Around DB June 2025

C O M M U N I T Y

|

L O C A L

I N F L U E N C E R S

|

L I F E S T Y L E

|

P A R E N T I N G

J U N E 2 0 2 5 | 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

FAST ON THEIR FEET

Sofia Brantingham, Molly Whitehead and Fiadh-Rose Howlin are all about Irish dance

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY Top tips from our new shooter

STREET LEGAL Road running in DB

Puppy Love!

WHY DOGS AND BABIES ARE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

AROUNDDB.COM

500 HOURS Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Discovery Bay

Daily Yoga classes and packages also avaliable

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

10% Discount for Around DB readers

Scan and Whatsapp us for a digital coupon

SUMMER HOLIDAY 2025 暑期游泳班 OPEN FOR ENROLMENT 現正招生 Club Siena, Discovery Bay 愉景灣海澄湖畔會所 Daily Programme: Saturdays only, June 30 - August 15 Weekly Camps (3 and 5-day Camps): June 30 - August 15

Join any time! Our classes are pro-rated, so you only pay for the lessons left in the term when you sign up. Don't wait, join Hong Kong’s Premier Swim School Today!

游泳課程按堂數收費 (由報名當日至課程 結束)，報名時只需付餘下堂數即可，歡迎 您隨時參加！ +852 2575 6279

Indoor Heated Pool

Low Ratios

Pro-Rated

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

swimming@harrywright.com.hk

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence Harry Wright Swim School Established in 1975

www.harrywright.com.hk

r I d u eal o Y r

Wo

ve kspace

Di s

ND R A O O R IND TDOO OU CES S PA

co

COLLABORATIVE SPACES

r

FREE C AND OFFEE SNAC KS FU AN LL K D O ITC UT HE BB DOO N Q R

OM P R IVAT E Z O AND OM ING RO MEET

24 / 7 PEED HIGH-S SS E WIREL ED IR AND W ET N INTER

ACC E S S

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!

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.

24/7 MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP

WEEKDAY MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP

HK$5,000

HK$3,000

UNLIMITED ACCESS

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 09:00-18:00

PER MONTH

PER MONTH

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY! EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT BLEND OF PRODUCTIVITY AND LEISURE IN A WORKSPACE DESIGNED WITH YOUR NEEDS IN MIND. FOR INQUIRIES, CONTACT US AT +852 2426 8828 OR EMAIL INFO@COWORKINGDB.HK. TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS REDEFINING YOUR WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT CO-WORKING SPACE@DB! L/G UNIT 3, BLOCK 1, DB NORTH PLAZA, DISCOVERY BAY, LANTAU ISLAND

JUNE 2025 W W W. A R O U N D D B .CO M

06

22

34

41

18

FEATURES 18 PROFILE Sofia Brantingham, Molly Whitehead and Fiadh-Rose Howlin have the lowdown on Irish dance

22 COMMUNITY Forget trail racing, it’s time to start pounding pavements with a local road running group

30 PARENTING Dogs and babies are a perfect match: find out how both parties benefit from the relationship

34 INSIDER

4

Our new shooter is glued to his Huwei Pura70 Pro: gen up on his smartphone photography tips AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

REGULARS

AGENDA

38 ESCAPES

06 DB NEWS

Aloha Oahu!

41 HOME CHEF

Fruit-laden lollies

42 QUIZ

20 questions

52 OUT THERE

Peter Sherwood talks back

C O M M U N I T Y

|

L O C A L

I N F L U E N C E R S

|

L I F E S T Y L E

|

P A R E N T I N G

ON THE COVER

J U N E 2 0 2 5 | 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

FAST ON THEIR FEET

Storm and Ruffrey

Sofia Brantingham, Molly Whitehead and Fiadh-Rose Howlin are all about Irish dance

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY STREET LEGAL

on Tai Pak Wan

Puppy Love!

PHOTO BY Andrew Spires

Top tips from our new shooter

Road running in DB

WHY DOGS AND BABIES ARE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

AROUNDDB.COM

10 SUMMER CAMPS 12 EVENT ROUND-UP 29 WISH LIST 44 PUZZLES 49 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.

! 你 爱

Self-Paced Online Course

我

1

Video Lesson

再见!

DB Group Classes

cele br

Start Learning

12th ann ing iv t a

in

Hon

g Ko

3

Quiz & Answers

Special Offer For DB Residents

y sar er

你好!

! 谢 谢

2

Interactive Study

HK$200 OFF Any Plan

DBMT

ng

2 classes per week 10:30-12:00, 8 weeks per course Beginner to Intermediate Level Monthly Starting Dates in DB North

For enquiry, contact +852 6111 0523

More Course Details

DB NEWS

/

HARMONICA CLASS FOR BEGINNERS

CONTACT US P:

+852 6117 1889

W:

www.arounddb.com

E:

info@arounddb.com

_

RACH E L AI N S L E Y Managing editor

rachel@arounddb.com K R IST I N J I AN G Sales manager

kristin@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 A NDR EW S P I R E S Photographer

andrew.j.c.spires@gmail.com CONT R I B U TO RS

Ray Au, Mervyn Black,

Elizabeth Kerr, Sharon Lesley Le Roux, Andrew Spires, Peter Sherwood PRIN T I N G

Promise Network Printing Ltd, 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

D I S CL AIME R

The views expressed in Around DB are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission. © AROUND DB 2025

6

6

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

PLAY PÉTANQUE The DB Sport-A-Thon – your opportunity to experience fun, trending sports – continues this month at DB North Plaza Pitch for residents aged six years and up.

On June 7, you can try your hand at Pétanque, a French game that involves throwing boules closer to the target boule (called a cochonnet) than your opponents. To find out more and enrol, call 5469 1748 or visit FB @DynamicDBers.

Dickson Cheung of Adventure Harmonica Music Centre is giving harmonica lessons for beginners on June 21 at the Multipurpose Hall, DB Of fice Centre. All ages are welcome: HK$10 0 per person, HK$50 for children aged 12 or below. Free harmonicas are provided and you can look for ward to mastering a few simple songs in just 40 minutes. To find out more and enrol, head to ht tps://forms.gle/H437dJeTM3Rvbhpt7.

s g in n e Happ STUFF TO

INTERNATIONAL PROVERSE PRIZES

Founded by long-term DB residents, the late Dr Verner Bickley, MBE and his wife, Dr Gillian Bickley, the International Proverse Prizes for writing submitted and previously unpublished in English (may be in translation) are open for entry through June 30. They are the Proverse Prize for single-author book-length fiction, nonfiction, or poetry (founded 2008) and the Proverse Poetry Prize for single poems (founded 2016).

You need to be at least 18 years old to enter, but otherwise there is no restriction and everyone is eligible, whatever their place of birth, residence, nationality or citizenship.

New and experienced writers are all welcome to send in their work. You can enter directly through proversehongkong.submittable.com/submit. Entry documents and full details about each prize are available from the Proverse website, with special arrangements, if needed, for Hong Kong entrants: www.proversepublishing.com.

You can email any general enquiries to proverse@netvigator.com.

The inaugural Proverse Prize (2008) and the 2022 Prize were each won by a DB resident, Rebecca Tomasis and Flora Qian, each sharing with one other writer. Rebecca's book, Mishpacha – Family, is a moving and passionate account of four women living together in Israel as the ‘wives’ of one man. Flora's book, South of the Yangtze, is a coming-of-age story set on the mainland. Neither Rebecca nor Flora remain in DB but they retain their connections here.

In memoriam: polymath, pioneer of English-language education and co-founder of Proverse Prizes Dr Verner Bickley, MBE, a DB resident of 22 years, died on February 9, aged 98. A memorial service was held on May 7 at St John's Cathedral. Verner's remarkable achievements and kind spirit will be remembered and cherished by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. [PHOTO BY Baljit Gidwani, September 2022 for ADB.]

DB NEWS

/

DANISH CORD WEAVING WORKSHOP

Former DB resident Emmy Sandt is hosting a Danish cord weaving workshop at A Collec tive Space in Mui Wo on June 22. The class is open to 15 par ticipants and is per fec t for beginners.

Join a communit y of creatives, share laughs and swap stories while you learn! To enrol (purchase t wo tickets for a 15% discount), head to FB /IG @collec tive.space or visit w w w.acollec tive.space.

! s t n e v E &

DISCOUNTS FOR ADB READERS AT HK YOGA

Maxim Gagarin at HK Yoga in DB North Plaza is offering a 10% discount to Around DB readers who sign up for a 500-hour Teacher Training Course by August 31. The course starts on September 8 and finishes at the end of December. It is held in two groups: weekday group (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 11am to 3pm) and weekend group (Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm). Daily yoga classes and packages are also available.

To enrol with a 10% discount, scan the QR code.

KNOW IN JUNE!

SMOKEY JOE’S IN DB NORTH Don’t be misled by the old Buraq at Osman Bey signage, Smokey Joe’s sof t- opened in Februar y in DB Nor th and is your go -to for juic y, handcraf ted burgers; per fec tly aged steaks; hear t y sandwiches and – our top pick – Cajun prawn pasta.

Chef Joey Daze hails from New York Cit y and has worked in kitchens since he was 13. This time he’s at the helm. To book a table, call 5784 7101 or visit smokeyjoesdb.com.

