB, you really live with the community. I will move here after a few years, when I get married and have a family.”

PRECISION, PASSION AND PATIENT CARE Dr Safar splits his time between Bayside Dental’s DB North and South clinics and its sister practice Smith & Jain Dentists in Central. He has recently installed a surgical microscope for root canal treatments at the DB North clinic, allowing more precise treatment for complex cases in DB. “I like to do work with my hands and dentistry is all about this,” he explains. “It’s important to be sensitive to detail and I like to do work that’s very, very detailed. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and in dentistry that’s actually not a disadvantage, it’s a big advantage.”

Helping patients regain their smile is what motivates Dr Safar most. “Through dentistry, you can create positive change in someone’s life – making them feel more comfortable and more confident. And you do this with your skills, with your hands.”

That patient-centred philosophy was shaped by an early mentor.

“The most important lesson I learned was to listen. People need to feel heard. They’re not always looking for perfection or miracles; they want someone who understands what matters to them.”

When it comes to preventing dental problems, however, Dr Safar’s advice couldn’t be simpler. “The biggest issue I see is tooth decay, and it’s a simple thing to prevent if you follow basic hygiene rules,” he says. “Most cavities form in between the teeth not on the surface, which is why you need to floss as well as brush.”

Whether providing a routine check-up or advanced dental work, Dr Safar wants every patient to leave feeling the same way. “I hope they feel they’ve been listened to, understood and cared for.”

To book an appointment at Bayside Dental, call 2987 0855 (DB North), 2285 8068 (DB South) 6

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

DR SAFAR BAISOV AT THE DB SOUTH CLINIC

SOUNDBITES Q: What’s the one piece of dental advice everyone should follow?

A: Floss every day.

Q: How often should we visit the dentist?

A: Adults should have a hygiene clean every six months and see a dentist at least once a year. Children should see a dentist every six months.

Q: Manual or electric toothbrush?

A: Whichever you prefer, both are good for the job. Electric brushes are especially helpful for the elderly, as are water flossers.

Q: Hard or soft brush?

A: Soft. I use an Ebisu soft toothbrush.

Q: How do parents encourage good dental habits in young children?

A: Parents need to educate their kids about dental hygiene every day. It’s important to assist children under seven years with brushing, particularly night brushing.

Q: Is teeth whitening safe?

A: Yes. When used correctly and under the advice of your dentist.

Q: Favourite toothpaste?

A: Any fluoride toothpaste that isn’t abrasive.

The brand isn’t important but avoid whitening toothpastes.

Q: Mint or salt?

A: Flavour is up to you. Salt is good for gum disease but I don’t recommend using it daily.

Q: Best celebrity smile?

A: Julia Roberts.

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DB NEWS

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VISIONARY SCHOOL DNA

MOVING WITH THE TIMES: DISCOVERY MIND Discovery Mind is entering the new school year with a clear vision for the future and the leadership of newly appointed Head of Kindergarten, Joyce Fong.

At a time when artificial intelligence and rapid technological change is reshaping the world, DM is focused on preparing children not only for the next stage of education, but for a future that is impossible to predict. Many of today's professions may not exist in 10 or 20 years, making adaptability, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration more important than ever for our children.

“Academic skills such as numeracy and literacy are important, but I always think that a school should be about growing a young person in the widest sense,” opens Head of School Chris Jackson.

“Whole person development includes the academics, but it also includes helping children develop their sense of self and helping them learn to work and play with others, so that they may become thinkers, creators and collaborators.

“Our website celebrates that we have been nurturing holistic growth since 1996, and Joyce joining DM is the beginning of the next step in this continual journey.”

NEW HEAD OF KINDERGARTEN Ask Joyce what excites her about becoming the new head of Discovery Mind Kindergarten, overseeing both the Discovery Bay and Tung Chung campuses, and she says, “I am truly inspired by the energy and sincerity of the school founder and senior leadership team. It is exciting to be part of a school where we share such strong alignment in values – especially in nurturing children’s character, preparing them for the future and creating a community where happiness, safety and respect are at the heart of everything we do.”

While DMK is known for its human-centred educational approach and emphasis on parent-teacher collaboration, one of the things that truly differentiates the kindergarten is its future-focused bilingual (English and Mandarin) programme.

“In today’s rapidly evolving world, where information is increasingly accessible, children need strong language abilities to understand, interpret and express ideas effectively and ethically,” Joyce says. “Our fully immersive bilingual environment allows children to develop confidence in both languages, connect with different cultures and begin to see the world from a broader, global perspective.

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The DM curriculum balances strong foundations in literacy and mathematics with advanced language development, communication skills and emotional intelligence – capabilities that AI cannot replicate.

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DM intentionally cultivates distinctly human competencies such as empathy, collaboration, ethical reasoning and critical thinking, reinforcing Respect for diverse viewpoints and Responsibility in decision-making.

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Student wellbeing and a positive mindset underpin learning, including the ‘safety to fail’ approach, where children learn accountability while building the Resilience to adapt and grow.

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The curriculum remains agile: it is regularly refined to meet the needs of DM students and stay ahead of technological and societal shifts.

These principles are applied concretely – from kindergarten show-andtell, which builds storytelling skills, confidence and mutual Respect, to the primary entrepreneurship programme, which develops real-world problem-solving, Responsibility and the grit required to innovate.

“We also place strong emphasis on core values such as respect, responsibility, resilience, empathy, curiosity, trustworthiness and self-awareness. Our teachers model these values, and gently nurture these everyday habits in our students.”

At the heart of this is DM’s human-centred approach, which is rooted in the school’s distinctive educational DNA: Respect, Responsibility and Resilience (the 3Rs).

For more on Discovery Mind, visit discoverymind.edu.hk

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

DISCOVERY MIND HEAD OF SCHOOL CHRIS JACKSON AND JOYCE FONG, NEW HEAD OF KINDERGARTEN

CELLO TEACHER

Mr Ben Chang

Graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music MUSIC DIRECTOR AND PIANO TEACHER

Mr Arthur Yu

Graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music

VIOLIN TEACHER

Mr Arthur Tsang

Graduate of the Royal Academy of Music

British Conservatoire-Style Music Education

Visit our website voce-music-hk.com

MUSIC STUDIO

Piano, Violin, Cello, Music Theory Expert training for ABRSM, Trinity, Competitions 1-to-1 Lessons, Group Classes From Beginners to Diploma Level

Book Your Trial Lesson Today 10% off for first 8 lessons for Around DB readers Follow Us @voce_music_hk

Official Royal Academy of Music & Royal Northern College of Music Hong Kong Audition Venue Available to hire for concerts, recordings, auditions, and private events Dual grand piano: Steinway & Sons Model B-211 and Yamaha C3

Unit A, 11/F CNT Tower 338 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong | 6683 2388 info@voce-music-hk.com

You are welcome to join our

Yoga Teacher Training Cours e

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For more details and conditions

DB North Plaza, Block 2, LG Unit 2 | 6113 6770 | hkyoga.ru/db

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K H ss o r c A g in n e What's Happ HK WIDE

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Through O

ctober 4

August 2

DOLLISM PLUS

Now in its 19th year, Dollism Plus serves as a platform for doll enthusiasts from around the world to explore the latest trends, connect with fellow collectors and celebrate the beauty and artistry of dolls. The magic happens on August 2 at the Grand Ballroom of Hopewell Hotel with exclusive showcases and interactive activities. Exhibiting companies include Doll Nouveau, Nine9Style and Gepetto Friends. Grab tickets at the door.

CANTON BEATS

30 Through August

Water World Ocean Park is extending the fun into the evening this month with Canton Beats, an old-school Cantopop DJ party, held every Saturday and Sunday until August 30 (except August 22). Running from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, the event sees guest DJs from across Asia spinning Cantopop remixes and classic hits. Partygoers can also enjoy an 80s-themed poolside bar, Bing Tenginspired cafés, a glow-in-the-dark art gallery and retro-style photo booths.

Find discounted tickets at Klook.

