Around DB July 2026 by Around DB Magazine

THE GIRL WITH A PLAN

How Riona Carlin is organising her future

WILD ABOUT LION DANCE

DBIS students embracing Chinese culture

WorkspaceDiscoverYour I deal

, 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.

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!

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.

AUTUMN TERM 2026 秋季游泳班

17 August - 12 December 8 月 17 號至 12 月 12 號

SUMMER HOLIDAY 2026 暑期游泳班

Now to 15 August 即日起至8月15日

Daily Programme: Mondays to Saturdays, Now to August 15 即日起至8月15日

Weekly Camps (3 and 5-day Camps): Now to August 14 即日起至8月14日

Adult Programme: Saturdays, 13:00 - 14:00

CONTACT US

P: +852 6117 1889

E: info@arounddb.com

W: www.arounddb.com

RACHEL AINSLEY

Managing editor rachel@arounddb.com

STEEN SKOVFOGED

Business development manager steen@arounddb.com

SARIN ALE

Art director sarin@arounddb.com

KAYLI LIEBENBERG

Digital marketing coordinator kayli@arounddb.com

ANDREW J.C. SPIRES

Photographer andrew.j.c.spires@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Sam Agars, Ray Au, Ashwin Hotchandani, Elizabeth Kerr, Martin Wray, Elena M. Zepeda

PRINTING

Promise Network Printing Ltd, G/F, Block B, Phase 4, Kwun Tong Industrial Centre, Kwun Tong Rd, Kowloon

ADB OFFICE

L/G Unit 3, Block 1, 92 Siena Ave, DB North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

11 years of

LEARNING CHINESE ONLINE

RACE LANTAU 2 PEAKS

Registration is open for the 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 24km (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 4, visit actionasiaevents.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Action

DISCLAIMER

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.

Trusted by 1,000+ non-native learners globally, Hong Kong-based Linguabox specialises in online Mandarin and Cantonese instruction. Tailored learning pathways for adults and international school students target academic success and real-world fluency. Students gain the confidence and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers, and are supported by a specialised, examaligned curricula (IB, IGCSE, HSK, YCT). To find out more, visit linguaboxgroup.com.

Happenings STUFF TO

HARRY WRIGHT SWIM SCHOOL: 50+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, Harry Wright Swim School continues to build on over five decades of empowering young swimmers and shaping Hong Kong’s aquatic culture. From parentand-child lessons to elite swim squads and adult classes, it offers something for every age, every ability and every ambition.

Harry Wright has been a trusted swim partner for families in DB for decades, offering expert-led lessons at Club Siena. With a structured progression system, small group sizes and professional coaching that meets international standards, Harry Wright’s community-driven values continue to resonate with DB families. This summer, Harry Wright is running an extensive summer holiday programme at Club Siena through August 15 for all ages, including adults. The daily programme runs Mondays to Saturdays, while weekly camps (three-day and five-day options) run through August 14. A new adult class is also available on Saturdays through August 15. Both club members and non-members are welcome to enrol at Club Siena or DBRC reception. Over the past five decades, 18 Olympians, 22 Asian Games and 13 Commonwealth athletes have trained with Harry Wright, representing Hong Kong and countries around the globe. Recent notable alumni include Siobhán Haughey and Ian Ho. For more information and to enrol in the summer programmes, call 2575 6279, or visit harrywright.com.hk. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Harry Wright.]

July 4

NO BUTTS DAY

On No Butts Day, July 4, thousands of volunteers worldwide hit streets, parks, trails and beaches to collect discarded cigarette butts. The campaign highlights the environmental harm caused by plastic cigarette filters, and calls for their ban. You can join the effort in DB by organising your own clean-up or taking part in an existing event. To help contribute to the global count, visit nobuttsday.org.

& Events! KNOW IN JULY!

FOURTH OF JULY AT SMOKEY JOE’S

Smokey Joe’s in DB North is the place to celebrate July 4, with Chef Joey Daze serving up a sizzling US Independence Day feast. Alongside his popular burgers, steaks and sliders, expect all-American favourites like chilli-cheese hotdogs and standout Texas Twinkies – slowsmoked, bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cheese. Vegetarians are well catered for too, with Impossible Burgers, fresh salads and hearty sandwiches. The festivities kick off at noon, with a happy hour from 3pm to 7pm. Expect baseball on the TVs and classic American tunes on the speakers. To book a table, call 5784 7101 or visit smokeyjoesdb.com.

International Series win!

Is DB too popular?

Dear readers,

As summer heats up, we’d like your views on one of the key issues affecting daily life in DB – visitor numbers, particularly at the weekends. While increased footfall can support local shops and restaurants, some residents feel that larger crowds are starting to affect livability and the overall weekend experience. Is DB too busy with visitors on weekends? Please select one option:

• Yes: it’s affecting livability

• No: it’s good for local business

• Not sure/ neutral

We appreciate your feedback as it helps shape future community discussions: please scan the QR code and share your views with us.

Best regards, The Around DB Team

SHOUT-OUT TO TAICHI KHO

Congratulations to sometime DB resident Taichi Kho who achieved a landmark Asia Tour victory on June 14 by winning the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. The 25-year-old golfer, who developed his game at DB Golf Club, finished at 19-under par, edging two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson by one stroke after making a crucial birdie on the 18th hole in the final round. The victory earned Taichi his first International Series title and his second Asian Tour victory as a professional.

July 30

ELDERLY HEART CARE SEMINAR

Seniors, families and carers are invited to attend an Elderly Heart Care Seminar on July 30, focused on mental health protection. The seminar is being held at DB Office Centre, from 12pm to 1pm, and is led by a Lifeline senior counsellor. Admission is free. To find out more and enrol, visit FB@db.community.hk.

Something for animal lovers!

MURAL REFRESH AT DB NORTH

In case you haven’t noticed three walls at DB North Plaza have been transformed by fun, anthropomorphic murals celebrating DB’s pet-friendly environment. The wall paintings were created by Art Dreamers, a Hong Kong social enterprise that partners with schools, charities and non-profits to host art workshops and community mural projects, notably Project C – Cats in a Dreamy Rose Garden in Yau Ma Tei. Students from S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School helped Art Dreamers put the finishing touches to the DB North murals on June 20.

July 18

SMOOTHIE-MAKING WORKSHOP

Hong Kong food-tech startup Food With Benefits is hosting a Zero FoodWaste Smoothie-Making Workshop on July 18, from 11am to 12.30pm, at DB Office Centre. The fully interactive workshop combines nutrition education with sustainability themes, teaching participants how surplus produce can be upcycled into healthy and delicious smoothies. Instruction is in English and Cantonese; all ages are welcome. Find out more and enrol at FB @db.community.hk.

DB TRANSPORT APP Free

community resource!