PLASTIC FILM RECYCLING

Residents have been making good use of the government-funded Green@Communit y collec tion point, open on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm at the Green Icon@DB. It’s the place to get hard-to-recycle items like plastic film and poly foam recycled, along with liquid car tons ( Tetra Paks), disposable cof fee cups and fibre food containers, rechargeable bat teries, energy saving light bulbs and waste elec tronic s. For more information, visit FB @Islands Recycling Station. [PHOTO BY Joanna Hewit t.]

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY JUNE 07 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm. Visit FB @DynamicDBers.

JUNE 08 | SHOP THE DB MARKET in DB Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit w w w.handmadehongkong.com.

JUNE 15 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue

Wan gate at 2.10pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org.

ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit FB @dbmf.collection AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

7

DB NEWS

/

IGYM GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

To mark its 12th anniversary, iGym launched a Gymnastics Academy in DB North Plaza on May 22. This fully-equipped junior gymnastics centre boasts uneven bars, tumbling mats, rings, a trampoline, high beam, foam pit, vault, Junior Parkour Course and Ninja Zone, and is an ideal training space for children aged 18 months to nine years. Kim Doherty and her team will continue to coach iGym seniors (9 years and above) out of DBIS. To find out more, email igymhk@icloud.com or visit www.igymhk.com.

CLIMATE FRESK CHALLENGE

Climate Fresk – the global non-profit, gamified education tool for climate change – has arrived in DB. In each threehour workshop, seven to 15 players (adults or teens) create a Fresk (fresco), using 42 cards to link the causes and ef fec ts of climate change. The aim of the game is to teach par ticipants the fundamental science behind climate change and empower them to take ac tion. To find out more, visit climate-fresk-hong-kong on LinkedIn or email Hong Kong coordinator and long-time DB resident Sophie Bonnin-Rocher at climatefreskhk@gmail.com.

FOOTBALL QUIZ AT THE CHIPPY

As a way to celebrate Ampcontrol DB’s Masters Cup win at the 2025 HKFC Standard Char tered Soccer Sevens, The Chippy is hosting a Football Quiz Night on June 18 at 7.30pm. Teams of four can book to test their football knowledge and win prizes, while enjoying classic British fish and chips, beer, cider and sof t drinks.

The Chippy sponsored Ampcontrol DB at the Soccer Sevens in May, alongside Ampcontrol, Mar velsof t, Tanner de Wit t, CL A, CTC and Kelme. Call 2987 8688 to book a table for quiz night.

[PHOTO BY Nigel Baillie Photography.]

8

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

HARRY WRIGHT 50TH CELEBRATIONS: SWIM WITH THE BEST This year marks an extraordinar y milestone for Harr y Wright Swim School – 50 years of shaping confident swimmers and fostering a love of the water across generations. In order to give back to the communit y, HWI is of fering a special oppor tunit y for one local swimmer: a free place at HWI’s Competitive Swim Camp, running from August 4 to 8 at the South China Athletic Association. The camp is overseen by Olympic swim coach David Lush, alongside HWI coaches. Open to current HWI swimmers (minimum Silver level), this is a rare chance to train under one of the spor t’s most respec ted coaches.

David has guided athletes to podium finishes at the Olympic s, World Championships and Asian Games, including coaching Minna Ather ton to a world record and working with Hong Kong’s own Stephanie Au through multiple international meets. To apply by June 21, simply head to ht tps://forms.gle/ Ez XUV1JTuq4xj9Ca9?hl=en and fill out the Competitive Swim Camp sign-up form.

As par t of its ongoing 50th celebrations, HWI is hosting a celebrator y Anniversar y Dinner on June 21 at the Hong Kong Football Club, bringing together past and present swimmers, coaches, families and suppor ters.

The evening will feature guest speakers, including prominent swimmers from the local communit y, who will share inspiring stories, memories and reflec tions on how HWI has helped shape the swimming landscape in Hong Kong.

HWI provides swimming lessons across Hong Kong and at Club Siena, with a struc tured progression system, small group sizes and international-standard coaching. Visit w w w.harr y wright.com.hk.

Summer Camps!

Activities Guide for DB Kids

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

GYMNASTICS

MANDARIN

SP OT C H I LDRE N ’S TH E R APY C E NTRE

I GYM GYM N A S T I C S

MANDARIN TIME

www.igymhk.com

www.mandarintimeschool.com

SPOT Summer Camps, in Central and Wong Chuk Hang, are focused on social skills, emotional regulation, fine motor skills and literacy. Each venue features a purpose -built, sensorymotor therapy gym that allow kids, aged 3 to 11, to engage in enriching sensory experiences and group activities. Fun-filled sessions run from June 30 to August 15, helping kids thrive in a supportive environment.

The iGym Gymnastics and Ninja Camp runs from June 30 to August 22 at iGym’s newly launched Gymnastics Academy in DB Nor th Plaza. Morning, af ternoon and full day sessions are on of fer Monday to Saturday. Fun, age - appropriate activities in both gymnastics and ninja zones give kids, aged 3 to 10, the oppor tunit y to develop their skills, make new friends and have a blast.

The Mandarin Time DB Camp runs from July 7 to August 15 in DB North and provides children, aged 10 to 15, with a 100% Mandarin-speaking environment. Courses are available Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm: kids, aged 13 to 15, focus on IGCSE Chinese preparation, and there are three levels of tuition (upper elementar y, intermediate and native) for kids aged 10 to 13.

Tel: 2807 2992 Email: contact@spot.com.hk

WhatsApp: 6077 2758 Email: igymhk@icloud.com

WhatsApp: 6153 7108 Email: info@mandarintimeschool.com

w w w. s p o t . c o m . h k

10

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

MANDARIN

MONTESSORI

NATURE

Y I FA N M A N DA R I N

GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI

ARK EDEN

www.yifancamps.com The Yifan Mandarin Summer Camp at DB North Plaza is fully immersive and activit y based. The week-long camps run from July 7 to August 8, Monday to Friday, 9.10am to 10.40am (ages 3 to 5) and 10.45am to 12.15pm (ages 6 to 9). Multi-week discounts are available until June 30.

w w w.guidepost.hk

www.arkedenonlantau.org

孩子們快樂學中文，語言能力大提升！

Guidepost Montessori’s Cosmic Adventure Summer Camp runs weekly from July 2 to July 25 at the DB North Plaza campus. Children, aged 2 to 6, get to explore life on Earth and beyond through hands- on activities, stor ytelling, creative crafts, science discoveries and sensor y experience, fostering curiosit y and empathy about the universe.

Ark Eden is a magical space nestled on a hillside in Mui Wo where children, aged 5 to 11, can explore the great outdoors, make new friends and build confidence through engaging, nature -based play. Choose from eight weeks of camps running June 30 to August 22. Camp leaders are skilled in Experiential Education, Forest School principles, Social Emotional Wellness and Wilderness First Aid.

WhatsApp: 9208 7611 Email: admin@yifanmandarin.com

WhatsApp: 9126 6211 Email: admissions@guidepost.hk

Tel: 2988 5355 Email: angus@arkedenonlantau.org

OUTDOOR

SURFING

THEATRE

TREASURE ISLAND GROUP

H O N G KO N G S U R F I N G LE SS O N

FAUST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE

一帆中文夏令營在愉景灣開展超過十六年；助

www.treasureislandhk.com Treasure Island Group’s Summer Camps – Surf, Adventure, Explorers, eXtreme and Little Kids Club – run from June 16 to August 22 at Pui O Beach and are bookable by the week or day. From surfing and kayaking to wetland tours and waterfall hiking, kids, aged 4 to 14, get to experience a wide range of outdoor activities, whilst making new friends and developing eco - awareness and life skills.

www.hongkongsurfinglesson.com

w w w.f a us t wo r l d .c om

Hong Kong Surfing Lesson’s one- or threeday, non-overnight camps run from June 16 to August 27 at Lower Cheung Sha Beach. Children, aged 5 to 14, get their own surfboard to maximise their surfing time. Camps are run by professional ISAqualified instructors, who help kids progress by making surfing fun and safe. Lessons are also available daily for beginner to intermediate surfers of all ages.

Faust’s HK-wide summer programme runs from June 23 to August 22, with week-long courses in Summer Theatre for 3- to 18-year-olds, Musical Theatre for 8- to 18-year-olds, and Creative Writing for 6- to 14-year-olds. In any given week, children experience a funfilled learning environment in which to develop leadership and teamwork skills, individual expression and confidence.

Tel: 5236 7016 Email: inquiries@treasureislandhk.com

WhatsApp: 6199 0904 Email: info@hongkongsurfinglesson.com

Tel: 2547 9114 Email: info@faustworld.com

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

11

! t u o b A & Out

EVENT ROUND-UP

/

WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!

MAY WAS HELPER APPRECIATION MONTH

Throughout May, the community – individuals, schools and businesses – stepped up to ensure that DB helpers felt the love and had some welldeserved fun. A series of free events were provided including Yoga with Ms Anri, football with Tekkerz, Hyrox training with DB DadBods, online Yoga Nidra with Myriam Bartu, music lessons with YRock and beach tennis with Imee MacPherson. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Xing Ni Liu.]