Throughout August

CANDLELIGHT Candlelight, the internationally acclaimed concert series that stages live music in 100 unique venues across the world, has landed at The Repulse Bay and PMQ. You can take your pick from nine shows in August spanning everything from classical masterpieces to reimagined pop hits. This month’s highlights include orchestral tributes to Adele, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Cold Play, Queen and Abba, plus Vivaldi’s Four Seasons… all by candlelight. Purchase tickets at Fever.

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

SUMMERFEST SummerFest is running through Oc tober 4 this year, at the Wanchai Harbour front Event Space. There’s a focus on returning crowd-favourite inflatables – an obstacle course, bowling lanes, mazes and slides – plus brand-new, family-friendly play areas.

Eventgoers can also look for ward to a rotating series of weekly events spanning culture, music, ar t and spor ts – think live bands, mini-markets and BMX competitions.

Admission is free.

Through August 16

INTERNATIONAL ARTS CARNIVAL Staged at venues across the cit y through August 16, International Ar ts Carnival at trac ts world-class per formers from across the globe, and it’s designed specifically with families in mind. Standout August shows include Play, a quirk y dance produc tion from Spain; The Little Musician (South Korea), a magical musical adventure; and Fantastic Fair y Tales (UK ), a live concer t combining classical music with animated stor y telling.

Purchase tickets at Urbtix.

DMR

BALLET MODERN TAP For children from 18 months Conveniently old to 18 years! located in DB North Plaza

CONTACT US

+852 5210 7208 info@dmr-hk.com

DB

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Flooring & Tilling Air-con works Furniture assembly WhatsApp - Karl 6016 6414

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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! t u o b A Out &

WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO! ENJOYING THE NEXT CHAPTER

This year’s Island Dance showcase, The Next Chapter, was held at the Y-Theatre, Chai Wan on June 13 and 14, playing to two near-full houses!

The performance included dances in Freestyle, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Acro-dance, all inspired by the magic of books and storytelling. Among the troupe were 140 DB-based ‘Island Dancers’ who train at DBRC and Club Siena. [PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon Photography.]

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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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TEKKERZ AWARDS CEREMONY AT BAYSIDE DENTAL Community-based football club Tekkerz celebrated the end of a fantastic season on June 13 by hosting their 2025-26 Awards Ceremony in partnership with Bayside Dental. Over 400 players and parents were treated to a barbecue on the terrace of Bayside Dental’s DB North clinic.

[PHOTO COURTESY of Bayside Dental.]

AT SMOKEY JOE’S ON THE FOURTH OF JULY Smokey Joe’s in DB North was the place to celebrate on July 4, with Chef Joey Daze serving up a sizzling US Independence Day feast. Diners were treated to all-American favourites like Texas Twinkies and chillicheese hot dogs. [PHOTOS COURTESY of Andrew J.C. Spires & Steen Skovfoged.]

AT A SMOOTHIE-MAKING WORKSHOP Hong Kong food-tech startup Food with Benefits led a Zero Food-Waste Smoothie-Making Workshop on July 18 at DB Office Centre. Participants learnt how surplus produce can be upcycled into healthy and delicious smoothies. [PHOTOS

BY Andrew J.C. Spires.]

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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24/7 ACCESS H IG H -S P E E D W IR E L E SS A N D W IR E D IN T E R N E T

Welcome to Co-Working Space@DB, where innovation meets comfort! Nestled in the heart of Discovery Bay, our unique workspace offers a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor environments designed to cater to today’s dynamic work needs.

Experience the freedom to work in our thoughtfully designed hybrid workspace. With adjustable-height tables and ergonomic chairs indoors, combined with a sun terrace and lounge area outdoors, our space promotes flexibility and comfort. Whether you prefer the tranquility of indoor environments or the refreshing open air, we have the perfect spot for you – with views!

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Join us and become a part of a vibrant community that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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PROFILE

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! s g in n in g e B New

FROM DB TO ANTARCTICA When a decades-long aviation career took an unexpected turn, Vicky Edwards embraced a new challenge. Her next destination: one of the most remote places on Earth. Edward Szekeres reports PHOTOS BY Andrew J.C. Spires & courtesy of Vicky Edwards

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t all star ted with a movie. In late 2019, as COVID was silently spreading across the world, Vick y Edwards was on her way home to finish a work projec t when she walked by Palace ifc.

Where’d You Go Bernadet te, a comedy- drama starring Cate Blanchet t, was showing. Compelled by a strong inner force, Vick y – an ardent Star Wars fan – decided to “ridiculously” watch the Blanchet t flick, even pleading with her boss for more time to finish her work later that evening.

It didn’t take long for her to realise why she felt so drawn to this movie about a middle-aged woman who, for various reasons, had lost her mojo and then regained it by escaping to Antarc tica. As Vick y put s it, “It made me think, ‘That woman is mirroring my life.’ I was in a position where my career was shif ting and I’d lost an air-traf fic controller job. I was going through some quite challenging experiences in life.”

While Vicky did not embark on her own Antarc tica journey until a few years later, she lef t the cinema that day with a new found outlook on the world.

“That movie pretty much changed my life,” she says.

British-born Vick y arrived in Hong Kong, and set tled in Discover y Bay, in 2019 on an air-traf fic controller contrac t. She came with the highest of accolades, having spent three decades in London as an area radar controller at one of the busiest air-traf fic unit s in the world, of ten juggling 20 to 30 airplanes at once in large chunks of airspace – all with an exceptional safet y and training record.

Aviation was in her blood, with her father and uncle both clocking time in the Royal Air Force. As a teenager, she saw an ad for air-traffic control openings and was immediately hooked. At a mere 18 years old, she passed a gruelling selection process that only about 16

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

a fifth of all candidates can complete, and launched what would become an illustrious career.

So 30 years later, when she arrived in Hong Kong and unexpec tedly failed her on-the-job training, Vicky’s new chapter shif ted course. Her qualifications as an instruc tor were enough for her boss to of fer her a dif ferent contrac t, and she sprang into ac tion, helping set up the Basic Air Traf fic Control College for HKIA A, where she trained cadets for the Civil Aviation Depar tment for more than three years.

But something was missing, and Antarc tica (that Blanchet t flick, remember) was stuck in Vick y’s mind. Things fell into place in Januar y 2025, when she saw an ar ticle about the British Antarc tic Sur vey, and how they were recruiting. “I went on the website, found a vacanc y for a radio operator in Antarc tica, and I literally ticked all the boxes for what they required for the job,” she says.

For the first time in three years, Vick y was genuinely excited. “All of my friends said: ‘Do it!’ They said they could see in my face this was something I really wanted, even if it meant falling of f the planet for a six-month deployment.”

Vick y’s children Rohan and Grace, then 17 and 18 and living overseas, were totally on board. “I’m always absolutely there for my kids and suppor t them, but they’re also aware that parents need time-out to be themselves,” says Vicky, who has always been a working mum and raised her kids “free-range style” to be independent.

And so Vicky applied – and got the job. She was one of four selec ted out of 170 applicants – not least on her first tr y, a rarity in this field. She aced her inter views despite not having experience working in remote environments, something she attributes, at

PROFILE

“

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ALL OF MY FRIENDS SAID: ‘DO IT!’ THEY SAID THEY

COULD SEE IN MY FACE THIS WAS SOMETHING I REALLY WANTED, EVEN IF IT MEANT FALLING OFF THE PLANET FOR A SIX-MONTH DEPLOYMENT

- Vicky Edwards

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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PROFILE

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VICKY AT HER DESK AT ROTHERA RESEARCH STATION

least in par t to her experience as an expat. “I knew what it took to live a long way away from family and friends due to my move to Hong Kong,” she says.

Af ter a rigorous medical check, she jetted of f to the British Antarc tic Sur vey’s headquar ters in Cambridge, UK, for a month of training before hitting the ‘far south’ in Oc tober 2025. She deployed as one of five radio operators at the air field of Rothera Research Station, a British Antarc tic Sur vey base about a thousand miles from the southern tip of Chile – the nearest hub of civilisation.

The job itself was exac tly what she’d trained for – eight- to 10-hour shifts managing communications and providing flight information to incoming planes and ships, many of them bound for Antarctica’s vast, frozen interior. Her team was also the only connection to the world for remote units building stations fur ther out. Her contact with these field guides and scientists involved ever ything from relaying their needs (including much-needed beer supplies) to singing Christmas carols to them on the phone, at designated – and ver y sporadic – call times.