Long-time DB resident Christoph Lamprecht has developed DB Transport, a free app that delivers instant, offline timetables for our internal buses, external buses and ferries. Fast and easy to browse, DB Transport features a smart filtering system that surfaces the routes that are relevant to you (and hides the rest). It also includes favourites, live departure countdowns and a search function – in English and traditional and simplified Chinese. Most importantly, it’s completely free – no ads, no tracking, no signup, no upsell. Download it at App Store and Goggle Play.

Lock up your homes!

SUMMER SECURITY REMINDER

The idea that burglaries in DB spike every summer is largely an urban myth. However, holiday periods can create opportunities for burglars because more homes are left unattended. While DB periodically experiences burglary incidents, the risk appears to be driven more by vacant properties, hillside access routes and construction-related vulnerabilities than by the season itself. Offenders have been known to approach properties from hillside areas and use darkness, vegetation or scaffolding associated with renovation works to access upper-floor units.

Recent incidents demonstrate that burglaries still occur in DB despite Hong Kong’s generally low burglary rate. In late May, at least two break-ins were reported in the same residential block within nine hours. At the same time, burglary figures across Hong Kong have been trending downward. Police reported that 2025 recorded a historic low of 816 burglary cases, the lowest since records began in 1969, and that burglaries during Easter, summer and Christmas holiday periods fell significantly following targeted antiburglary operations.

Security priorities vary depending on whether you live in a stand-alone house, ground-floor unit or upper-floor flat, but the same basic precautions apply:

• Lock all windows and balcony doors

• Be especially vigilant during renovation or scaffolding works

• Consider installing CCTV or alarm systems

• Store valuables in a bank safe-deposit box

• Inform building management if you will be away

• Arrange for someone to collect your mail and deliveries

• Use timers for lights so your home seems occupied

Remaining vigilant and reducing access opportunities remain the most effective burglary deterrents.

What's Happening Across HK!

Through September

HONG KONG CHINESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Brought to you through September by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong Chinese Cultural Festival features an extensive lineup of exhibitions, film screenings and performances celebrating Chinese arts. Accessible to all ages and staged at venues across the city, the festival kicks off on July 5 at Hong Kong City Hall with Resonance of Strings and Harmonics – a guqin recital by Yao Gongbai. Look for tickets at Urbtix.

HONG KONG BOOK FAIR

The 36th edition of Hong Kong Book Fair is taking place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 15 to 21. This year’s theme is “Cultural Legacy / Joyful Journeys” and with it comes seminars by international authors, multimedia exhibits and a dedicated World of Art and Culture Zone featuring curated books and art installations that bring global cultural heritage to life. Purchase single-entry admission tickets at HK Ticketing.

July 15 to 21

July 4 to August 2

OPEN THE BOX

Filipino artist Ryan Villamel is hosting a slow-growing participatory exhibition, Open the Box: Pleasant Place from July 4 to August 2 at Tai Kwun. Participants are invited into an immersive, forest-like environment, inspired by Villamael’s Locus Amoenus series. They are encouraged to actively shape the installation by creating paper leaves, vines and abstract landscape fragments that gradually accumulate to form a shared “pleasant place”. Entrance is free.

July 8 to 12

VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE

The Women’s Volleyball Nations League is being held at Kai Tak Arena from July 8 to 12, with home team China playing Italy, Canada, Belgium, Ukraine and the Dominican Republic. The tournament offers an exciting opportunity to watch world-class volleyball live, and fans can also enjoy a free-admission carnival featuring interactive booths and performances. Purchase tickets at HK Ticketing and Damai.

July 24 to October 11

NGONG PING 360 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The 20th anniversary celebrations of Ngong Ping 360’s foundation run from July 24 to October 11, with live Cantopop concerts and festival fun at Ngong Ping Village. On select weekends, cable car rides are available until 10pm, allowing passengers to enjoy illuminated night views of the Big Buddha and Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge. Additionally, over 20 well-known local brands are partnering to give individual cabins unique, cross-generational design makeovers. Purchase tickets at Klook.

Out & About! WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!

EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Three Sheets Marquee and Bar’s eighth anniversary party was packed with residents and their families on June 6 who enjoyed the opportunity to get together, have a drink or three and listen to live music. There was an open bar on Sapporo Draught from 4pm to 6pm. [PHOTOS BY Col Sim Photography.

WHOLE-COMMUNITY EVENTS AT DC

Discovery College students were busy in the lead-up to the long vac, presenting an Ensemble Evening on May 19 and a TEDx Youth Talk on June 8. Both events were free and open to the whole community. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF DC.]

SEA CUCUMBERS IN SAI KUNG

The DB-based Sea Cucumbers made a splash at the Sai Kung District Dragon Boat Race on June 19. Competing in high-energy heats along the Sai Kung waterfront, the Men’s Team placed second in the Bronze Cup Final, while the Ladies’ Team finished sixth in the Gold Cup Final. The Small Mixed Team placed fifth in the Excellence Cup Final, and the Standard Mixed Team placed seventh in the Gold Cup Final.

Summer Camps 2026!

Set your kids up for the best-ever long vac

SUMMER FUN

YIFAN MANDARIN

The Yifan Mandarin Summer Camp at DB North is fully immersive and features themed, activity-based sessions. The week-long camps run through August 6, Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 12.15pm, for kids aged 3.5 to 5.5 years. Multi-week discounts are available.

BAYVIEW HOUSE OF CHILDREN

bayview.hk

Bayview’s Ultimate Summer Fun programme runs through August 14 at DB North. The camp is open for kids aged 3 to 5 years and 6 to 8 years for morning or full-day sessions. The morning programme includes music and movement, S.T.E.M., arts and crafts, outdoor games, cookery and gardening. In the afternoons, the multi-sport programme features fun physical games and access to Bayview’s bouncy castle, trampoline and swimming pools.

Tel: 6114 2436

Email: info@bayview.hk

一帆中文夏令營在愉景灣開展已逾十七年，致力於為孩子們創造沉浸式語言環境，全面提升中文能力！！

WhatsApp: 9208 7611

guidepost.hk

Stories come to life in the Guidepost Montessori Storybook Adventure Camp, where each week is inspired by the imaginative worlds of well-known children’s authors. Young campers, aged 2 to 6 years, explore these stories through creative art, hands-on building, science experiments and playful problem-solving. Weekly camps are on offer through July 31 at the school’s DB North campus.

WhatsApp: 9126 6211

Email: admin@yifanmandarin.com

hongkongsurfinglesson.com

Hong Kong Surfing Lesson’s one- or three-day, non-overnight camps run through August 26 at Lower Cheung Sha Beach. Children, aged 5 to 14 years, get their own surfboard to maximise their surfing time. Camps are run by professional ISA-qualified instructors, who help kids progress by making surfing fun and safe. Lessons are also available daily for kids aged 3 to 17 years, families and adults – from beginner to intermediate levels.