12

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

EVENT ROUND-UP

/

AT THE SPLASH DASH RELAY Splash Foundation’s DB-based team of migrant domestic workers took part in a Splash Dash Relay on April 27, raising funds to help other migrant domestic helpers and underprivileged kids learn to swim. The event was fully inclusive with 60 teams participating. HK$549,393 was raised overall. [PHOTOS BY Tracy Wong & Tommy Li.]

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

13

EVENT ROUND-UP

/

AMPCONTROL DB’S BIG WIN AT THE SOCCER SEVEN Ampcontrol DB scored big, taking home the Masters Cup, at the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, held from May 16 to 18 at Hong Kong Football Club. Since 2017, the team has reached the final in every year of the tournament and they won the Masters in 2018 without conceding a goal. This year’s team sponsors were Ampcontrol, Marvelsoft, Tanner de Witt, The Chippy, CLA, CTC and Kelme. [PHOTOS BY Nigel Baillie Photography.]

14

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

EVENT ROUND-UP

/

AT THE ACTION SPRINT TRAILS SERIES, DB The DB leg of Action Asia Events’ Action Sprint Trail Series headed out from DB Plaza on May 18. Hong Kong runners stole the show in the 12km with Wong Mei Yan and Chan Ka Keung finishing first. The 9km saw Maggie Cvetkovic of Sweden and Chris Davis of Great Britain taking the honours.

[PHOTOS BY Mark Kelly & courtesy of Action Asia Events.]

16

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

AC CLEANING AS LOW AS

$500

PER UNIT

SCAN TO BOOK NOW!

+852 5644 1167

www.gchongkong.com

PROFILE

/

! t ee F r i e th Fast on TRADITION IN ACTION

Just back from the 2025 Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne in Dublin, Sofia Brantingham, Molly Whitehead and Fiadh-Rose Howlin share their passion for Irish dance. Elizabeth Kerr reports

F

PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of Katherine Toong

or someone so young, dancer Molly Whitehead has an incredible knack for diplomacy. When confronted with the blazingly boneheaded comment of “Isn’t Irish dance, like, Michael Flatley?” she gracefully deflects, and notes that no… there’s much more to the form than Lord of the Dance, and traditional Irish dancing has a histor y that goes back to the 1700s, at least, and can include céilí dances, old-school sean-nós and stepdance, among others.

“Competitive Irish dancing is quite different from per formative Irish dancing, which is essentially 18

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

Michael Flatley – and he’s the peak of that,” she says with a laugh. “The competitive version is much more strict and physically demanding. The placement of your arms and your feet are similar but there are a lot of rules about which dance you do at which age and so on.”

Molly, 16, is on a Zoom stream on this day, sitting in the sun in Discover y Bay Plaza. We’re chatting on Zoom because we also want to connect with two of Molly’s fellow students at the Hong Kong chapter of McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy: Sofia Brantingham, 21, and Fiadh-Rose Howlin, who’s

PROFILE

/

At this point, Katherine Toong, the trio’s teacher at McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy (Instagram @irishdance_hongkong), pipes up: “Sofia has danced with me for six years… I’ve helped Molly and FiadhRose for the past two. Sofia assists me in ever y class, the dancers all love her and really look up to her, [and] Molly and Fiadh-Rose’s love and dedication to Irish dance make my role both easy and inspiring.

Competing at the highest level involves more than just dancing. It requires learning and per fecting new steps, mastering timing and rhythm, incorporating resistance training to become more power ful and prevent injuries, while also incorporating at-home stretching to maintain mobility and joint health.”

“DURING A DANCE, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR MUSCLES IS WORKING AND YOUR BRAIN IS IN OVERDRIVE. YOU HAVE TO LOOK LIKE IT’S EFFORTLESS, ALWAYS KEEPING A SMILE ON YOUR FACE

For the uninitiated, the ORnC is a long, hard road.

“It’s like a rugby or football tournament and the

- MOLLY WHITEHEAD

coming up 13. The trio are just back from Dublin, where they represented Hong Kong, Lantau specifically, at the 2025 Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (ORnC) – the 53rd World Irish Dancing Championships. Soon enough ever yone is at the ‘meeting’: Mui Wo-based Sofia from the ferr y to Central and Fiadh-Rose from her home in DB. Hear ‘dance competition’ and most of us conjure images of Dancing with the Stars and assume Sofia, Molly and Fiadh-Rose took par t in some kind of genteel contest where they collected a lovely bouquet of flowers for finishing. Quite the contrar y.

Competing in Irish dance, as Molly explains it, demands muscular strength and robust cardio health to go with mental acuity. “During a dance, ever y single one of your muscles is working and your brain is in overdrive. You have to look like it’s effor tless, always keeping a smile on your face, and wearing heavy dresses and wigs that make ever ything hur t.”

MOLLY WHITEHEAD, FIADH-ROSE HOWLIN AND SOFIA BRANTINGHAM AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

19

PROFILE

/

Worlds are kind of like the finals,” says Fiadh-Rose.

“It’s more than just a mental thing because there are so many par ts to it and to do well you have to get ever ything right.” Getting to Dublin this year for the event running April 13 to 20 was clearly quite a feat.

Age aside, the three young women couldn’t be less alike, refreshingly so. Sofia was born in Taiwan to a Canadian mom and American dad, and lived in Shanghai until she was nine when her father’s work brought the family to Hong Kong. In this, her four th appearance at the Worlds, she placed 35th (out of 101 dancers) in the Ladies 20-21 age categor y – and won the prestigious Aisling Award for highest rank in her age group from Asia, Europe, Mexico, Nordic Europe, South Africa and South America.

Molly was born in Ireland and moved to Hong Kong with her family in 2019 via the Philippines. This year marked her second appearance at the Worlds, and while she placed 118th (out of 158 dancers) in the Girls 16-17 age category, not as high as expected, she danced her heart out and is rightfully proud of her achievement. Plus: “My shoe didn’t fall off this time,” she says with a laugh. “Two years ago, the first time I qualified, when I went to do my second dance the heel of my right shoe came off. I tried to keep my nerves in check as I’ve been taught, and it was all good fun.”

“I taped your shoe on this time,” chimes in Sofia with a chuckle.

Fiadh-Rose was born in Hong Kong to Irish parents.

She’s been dancing since she was about three: her mum teaches at McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy and is a cer tified Irish dance adjudicator. In this, her second time competing in the Worlds, Fiadh-Rose finished a mind-blowing 10th (out of 159 dancers) in the Girls 12-13 age categor y. “When I was really young, I won a championship and it got me really, really excited. I kept on pushing, and I got a lot better, and then last year my results really shot up, and I really wanted to do better,” she says.

Sofia, Molly and Fiadh-Rose are at ver y different stages in their Irish dance careers, but they are all on upward trajectories. They came to the form for different reasons but are equally committed. Sofia followed a friend and got hooked. Fiadh-Rose grew up around it and appreciates the strength, speed and balance it gives her. And for Molly, discovering Irish dance was a kind of homecoming.

“I think, for me, it was definitely being able to connect more with being Irish,” she says. “I’ve lived in Asia more of my life than I’ve lived in Ireland, and you do eventually feel that strain from disconnection.

Learning Irish dance really helped me connect with my roots, and also to meet people when I moved here.”

The immediate future for the trio sees more school – Molly and Fiadh-Rose are both at Discover y Bay International School; Sofia begins studies in spor ts 20

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

THE TRIO ONSTAGE IN DUBLIN

science at the University of South Australia in the autumn. Fiadh-Rose is preparing to compete at the 2025 Nor th American Irish Dance Champions in Mar yland, and there’s a ton of practice for ever yone en route to the regional qualifier in Prague in December for the 2026 Worlds. Outside class, there’s longdistance running (for Fiadh-Rose), cross-training (for Sofia) and video gaming (for Molly). Fun stuff they can do at home on Lantau, which all three agree is, well, a lovable place to be based.

“I love Mui Wo,” declares Sofia, the outlier. “I was at the beach an hour ago, and now I’m in the city going to dance class. It’s great.” Molly enjoys the DB bubble, seeing it as safe and freeing when compared to Manila. “Moving to DB was ver y, ver y much a culture shock. Seeing all these little kids going around by themselves, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness’.

It’s nice that you can go anywhere, run errands or hang out with friends. It’s great in that sense.”

Fiadh-Rose, the Hong Kong native, agrees: “I love DB. Ever ything’s so close together, one minute you can be down in the plaza with friends, the next at the beach. It’s so safe you can just kind of go your own way. Nothing really dangerous happens around DB or really Hong Kong.”

Fiadh-Rose is in no position to be setting a career path at (almost) 13, but Sofia and Molly are relatively confident Irish dance will be in their futures on some level; they both enjoy teaching younger kids, and they’ll be dancing for as long as is physically possible.

Molly is aiming at a career in per formance and then, maybe, directing. Watch your back, Flatley.

30% OFF

Oasis of Relaxation Package Package Includes: BOOK NOW

(852) 2295 8129

30 Minutes Body Scrub 60 Minutes Aroma Massage 60 Minutes Customised Luxury Facial Tea and Refreshments

$1,960

Original Price $2,800 per person (150 minutes)

Spa@aubergediscoverybay.com

(852) 6317 3600

*Terms and Conditions The price is subject to 10% service charge and it is based on original price. The promotion period lasts until further notice.

Advance reservation is required and confirmation will be subject to Spa Botanica availability.

The offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions.

In case of any dispute, Spa Botanica reserves the right of final decision.