“When they finally came back from their monthslong remote tour and we heard one another’s familiar voices in real life, it was like meeting longtime friends. One of them followed me around like a puppy for their first day back as they slowly reintegrated into society,” Vicky chuckles.

Vicky’s stint in Antarc tica spanned the summer season, which somewhat counterintuitively runs from Oc tober to early March. “I pretty much loved ever y minute of it,” she says. “I knew there were going to be challenges, but being a little bit older, more mature, with plenty of life experiences, I was ready to face them.

“I think the hardest thing was getting used to sharing a room with a stranger,” Vicky adds, as she describes her compact room resembling student 18

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

accommodation. But the views of icebergs, the ocean and the occasional penguin or seal hobbling across the runway made up for any discomfor t. “I never got bored of it. The scener y around us literally moved with the icebergs,” she explains, pointing out that while 98% of Antarctica is covered in snow, the patch she worked on is not – at least in the summer time.

Vicky immersed herself in ever y thing – the vista, her work, the people around her. Strangers became friends, colleagues turned into soulmates. “You make friends fast because of the environment you’re in, more so than you would naturally. You’re working and living together at close quar ters and around the clock. When you’re such a small team, 130 that summer, the onus is on you to take care of the social aspec ts. If you want something to happen, you have to make it happen. So you have to be prepared to be a social coordinator as well.”

For Vicky this meant arranging weekend trips, including a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, and organising quiz nights back at base that kept spirits high (with alcohol consumption capped at two glasses per night). “I’m always the one who will make the ef for t to keep the connec tions going,” she says.

That applies to her family and friends in DB, too.

Back home now, having wrapped up her deployment, Vicky’s focusing on a life far from the icebergs.

She’s completing a master’s degree in psychology and spending time with her children and her local dragon boating ‘family’, the Sea Cucumbers. Vicky’s also one of the organisers of Piece of Mind, the new DB-based jigsaw-puzzle swap group – an ac tivity that keeps her curious mind busy.

“At the end of the day, my job is my passion, but it is not larger than my life. There are other things that matter just as much, if not more,” Vicky concludes with a smile.

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QUIZ

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! s e i v o M e th t A

20 QUESTIONS

How much do you know about Julia Roberts and her films?

BY Elena M. Zepeda

01. Julia Roberts was born in which US state?

A.

Texas

B.

Georgia

C.

Washington

02. Who plays Roberts’ mentee in After the Hunt?

A.

Ayo Edebiri

B.

Chloë Sevigny

C.

Florence Pugh

03. In which movie does Roberts star alongside Maryl Streep?

A.

Closer

B.

Ticket to Paradise

C.

August: Osage County

04. In which thriller does Roberts play a lawyer who investigates a series of murders?

A.

The Client

B.

The Pelican Brief

C.

Duplicity

05. Who is Roberts married to?

A.

Lyle Lovett

B.

Daniel Moder

C.

George Clooney

20

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

QUIZ

06. Roberts’ first leading role was in which movie?

A.

Satisfaction

B.

Mystic Pizza

C.

Baja Oklahoma

07. In which film does Roberts play the mother of a boy born with a craniofacial difference?

14. In Runaway Bride, how many times does Roberts’ character leave a man at the altar?

A. Three B. Four C. Five 15. In which movie does Roberts play an evil queen?

A.

Stepmom

B.

Ben is Back

B.

C.

Wonder

C. Snow White and the Huntsman

08. In Hook, which iconic character does Roberts play?

A. Maleficent Mirror, Mirror

16. In which animated movie does Roberts voice a character?

A.

Tinker Bell

B.

Wendy Darling

C.

B.

Tiger Lily

C. Charlotte’s Web

09. What Academy Award nomination did Roberts receive for Steel Magnolias?

A.

Best Suppor ting Actress

B.

Best Actress

C.

Best Screenplay

10. In Pretty Woman, which song plays during the shopping montage?

A. Material Girl by Madonna B. Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison C. zUptown Girl by Billy Joel 11. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for which movie?

A. Charlie Wilson’s War B. Erin Brockovich C. Secret in Their Eyes 12. Who stars opposite Roberts in Notting Hill?

A. Hotel Transylvania Stuart Little

17. In Sleeping with the Enemy, why does Roberts’ character change her identity?

A. She wants to star t a new career B. She is fleeing her abusive husband C. She is seeking revenge 18. Who plays Roberts’ character’s best friend in My Best Friend’s Wedding?

A. Ruper t Everett B. Dermot Mulroney C. Ewan McGregor 19. Whose bestselling memoir is Eat Pray Love based on?

A. Tina Fey B. Cher yl Strayed C. Elizabeth Gilber t

A. Richard Gere

20. In which movie does Roberts play a medical student?

B. Pierce Brosnan

A. Flatliners

C. Hugh Grant

B. Bood Red

13. Roberts plays Tess Ocean in which movies?

A. Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve B. Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen C. Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Thirteen

/

C. Mona Lisa Smile You can check your score at www.arounddb.com>post>at-themovies-julia-roberts-quiz

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

21

CLIENT TALK

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CARIBBEAN CITIZENSHIP WITH GLOBAL ADVANTAGES H A R V E Y L AW G R O U P E X A M I N E S A N T I G UA A N D B A R B U DA ' S C I T I Z E N S H I P BY I N V E S T M E N T P R O G R A M , H I G H L I G H T I N G I T S FA R - R E AC H I N G A P P E A L T O I N T E R N AT I O N A L I N V E S T O R S

I

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22

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

Beyond its white- and pink-sand beaches, coral reefs and rugged coastal for mations, Antigua and Barbuda boasts historic harbours, a lush rainforest, wildlife-rich lagoons and spectacular birdwatching opportunities – it’s a destination that is small in size, but truly large in natural wonders.

TWO WAYS TO INVEST Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program allows applicants to choose between a donation option and a real-estate investment option. Either way, the investment is only payable after pre-approval,

CLIENT TALK

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HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG)

which gives applicants certainty before making a large financial commitment.

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

23

COMMUNITY

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! p U t I Turn

ENCORE, PLEASE Residents still reminisce about Hemingway’s and The BIG Picnic but a new generation of musicians is helping DB get its groove back. Sam Agars reports PHOTOS COURTESY OF Andrew J.C. Spires, Baljit Gidwani & Sam Agars

I

f you t alk to anyone with any k nowledge of the music scene in Discover y Bay, it ’s not long before Hemingway ’s or The BIG Picnic enter s the conver sation. St aples of the DB communit y for so long, it ’s only natur al people remember the live - music venue and the annual fes tival so fondly.

But while The BIG Picnic, which grew from Picnic in the Park, hasn’t been held since 2019 and Hemingway’s was a vic tim of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s cer tainly not all doom and gloom when it comes to live music in DB. While things ground vir tually to a halt during Covid, the music scene has bounced back and there is optimism around what lies ahead.

Though the closure of Hemingway’s meant the loss of a dedicated music venue that DBers could rely on, Jay Javier Apungan’s weekly Sunday af ternoon gig at Three Sheets is filling par t of the gap, giving residents a regular dose of live music once again.

A DB resident since 2009, Jay is a full-time musician who has developed a dedicated following in the community through his lively acoustic shows. “Live music is a must-have in ever y community and ever y venue as long as they can do it properly. People love to hear music,” he opens.

“DB is still recovering and it’s still not the same.

Hong Kong generally is still coming back,” Jay adds. “But I’m hopeful that the music scene here will continue to become more busy. People need music. I love the community in Discover y Bay. I have regular people who come ever y Sunday and I think I can give them some happiness through music.”

Another name familiar with DB music fans is Andrew Osborne, a member of Hong Kong band 24

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

Power ful Moss who has been playing gigs at venues throughout DB for more than a decade. These days, you’re most likely to find him playing acoustic sets out on the terrace at Ona. “I’m pretty lucky as I have a group of friends who enjoy live music and they’ll come around and bring their mates so there’s normally a small crowd. It’s a nice atmosphere,” he says. “Live music in DB is definitely not as suppor ted as it was before Covid but the scene is still alive, people are still passionate about playing and the quality of music hasn’t faded.