WhatsApp: 6199 0904

Email: info@hongkongsurfinglesson.com

Email: admissions@guidepost.hk

harrywright.com.hk

Harry Wright Swim School’s Summer Holiday Programme runs at Club Siena through August 15 for swimmers of all ages, including adults. Choose from the Daily Programme (Monday to Saturday, 6 days), or Weekly Camps (3-day and 5-day options, June 29 to August 14). With 50+ years of excellence, low ratios and internationally accredited coaches, swimmers are in expert hands. Both club members and non-members are welcome –enrol at Club Siena or DBRC reception.

Tel: 2575 6279

Email: swimming@harrywright.com.hk

Growing Up Fast!

THE GIRL WITH A PLAN

Whether she’s leading classmates, dreaming of Harvard or designing a planner for her peers, 10-year-old Riona Carlin likes to stay one step ahead. Elizabeth Kerr reports

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew J.C. Spires

It’s a sweltering June afternoon. The school year is just winding down and everyone seems to be moving in slow motion through the thick air. So when Riona Carlin logs on to Google Meet, her high-energy greeting and abundant enthusiasm are something of a surprise.

“I’m 10 years old, and my favourite colour is light pink, and I go to Discovery College, and I’m from America,” she begins. The camera propped on top of the monitor moves around almost as relentlessly as she does, careening to take in the cat that walks past, which prompts her to show off the family SPCA membership card, a random sibling (Caia) who’s dropped in to see what’s going on, and her dad, Christopher, quietly sitting in the next chair. Operative word, “quietly”, because Riona doesn’t need his help making conversation. She boomerangs from one subject to the next, occasionally getting sidetracked but usually getting back to the main point. She insists she does have downtime – at 6am.

The oldest of triplets by a matter of minutes, Riona is in the same grade at DC as her sisters Caia and Teagan. They all grew up in Hong Kong where Arizona native and research writer Christopher and his wife Lisa, a Long Island banker, settled nearly 20 years ago. The couple may have been surprised by triplets and Riona, naturally, has thoughts.

“Being a triplet can sometimes be annoying, especially when you don’t get enough attention, but it’s fun to have a built-in friend. Teagan wants

a brother but I heard lots of stories from friends at school that have brothers, and they say it’s chaotic.” She smirks a bit and her eyes widen at the thought.

Riona is the embodiment of hyper-attuned, gregarious confidence, the kind of bold personality that even in 2026 too many of us find charming in boys but “a bit much” in girls. Which is unfortunate because Riona, with her blonde tresses and disarming toothy grin, is also the kind of kid who will have a positive impact on the world one day –because she feels like it.

She’s already been on student council because she thought she’d be a good leader. “I really do like to be in a leadership role. I want to be in charge of planning something so I know it goes well.” And she keeps her grades up because she has her eyes firmly fixed on Harvard and a career in medicine (preferably paediatric research), law or teaching. “Nowadays, they aren’t just looking for great scores. They’re looking for potential and compassion and being a good leader. I think I have all those qualities.”

Riona may be mature for her age, but she walks the walk, boasting just a touch about besting her sisters by grades and dictation marks, which takes her to writing. She has a shout-out for a fourthgrade teacher who encouraged her to finish a story about a princess on the Silk Road and submit it to the Hong Kong Young Writers Awards. “I wrote over 1,000 words, and my teacher said ‘You have

"WE ADDED A MOOD FOR THE DAY, LITTLE THINGS TO TRACK YOURSELF DAILY WITH, WHERE YOU DID WELL AND WHAT YOU WANT TO IMPROVE ON TOMORROW

TO KIND OF SET UP FOR THE NEXT DAY - Riona Carlin

to shorten it.’ But I did get an honour certificate, which only, like, 10 people got out of the 2,000 that submitted applications.”

Christopher and Lisa landed in Hong Kong after working in all corners of the globe, from Saudi Arabia to Australia, and when three daughters arrived made their way first to Discovery Bay and then Mui Wo eight months ago, which Riona admits took a bit of adjusting. She wasn’t crazy about leaving behind her army of friends and she changed schools at the same time: Christopher and Lisa couldn’t pass up three slots at DC. But she’s settling in and finding time to be a “kid” – swimming, biking, listening to music (Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larson) and getting into a good book; her current reading list includes Katie Kirby and Elisabetta Dami, perfect for “a nice and rainy day just curled up on the corner of my bed”.

Here Christopher chimes in, saying his oldest has always been an active reader, and conceding there are first-middle-youngest traits among the girls. Riona agrees. “I like reading. I love doing sports. I really like baseball and softball. I think I’m definitely more the sporty type than my sisters,

but I’m also more on the reading and writing side. Caia always has her mind on her next idea. What is she going to create? She’s always making stuff.”

But Riona makes stuff too, and for now her selfpublished planner for pre-teens is her claim to fame. The idea evolved from her “pretty good English” skills and the daily planner she started posting on her bedroom door. She wanted to be more organised in her habits but when she started looking for some kind of journal to use instead, she couldn’t find one that met her “expectations”. So she decided to make her own. Riona is, if nothing, fastidious and sure of her own mind.

The result was a day planner that worked for her – and would probably work for other kids like her. There was research (with help from dad), design, drawing, re-designing and re-drawing until Riona came up with The DAILY Pre-Teen Planner: A Fun Journal for Big Kids. The diary can be completely personalised, and it’s evergreen; it’s undated, so owners can use it for, say, eight months of the school year and skip organising themselves over summer break. Ultimately, The DAILY will help kids learn about time management, stick to routines, track habits, set goals and build confidence.

Riona has kept it fun with factoids (a recent word of the day was bioluminescence) and a selection of carefully sourced inspirational quotes. “We added a mood for the day, little things to track yourself daily with, where you did well and what you want to improve on tomorrow to kind of set up for the next day. So it’s like a planner, but not like a calendar. It’s not like saying ‘I have this or that meeting’. I want to make sure I do everything before I go to sleep.”

The DAILY is a word-of-mouth project right now; both Christopher and Riona admit they haven’t put a lot of marketing into what’s essentially a satisfying labour of love. There’s no reason it wouldn’t take off however, if Riona put her mind to it… after her upcoming summer grandparent tour across Arizona, Idaho and New York. But right now, The DAILY takes a back seat to a mention of how she and her sisters do regular beach clean-ups with the Brownies, and how she’d love to contribute to a cure for cancer. “Everybody should have the chance to not suffer from cancer, because I think it’s a really bad disease to die from.”

Google is on a timer, so as the clock runs down Riona gets a thousand-yard stare, like she’s contemplating whether there’s more information she needs to dish out. “I think I gave you more than what you needed to know,” she says, finishing with a laugh, “You could basically be my biographer from early life all the way to 10.” Come 80 that’s going to be one long, fascinating book.