COMMUNITY

/

! g in n n u R d Roa STREET LEGAL

Whether you’re a running nut, an occasional pavement pounder or a complete novice, there are few better places to get moving on foot than Discovery Bay. Mervyn Black reports PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of Peter Morley

22

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

W

COMMUNITY

/

hile the near by tr ails are a hive of tr af fic, it ’s the roads of Discover y Bay that bes t c ater to r unner s of all fitnes s levels and you don’t have to go far to find someone in the communit y ready to espouse the benefit s of get ting out there.

A nit a Schneider, founder of loc al r unning group The Running Cult, is one such per son, with the for mer Cros sFit ter embr acing road r unning since moving to DB. “I love spreading the joy of r unning and I would like ever ybody to r un bec ause it set s you free,” she opens. “You c an do it whenever and wherever you want, however fas t or slow.”

For many road r unner s, the appeal is that they c an almos t r un on auto - pilot, focused on nothing other than pace and energy ex penditure. W hen you are road r unning, the chances of having to maneuver around an obs t acle like a root or rock are slim.

Paved sur faces are consis tent and predic t able, in DB at leas t, making it easy for r unner s to clock in the miles, while freeing their minds.

“There’s a lot of personal grow th that happens when you step out side your comfor t zone, and running is so out side of your comfor t zone,” Anita says. “People think that you just star t running… and then stop running but there’s so much in the middle that happens. There are lot s of wins along the way that people can really benefit from. The world is sometimes such a depressing and stressful place and I think running gives you an outlet.”

Ac tive for roughly three year s, The Running Cult is a r unning group for women that focuses on being inclusive, and inspiring people to give r unning a cr ack. Oper ated through a W hat s A pp chat (5629 8123), The Running Cult ’s ses sions nor mally involve a r un of bet ween 4 -7k m in small groups of four to five people and it is open to women of all ages and fitnes s levels.

“At Running Cult, we’re non-judgment al and we don’t charge money. I always tr y to create a safe space so people c an be included at whatever s t age they are,” says A nit a. “We don’t all r un together bec ause of school drop of f s and s tuf f, so there is nor mally a mor ning and evening group. I’m big on miles tones, so we really focus on ever yone get ting their fir s t kilometre. There are a lot of times where we s t ar t together and then people peel of f.

“I think, in gener al, people find r unning ver y intimidating bec ause of dis t ances and the time it t akes. People have a big misconception about what r unning is and ins tead of lear ning more about it, they jus t don’t do it – they completely exclude it from their reper toire.”

ANITA SCHNEIDER OF THE RUNNING CULT

Hoping to do away with this misconception, A nit a s tres ses that r unning is, in fac t, easily acces sible and something you do at your own pace. “People need to k now that mos t r unner s r un-walk. I’ve done six mar athons in the pas t t wo -and -a- half year s and I walked in ever y single one of them,” she says, adding, “you don’t need to have a coach or a sophis tic ated progr amme to get into r unning.

All you really need is a good pair of shoes.”

Like A nit a, DB Runner s’ founder Peter Morley is quick to ex tol the benefit s of r unning. “It ’s jus t a ver y easy way of s t aying fit, managing your per sonal wellbeing and bus ting s tres s,” he says.

“Running makes you feel good about your self.

“Running is the cheapest spor t to access and it’s really easy to do in Hong Kong, par ticularly in DB because it’s ver y safe,” Peter adds. “You can star t just by walking and then add a little bit of jogging in there and slowly build it up bit by bit. Don’t feel any pressure to do any more than feels comfor table.”

With over 10 0 people in it s W hat s A pp group, DB Runner s (dbr unner s.com) sees bet ween 10 and 20 people at mos t of it s t wice -weekly ses sions.

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

23

COMMUNITY

/

Around in various iter ations over the year s, the group in it s cur rent for mat recently celebr ated it s one -year anniver sar y with, you gues sed it, a r un.

“We have been r unning for about a year now under the new name DB Runner s and if you have a look at the website, it ’s based around the idea that it ’s a free -to -acces s group and we meet t wice a week on Tuesdays and Thur sdays at 6am,” says Peter.

“We mix it up in ter ms of the dif ferent ac tivities that we do, but it ’s always r unning on the roads in DB. Sometimes it ’s going up and down hills, sometimes it ’s doing loops and circuit s – it ’s a fun, sociable thing r ather than being too competitive and ever yone is welcome to join.

PETER MORLEY AKA THE MARATHON PANDA

DB RUNNERS

“IT’S JUST A VERY EASY WAY OF STAYING FIT, MANAGING YOUR PERSONAL WELLBEING AND BUSTING STRESS. RUNNING MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF - PETER MORLEY 24

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

“We normally have a routine where we star t and finish in the same place and people can go as slow as they like depending on their level of fitness. It’s something that isn’t bound by people’s fitness,” adds Peter, a UTMB World Series marathoner.

For those weighing up whether to r un on their own or in a group, Peter has a ver y simple mes sage: “I think if you’re par t of a group you feel more motivated and you tend to put a bit ex tr a in. If you get injured or you need any tips or suppor t, there are lot s of other people who have the ex perience to help. It ’s the social aspec t of it. You feel more motivated if there’s a bunch of other people get ting up at the same time and meeting ever y week.”

One challenge of r unning on DB’s roads is jus t how hilly they are. Peter is a big fan of hit ting up Seabee L ane – “it ’s a nice quiet road and one whole loop to DB Road is a mile” – while A nit a has you covered at both ends of DB. “The beach loop is the flattest 1km in DB – you go down the beach, around that little lip and up the little steep par t onto the main road. Then you go past Seahorse Lane and just before the tennis cour ts, you go back down to the beach. People who run in DB Nor th, run through the park around Discover y College – there’s another little loop there.”

Funnily enough, A nit a was one of the many that would avoid DB’s s teepes t hills, but now that she is tr aining for Ac tion A sia Event s HK50 on the tr ails this Oc tober and the gr uelling Comr ades Mar athon – a 90 k m road r un in South Afric a in 2026 – she has a dif ferent view on things.

“If the hills and the heat are something that holds you back, why don’t you do it until it doesn’t suck anymore?” she says. “It ’s about embr acing the suck. All of a sudden DB is a lot more at tr ac tive to me bec ause it has all the hills, the heat and the humidit y of the Comr ades – so ever y thing’s wor ked out per fec tly.”

A FULLY EQUIPPED GYM -

JUNIOR PARKOUR COURSE TUMBLING MATS UNEVEN BARS HIGH BEAM TRAMPOLINE FOAM PIT

iGym Gymnastics

Academy NOW OPEN

www.igymhk.com

Units 15, First Floor, O ce Building , Block 2, Discovery Bay North Plaza

CONTACT us via WHATSAPP

+852 60772758

SPONSORED CONTENT

/

PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA HARVEY L AW G ROU P P R E S E N TS A S TRAT E G I C OP P ORT UN I T Y F OR GLOBAL I NV E S TOR S I N 2 02 5

The Por tugal Golden Visa offers a strategic oppor tunity to non-EU nationals, regardless of their current place of residence. Whilst the Por tugal Golden Visa is widely known, somehow the recent change in law, removing real estate investment as a qualifier for the programme, has led many to believe that Por tugal Golden Visas are no longer available.

Let us reassure you that this is not the case. The Por tugal Golden Visa real estate option has been withdrawn, but other options remain such as placing EUR500,000 in an investment fund, or making a EUR250,000 donation through public entities or private foundations with public utility status towards the suppor t of approved ar tistic produc tion or national cultural heritage. To date, the investment fund option remains the most popular amongst investors.

Many Hong Kong resident s, regardless of nationalit y, have already taken ac tive steps towards this. Some are planning ahead to give themselves retirement options, while others are looking at the education oppor tunities it will give to their children to study not only in Por tugal but any where in the EU. English language postsecondar y degrees flourish within the EU and are generally less expensive than courses charging overseas fees to international student s. Since COVID, we have obser ved a surge in the desire to secure EU residenc y and citizenship.

Now that the real estate option has been withdrawn, the investor profile has changed.

Numerous investors see the investment fund option as an at trac tive way to diversif y their investment por t folios, limit currenc y risk exposure and tap into the European market.

26

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

New investment funds are being set up on a weekly basis, and so it is crucial to work with experienced law yers who can ensure the funds are compliant with the Por tugal Golden Visa rules. Through due diligence, law yers can present a choice of investments to find one (or several) that matches their clients’ risk profiles.

As of today, the Por tugal Golden Visa is the only European Golden Visa programme that sets the investors (and their family members) on a path for permanent residency and citizenship af ter five years without requiring physical presence in the countr y for more than seven days per year (or 14 days in ever y two years).

If you are considering Por tugal as a possible destination of choice or even simply as a possible back-up plan, you may contac t Har vey Law Group.

With over 32 years of experience in investment residency and citizenship programmes all over the world, we would be happy to advise on the destinations and programmes most suited to your personal goals.