“Some of the venues are still suppor tive of live music but overall, I don’t think it’s ver y well adver tised,” adds Andrew. “You have to be following the specific musicians to know when they’re playing and there’s no central point in terms of marketing to find out ever y thing that’s happening in DB. That’s probably something that is missing.”

One band who puts a lot of work into ‘getting the word out’ is The Cashed-Up Johnnies, a group of DB residents who have built something of a cult following with their rockabilly style, inspired by the likes of Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.

The trio can regularly be found at DBrasserie, which is well kitted out for full bands.

“If you want a crowd, you have to spread the word.

It’s much more fun for us to play in front of a crowd.

We rely more on family and friends from DB, but if you do it too of ten it’s dif ficult to play to a full house. It’s a balance,” says frontman Gil de Clercq.

Someone who has seen it all in DB across the past two decades is professional saxophonist Blaine Whittaker, who has played at just about ever y local venue you care to name.

COMMUNITY

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THE CASHED-UP JOHNNIES

ANDREW OSBORNE

“

LIVE MUSIC IN DB IS DEFINITELY

NOT AS SUPPORTED AS IT WAS JAY JAVIER APUNGAN

BEFORE COVID BUT THE SCENE IS STILL ALIVE, PEOPLE ARE STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT PLAYING AND THE QUALITY OF MUSIC HASN’T FADED

- Andrew Osborne

BLAINE WHITTAKER AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

25

COMMUNITY

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THE BIG PICNIC’S LAST WALTZ NOVEMBER 9, 2019

“The clientele has changed and that’s a big deal, but they’re slowly coming back. It may take another couple of years,” says Blaine, whose sons Saxon and Jar vis cut their teeth at Hemingway’s and are now building a following on the Australian music scene with their band Whitt’s End. “When Hemingway’s left this place was a ghost town for music for a long time,” Blaine adds. “But people are tr ying, which I love because there was a point when no one was doing anything. It takes time to get it in people’s heads that there is something on.

“If venues want to tr y music for two months and think it’s not working, it’s because they didn’t tr y it for long enough. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a long arc for venues that are successful with music. If people know it’s on from consistency, you’ll more often than not have good nights after a cer tain period of time.

That’s why Hemingway’s was good – because it was always on and it had a long track record.”

While something like Hemingway’s cannot simply be recreated overnight, a common theme among those with skin in the game is a yearning for the return of The BIG Picnic, however difficult commercial pressures might make that.

Last held on Saturday, November 9, 2019, The BIG Picnic took over Tai Pak Beach, DB Plaza and D'Deck with four stages of live music and dance, a children’s 26

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

zone, food stalls and the Handmade Hong Kong market. Thousands turned out for what had become DB’s signature community festival, and it’s easy to see why.

It was free, family-friendly and genuinely had something for ever yone. From the first guitar riff in the morning to the final encore well after sunset, The BIG Picnic was the kind of event where you arrived for an hour and somehow ended up staying all day.

Children disappeared into craft workshops and game booths, while adults drifted between stages, discovered new bands and caught up with friends.

The pop-up restaurant vendors were legendar y; a lot of beer was drunk and the timing also helped.

Ever yone’s best memor y of The BIG Picnic happened on a warm day under a cloudless sky.

What made The BIG Picnic so special, at least for residents, was the strong community feel. Class local bands, like Helium3, The Naggin Eejits, The 852’s, Grounded, BenZine, Bus Uncle and Rockstars Anonymous shared the bill with well-known acts from across Hong Kong. Kids from local schools, clubs and dance groups also got to take part, gaining invaluable experience performing in front of big crowds.

“I miss it. I wish it could happen again. It was just such a great event. All the bands playing and all the kids playing and dancing. I just wish there was another one coming,” says Jay. Encore, please.

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KARTING FOR A DECADE

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CINDERELLA ADVENTURE POP-UP Your favourite DB North playcentre is open again through August 31

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HEADING INTO YEAR 13 AT DBIS, HONG KONG, CHINA NATIONAL TEAM CRICKETER DANIEL MAPP IS READY TO DELIVER

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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 2026.

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DISCOVER A DIFFERENT SIDE OF HONG KONG Hong Kong has so much more to offer than just the usual tourist hotspots. Once you step off the beaten path, you’ll discover it’s a city brimming with hidden gems and unique adventures. Ashwin Hotchandani reports PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock & Ashwin Hotchandani

L

iving in Hong Kong means having world-class attractions on our doorstep, from the iconic Peak Tram and Star Ferry to the lively buzz of Temple Street Night Market. Sometimes, though, we all crave an escape from the city’s crowds, queues and concrete. If you’re looking for a change of pace this summer, it’s time to look beyond the tourist trail.

per fec t summer playground. Situated at Lake Egret Nature Park, Tai Po Kau, it features 43 floating obstacles, plus a six-metre-high slide, trampolines, raf ts and climbing towers. Pedal boats, water bikes and wakeboards are also available for hire.

Lifejackets are mandator y and provided onsite, ensuring your safety while maximising your fun.

From hidden water falls and historic Hakka settlements to floating waterparks and scenic reser voir viewpoints, here’s a guide to some of Hong Kong’s most rewarding, lesser-known destinations.

Tickets cost around HK$108 per hour for advance online bookings (instagram.com/corehk), or HK$138 per hour for walk-ins. You’ll need at least two sessions to tr y out all the parkour obstacles, and you can easily make a day of it, as there are barbecue pits to rent, plus two onsite restaurants, one Cantonese and one European.

CORE AQUA PARK, LAKE EGRET NATURE PARK

If you’re af ter fun in the sun (and water), why limit yourself to a day at the beach? Core Aqua Park – Hong Kong’s largest inflatable water park – is the

To get there from DB: t ake the DB03P bus to Sunny Bay then hop on the MTR to Tai Po Mar ket.

Jour ney time: one hour and 20 minutes. From Tai Po Mar ket, it ’s a 10 - minute t axi ride to L ake Egret Nature Par k.

HONG KONG RAILWAY MUSEUM, TAI PO MARKET

Fascinated by heritage transit? Hong Kong Railway Museum in Tai Po Market is a fantastic spot to dive into our cit y’s past. An open-air museum construc ted on the historic grounds of the former (1913) Tai Po Market Railway Station, this declared monument details the histor y and evolution of the Kowloon- Canton Railway. You can wander past early colonial- era signal cabins, steam locomotives and vintage passenger coaches.

CORE AQUA PARK 28

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

Entrance to the museum is completely free. While eating and drinking (even water) is prohibited on

INSIDER

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site, the museum is right in the centre of Tai Po Market, so af ter your visit, you can head to Tai Po Complex, where the hawker centre on the second floor dishes up amazingly cheap dim sum, noodles and seafood.

To get there from DB: take the DB03P bus to Sunny Bay, then hop on the MTR to Tai Wo. Journey time: one hour and 35 minutes. On arrival head to E xit B, from there it ’s an easy 10 -minute stroll across the river to the museum entrance on On Fu Road.

LYCHEE VALLEY, PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK

LYCHEE VALLEY

Lychee Valley (Lai Chi Wo) is home to one of Hong Kong’s oldest and best-preser ved Hakka walled villages. Nestled within Plover Cove Countr y Park in the far nor theastern New Territories, it dates back over 40 0 years providing an incredible window into rural, pre- colonial Hong Kong histor y.

The village features rows of traditional tiled-roof houses, ancestral halls and an ac tive communit y working to revitalise eco -farming in the area. Be sure to explore the sacred ‘fung shui woodland’ surrounding the village – a biodiversit y hot spot holding over 10 0 native plant species, all viewable from an elevated wooden boardwalk.

Entrance to the village grounds, fung shui woodland and nature-trail boardwalk is free. There are a few local restaurant s and stores onsite, however they are usually only open on weekends and public holidays. If you visit on a weekday, be sure to pack your own food and water, as ever y thing in the village will be locked up.

To get there from DB: take the DB03P bus to Sunny Bay, and the MTR to Fanling. Then catch the 56K minibus to Luk Keng. Journey time: t wo hours and 10 minutes. From Luk Keng, it ’s a scenic t wo -anda-half-hour hike to Lai Chi Wo.