RIONA WITH HER FATHER AND SIBLINGS

⾹港聖公會弘道堂⾹港聖公會弘道堂

Sundays 10am Wei Lun School Hall

Sunday School, Youth Group, Bible Studies, Fellowship, Community Service

逢星期⽇上午⼗時半

聖公會偉倫⼩學

第⼀、⼆、四主⽇聖餐崇拜第三、五主⽇早禱崇拜每主⽇均有兒童主⽇學

Love is in the Air! THE DB BUBBLE

Dating and romance in DB: Edward Szekeres finds out what that looks like for singles, romantic partners and married couples

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew J.C. Spires & courtesy of Pam Wallace

The picture is clear, the appeal obvious and inescapable. Discovery Bay is a prime venue for romance, a must-visit dating spot for love-struck couples walking hand-in-hand across Tai Pak Beach or posing for selfies at Love-Lock Promenade… At least that’s the message conveyed by major travel agencies and local authorities through regular romantic promotions and elaborate, annual Valentine’s packages.

Most of us have seen the rose-tinted advertisements that tend to attract a weekend crowd of smitten couples. But what’s it really like for those living in DB – alone, with a partner, or a spouse – when it comes to the ins and outs of love, dating and romance?

A quick glance at online discussion panels – and an informal collection of attitudes from across DB –reveals a two-sided outlook: DB is “great for families but boring for singles”. But that hasn’t been the experience of Elektra Leung, a resident in her midtwenties who grew up in DB. As a singleton, who returned from her studies abroad a few years ago, life in DB was just great.

“I hung out with my friends from the old days and I also started playing tennis with new friends I met in the community. DB is a small and friendly place, it’s easy to make friends fast,” she says. “If you live in DB, we all kind of know each other. The community vibe here makes you feel connected, whether you’re single or in a relationship.”

It is thanks to this community that Elektra eventually met her boyfriend Ryan Mak, while playing tennis at the DBRC. They now both enjoy the “unique nature of DB, away from the crowds outside”.

“Most of the time, we just walk around with our beagle, Snoopy. On weekend afternoons, we have a big dog playgroup, so we’ll just hang out there, chat with other dog owners, and let Snoopy run wild. That’s become our favourite kind of date – simple, relaxed and surrounded by green space and friendly faces,” Elektra says.

“I don’t find the isolation limiting at all, it’s way more romantic than I ever expected,” Elektra adds. “We don’t need fancy date spots, DB has everything we need for a happy, romantic life together. The peaceful vibe and nature here make it feel like our own little bubble, and I love that.”

But this “bubble” – a word often mentioned by DB residents when discussing dating – can be a barrier to some, especially those who are yet to meet their romantic match.

“I’ve been living in DB for three years, and I haven’t met anyone single or available,” says Gianna Wong. In her early thirties, Gianna admits her focus on her career and hobbies has played a part in keeping her single. While she’s open to meeting someone who fits the bill, she finds the confines of DB limiting. “Most people here have families or long-term relationships,” she says. “If I really wanted to meet someone, I’d probably look outside DB.”

Being single doesn’t keep Gianna from having a happy life in DB however, and she hopes to share that one day with a long-term partner. “Couples have a good life here,” she says. “It’s a small place, but there are lots of romantic places and nice restaurants to choose from for dates. You can walk along the beach, do hikes… and it’s only 25 minutes from Central.”

ELEKTRA LEUNG AND RYAN MAK

PAM AND BRENT WALLACE

DIYA AND ANANT BAKRE

Distance from town, however, plays a big part in the love life of MJ Bejerano, a domestic helper from the Philippines who moved to DB three years ago. “It’s very different from everywhere else in Hong Kong,” MJ says, hinting at the dense concentration of families within a small area – and the apparent lack of singletons.

MJ, who’s in her early forties, hasn’t met any romantic partners in DB. She prefers to meet people further from her workplace to enjoy more privacy – a sentiment she shares with many of her DB friends. But this presents its own challenges, particularly for a community whose working hours stretch far beyond a typical 9am to 6pm workday and which, in most cases, only has a limited amount of free time.

“That’s why it’s really hard for me to meet people. Transport takes a long time, and the ferry is expensive. I also have a lot of other activities and sports. But if I met someone who can accept the limited time I can make for them, then maybe that could work,” MJ says.

“My mentality is that if there’s someone out there for you, they’ll eventually come along,” she adds. “And if somebody really likes you, then it doesn’t matter that there’s a 25-minute ferry. If I really liked that person, I’d cancel plans for them and dedicate my small amount of free time to them.”

Gianna and MJ agree that while DB’s dating pool might be narrow, the place itself offers a great life for those who are happy being single – or don’t mind meeting people outside the “bubble”. But what about those who are not looking to meet anyone else, with their hearts and minds already married to the one?

“At first, it seemed a bit like The Truman Show,” chuckle Diya and Anant Bakre, a married couple who moved to DB 10 months ago from the Netherlands. “You meet the same people, and the same things happen everywhere, like in a quiet village.

“It’s a lovely place in a controlled environment that’s optimal for getting to know people. It’s got a good balance of people who have come recently and those who have really set up homes here,” Anant adds.

“Most people have been very inviting and super friendly, and they also find the time for a quick chat,” Diya says. “And I’m deliriously happy Anant found the DBRC tennis community; all the social opportunities keep us active.”

For Pam and Brent Wallace, a married couple of 32 years – half of which they’ve spent in DB – the feeling is mutual.

“Moving here from the US, we just started making friends right away. We landed on a Monday, and were

“I DON’T FIND THE ISOLATION LIMITING AT ALL, IT’S WAY MORE ROMANTIC THAN I EVER EXPECTED. WE DON’T NEED FANCY DATE SPOTS, DB HAS EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR A HAPPY, ROMANTIC LIFE TOGETHER

- Elektra Leung

at church the next Sunday,” Pam says. “Our kids, aged 12 and 14 at the time, were at church retreat a week later with the youth group. So it was a great decision to move here.”

The children have since moved out, and DB has undoubtedly evolved. But so has Pam and Brent’s relationship. “We wanted to make sure we had a healthy mix of friends and together-time,” Brent says. To this day, the couple try and carve out a night in their weekly schedules to focus on each other. “Friday nights are date nights,” Brent says, with DB being the ideal playground.

Whether it’s going out for dinner or having a glass of wine out on their patio with their phones switched off, Pam and Brent take the time to “just sit, catch up and solve the world’s problems, no matter how crazy the day has been”.

“It’s so easy to grow apart,” Pam says, emphasising the importance of “doing things together”. One of those things is dragon boating, with both being long-time members of the DB-based Sea Cucumbers. “It really helps our relationship and keeps it alive, especially now that the kids have left,” Pam says. “We’ve made brilliant friends there, they’re like family.”

At the end of the day, whether in DB or not, staying together comes down to choice, hard work and being there for each other. “People can choose to let the spark go out,” Pam concludes, “or they can choose to do what it takes to keep it going. Just be purposeful.”

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.

For tailor-made advertising packages to reach our unique readership, email our business development manager Steen Skovfoged at steen@arounddb.com.