SPONSORED CONTENT

/

HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG) 5-DAY ITINERARY FOR FOODIES

F o r a t a s t e o f P o r t u g a l ’s b e a u t i f u l c o a s t l i n e , h i s t o r y - r i c h t o w n s a n d

cuisine, weyour can suggest the following five-day itinerary: a worldwide mouth-watering presence expediating immigration goals

Canada

United States

Day 1 ⇢ Lisbon

Day 3 ⇢ Porto

� Take in Lisbon’s pretty terracottatiledUnited s k yline Kingdom f rom Mir adouro da S e n h o r a d o M o n France te viewpoint: g l i m p s e d o m e d c a t h e d rTürkiye als, cobbled alley ways and the mighty River Tagus

� Fly to Por to (one hour from Lisbon) to explore the pic turesque b i r t h p l a c e o f p o r t w i n e. C r o s s D o m L uís I Br id g e for s t u nning HONG KONG views of the Douro River and stop byMyanmar a por t wine cellar for tastings

� Make a beeline for Belém, L i s b o n’s hi s t o r i cIvoryaCoast nd laid-back Grenada old town. Near the vast Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the popular Pastéis de Belém patisserie is famed for Africa its Pastel de NataSouth (egg tar ts) Dominica

� Eat Petiscos (Por tuguese tapas), while listening to Fado, the bittersweet music that has been L i s b o n ’s s o u n d t r a c k s i n c e t h e 19th Centur y

India � Visit

L i v r a r i a L e l l o: ‘ t h e m o s t Cambodia beautiful bookstore in the world’.

Vietnam With its sweeping staircases and s tunning ar t-nouveau decor, it ’s said to have been the inspiration for JK Rowling’s Hogwar ts

� Eat Cozido à Por tuguesa (various meats and of fal boiled with rice, beans, potatoes, carrot and cabbage). Weird but delicious!

Day 4 ⇢ Douro Valley Founded in 1992, Harvey DayLaw 2 ⇢Group Sintrais a premier multinational law firm, specializing in � Book a day tour from Por to to visit Residency by Investment (RBI) and Citizen by Investment (CBI) tfor h eover D o u30 r oyears.

V a l l eWith y ’s U N E S CO � Ta k e t h e 3 0 - m i n u t e t r a i n r i d e over 20 offices worldwide representing over 30 different countries and their respective listed, terraced vineyards, and from Lisbon to Sintra, a charming enjoy the wine tastings Investment Immigration hillside programs, Harvey Law Group has provided its services to over retreat. V isit Palácio da na, w the i t h iworld. t s f ai r As y - t al e tdemand u r r e t s for Investment Immigration 10,000 families from all Pe around the a n d d o m e s , a n d t h e g l o r i o u s on to the service offering, but programs grows, various emerging companies have latched gardens and grot toes at Quint a Day 5 ⇢ The Harvey Law Group remains the only legacy law firm that specializes in Algarve Investment da Regaleira Immigration as a discipline. � Fly to Faro (one hour from Por to) � Soak up the daz zling views from for a firsthand glimpse of the the Santuário da Peninha, almost Algar ve’s beautiful beaches 5 0 0 m a bOur o v eprograms: sea level.

Walk the breathtaking clif f s � Hop on a boat to take in Praia da S H O U T- O U T T O R E A D E R S : t o g l i m p s e P r a i a d o G u i n c h o, M a r i n h a ’s t o w e r i n g l i m e s t o n e If you have a favourite Por tuguese Cascais and Cabo da Roca clif fs andprograms the mysterious marine Residency Citizenship by Investment in recipe to share, please email itby to Investment in over light hous e, t he wes ter nmos t grottoes of Algar de Benagil 6 continents the Caribbean, Europe and Asia Pacific r achel@arounddb.com, along with over 20 countries point of mainland Europe photos of you preparing or eating � Eat Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato t h e d i s h . Yo u m a y f i n d y o u r s e l f � Eat Bacalhau à Brás (salted cod, (clams in a garlic, olive oil and wine featured in the nex t issue of the o nio n, g ar lic, p ot ato f r ie s, e g g sauce), Arroz de Marisco (seafood Retirement Visas Citizenship

by Ancestry magazine, or in our upcoming ADB and coriander) or Cataplana de rice) and Sardinhas Assadas Around the World Cookbook.

Marisco (seafood stew) (grilled sardines)

Hong Kong Island: Unit 2505-6, 25/F, United Asia Finance Centre, 333 Lockhart Road, Wanchai Discovery Bay: Unit 3, L/G Unit, Block One, North Plaza

T: +852 2416 8618

T: +852 2116 1333

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

27

WISH LIST

LOVE KNOT SILVER 6.5MM CHAIN BRACELET WITH BLACK RHODIUM, JOHN HARDY, HK$13,300

CAVIAR GIFT BOX BY KAVIARI PARIS, PLANTIN KAVIARI, FROM HK$710

WWW.JOHNHARDY.COM

SOUKUU TRAIL RUN PERFORATED SS TOP, THE NORTH FACE, HK$1,098 WWW.THENORTHFACE.COM.HK

/

Oh Daddy!

WWW.PLANTINKAVIARI.HK

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Gratifying gift ideas for June 15

SONUS ACE HEADPHONES, SONUS, HK$3,480 WWW.SONOS.COM

ALPHA BRAVO LOGISTIC BACKPACK IN ROYAL BLUE OMBRE, TUMI, HK$5,300 W W W.TUMI-HK.COM

THE GLENLIVET 200 YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION, THE GLENLIVET, HK$538

INGENIEUR AUTOMATIC 40 WITH BLUE DIAL, IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN, HK$91,500

WWW.THEGLENLIVET.COM

CHATEAU PONTET CANET 2006, CASE OF SIX, HOUSE OF FINE WINES, HK$4,320 WWW.WGFSHOP.COM

COFFEE ROUTE GIFT SET, BACHA COFFEE, HK$400 W W W.BACHACOFFEE .COM

WWW.IWC.COM

BEOLAB 50 LOUDSPEAKERS (PAIR), FERRARI EDITION, BANG & OLUFSEN, HK$735,000 WWW.BANG-OLUFSEN.COM

TOM & TEDDY SHORTS IN BLUE & ROUGE CITRUS, ESCAPADE SPORTS, HK$749 WWW.ESCAPADE.COM.HK AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

29

PARENTING

/

! s e i b a B d n a s Dog MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Said to be man’s best friend, dogs can provide kids with a host of benefits even in very early childhood PHOTO BY Andrew Spires

30

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

PARENTING

/

Having a dog is a huge responsibilit y and, traditionally, that ’s one of the main reasons we bring them into our kids’ lives. With a pet in the house, children learn what it means to take care of a dependant animal, one who relies on the family for pret t y much ever y thing from food and exercise to love and cuddles.

Get ting children involved in a dog’s care prepares them for responsibilities later in life, and by the same token it builds their self- esteem. Once children realise that their dog’s sur vival and happiness is dependent on their ac tions, they will feel good about themselves and their achievement.

There are numerous ways to involve kids in the care of a dog and the tasks you assign should be age-appropriate, such as allowing a three-yearold, who is too young to walk a dog, to put the water bowl down instead. Older kids can of course take more responsibilit y, even sole responsibilit y for a dog. It ’s impor tant to ask yourself how much responsibilit y your children can handle. How much assistance will they need from you.

In bringing a dog into our children’s lives, many of us want to repeat the past… We look back to our own childhood when we were inseparable from our four-legged companion, and we want our children to have the same experience. A dog can be the per fec t playmate: a source of comfor t, a trusted friend and a supplier of unconditional love.

H

ave you noticed that almost ever y young family has a dog? Sometimes the baby comes first, sometimes it ’s the pup. Either way, dog ownership is the way many of us measure our family’s ‘completeness’. This phenomenon is par ticularly noticeable in DB (Dogs and Babies, right?), where ever y family seems to have at least one of each.

The question is why. Why does the pic ture of an ‘ideal family’ contain a dog? For sure, photos of our children playing with their brand-new pedigree pup or endearing rescue mut t can up our following on Instagram but there’s so much more to it than that. Research shows that dog ownership can positively contribute to our children’s health, both mental and physical. Let ’s take a look.

The bond that develops between kids and their dogs can be ver y strong, so much so that children of ten name their pet when asked who they would go to with a problem. Dogs can make children feel unconditionally accepted, whereas friends, siblings and sometimes even parents can judge and criticise.

Research shows that dog ownership also makes children happier and less stressed. Pet ting a dog has been proven to lower cor tisol levels in both the person and the pet. Playing with a dog raises levels of serotonin and dopamine, which means we feel calm and content.

In choosing a four-legged playmate for your child, it can be dif ficult to decide which breed is the best fit. Golden Retrievers, Beagles and Irish Set ters are all sound choices – known to be play ful and protec tive. Pugs, Brussels Grif fons and French Bulldogs love their families – par ticularly their laps. Breeds associated with aggressive behaviour – German Shepherds, Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers – are seldom seen on ‘best family dog’ list s but there are always exceptions. Remember AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

31

PARENTING

/

that while breed plays a par t, each dog has it s own unique personalit y.

Multiple studies show that children who own dogs are more empathetic, and better able to understand and share the feelings of others than those who don’t.

As children bond with their dog, they learn to read its behaviour and understand its needs – they learn to know when it’s hungr y and needs food, when it’s happy and wants to play, when it’s sad or stressed and needs affection. It makes sense that this ability to empathise transfers to human interactions.

Research shows that owning a pet can significantly lower the chances of children showing violent and/ or bullying behaviours. By the same token, their enhanced abilit y to empathise may lead them to stand up to bullies if they see their friends being badly treated.