SHUENG LUK STREAM, SAI KUNG EAST COUNTRY PARK

Deep in the eastern New Territories, Shueng Luk Stream in Sai Kung East Countr y Park, is a spec tacular, crowd-free oasis featuring some of the cleanest, freshwater rockpools in the cit y, plus water falls and clif f-jumping spot s.

This is a fantastic spot for stream hiking, just be a lit tle cautious, as the rocks can be ver y slipper y and the pools are deep. There are a few Cantonese restaurant s at nearby Sai Wan Beach, so all you really need to carr y is water, snacks and sunscreen.

To get there from DB: take the DB03R bus to Sunny Bay, the MTR to Ma On Shan, and then a taxi to Sai Wan Pavilion. Journey time: t wo hours. From the SHUENG LUK STREAM

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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pavilion, you hike roughly 40 minutes to Sai Wan Beach – the rockpools are an easy 10 - to 15 -minute walk inland from the nor th end of the beach.

THOUSAND ISLANDS LAKE, TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK

Stretching across a vast mountainous area in the western New Territories, Tai Lam Countr y Park spans 5,412 hec tares, making it the second-largest countr y park in the region. It’s per fec t for nature lovers, of fering 12 designated hiking trails, plenty of space for camping and barbecues, and one of Hong Kong’s most unique hidden gems: the spec tacular Thousand Islands Lake ( Tai Lam Chung Reser voir).

What’s interesting, as well as pic turesque, is that the ‘atolls’ scattered across the lake are in fac t hills that were all but submerged when the valley was flooded to create the reser voir in the 1950s.

To best see the illusion of these ‘thousand islands’, hike to the Reser voir Islands Viewpoint. The final stretch is a steep staircase climb but the panoramic views are some of the most photogenic in the city.

There are no shops or restaurants on the trail, so be sure to pack water, snacks and a bag for your litter.

To get there from DB: take the DB01R bus to Tung Chung Bus Terminus. From there, transfer to the E33 bus and get of f at Tuen Mun Central. Finally, hop on a 43 minibus to So Kwun Wat Village terminus which is right by the Reser voir Islands Viewpoint trailhead. Journey time: one hour and 45 minutes.

Allow yourself around an hour of steady walking to reach the top.

THOUSAND ISLANDS LAKE

WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE, WONG TAI SIN

For culture vultures, Wong Tai Sin Temple – established in 1921 – is a must-visit, managed by Taoist charitable organisation Sik Sik Yuen. Focused on ancient Chinese customs and Taoist traditions, the temple is famous for kau chim (for tune-telling via shaking bamboo sticks) and the local belief that ‘what you pray for is what you get ’.

While wandering the temple grounds is completely free, ‘incense prayer packs’ are t ypically priced from HK$10 to HK$50. You can also visit the dedicated Taisui Yuenchen Hall for an entr y fee of HK$10 0. Once ‘templed out,’ you can head into Wong Tai Sin, where the street s are packed with dai pai dongs, cha chaan tengs and traditional noodle houses.

To get there from DB: hop on the DB03P bus to Sunny Bay, then take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin. Journey time: one hour and 30 minutes. On arrival, follow the signs for E xit B2, which brings you right to the temple entrance.

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WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE

GOOD READS

/

Off the Map! ELSEWHERE BOUND

Six books about exploration, discovery and unexpected journeys

INTO THE WILD: JON KRAKAUER (1996)

THE BEACH: ALEX GARLAND (1996)

SHANTARAM: GREGORY DAVID ROBERTS (2003)

THE PLACES IN BETWEEN: RORY STEWART (2004)

SOVIETISTAN: ERIKA FATLAND (2014)

THE SONGLINES: BRUCE CHATWIN (1987)

Christopher rejects materialism and social norms to seek a more authentic life alone in the remote Alaskan wilderness. Jon Krakauer’s bestselling work of nonfiction celebrates wanderlust, courage and the desire for freedom but it’s also a cautionar y tale about isolation, idealism and the limits of self-reliance.

Lin arrives in Bombay seeking a fresh start and quickly finds himself immersed in the city’s underground, where he befriends a colourful cast of outcasts, criminals and kindred spirits. Gregory David Roberts celebrates the rewards of stepping beyond the familiar and discovering the authentic heart of a place through the people who live there.

Erika Fatland journeys alone through Central Asia, visiting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, a region largely overlooked by modern travellers. Part travelogue and part hard-hitting journalism, Sovietistan details how a complex Soviet legacy continues to shape daily life across these unique nations.

Richard arrives in Thailand searching for somewhere untouched by mass tourism. When he discovers a hidden island ‘paradise’, he soon learns that his dream destination hides a dark reality. Alex Garland captures both the excitement and danger of getting off the tourist track, while exploring the allure of finding something few others know about.

Shortly after the fall of the Taliban, Rory Stewart undertakes an extraordinary solo walk across Afghanistan, travelling hundreds of miles through snowcovered mountains, remote villages and regions rarely visited by outsiders. Thoughtful and deeply engaging, The Places in Between demonstrates how the most memorable journeys often lie far off the beaten track.

Fascinated by the Aboriginal ‘songlines’ that crisscross the Australian Outback, Bruce Chatwin embarks on a journey through some of the continent’s most remote landscapes. Drawing on myth, geography and lived experience, The Songlines celebrates the spirit of exploration and the idea that every journey reveals a deeper connection to place and culture.

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

31

ESCAPES

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! e im T on i t Vaca

WEIRD BEACHES

7 of the most beautiful, in no particular order FAMOUS FOR ITS JET-BLACK

volc anic sand, dr amatic basalt clif f s and roaring Atlantic waves, Reynis fjar a Beach on Iceland’s souther n coas t is s tr aight out of a gothic fair y t ale. The towering, geometric sea s t acks that rise from the ocean look man- made but have in fac t been sculpted over millions of year s by relentles s wave erosion.

LOCATED IN FORT BRAGG,

Nor thern California, Glass Beach is covered in millions of colour ful sea-glass fragments. From 1949 to 1967, the beach ser ved as an of ficial dumpsite, where rubbish was discarded into the ocean.

Following cleanup operations, decades of wave erosion has tumbled the remaining (glass) refuse into the smooth, glittering expanse seen today.

A BIZARRE INLAND BEACH, Playa

De Gulpiyuri in A s turias, on Spain’s nor thern coast, is located in the middle of a meadow. Although it looks like a small lagoon, seawater reaches the beach through underground tunnels connected to the Cantabrian Sea. Known for its golden sand and cr ystal-clear water, it sits more than 100 metres from the actual coastline.

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ESCAPES

THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS PINK SAND

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beaches are found in Indonesia. The most iconic stretch, known locally as Pantai Merah, sits on Komodo Island and is celebrated for its vibrant, pastel-pink shoreline contrasting against crystal-clear turquoise water.

Tiny red coral fragments broken apart by the waves and mixed with the sand, make the beach glow pink.

SHELL BEACH AT SHARK BAY,

Wes ter n Aus t r alia, cover s over 110 kilometres and contains no sand at all. It is composed of billions of tiny coquina clam shells packed so tightly together that they resemble snow or crushed coral. Because the bay’s high-saline water supports few predators, the shells have accumulated over time, creating deposits several metres deep in places.

SARAKINIKO ON THE GREEK ISLAND OF MILOS is one

of the world’s most dramatic coastal geological formations, widely nicknamed Moon Beach. Instead of sand, palm trees and conventional cliffs, Sarakiniko is a brilliant, bonewhite expanse of undulating, chalky stone that plunges directly into the electric-blue Aegean Sea.

KOEKOHE BEACH ON NEW ZEALAND’S SOUTH ISLAND homes the

Moeraki Boulders – a collection of massive spherical stones resembling dinosaur eggs. They are, in fact, cement-hard calcite concretions that formed within the mudstone cliffs 60 million years ago. When the land uplifted and the soft mudstone eroded, these durable spheres were exposed and deposited directly onto the beach.