SAFE HAVEN FOR HIGH-NET-WORTH INDIVIDUALS

HARVEY LAW GROUP PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMS IN THE CARIBBEAN: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, DOMINICA, GRENADA, AND ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

This is the first of a series of articles giving you insights into the opportunities to gain Citizenship By Investment (CBI) in the Caribbean. Stay tuned and follow us in the coming months as we dive into the attractive offers that Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis present.

Options for CBI in the Caribbean are highly regarded as well-regulated pathways for second citizenship through approved investments, including real estate. Today, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis all offer popular, government-approved routes that allow

high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to participate in Caribbean real-estate investments.

Each program is structured differently and targets distinct investor priorities. Let’s take a look.

Antigua and Barbuda . Established 2013. Advantages: sibling inclusion and digital asset eligibility. Best for: extended families and crypto holders.

Dominica . Established 1993. Advantages: accessible entry with strong eco-development potential. Best for: value-conscious investors.

Grenada . Established 2013. Advantages: eligibility for the US E-2 visa. Best for: entrepreneurs targeting the US market.

TAX ADVANTAGES

HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG)

St. Kitts and Nevis . Established 1984. Advantages: oldest program with a strong international reputation. Best for: reputation-focused investors.

CARIBBEAN CITIZENSHIP BENEFITS

All four Caribbean CBI programs offer a common set of advantages for HNWIs, including visa-free travel to more than 140 destinations and favourable tax environments. Understanding these shared benefits helps place program-specific differences into context, allowing investors to consider which Caribbean real-estate investments best serve their individual needs.

All of the programs allow investors to obtain citizenship in the Caribbean through approved real-estate projects under clearly defined regulations. The differences lie in family inclusion rules, unique mobility benefits such as US market access, and overall program cost considerations.

For investors comparing Caribbean real-estate investments side by side, these factors often shape which pathway best aligns with personal, business and wealth-protection goals. For detailed investment thresholds, property options and application processes, you can refer to our individual program guides at harveylawcorporation.com.

Tax efficiency is another shared benefit available across all Caribbean CBI programs and a key reason many HNWIs consider Caribbean realestate investments as part of a broader wealth structuring strategy.

These jurisdictions do not impose personal income tax on non-residents, nor do they levy capital gains tax on property sales, inheritance tax, or net wealth tax. This is particularly advantageous for rental income generated from approved Caribbean properties.

However, holding Caribbean citizenship does not, by itself, change an individual’s tax residency. Home-country tax obligations typically continue to apply unless residency and tax planning are addressed separately.

FAMILY INCLUSION

CBI in the Caribbean also provides long-term family planning benefits that extend beyond the initial applicant.

re m ie r m ultinatio n a l la w fi r m , s pecial i z i n g i n R e s idenc y b y I n v e s t m en t ( R B I ) a n d Citiz e n b y I n v e s tm e n t (C B I ) fo r o v e r 3 0 y ea r s W i t h

o v e r 2 0 o ffic e s worl d w id e re p re s e n ti n g ove r 3 0 d i ff e re n t co u n trie s a n d t h ei r re s pect i v e

GLOBAL MOBILITY

I n v e s t m e n t I m m igrati o n p rog r a m s , Ha r v e y L a w G rou p h a s p ro v ide d i t s s e r v ice s t o o v e r

One of the most attractive reasons investors consider CBI in the Caribbean is the level of global mobility it provides. In all four programs, successful applicants receive visa-free or visa-onarrival access to over 140 destinations worldwide.

1 0 , 0 0 0 familie s f ro m al l a ro u n d t h e w orld . A s th e d e m a n d fo r I n v e s t m e n t I m m ig r atio n

p ro g r a m s g ro w s , v a r iou s e m e rg i n g c o m p a n ie s h a v e lat c h e d o n t o th e s e r v ic e o ff e r i n g , bu t

All four programs grant lifetime citizenship that can be passed on to future generations. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for inclusion, although age limits vary by jurisdiction and typically range from 18 to 30 years. Parents and grandparents may also qualify, subject to age and dependency criteria, and future spouses or children can be added after citizenship has been granted. Among the four programs, Antigua and Barbuda is unique in allowing the inclusion of siblings.

H a r v e y L a w G ro u p re m a i n s t h e o n l y legac y l a w fi r m tha t s pecial i z e s in I n v e s t m e n t I m m igrati o n a s a d i s cipli n e

This typically includes the United Kingdom for stays of up to six months, the Schengen Area for short-term travel of up to 90 days within any 180day period, and major Asian business hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

R e s i d e n c y b y I nv e s t m e nt i n o v e r

6 c o n t i n e n t s o v e r 2 0 c ountri e s

O u r p rogra m s :

In addition, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) membership allows regional mobility and work rights within the Caribbean. It is important to note that none of these programs provide automatic access to the United States, which generally requires a separate visa or ESTA depending on nationality.

R e t i re m e n t V i s a s

For individuals interested in gaining CBI in the Caribbean, professional legal advice is invaluable. Harvey Law Group brings over 32 years of immigration expertise with offices in 20 countries globally, including major hubs like Hong Kong, Paris, Miami and Montreal.

Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia Pacific

Our specialised expertise extends to Caribbean real-estate investments, offering clients clear, professional guidance on selecting the most suitable jurisdiction, understanding contribution requirements and assisting with each step of the application process. HLG ensures a smooth and compliant process, we’re here to assist you at every juncture: contact@harveylawcorporation.com.

C i t i z e n s h i p b y An c e s t r y

At the Movies! 20 QUESTIONS

How much do you know about Martin Scorsese and his films?