We want our children to be kind, considerate and compassionate. Just as impor tantly, they need to learn to set boundaries for themselves and respec t those of others. And here again dog ownership can help. Think about what happens when a child pulls a dog’s tail, or stomps on it s feet. Despite not speaking our language, dogs are expressive enough to make us understand when we’ve crossed the line. Discussing a dog’s reac tion can open the way for a wider conversation with our children about their own personal boundaries and those of their friends.

O ne of t he mos t o bvious b e nef it s of d og ow ner s hip is t hat it kee ps k id s ac tive. But it may s ur p r is e you to k now jus t how ac tive t hey are compare d to c hildre n w ho d on’t ow n d og s. According to a Child Hear t and Healt h St ud y (CHA SE ), a St George’s p rojec t ex amining t he healt h of 5,0 0 0 UK- bas e d p r imar y s c hool s t ud e nt s, c hildre n wit h d og s s p e nt an aver age of 325 minutes (more t han f ive hour s) d oing p hysic al ac tivit y p er day, 11 more minutes t han t hos e wit hout d og s. Dog ow ner s als o s p e nt 11 fewer minutes (562 minutes over t he s eve n day s tint ) in s e d e nt ar y b e haviour eac h day, and t hey were found to t ake 36 0 more s te ps t han t he ot her k id s.

Surprisingly enough, homes with dogs are also healthier for kids. Research has shown that babies in homes with dogs have fewer colds, fewer ear infec tions and need fewer antibiotic s in their first year of life than those raised in pet-free homes.

Children who grow up with a dog have fewer respirator y trac t infec tions and get asthma much less of ten than other kids.

It ’s not clear why living with a dog makes such a dif ference. A time-honoured theor y, the hygiene hypothesis, suggest s that children’s immune 32

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

THE BOND THAT DEVELOPS BETWEEN KIDS AND THEIR DOGS CAN BE VERY STRONG, SO MUCH SO THAT CHILDREN OFTEN NAME THEIR PET WHEN ASKED WHO THEY WOULD GO TO WITH A PROBLEM systems mature best when infant s are exposed to germs in just the right amount. Too many germs are unhealthy but so is a sterile, germ-free home.

That theor y is now giving way to the microbiome hypothesis. It ’s no longer about get ting ex posed to the right number of microbes, but to good bac teria and vir uses that alter the microbes in children’s intes tines and protec t agains t both allergies and infec tions.

Of course, this isn’t a one-size-fit s-all kind of thing. It would be a mistake to bring a dog into the house of a 12-year- old with asthma – exposure has to happen ver y early in life. And what of kids who are allergic to dogs? Are any dog breeds hypoallergenic? The shor t answer is no but there are less-allergenic breeds – dogs with a lowshedding coat – around whom allergy-suf ferers can sometimes be comfor table. Call your local animal shelter, they might just happen to have an almost hairless Chinese Crested who’s waiting patiently to complete your family.

INSIDER

/

! s p i T Top

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY Ready to take phenomenal photos with your phone?

Around DB photographer Andrew Spires, who uses his Huwei Pura70 Pro even for cover shoots, has the lowdown PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires

I

had some friends in town so we took them out for dinner on D’Deck. A s the sun was set ting and we were entering ‘golden hour ’ – where the sun creates that beautiful sof t glow – we asked a pas sing waitres s if they wouldn’t mind t aking our photo. She looked ter rified. The resulting photogr aph, on later inspec tion, was of the waitres s’ face. Clearly panicked by t aking s tr anger s’ pic tures, she’d inadver tently switched to the rever se c amer a and snapped her own beautiful profile.

To avoid this fear and be a phenomenal phone photogr apher, follow my top tips to unlock your phone c amer a’s secret power s and build your confidence behind the lens.

T he f ir s t s te p is t he easies t. Unles s you’re af ter t hat 1970 s s nuf f- movie loo k, clean your le ns. A s mud ge d le ns c an mean t he dif fere nce b et ween a haz y s naps hot and a c r is p, vib r ant p hoto. Clean your le ns b efore ever y s hoot. A q uic k wip e wit h a mic rof ib re clot h (I use my t-shir t) c an make all the dif ference.

Your phone’s f lashlight should only ever be used to find your keys at night. Avoid using it to lighten your subjec t, as it will f lat ten your image and give it a creepy glare. You c an switch it of f by clicking the f lash icon. Click it of f and keep it of f. Ins tead, seek out ambient light sources: a desk lamp, s tring light s, or even the glow of another smar tphone screen c an add moody and cinematic f lair.

34

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

The best way to combat blur is by keeping your phone completely still. Place your phone on a shelf or table propped up by a glass and use the phone’s timer func tion, available in the set tings. That way you can click the shot and run into the pic ture. Most phones have a night mode which ac t s as a delayed shut ter, allowing in more light, but again, you’ll need to balance your phone on a solid objec t to keep it still when using this func tion. If you’re still using wired headphones, you can press the volume but ton to ac tivate the shut ter. Finally, simply ask the people being photographed to stand or sit ver y still, and voila, crisp and clear shot s, even in the corner of the pub!

Grid it up. A well- composed photo doesn’t jus t c apture a scene – it guides the viewer ’s eye. One of the bes t les sons I was t aught on photogr aphy is the ‘Rule of Thirds,’ a simple principle where you ment ally divide your fr ame into a 3x3 grid.

Luckily, your phone c an do this for you. Click the set tings icon and selec t the grid. Unlike the f lash, you should always keep this on. Place your subjec t along these grid lines or at their inter sec tions to create a more dynamic shot. Align your subjec t ’s eyes with the top gridline, or a landsc ape where a solit ar y tree s t ands at the inter sec tion of the right third of the grid lines. Avoid placing your subjec t right in the middle of the shot.

Negative space is also wor th considering. If you’re shooting a sk y or sea, emphasise that ex panse by placing another objec t, be it a boat or plane, right

INSIDER

/

PLAY WITH YOUR PHONE’S AUTOFOCUS FUNCTION

CAPTURE THE UNEXPECTED

NS

ES

LEAD THE VIEWER’S EYE INTO THE PICTURE

O

LE

GE T

UP CLOSE WITH MA

CR

MAXIMISE CONTRAST FOR IMPACT

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

35

INSIDER

/

at the bot tom or to the far edges of your fr ame – give your subjec t room to breathe.

For high- contr as t scenes like woods or clouds, you c an enable HDR, or High Dynamic Range mode. Your phone will t ake multiple ex posures to preser ve det ail in both highlight s and shadows.

You might want to tur n this of f af ter using it as the image files will be larger than usual and will t ake up valuable phone memor y.

If you’re shooting the kids playing with a ball or a black kite diving for it s dinner, not only will you need great light, but you c an maximise your chances of a great shot by using the bur s t mode, which will t ake a series of shot s a second. You then simply go back through the images and delete any shot s that don’t hit the mar k. It ’s a good idea to get into the habit of deleting poor images or someday you’ll go to t ake that once -ina-lifetime selfie with Chris Mar tin and find your phone is out of memor y.

Get your self, as well as your subjec t into position.

Don’t shoot ever y pic ture s t anding up. Crouch down and shoot up at your subjec t. This wor ks well when shooting ref lec tions in puddles. You c an also play around with ref lec tions in windows, sunglas ses, or even your subjec t ’s eyeballs!

Adding an objec t in the foreground of your shot c an lead the viewer ’s eye into the pic ture. The bes t technique for this is to use the phone’s autofocus func tion. Imagine you’re in a cof fee shop and you want to c apture your par tner reading their book opposite you. A s opposed to simply t aking their pic ture, pop a cof fee cup right up in the foreground, then place your phone upside down – the benefit of this being you’re put ting the phone’s c amer a at it s lowes t point for a whole new exciting per spec tive. Now touch the screen so that the focus is only interes ted in your friend and blur s the cof fee cup and foreground, then shoot. You now have a beautiful image and not a dull, lis tles s pic ture of your mate. Share this on the socials and you’ll r ack up the engagement.

So you’ve t aken some great shot s. Now to the final s t age, editing. St ar t with free apps like Lightroom Mobile for precision adjus tment s or Snapseed for healing away dis tr ac tions like hanging c ables or r ubbish. Preset filter s c an add war mth or grit, but don’t overdo it. You’re not 10 – over-filtered photos look ter rible. Be c areful too with the vignet te func tion. Les s is more.

W hen editing your snaps, follow this simple wor k f low: adjus t ex posure to balance light, t weak shadows and highlight s to recover det ail, nudge vibr anc y (not satur ation!) for natur al colour pop, 36

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

and finish with subtle shar pening. Remember, editing should enhance, not over power. You’ll soon notice you develop your own signature look.

Once you’ve mas tered the basic s, ex periment wildly. Use apps like Slow Shut ter Cam to blur r ushing water falls or c ar headlight s into s treaks of colour. Have fun with it.

Finally, it ’s wor th t alking about which phone has the bes t c amer a. I use an Huwei Pur a70 Pro. The c amer a is mind - bendingly good. The Samsung S25 Ultr a also scores highly, along with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, although this is HK$4,0 0 0 more ex pensive than it s competitor s. A mazingly, the upcoming hor ror 28 Year s L ater was shot entirely on an iPhone 15, per haps proving that we’re nearing the end of the DSLR! The convenience of having an almos t profes sional qualit y c amer a in your pocket is something I don’t t ake for gr anted, although I s till look back at photos I took on my iPhone 11 and realise it ’s more about the qualit y of the composition and the thought that ’s gone into the shot, than the tech used to c apture it.