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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EDUCATION

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! s e i or t S ss Succe

NURTURING TOMORROW’S LEADERS Four Discovery College students reveal how the school’s Academic Scholarship Programme has empowered them to pursue their passions, achieve their goals and prepare for bright futures

D

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Discovery College

i s c ove r y C o ll e g e ( D C ) c o nt i n u e s to s e t a gold s t andard for inter national e d uc ation in Hong Kong. W hile t he s chool is widely celebr ated for it s s t ate - of-the -ar t c ampus and holis tic approach to the Inter national Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, it is the individuals within it s walls who truly define it s spirit.

Central to this thriving educational ecosystem i s t h e D i s c ove r y C o l l e g e A c a d e m i c S c h o l a r s h i p Progr amme – an initiative d esigne d to recognis e exceptional student talent, foster intellec tual c u r i o s i t y a n d p r o v i d e t a i l o r- m a d e m e n t o r s h i p .

L e t ’s h e a r f r o m f o u r r e m a r k a b l e , h o m e g r o w n s t u d e n t s c h o l a r s – Ta s h a B a t c h e l o r , L u c i a Gimenez- Rey na C as tillo, A lexand er Nolens Liu and Mahirr Uppaal – who reveal how the p rogr amme is s haping t heir jour neys and helping t he m t ur n big ambitions into realit y.

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THE POWER OF PERSONALISED MENTORSHIP Balancing high-level academics with extracurricular passions can be a daunting feat for any teenager.

For Alexander, a dedicated athlete who represents DC in four spor ts – football, badminton, volleyball and s wimming – t he s c holar s hip progr amme has been an essential anchor.

“B e i n g i nvo l ve d i n s p o r t s , e x t r a c u r r i c u l a r s a n d academics may sometimes seem impossible, hence, my mentor helps me manage my schedule, establish priorities and ensure a high academic per formance,” Alexander says.

This sentiment is echoed across the cohor t. Mahirr, who is drawn to the real-world applications of Ec o n o m i c s , c r e d i t s t h e s c h o l a r s h i p’s s t r u c t u r a l guidance for giving students the confidence to step outside their comfor t zones.

EDUCATION

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“The guiding presence of mentor s to help s teer us in the right direc tion and resolve any queries is a huge help," Mahirr notes, adding that this suppor t o f f e r s “i n c r e a s e d f l e x i b i l i t y a n d r e a s s u r a n c e t o pur sue other s treams of interes t”.

For Design enthusiast Tasha, the programme ensures that students never have to navigate their challenges alone: she greatly values the struc ture provided by regular progres s meetings with her advisor. “The scholarship programme has suppor ted my journey a t D C t hr o u g h of f e r i n g a ny s u p p o r t i n s u b j e c t s where I may want it. The regular meeting with my mentor, where we set goals and my progress toward these goals helps me to stay on track.”

ALEXANDER NOLENS-LIU

COLL ABOR ATION AND RISK-TAKING When asked what makes DC unique, the scholars don’t just point to the facilities; they point to the culture.

For Lucia, a s tudent passionate about Physic s, DC is a r are s anc tuar y where ac ademic r is k-t aking is celebrated. “Something that makes DC special to me is it s communit y,” Lucia says. “I would say that the school communit y and environment is a place in which you don’t have to be afraid to be your self, explore, or take risks, because there will always be people there to suppor t you along the way.”

The scholar ship programme ac tively channels this s up p or tive e nviro nme nt into collab or ative, real world ex periences. Lucia recently par tnered with a group of fellow scholar s to take par t in a STEM competition, an oppor tunit y she notes helped the team “grow and develop passions for engineering and enter prise”.

Mahirr, a golfer with a low single-figure handicap, who was par t of the same STEM competition agrees w i t h L u c i a , d e s c r i b i n g D C a s a “v e r y s t r o n g l y tight-knit communit y that encourages student s to engage with one another both inside and out side of school”. Tasha adds that DC’s vibrant atmosphere makes it “a great place to make new f r iends and have new experiences”.

BIG DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE A s these scholar s look toward life af ter graduation, t h e i r d i ve r s e a s p i r a t i o n s r e f l e c t t h e r i c h, m u l t i disciplinar y foundation fos tered by DC. A lex an d er p lans to t ake his analy t ic al s k ills to a top univer sit y to pur sue higher e duc ation in law or a law-related field. Mahirr aims to s tay local to H o n g Ko n g's w o r l d - c l a s s i n s t i t u t i o n s , t a r g e t i n g HKU and HKUST to s tudy Business or Economic s.

Lucia is looking to merge her love for logical and creative thinking by studying biomedical engineering, where she will lear n about the application of physic s and mathematical concept s

LUCIA GIMENEZ-REYNA CASTILLO (RIGHT)

TASHA BATCHELOR (LEFT)

MAHIRR UPPAAL (SECOND LEFT)

to t he heal t hc ar e i n d u s t r y. Tas ha, mea nw hile, i s kee ping her options op en: s he plans to kee p up w i t h t he s u bje c t s s he e njoy s, w hile t ak ing s o me time out to travel and play rugby.

W h e t h e r i t i s Ta s h a b r i n g i n g h e r 3 D m o d e l s t o l i f e o n F u s i o n 3 6 0, A l e x a n d e r c o m p e t i n g i n local HKSSF and ISSFHK spor t s tournament s, Mahir r inter preting gover nment policies t hrough e c o n o mi c t h e o r y, o r L u c ia a p p l y i n g h e r p a s s i o n f o r e n g i n e e r i n g t o r e a l - w o r l d c h a ll e n g e s , t h e s e scholars are demonstrating how talent, when paired with the r ight suppor t and oppor tunities, can flourish into meaningful achievement.

The Discover y College Academic Scholarship Programme is doing exac tly what it set out to do.

It isn't jus t funding education; it is ac tively fuelling t he p as s io ns, r e s ilie nce a n d f u t ur e s u c ce s s e s of Hong Kong's brightes t young minds.

You can find out more at Discovery College’s next Open Day on August 29, or by visiting discovery.esf.edu.hk/en/admissions/ scholarship_programme AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

35

KIDS CORNER

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A D B DISCOVERERS P lay Think Create in Discovery Bay! YOUR CHALLENGE THIS MONTH

Draw your Dream Teacher!

Superhero teachers, robot teachers, teachers with rainbow hair or magical classrooms – the sillier, the better!

• Use paints, crayons, pencils, or anything you like.

Any size, any style – just have fun!

• We can't wait to see your colourful creations!

Ask a grown-up to email your picture to rachel@arounddb.com by August 20. You might see it in the next issue or on our Instagram and Facebook pages!

H’S LAST MONT

WINNER In our July issue, we asked you to draw a picture of the ‘world's craziest summer holiday’ and share it with us. Our ed’s pick was this fantastic drawing by Cara Pang, aged 9.

Thank you to everyone who entered – you came up with so many amazing ideas!

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KIDS CORNER

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STORY TIME

The Day the School Rules Disappeared On the first day back after the summer holidays, something strange happened at Wing Yan’s school. The teacher walked in, looked at the whiteboard… and blinked.

The words were gone. No rules.

No timetable. No instructions. Just a blank board and a tiny note that said: ‘Good luck’.

At first, everyone was quiet. Then Wing Yan raised her hand. “Do we… do anything?” she asked.

“Apparently we decide,” said the teacher.

So they did. Maths became a game show where every correct answer earned points and applause.

Storytime happened under the desks with torches. Lunch was moved to ‘whenever-you’re-hungry o’clock’. Every lesson included five minutes of dancing. And there was no Mandarin class.

School was strangely fun. But a bit too strange for Wing Yan and her friends.

By the end of the day, the teacher picked up a marker and wrote one rule on the whiteboard: ‘We probably need a few rules.’ Everyone agreed.

MAKE IT!

PEBBLES’ CRAFT PICK This month, let’s make FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS!

FIRST DAY FEELINGS

How do you feel about going back to school?

What to do: 1 Cut 5 pieces of thread about

the length of your arm

2 Tie a knot at one end 3 Tape the knot to a table or

ask an adult to hold it

4 Braid or twist the threads

together, add beads if you like

5 Tie another knot at the end 6 Tie the bracelet around a

new friend’s wrist!

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

37

HOME CHEF

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! th on M e th f o e p i c Re

SUMMER POPS 1 small watermelon

3 kiwis

WATERMELON LOLLIES Serves 7 Halve the watermelon and scoop the flesh of one half into a bowl. Pick out the black seeds.