BY Elena M. Zepeda

01. What is Martin Scorsese’s full name?

A. Martin Charles Scorsese

B. Martin Marcantonio Luciano Scorsese

C. Martin Luciano Scorsese

02. What is Scorsese’s first short film called?

A. After Hours

B. What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?

C. Mean Streets

03. Which Scorsese film follows a child adventuring in a Paris train station?

A. Kundun

B. Hugo

C. The Age of Innocence

04. When is Scorsese’s birthday?

A. November 17, 1942

B. November 19, 1943

C. November 17, 1940

05. The Departed is inspired by which Hong Kong action film?

A. Infernal Affairs

B. Gallants

C. Naked Killer

06. What sport is Raging Bull focused on?

A. Wrestling

B. Boxing

C. Football

07. How many times has Scorsese been married?

A. 4

B. 5

C. 6

08. In the opening sequence of Casino, what happens when Sam Rothstein gets into his car?

A. He gets shot

B. He gets arrested

C. The car explodes

09. What instrument does Jimmy Doyle play in New York, New York ?

A. Violin

B. Saxophone

C. Trumpet

10. Which famous actor has Scorsese collaborated with in 10 of his films?

A. Leonardo DiCaprio

B. Joe Pesci

C. Robert De Niro

11. In Taxi Driver, who does Scorsese play?

A. A taxi driver

B. A wrestler

C. A passenger

12. Which Scorsese film is based on stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s memoir?

A. The Wolf of Wall Street

B. Silence

C. The Irishman

13. What object symbolises Teddy Daniel’s unresolved trauma in Shutter Island ?

A. A gun

B. A glass of water

C. A police badge

14. Which Scorsese film is inspired by Nicholas Pileggi’s Wiseguy ?

A. The Gangs of New York

B. The Departed

C. Goodfellas

15. Who plays vicious gangster Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas ?

A. Robert De Niro

B. Ray Liotta

C. Joe Pesci

16. In Taxi Driver, what does Travis Bickle say to himself in the mirror?

A. “I amuse you? I make you laugh?”

B. “He ain’t pretty no more.”

C. “You talking to me?”

17. Which film won Scorsese the Best Director Oscar?

A. Casino

B. Cape Fear

C. The Departed

18. In which neighbourhood is Mean Streets set?

A. Brooklyn Heights

B. Harlem

C. Little Italy

19. What is Alice’s dream career in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore?

A. Dancer

B. Singer

C. Actress

20. Who plays Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ?

A. Willem Dafoe

B. Harvey Keitel

C. Martin Scorsese

When the Winds Come! TYPHOON SEASON

Every summer, Hong Kong waits for the storms that pause Every summer, Hong Kong waits for the storms that pause the city and reshape daily life. Ray Au takes a look

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock & Kayli Liebenberg

Typhoon season in Hong Kong does not arrive quietly. It announces itself in stages: first through heat thick enough to feel electrical, then through weather maps glowing red and orange on mobile apps, then finally through the peculiar collective vigilance that settles over the city whenever the Hong Kong Observatory begins issuing warnings.

For newcomers, typhoons, a type of tropical cyclone, can seem dramatic but abstract – distant spirals moving slowly across the South China Sea. Long-term Hong Kong residents understand them differently. Typhoons are not isolated weather events here; they are part of the rhythm of the city itself. They shape architecture, routines, transportation, work culture, even social behaviour. Every summer, usually between June and October, Hong Kong enters a period where daily life can suddenly pivot around wind signals and rain bands.

For residents of Discovery Bay, typhoon season can feel especially isolating. Ferries are suspended during higher storm signals, buses become limited, and the exposed waterfront location means winds often feel far stronger than in denser parts of Hong Kong, turning our usually tranquil seaside community into one of the city’s most dramatic vantage points for approaching storms.

Unlike in many places where severe weather feels exceptional, Hong Kong has turned typhoon season into something strangely organised. The city braces, adapts, pauses and resumes with remarkable speed.

There is a particular atmosphere before a typhoon hits. Supermarkets become crowded with panicbuyers anticipating a two-day closure. Outdoor workers move quickly to secure bamboo scaffolding that climbs the sides of skyscrapers like temporary skeletons. Residents tape windows, charge battery packs, and secure outdoor items to prevent them from becoming airborne projectiles in gale-force winds. We check whether the Observatory will raise the T8 signal – the threshold that effectively shuts down much of the city.

Even after years in Hong Kong, many people still feel a small thrill when a T8 is announced.

Part of that thrill comes from rarity within routine. Hong Kong is one of the world’s most densely scheduled cities. Workdays are long and movement through the city is highly structured. A typhoon interrupts that machinery. Offices close. Schools suspend classes. Meetings disappear from calendars. Commuters stop rushing. The city becomes temporarily suspended.

For many of us, typhoon signals are tied to nostalgia. A T8 once meant waking early to watch television

2025 PROVED TO BE A RECORDBREAKING TYPHOON SEASON FOR HONG KONG. WHILE 14 TROPICAL CYCLONES REQUIRED WARNING

SIGNALS – THE HIGHEST ANNUAL NUMBER SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1946 – HONG

KONG ALSO ISSUED TWO T10S (FOR TYPHOON WIPHA AND SUPER TYPHOON RAGASA)

in the hope of school cancellation announcements scrolling across the screen. Today the alerts arrive instantly on phones, but the emotional pattern remains the same. Whole families wake repeatedly during stormy nights to check Observatory updates.

The Observatory itself occupies an unusually prominent role in public life. In many cities, weather forecasting operates quietly in the background. In Hong Kong, the Observatory’s warning system shapes collective behaviour in real time. Residents casually discuss T1, T3, T8, T9 and T10 signals with the fluency of traffic conditions, or stock prices.

Here’s what we know: a typhoon is a rapidly rotating storm system characterised by a low-pressure centre or ‘eye,’ surrounded by a ring of intense thunderstorms called the eyewall. They form over warm ocean waters (typically 26.5°C or warmer), bringing low pressure, strong winds and rain. A further spiralling arrangement of thunderstorms can extend for hundreds of miles.

T1 signal means a tropical cyclone is within 800km of Hong Kong and may affect the territory. T3 brings stronger winds and signals caution. But T8 changes everything: gale- or storm-force winds are expected within 12 hours. Public transport begins scaling back. Businesses close. Financial markets may suspend trading. Restaurants shut their doors early. Taxi demand spikes instantly. By T10 – the highest warning, indicating that the eye of a typhoon is very close – the city is effectively in lockdown against nature.

Hong Kong averages around five to seven tropical cyclones requiring warning signals each year. Storm winds usually last only a few hours unless the eye of the typhoon passes close by. In such cases, high winds may persist for about eight hours. Tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific are assigned by the regional Typhoon Committee under the World Meteorological Organisation to facilitate communication and tracking. Unlike Atlantic hurricanes, western Pacific typhoon names do not alternate between male and female names. Instead, they are contributed by countries and territories across the region and often reference animals, flowers, mythological figures, places or cultural symbols.

Despite sitting in a region habitually affected by typhoons, Hong Kong’s T10 hurricane signal — the highest tropical cyclone warning level — has been issued only 19 times since official post-war records began in 1946, making it relatively rare but culturally iconic. Between the 1980s and 2000s, Hong Kong

experienced only two T10s (1983 and 1999). But since 2010, there have been several more (2012, 2017, 2018, 2023 and two in 2025).

Many storms have left a lasting mark on Hong Kong’s history. In 1962, Typhoon Wanda (T10) battered the city with peak gusts exceeding 260km/h. Decades later in 2018, Super Typhoon Mangkhut (T10) stunned the world with peak sustained winds near 285km/h over open waters, making it one of the strongest and most photographed storms ever to affect Hong Kong. More recently in 2023, Typhoon Saola (T10) passed extraordinarily close to the city – roughly 40km south of the Observatory – while Typhoon Haikui (T8) brought record-breaking rainfall, dumping 641.1mm of rain on the city.

Meanwhile 2025 proved to be a record-breaking typhoon season for Hong Kong. While 14 tropical cyclones required warning signals – the highest annual number since records began in 1946 – Hong Kong also issued two T10s (for Typhoon Wipha and Super Typhoon Ragasa), tying the previous record set in 1964. At Ragasa’s peak intensity, maximum sustained winds near its eye reached 270km/h, making it the world’s most powerful Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone of 2025.