5

AFFORDABLE ACCESSORIES

1. Clip-on macro lenses: turn you into a close-up photo taking machine, only useful if your phone’s zoom is any good.

2. Flexible mini tripod: s teadies your phone for a cr ys tal- clear shot, but a bit cumber some to carr y around.

3. Por table ring light: provides flat tering light any where, but you’ll look like a loony.

4. Por table bat ter y: handy if you’re out all day and not near a plug socket. Jus t remember to charge it and bring the correc t cable.

Not like me.

5. Lens cleaning pen: much bet ter than your t-shir t.

PROTECT WHAT MATTERS SOLUTIONS FOR: ; Life Insurance ; Critical Illness Insurance ; Private Medical Insurance ; Income Protection Insurance www.lfsinsurance.com | info@lfsinsurance.com | +852 3115 7620

family

A sensory

and l

wonderlan ning d fo r a e

l the r al

We are a Nature Based, Arts and Crafts Activity Venue in Mui wo, Lantau Island

Contact us to find out more ◆ School Camp ◆ Little Farmer Weekend Program ◆ Venue Rental for Partys ◆ Allotment Rental ◆ BBQ & Picnic Rental

5545 0265

will.being.farm.hk wellbeing_farm.hk

! e im T Vacation ESCAPES

/

PACIFIC PARADISE Aloha Oahu PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

YOUR GUIDEBOOK WILL TELL YOU that Hawaii has been

a US state since 1959, and that it is the northernmost island group in Polynesia. A volcanic archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, it comprises hundreds of islands spread over 2,400 kilometres. But all that is just words – you really have to see Hawaii to believe it.

OAHU, THE GATHERING PLACE,

is where most visitors get their first taste of Hawaii. While its high-rise resorts don’t provide anything like a desert island experience, they can claim to supply the ultimate in RnR. You’re free to enjoy the best beach holiday ever, with a large helping of Hawaiian hospitality thrown in.

FLY INTO HONOLULU and make a

beeline for world-famous Waikiki Beach, renowned for its golden sands and iconic Diamond Head backdrop. Here, you can try your hand at surfing or simply soak up the sun before heading into the lush tropical hinterland. Take a hike to Manoa Falls, where a stunning 30-metre waterfall awaits.

38

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

IF THE PERFECT WAVE EXISTS, YOU’LL FIND it

ESCAPES

/

on Oahu’s North Shore, where 10-metre waves draw the best surfers in the world. Stretching for more than 11 kilometres, the North Shore beaches host the world’s premier surfing competitions during the peak winter months, including the biggest of them all, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

HANAUMA BAY NATURE RESERVE is a must for

snorkelling and scuba-diving. A marine-life conservation district, it boasts crystal-clear waters teeming with glittering silver fish, parrotfish and the occasional sea turtle. From an overlook you can see the outline of the 7,000-yearold coral reef that stretches across the width of the bay.

FOR LUSH RAINFORESTS, GIGANTIC LAVA-ROCK

formations and gently rolling hills, make your way to Central Oahu, the fertile valley between the Waianae and Koolau mountain ranges. Here you can explore Wahiawa Botanical Garden and discover the island’s rich agricultural history at Hawaii’s Plantation Village.

FOR TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN CUISINE, stop at one of Oahu’s legendary

food trucks and create your own ‘plate lunch,’ piled with kalua (pulled pork), lomi lomi (salmon salad) and poi (sweet and sour tarot). Order a poke bowl on the side. Visit the lively farmers’ markets in Kailua or Haleiwa for a taste of local life and fresh tropical fruits.

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

39

FROM AGES 2.5 - ADULT

Enjoy sundowners on board!

ACHING TE

6

YS

E

K

A

D

ACRODANCE FREESTYLE HIP HOP BALLET JAZZ TAP

A WE

Spend an evening cruising Hong Kong’s beautiful harbour with our special night junk packages.

ISTD EXAMS PRIVATE CLASSES

&

BOOK NOW FOR THE FINEST JUNK EXPERIENCES

Birthday Parties

TRIAL CLASS

Available!

ANNUAL SHOWCASE | LOCAL PERFORMANCES HONG KONG, LANTAU ISLAND AND KOWLOON www.islanddance.com.hk dance@islanddance.com.hk |

+852 9159 0663

T: 2516 7397 / M: 5431 8894 bookings@charterjunkshk.com www.charterjunkshk.com

HOME CHEF

/

Recipe of the Month!

LEMONADE POPSICLES Serves 10 2 lemons 100g granulated sugar 480ml water

Cut one lemon in half lengthwise, then squeeze out the juice (120ml) by hand or with a juicer. Place the sugar and half the water in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Remove the pan from the heat. Add the lemon juice and remaining water to the saucepan and stir. Pour the liquid into a jug and set aside to cool completely.

Pour the lemonade into ice-lolly moulds. Cut the remaining lemon thinly and place one piece in each mould. Add the sticks and freeze for a minimum of eight hours.

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

41

! a i v i r T f o t i B e l A Litt QUIZ

/

20 QUESTIONS How much do you know about the month of June?

BY Kayli Liebenberg

1. What are June’s zodiac signs?

A. Gemini and Cancer B. Pisces and Taurus C. Leo and Scorpio 2. In the Northern Hemisphere, which day is the longest of the year?

A. June 21 B. June 23 C. June 30 3. What is June’s birthstone?

A. Opal B. Pearl C. Amethyst 4. When do we celebrate Father’s Day in Hong Kong this year?

A. June 8 B. June 15 C. June 22 5. Which greenfield music festival, held annually in June, is the largest in the world?

A. Glastonbur y B. Green Man C. Burning Man 42

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

QUIZ

6. What is June’s full moon called?

A. Blackberr y Moon B. Blueberr y Moon C. Strawberr y Moon 7.

Which US state hosts a Superman Celebration annually in June?

A. Illinois B. Indiana C. Iowa 8. In Greek mythology, which goddess is associated with June?

A. Athena B. Hera C. Demeter 9.

Which famous comedian, known for his silent films, was born on June 16, 1890?

A. Oliver Hardy B. Buster Keaton C. Stan Laurel 10. On June 9, 1898, the British signed a 99-year lease for Hong Kong: when did the lease expire?

A. June 1, 1997 B. June 31, 1997 C. July 1, 1997

/

14. Which ground-breaking author, born on June 25, 1903, wrote 1984?

A. Virginia Wolf B. George Or well C. James Joyce 15. In June 2002, which singing competition premiered on TV? A. The X Factor B. American Idol C. America’s Got Talent 16. What do we celebrate on June 5?

A. World Environment Day B. World Oceans Day C. World Rainforest Day 17. Which Hong Kong-based actor was born on June 27, 1962?

A. Phillippe Joly B. Tony Leung Chiu-wai C. Leslie Cheung 18. How much did Kurt Cobain’s acoustic guitar from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance sell for at auction on June 21, 2020?

A. US$2 million B. US$4 million C. US$6 million

11. Which famous singer known as ‘The King of Pop’ passed away on June 25, 2009?

19. Which sabbat do Wiccans celebrate in June?

A. Prince

A. Lammas

B. George Michael

B. Ostara

C. Michael Jackson

C. Litha

12. Which actor, who starred in Shawshank Redemption, was born on June 1, 1937?

A. Morgan Freeman

20. American country singer June Carter was born on June 23, 1929: who did she marry in 1968?

B. Tim Robbins

A. Johnny Cash

C. Bob Gunton

B. Carl Smith C. Roy Orbison

13. What is June’s birth flower?

A. Rose B. Snowdrop C. Daffodil

You can check your score at www.arounddb.com> 20 questions>june-quiz AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

43

! d or w ss o Lantau Cr PUZZLES

/

Lantau Beaches

BEACHES AND BAYS Across

Lantau Beaches

4. Man-made in DB

1

2

3

5

4

7. Home of Bathers 8. Home of Treasure Island

6

10. Known for its seagrass beds

7

11. Divides the Pearl River from the South China Sea 12. On the Yam O peninsula

8

14. Sits below Ling Fa Shan peak

9

15. Faces Shek Kwu Chau 16. South of Chi Ma Wan peninsula 17. Favoured by kiteboarders

10 11 12 13

Down

14

1. Near Our Lady of Joy Abbey 2. Located near Auberge Discovery Bay 3. The longest on Lantau 4. Homes a sea arch that looks like an elephant 5. Faces nor th to Hong Kong International Airpor t 6. Sounds as low key as it is 9. Film location in Double Impac t 13. By Sea Ranch

16

17

Sudoku Across 4 Man-made in DB 7 Home of Bathers 8 Home of Treasure Island 9 for 3 its seagrass 6 10 Known Id: 29364 Id: 101581 beds 6 3 1 4 Level: Moderate 11 Divides the PearlLevel: Moderate River 4 China 8 from the South Set Numbers: 25 Set Numbers: 23 Sea 1 6 9 7 12 On the Yam O peninsula 8 below 4 Ling 5Fa 7Shan 14 Sits peak 7 9 8 4 15 Faces Shek Kwu Chau 16 South of Chi Ma Wan 1 7 H Answers peninsula 2 4 17 Favoured by kiteboarders AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

SUDOKU

44

15

Down Sudoku 1 Near Our Lady of Joy Abbey 2 Located 1 7 near Auberge 9 Discovery Bay 6 Lantau 1 4 3 The longest on 4 Homes a sea arch 8 5 that looks like an elephant 5 north to Hong 9 Kong 7 5 Faces 6 International 3 Airport 6 Sounds as low key as it is 4 film 2 location 5 6 9 A for Double 3 Impact 7 (1991) 13 By Sea Ranch 5

5

2

8

CONNECT WITH KRISTIN JIANG TO REACH AN ENGAGED AND AFFLUENT AUDIENCE IN DISCOVERY BAY!