Purée the flesh using a hand blender. Fill icelolly moulds three-quarters full with the purée, push the sticks in, and freeze for at least three hours, or overnight.

Peel the kiwis and cut the green flesh away from the white core. Purée the flesh. Add a 4-5mm layer to the top of each watermelon lolly and refreeze for one hour. Add some green food colouring to the rest of the purée to darken it to the same colour as the watermelon rind. Pour a very thin layer over each lolly and freeze until you want to eat them.

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

, email us!

Solve the riddle, take a photo from Uncle Russ!

Win free drinks H O W TO PL AY:

le, he ad to th e An sw er th e ri dd , ta ke w e’re hint in g at D B de st in at io n an d em ail it to a hi -r es ph ot o db .c om ad m in @ ar ou nd

: TAGRAM HANDLE S IN R U YO S U E GIV e an no un ce he n w W e’ ll ta g yo u w e! th e w in ne r onlin

W H AT YO U G E T:

fr om U nc le en ta ry dr in ks em pl m co ur Fo er Ba r Ru ss an d Th e Pi

E M A IL US BY: Au gu st 15

Anna Wong

SOLVED LAS T MON TH’S RID DLE and ema iled us this pho to of THE AUB ERG E STA BLE S. We hop e you enjo y you r com plem enta ry drin ks from

Unc le Rus s and The Pier Bar!

dleT: H N rid O is h t M in n E e d H n isThid ioF t O a in t E s e L d r D u o RIYD

S I H T E M RI DD LE

her, t e g o t ix m r e resh wat f d n a a e s e h Where t ther. a e w y n a in g ron Trees grow st stand, ly g n o r t s e w ots On tangled ro nd. la t e w e h t in tral Park n e C r a e n s u Find

' s e r i p S w e Andr

DB FACES

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COMMUNITY SNAPS

PHOTOS BY Andrew J.C. Spires – andrew.j.c.spires@gmail.com

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

CLASSIFIEDS

PLACE YOUR AD HERE

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FROM AGES 2.5 - ADULT

ACRODANCE FREESTYLE HIP HOP BALLET JAZZ

CALL OR WHATSAPP

6117 1889

ACHING TE

5

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a unique open-air shopping experience in DB South Plaza

17 JAN 14 & 15 FEB 14 & 15 MAR 11 & 12 APR 9 & 10 MAY 13 JUN 12 & 13 SEP 10 & 11 0CT 31 OCT 14 & 15 NOV 28 & 29 NOV 12 & 13 DEC

A WE

ISTD EXAMS PRIVATE CLASSES

&

ASS TRIALILCABL LE!

Birthday Parties

AVA

ANNUAL SHOWCASE | LOCAL PERFORMANCES HONG KONG & LANTAU www.islanddance.com.hk

dance@islanddance.com.hk |

9159 0663

WEEKLY RECYCLING POP-UP (EVERY TUESDAY) Did you know you can ONLY recycle plastic bottles #1 and #2, paper, metal and glass in your building's recycling bins?

Infront of Parkridge 10am - 1pm, 2.30 - 5.30pm

Recycle other plastics, including polyfoam (polystyrene), liquid cartons (Tetra Paks), rechargeable batteries, energy-saving light bulbs and waste electronics,

at the WEEKLY RECYCLING POP-UP Find out more at the Islands Recycling Station FB page.

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

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LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 China Light & Power ················································· 2728 8333 DB Fire & Ambulance ················································ 2987 7502 DB Transportation Services Limited ··························· 2987 7351 Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline ······························· 2435 4511 Lantau North Police Report Room ····························· 3661 1694 Water Fault Reports ················································· 2811 0788 FINANCE & BUSINESS Co-working Space@DB Hybrid workspace encouraging interaction between members.

The hi-tech, ergonomic interior is boosted by a spacious outdoor lounge area Located at DB North. Call 2426 8828

Bank of China ·························································· 2160 8585 HSBC ······································································· 2233 3000 Monx ······································································· 5286 0155 T8 Consulting ··························································· 2517 8248 HOME & REPAIRS Chameleon Design & Interiors ··································· 9219 8169 DB

Handyman & Renovations

DB Handyman & renovations Handyman & renovations expert: no job too small! Air-con cleaning & inspection, window repair, waterproofing, plumbing, painting, flooring & tiling. WhatsApp 6016 6414

Good Luck Engineering ············································· 2987 1313 Green Clean ····························································· 5644 1167 Greenland Pest Control ············································ 9871 0771 Island Cleaning Solutions ········································· 6091 5176 Lewis Living ····························································· 6333 6891 Open Kitchen Contractor ········································· 9278 9319 Rich Point Hardware Materials ··································· 2987 0789 Synergy Pest Control ················································· 5604 3950 Tai Fat Hardware Store ·············································· 2987 0789

iGym Gymnastics ······················································ 6077 2758 Island Dance Freestyle, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Acrodance & Ballet are offered

by Island Dance at DBRC and Club Siena. ISTD exams & performance opportunities for ages 3 to 18 years. Call 9159 0663

Jungle School ··························································· 9095 7250 Living Oceans ··························································· 6701 9203 Tekkerz ····································································· 9770 4548 The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company ·················· 6894 7243 Tinytots Soccer ························································ 3488 7724 Treasure House ························································ 2987 4217 YRock ······································································· 6180 0817 LANGUAGE TUITION Dr Bear Education Centre ········································· 9685 7856 Mandarin for Munchkins ············································ 2480 3909 Mandarin Time ························································· 6111 0523 Yifan Mandarin ························································· 9208 7611 Zhi Zhi Chinese ························································· 9648 2966 LEARNING CENTRES & SCHOOLS Bayview House of Children ········································ 6114 2436 Discovery Bay International School ···························· 2987 7331 DBIS Kindergarten ···················································· 2914 2142 Discovery College ···················································· 3969 1000 Discovery Mind ························································· 2987 8088 Discovery Montessori Academy ································· 2812 9206 Discovery Montessori School ····································· 2987 1201 Guidepost Montessori Authentic Montessori programme designed to develop agency, confidence, critical thinking & a deep love of learning in children aged 1.5 to 6 years. WhatsApp 9126 6211 (DB North campus)

HKILA ······································································· 2416 3198 La Petite Enfance Kindergarten ·································· 6071 3136

HOTELS Auberge Discovery Bay ············································· 2295 8288

Little Learning Tree Playgroup

LAWYERS & INSURANCE

Montessori-inspired playgroup with English & Mandarin immersion, & sensory exploration. For children aged 6 months to 3 years+. At DB South. Call 9665 8740

Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services, including investment residency programmes. Meeting facilities in DB North. Call 2416 8618

Mathemagic (home tutoring) ····································· 9135 4724 Open Book Learning Hub Phonics & literacy programmes designed to nurture kids’ reading, writing, spelling & language skills through personalised instruction. Located in DB South. Call 9665 8740

Manulife ··································································· 9172 9152 KIDS CLUBS DBees ······································································ 9867 9240 DMR School of Ballet Classes in Ballet, Modern (jazz) & Tap for children aged 2 to 18 in DB North. Students are supported in RAD Ballet & ISTD Modern & Tap exams. Call 5210 7208

Funfit ······································································· 6302 6327

S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School ·································· 2987 8608 Woodentots Montessori Playgroup ···························· 6108 9131 MEDICAL Bayside Dental With state-of-the-art facilities & a friendly team, Bayside Dental provides family dental care for both routine check-ups & advanced treatments. Call 2987 0855 (DB North), 2285 8068 (DB South)

HK Dragons Football Club Professional coaching for girls & boys aged 3 to 18 years at DBIS & DB North pitches. More than 24 years’ experience in DB alone!