During a typhoon, 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. But what makes typhoon season in Hong Kong fascinating is that life does not fully stop. It transforms.

Inside apartment towers, residents settle into rituals. Some cook elaborate comfort meals. Others stand at windows watching palm trees bend almost horizontally in the wind. Families gather around televisions while rain lashes against glass. Social media fills with photos of empty streets in Central, waves crashing over promenades in Stanley, and supermarket shelves stripped of produce.

The visual drama of typhoons is amplified by Hong Kong’s geography. Mountains rise directly behind dense clusters of skyscrapers. Narrow streets create wind tunnels. Victoria Harbour becomes steel-grey and turbulent. The city’s verticality makes storms feel theatrical. Clouds move low across peaks, while neon reflections shimmer through rain-slick streets.

For many, however, the defining memory of typhoon season is sound. Hong Kong during a major storm is extraordinarily loud. Windows rattle continuously. Wind whistles through tiny architectural gaps. Rain strikes buildings with astonishing force. In older apartments, air-conditioner units shake through the night. The city’s usual soundtrack – traffic, construction, crowds – is replaced by pure weather.

STORM WATCH AT DB NORTH

Eye of the Storm!

TEMPEST TALES

Six survival stories where extreme weather changes everything

ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS: SCOTT O'DELL (1960)

THE STORM: ARIF ANWAR (2018)

Karana’s tribe leaves the island, and she is accidentally left behind and forced to survive alone for years. Isolated by storms and harsh weather, she develops courage, independence and a deep connection to the natural world. O’Dell presents nature as both dangerous and sustaining, shaping Karana into a resilient and compassionate survivor.

LIFE OF PI: YANN MARTEL (2001)

When his ship sinks during a tempest, Pi Patel is stranded on a lifeboat with Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger. The sea immediately becomes both his jailor and teacher. Martel describes the storm with terrifying beauty, showing nature as unpredictable, overwhelming and strangely spiritual: an extraordinary survival adventure ensues.

THE PERFECT STORM: SEBASTIAN JUNGER (1997)

The terrifying force of a real Atlantic mega-storm traps the crew of the Andrea Gail at sea. Junger combines real-life research with vivid storytelling to depict towering waves, hurricane winds and the helplessness of humans against nature. The storm is depicted with brutal realism, creating tension, tragedy and awe through its relentless, destructive power.

Shahryar reflects upon his family’s history, beginning in a village on the Bay of Bengal, where a poor fisherman, Jamir, and his wife Honufa, prepare to face a cyclone of historic proportions. Anwar’s far-reaching historical fiction interlaces multiple storylines across continents and decades, with a narrative sweep that mirror the storm’s devastating path.

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ: L. FRANK BAUM (1900)

A violent cyclone transports Dorothy and her dog Toto from the prosaic world of Kansas into the magical land of Oz. Baum presents the cyclone as a symbol of both danger and transformation – it launches Dorothy into a technicolour, often terrifying world and, despite all her adventures and newfound friendships, she soon realises there’s no place like home.

TYPHOON: JOSEPH CONRAD (1902)

A steamship sails directly into a devastating typhoon in the South China Sea. Conrad creates intense suspense as Captain MacWhirr and his crew struggle against massive swells and violent winds – the typhoon dominates the story, symbolising nature’s overwhelming force and testing the courage, endurance and sanity of everyone on board.

Vacation Time! SAN FRANCISCO

The Golden City

REPORTING BY Elena M. Zepeda

ONE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S

most vibrant coastal cities, San Francisco delivers world-famous landmarks, diverse neighbourhoods and standout cuisine. Built on steep hills, the city never feels flat or predictable. Victorian homes cling to near-vertical roads, cable cars negotiate tight corners, and nearly every turn reveals a different view of the bay.

REACH ALCATRAZ ISLAND by crossing the cold waters of San Francisco Bay. Once home to some of the nation’s most infamous criminals, Alcatraz has become one of America’s most haunting landmarks. Walk through the narrow cellblocks, get to know the former inmates’ life stories, and learn about their most daring (though always unsuccessful) escape attempts.

SAN FRANCISCO’S CHINATOWN is one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods, established in the 1850s. Enter through Dragon Gate to explore streets hung with lanterns, and lined with shops, markets and, of course, restaurants. From historic temples to bustling food spots, Chinatown is a wonderful area to explore at your own pace while experiencing a strong sense of culture.

ESCAPE TO GOLDEN GATE PARK:

San Francisco’s largest at 1,000 acres, it offers a mix of gardens, walking paths and open green spaces. The Japanese Tea Garden is a highpoint known for its koi ponds, curved bridges and traditional tea houses, as is the Botanical Garden featuring plant collections from all around the world.

FISHERMAN’S WHARF

is where all the fun happens, complete with shops and arcades, historic ships and scenic bay views, seafood restaurants and street performers. Make your way to Pier 39 to watch sea lions lounging on floating docks, and ride the two-storey carousel. This is the place to try San Francisco’s famous and comforting clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.

THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, built in 1933, is best experienced up close. Rent a bike and ride across it, passing beneath the iconic red towers, and enjoying the fresh ocean breeze. You can stop at scenic viewpoints to watch the fog roll beneath your feet, before continuing on to the charming coastal town of Sausalito for a relaxed waterfront break.

VISIT THE PAINTED LADIES

on Steiner Street, one of San Francisco’s most photographed and film-featured landmarks. Colourfully painted Victorian homes crop up throughout the city but the ‘ladies’ on ‘postcard row’ are a must-see, fronted by picturesque Alamo Square Park and backed by the city’s ultramodern skyline.

Dancing the Language! HOW MANDARIN LESSONS CAME ALIVE AT DBIS

Eight DBIS students share how learning Mandarin led them beyond the classroom and into the physical, collaborative world of lion dance. Martin Wray reports

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DBIS

The 2025/ 2026 Discovery Bay International School Lion Dance team consists of eight dancers (Anri, Curtis, Gaius, Lodé, Lukas, Matthew, Parthiv and Yoonwoo), supported by two drummers (James and Thalia). What makes this group unique is that their journey began in the classroom. Through learning Mandarin, they developed a genuine appreciation for Chinese culture, and seven of the eight dancers have continued their studies through to IGCSE level.

Representing five countries (Australia, Hong Kong, India, Korea and South Africa) within a student body of nearly 50 nationalities, these students are

a wonderful example of how language learning can build cultural understanding. Brought together by their passion for Mandarin, they have performed at numerous school events, including the annual CNY celebration and International Food Fair, and they have shown remarkable dedication in designing and perfecting their routines.

While every student at DBIS has the opportunity to learn languages and engage with Chinese culture, these students have distinguished themselves by embracing lion dance, a tradition that demands athleticism, discipline and teamwork. Let’s hear what they have to say.

Matthew, who was born in America and spent his formative years there, speaks up first. “I wasn’t close to my culture when my parents moved back to Hong Kong… Lion dancing introduced me to a new side of my culture, and helped me to explore it.”

Next Lodé chimes in, explaining that she picked up Mandarin “because the characters are so beautiful, and because when you learn Chinese, you learn about the culture”. For Parthiv, the driver was more about connecting with the people around him. “My friends are locals, and they speak Mandarin. So just trying to learn how they speak was my main goal. But what really made me choose Mandarin over the other languages is that every time we were learning about a specific story or characters, Miss Mi would bring in the origin story behind it.”

Myra Mi, their Mandarin teacher and DBIS’ Head of Chinese and Modern Foreign Languages, reintroduced lion dancing to her classroom after the pandemic to encourage interest in Chinese culture. She began by teaching herself the choreography and passing that knowledge to her students.

Anri explains, “We had that experience of choreography from previous years. It was a lot of research into seeing what other people do, mostly on YouTube, how playful the lion has to be and how it has to move.”

Preparation was intense, and the physical demands quickly became apparent. Lodé describes the strain of performing in costume: “It’s really heavy, but after a month or two, when you pick it up, it’s light. Our performance was 10 minutes long, so keeping the heavy head up then bending down for

that large amount of time, it’s difficult. And it’s hot, like a sauna.”

For Lukas, one of the biggest challenges was staying in sync. “Since you can’t see anything, you’ve got to be aware of what the next step is; you’ve got to follow the steps of the person in front. Holding that position is really, really painful; my lower back was stretched, really stretched.”

Gaius points to another layer of difficulty, and the subsequent admiration he has developed for professional lion dancers. “This year, the playfight was really beautiful. When you get pushed, you have to roll as a whole lion, and that’s really hard to do, especially in a big costume. The more you do lion dances, the more you respect the people that actually perform every year.”

Reflecting on the experience’s broader significance, Thalia says, “There aren’t many opportunities to do something like this, to have the equipment, the time, the chance to perform. It’s a chance to try things out, engage with the culture, and also strengthen our relationship with our cultural identity. Because we’re graduating this year, it was our last chance to do something like this. We decided to go for it, do the best we can, and hand it over so that next year, hopefully, they can top it or build on it.”

Curtis concurs, “I’m really glad that I decided to participate. It was meaningful, interesting to learn the dances, and I found it quite fun as well.”

“It’s just an amazing feeling,” Anri finishes. “When you’re in the light, and you start hearing the drums, and then your heart is also like yeah, yeah, yeah, going really fast. The excitement. It’s just amazing.”

A D B DISCOVERERS

Play Think Create in Discovery Bay!

Draw the World's Craziest Summer Holiday!

Surfing dinosaurs, flying ice creams, mermaids on rollercoasters – anything goes!

• 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 July 20. You might see it in the next issue or on our Instagram and Facebook pages!

Last month we asked you to draw a picture of

Ben and the Sneaky Surfboard

Ben was ready for his first surf camp. He had his swimsuit, his towel and a giant blob of sunscreen on his nose.

At the beach, Coach Jun handed him a surfboard. “Easy!” said Ben confidently. But the surfboard had other ideas.

When Ben tried to carry it, the board spun sideways. BONK! It tapped him on the head. When he put it on the sand, a gust of wind pushed it away. “Hey! Come back!” Ben laughed, chasing after it.

Finally, it was time to surf.

Ben paddled out and spotted a small wave. “Go, Ben!” shouted the campers. Ben popped up to his feet. For three whole seconds, he surfed like a pro!

Then a wave splashed him right in the face. SPLOOSH!

Ben tumbled into the water, laughing so hard he nearly swallowed a mouthful of sea. “This is the best camp ever!” he said with a grin.

PEBBLES’ CRAFT PICK

This month, let’s make a BEACH-IN-A-BOTTLE!

You’ll need:

• Small clear glass bottle

• Sand

• Small shells or pebbles

• Blue food colouring

• Water

How to make it:

Pour a layer of sand into the bottle

Drop in shells and pebbles

Fill with water

Seal tightly

Recipe of the Month! NICE BITES

810g courgettes

1½tsp baking powder

120g plain flour 3 eggs

250g feta

30g flat-leaf parsley

COURGETTE & FETA FRITTERS

Serves 4

Place the grated courgette in a flat layer on sheets of paper towel. Cover with another layer of paper towel and press to remove the excess water. Place the courgettes, eggs, crumbled feta, flour, baking powder, and chopped herbs in a bowl. Season well and mix to combine.

Heat a little oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the mixture to the pan and flatten with a spatula. Repeat and cook, in batches, for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until golden. Serve with tomato salad and tzatziki.

30g mint leaves

Solve the riddle, take a photo, email us!

Answer the riddle, head to the DB destination we’re hinting at, take a hi-res photo and email it to admin@arounddb.com

GIVE US YOUR INSTAGRAM HANDLE: We’ll tag you when we announce the winner online!

WHAT YOU GET: Four complementary drinks from Uncle Russ and The Pier Bar

EMAIL US BY: July 15

Sanaya Saxena

Your destination is hidden in this riddle: destination hidden riddle:

RIDDLE ME THIS

Where green hills meet the edge of the tide, The graceful chauffeurs of newly-weds hide. Seek not the chapel, but where harnesses lay, I’m home to a carriage team that waits through the day.

SOLVED LAST MONTH’S RIDDLE and emailed us this photo of THE GREEN ICON RECYCLING POP-UP.

We hope you enjoy your complementary drinks from Uncle Russ and The Pier Bar!

The magazine archives at arounddb.com go back to our first ever issue in October 2002 but we are missing some issues from the very early days –2002 to 2010.

Weʼd love to hear from you if you have any old copies that would help us fill these gaps. Weʼd scan and return them! Please email us at admin@arounddb.com.

BALLET MODERN TAP

For children from 18 months old to 18 years!

Hong Kong’s Leading Online Chinese Tutoring Mandarin and Cantonese Exclusively for Non-Native Learners

11+ Years of Expertise

Trusted by 1,000+ Students

Proven Success for IB, IGCSE, HSK & YCT Exams

EMERGENCY SERVICES 999

DISCOVERY BAY

China Light & Power 2728 8333

DB Fire & Ambulance

DB Transportation Services Limited

Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline

Lantau North Police Report Room

Water Fault Reports

Co-working Space@DB

2987 7502

2987 7351

2435 4511

3661 1694

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

& REPAIRS

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)

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

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)

Harry Wright

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

Little Learning Tree Playgroup

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

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

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)

Ebeneezer’s

Quality Cuts

Feather & Bone

Figos Seaside Café

il Bel Paese

JOO Korean Grill & Bar

Koh Tomyums Thai

Levain Bakery

Liang She Han Buy Good

McDonald’s

MOOJOO Lifestyle Café

ÓNA