Call or WhatsApp 6585 8327 (Bowie)

Central Health at Discovery Bay ································ 2987 7575 North Lantau Hospital ··············································· 3467 7000 Quality Health Medical Centre ·································· 2987 5633 Lok Kwan Home Care Service ···································· 2803 2103

Harry Wright

MOVERS Bernardo Removals ·················································· 9854 4410 ReloSmart ································································ 2561 3030 Rocket Movers ·························································· 5134 0044

Hong Kong's premier swim school with 50+ years of excellence. Lowratio lessons at Club Siena with intl. accredited coaches. Ages 4 months to 18 years. Members & non-members welcome. Call 2575 6279

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AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY PLACES OF WORSHIP DB Alliance Church ··················································· 2987 8136 DB Anglican Church ················································· 2987 4210 DB International Community Church ·························· 29877061 Trinity Chapel ·························································· ·3590 8017 REALTORS Centaline Property Agency ········································2987 8484 Century 21 Newcourt Realty ······································2987 9729 EPS Property Consultants DB’s trusted property consultants for buying, selling & renting homes. Top listings & expert guidance provided for first-time buyers, seasoned sellers & renters. Call 2987 2023

Headland Homes ····················································· 2987 2088 Homes R Us ····························································· 2662 1878 Kingsland ································································ 2987 2987 Land Master Property················································ 2987 6238 Midland Realty ························································ 2987 2888 Okay.com ································································· 2102 0888 Pacific Estate ··························································· 2987 2928 RECREATION BMSE Community Centre ········································· 2259 3422 Club Siena ······························································· 29877382 DB Football Club ····················································· 9770 4548 DB Golf Club ··························································· 2987 7273 DB Ice Rink ······························································ 2234 0187 DB North Community Centre ···································· 2987 8136 DB Recreation Club ·················································· 2987 7381 Lantau Boat Club ······················································ 9377 3074 Lantau Yacht Club ····················································· 2987 9591 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DB Office Centre ······················································ 2238 3388 DB Lost & Found ······················································ 3651 2345 DB Services Management ········································· 2238 3601 RESTAURANTS Café Bord de Mer & Lounge ····································· 2295 8299 Coffee Academics ···················································· 2882 2280 DBrasserie ······························································· 9848 1101 Dough Bros ······························································ 2408 0448 Ebeneezer’s ······························································ 2987 0036 Quality Cuts ····························································· 2172 6111 Feather & Bone ························································ 5198 1831 Figos Seaside Café ··················································· 2987 2995 il Bel Paese ······························································ 2987 0202 JOO Korean Grill & Bar ············································· 2234 6118 Koh Tomyums Thai ···················································· 2987 0767 Levain Bakery ··························································· 2726 4922 Liang She Han Buy Good ·········································· 3618 7827 McDonald’s ······························································ 2987 1033 MOOJOO Lifestyle Café ··········································· 5122 5928 ÓNA ········································································ 3619 0937 Osmanbey Turkish Restaurant ··································· 5401 8350 Pachanga ································································· 2626 3008 Pasha ······································································· 6340 0903 Peony ······································································· 2215 0833 Pho Bay ···································································· 3619 0932 PizzaExpress ····························································· 3164 1340 Smokey Joe’s ···························································· 5784 7101 Spicy Tiger ······························································· 2328 3383 Subway ···································································· 2914 0005 Sunset Bay Bar & Grill ··············································· 2787 7788 Sushi No En······························································· 3705 9984 Taste of Thai······························································ 2987 2010 The Chippy ······························································· 2987 8688 The Pier Bar ······························································ 2520 2166

The Rink ··································································· 5444 6046 Three Sheets Marquee Bar ········································ 2987 0966 Uncle Russ ································································ 2840 1188 Viet Bu Tong Kitchen & Bar········································ 2338 8970 SHOPPING Bloom ······································································ 6117 7653 Coco Express ··························································· 9220 3527 Cosmo Computers ···················································· 5136 1799 European Touch ························································ 2918 0868 Fusion ······································································ 2987 7486 Genius Loci ······························································ 5633 5088 Gillian Florist ··························································· 2529 8256 Greenmont Kids ······················································· 5345 1451 Island Wake ······························································ 2636 0601 Japan Home Centre ·················································· 2987 1041 Market Place & IKEA ················································· 2947 9092 P-Solution ································································ 2987 1777 Star Mart ·································································· 2366 6534 The Optical House ···················································· 2987 1368 Toysland ··································································· 2987 7859 SPORTS 24/7 Fitness ······························································ 6538 2247 DB Pirates ································································ 9255 6133 DB Runners ······························································ 5646 2946 Embody ··································································· 6624 8712 HK Yoga ··································································· 6113 6770 Kaisei Ryu Ju Jitsu ···················································· 5315 0227 Kipmovin ································································· 6436 3308 Korea Taekwondo Cheung Do Kwan ·························· 9663 8077 Sea Cucumber Dragon Boat Team ····························· 9766 0440 The Beat ·································································· 5721 3000 The Golf Bay ···························································· 2856 5188 The Running Cult ······················································ 5629 8123 Yoga Bay ·································································· 6704 9851 Yogika ······································································ 6749 7836 YogaUP ···································································· 6805 4996 Zumba with Dionina De Guzman ······························· 9317 6793 TRANSPORTATION DB Golf Cart Services ··············································· 2914 2727 DB Transportation Services ······································· 2987 7351 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Island Veterinary Services ········································· 2987 9003 My Pet Shop ····························································· 2987 8873 Pet Space Club ························································· 2788 1599 The Dog’s Garden ····················································· 2987 2077 WELLBEING & BEAUTY Afflatus Hair Workshop ············································· 2987 0283 DB Bay Spa ····························································· 9837 0969 Dream Nail ······························································· 9206 7349 Elly House Of Beauty ················································ 6131 9039 Herbal Health Care ··················································· 2834 7276 Salon De Coiffure ····················································· 2987 4112 Sophia Essentials ······················································ 2527 0118 Spa Botanica ······························································ 2295 8129

VIEW OUR ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY AT AROUNDDB.COM To add your directory listing, call the Around DB office on 6117 1889 or email info@arounddb.com AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

43

AT A GLANCE

/

2025 IMPORT ECONOMY

! b u H ly pp u S l Globa

ANNUALLY

INSIDE HONG KONG'S IMPORTS

EVERY DAY

≈ HK$5.69 TRILLION

TOP IMPORTS BY VALUE

≈HK$15.6 BILLION

≈HK$650 MILLION

SURPRISING IMPORTS

12% Jewellery, gold & precious stones are HK's largest manufactured goods import by value

Mobile phones & telecommunications equipment

97%

Many im

1.4%

po

rt

Scientific & medical equipment

ed

Petroleum products

ASIA-WIDE IMPORTS 44%

4% 12% 6% 8%

1 in 2 imports come from Mainland China

AROUND DB / AUGUST 2026

40

of HK's exports are re-exports

go

c ip h s h pe o p sh elv es oun c do n to other

Industrial machinery & engines

3%

Toys, sporting goods & homeware arrive in huge volumes before being shipped overseas

HK IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT TRADING GATEWAYS s

Computers & office machines

Millions of dollars' worth of textiles arrive every day, helping supply local manufacturers

DID YOU KNOW?

4%

10%

ie

Electronics & electrical equipment

tr

46%

44

EVERY HOUR

a re o d s n e v er e sh ’r - they

rts po im s l al ic of ron t lf ha elec rly re a a th Ne wi K H t ec k nn ee co ry w ip e sh ev er rld n i o a w nt co the 0

HKIA handled 5.07 million tonnes of cargo in 2025

HK’s container port handled 13 million containers in 2025

m fro es e i v i rr om s a con od + e o G 00 2

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING BUNDLES FOR 2026

GOLD BRONZE

SILVER

Full-page print ad

(extra HK$500 for main section)

Digital banner 1/4-page print ad (classifieds)

Digital banner Print and online directory listing (DB businesses)

Online directory listing (HK-wide businesses)

1/2 page print ad

(extra HK$500 for main section)

eDM advertorial

Digital banner

2 social media posts

eDM advertorial

(IG + FB)

1 social media post

Editorial coverage

(IG + FB)

Print and online directory listing

Print and online directory listing

(DB businesses)

(DB businesses)

Online directory listing (HK-wide businesses)

Online directory listing (HK-wide businesses)

HKD3,000

HKD9,500

HKD6,000

(per month)

(per month)

(per month)

Maximise your exposure in print and online! Choose a package that suits your budget!

Contact us for more ways to advertise with Around DB in print and online.

Email: info@arounddb.com

Whatsapp/Tel: 6117 1889

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