Special

advertising packages available for

2025

Discovery Bayʼs original community magazine, Around DB is the trusted provider of local information for DB residents. The magazine is delivered to every village in DB, plus key local businesses and we now also have a very active online presence. Our website receives over 45,000 visitors per month, and the Around DB Facebook and Instagram pages have more than 25,000 followers.

We are currently offering special advertising packages (both print and digital) for 2025.

For tailor-made advertising packages to reach our unique readership, email our sales manager Kristin Jiang at kristin@arounddb.com

www.arounddb.com

JOIN OUR 25,000+ Facebook & Instagram followers Scan to follow us!

WIN EXCITING PRIZES! GET LOCAL NEWS UPDATES! REGISTER FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS!

b dd

re a photo with #a rou Sha n

Your mission this month is to share your favourite photo of DB on Instagram #arounddb. You have until the 20th of the month to enter. This is your chance to win four complimentary drinks from Uncle Russ and The Pier Bar.

The Warriors CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST MONTH’S WINNER: Gita Go @852go.snapshot

We will contact the winner on Instagram #arounddb.

Good luck!

' s e r i p S w e Andr

DB FACES

/

COMMUNITY SNAPS

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

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

47

CLASSIFIEDS

/

WEEKLY (EVERY TUESDAY)

E V E RY C H I L D D E S E RV E S TO C E L E B R AT E T H E I R B I RT H DAY TO K E E P A S A L I FE- LO N G M E M O RY

RECYCLING POP-UP Did you know you can ONLY recycle plastic bottles #1 and #2, paper, metal and glass in your building's recycling bin?

In front of Parkridge

Birthday Happiness Asia strives to create exciting and special memories for children who do not have the same advantages as most of their peers.

10am - 1pm, 2.30 - 5.30pm

e cy c l e o t h e r p l a s To r ti cs , i ncl u di n ystyrene) c d a i r u t q o g p o l y f oa m ( p o l li ns (T , e tra Paks), s , e r i r e e c t h arg e a ble bat r gy s a v i n g l i g h t bul ene bs an d w aste e l e c t r on ic s , t a k e i t to the WEEK

VOLUNTEER

DONATE b i r th d a y h a p p i n e s s a s i a @ g m a i l .co m

+ 852 9635 3349

So

Ma

phie

n

go

CTION IES COLLE

TOILETR

ME

PROGRAM

DONATE NOW

SUPPORT PEOPLE IN NEED AND HELP REDUCE WASTE! The Amber Foundation collects unused airline and hotel amenities and toiletries and distributes them to Hong Kong’s homeless, refugees, women in shelters, the elderly and people in need. www.theamberfoundation.org

48

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

w w w. b h a s i a .o rg

Volunteer Donate Adopt

LY RE CYCLIN G P OP-UP

Find out more at the Islands Recycling Station FB page.

Help us deliver birthday happiness to many less fortunate children

www.vkblantau.com

HELP US TO HELP THEM

PHONE DIRECTORY

LOCAL NUMBERS

/

TUNG CHUNG

EMERGENCY SERVICES (999) Tung Chung Ambulance Depot ································· 2988 8282 Tung Chung Fire Station ··········································· 2988 1898 Tung Chung Police Station ········································ 3661 1999 HOTELS Four Points by Sheraton ··········································· 2352 8000 HK SkyCity Marriott ·················································· 3969 1888 Novotel Citygate HK ················································ 3602 8888 Regal Airport Hotel ·················································· 2286 8888 Sheraton Tung Chung ··············································· 2535 0000 The Silveri HK ·························································· 3602 8989 LEARNING CENTRES CWCC ······································································ 2817 2318 ESF Tung Chung ······················································· 3742 3500 Discovery Mind HK ··················································· 2987 8070 Greenfield International Kindergarten ······················· 2162 5538 Sun Island Education Foundation ······························ 2420 1068 Tung Chung Catholic School ····································· 2121 0884 YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC) Direct Subsidy Scheme, Tung Chung-based secondary school providing an international-style education with English as the medium of instruction. Call 2988 8123

MEDICAL Bayside Dental ························································· 2185 6550 Essential Health Family Clinic ··································· 2109 9396 North Lantau Hospital Rural general hospital in Tung Chung with a 24-hour accident & emergency service. Outpatient services include the North Lantau Community Health Centre. Call 3467 7000

Quality Health Dental ··············································· 2403 6623

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY A Tavola Bar & Grill Multi-cuisine dining concept at Seaview Crescent Plaza, Tung Chung, specialising in pasta, pizza & mains from the grill. Indoor & outdoor seating. Call 2321 5500

Basic Bistro ······························································ 2305 5508 Cabana Breeze ························································· 2777 8982 Café Aficionado ······················································· 2286 6238 Handi ······································································· 2988 8674 Jasmine ···································································· 2162 8018 Man Mano ································································ 3500 5885 Mint & Basil ······························································ 2762 8077 Moon Lok Chiu Chow ················································ 2116 8149 My Thai ···································································· 2907 6918 Sunset Grill ······························································· 2535 0025 The New Chapter ······················································ 2907 6988 Upper Deck ······························································ 2757 8889 Yue ·········································································· 2535 0028 Velocity Bar & Grill ···················································· 3969 1888 Wok n Roll ································································ 5182 7646 SPORTS Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool ···························· 2109 9107 Tung Chung Sports Centre ········································ 2109 2421 Tung Chung Rugby Club ··········································· 6079 0825 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Royal Pets (Pet Sitting) ·············································· 6314 9887 Tung Chung Animal Clinic ········································· 2988 1534 Tung Chung Vet Centre ············································· 2328 7282 WELLBEING & BEAUTY Max Beauty Spa ························································ 2162 5752 OM Spa ···································································· 2286 6266 Nail Ninjas ································································ 6909 9229 Quan Spa ································································· 3692 1888

SOUTH LANTAU EMERGENCY SERVICES (999) Lantau South Ambulance ·········································· 2980 2254 Lantau South Police ·················································· 3661 1696 Mui Wo Fire Department ··········································· 2984 1570 HOTELS Silvermine Beach Resort ············································ 6810 0111 Tai O Heritage Hotel ················································· 2985 8383 LEARNING CENTRES A Collective Space ·················································· 9848 8552 Ark Eden ·································································· 2984 5355 Buddhist Fat Ho College ··········································· 2985 5365 Lantau International School ······································· 2984 0302 Silvermine Bay School ··············································· 2984 0006

La Pizzeria ································································· 2984 8933 Lantana Italian Bistro ················································· 5465 5511 Long Island ······························································· 2320 2001 Pause Cafe ································································ 5267 5549 Po Lin Monastery Vegetarian ····································· 2985 4736 Solo ········································································· 9153 7453 The China Beach Club ··············································· 2983 8931 The Gallery ······························································· 2980 2582 The Kitchen ······························································ 5991 6292

REALTORS Findley Leung ··························································· 2984 8334 HomeSolutions ·························································· 3483 5003

SHOPPING Bella Ciao Lantau ······················································ 9321 0487 Friendly Bike Shop ···················································· 2984 2278 Garden Plus ······························································ 2980 2233 Island Wines ····························································· 9521 8481 Lantau Grocer ··························································· 2702 0050 Loi Chan Frozen Meat Co. ········································· 9095 4543 Value Vigilantes ························································ 6132 9120 VIBE Book & Music Shop ··········································· 9088 2370

RESTAURANTS Caffé Paradiso ··························································· 2984 0498 China Bear ································································ 2984 9720 Grill House by Capo ·················································· 9263 5840

SPORTS Long Coast Seasports ················································ 5545 5625 South Lantau Paddle Club ········································· 6058 8843 Treasure Island Group ················································ 2546 3543 AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

49

LOCAL NUMBERS

/

DISCOVERY BAY EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 China Light & Power ················································· 2728 8333 DB Fire & Ambulance ················································ 2987 7502 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. 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 Good Luck Engineering ············································· 2987 1313 Green Clean ····························································· 5644 1167 Greenland Pest Control ············································ 9871 0771 Island Cleaning Solutions ········································· 6091 5176 Open Kitchen Contractor ········································· 9278 9319 Rich Point Hardware Materials ··································· 2987 0789 Synergy Pest Control ················································· 5604 3950 Tai Fat Hardware Store ·············································· 2987 0789 HOTELS Auberge Discovery Bay Five-star hotel in DB North with 22 mountain/ ocean-view rooms & suites. Meetings & events, dining, wellness & recreation. 25 minutes from HKIA. Call 2295 8288

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

Manulife ··································································· 9172 9152 KIDS CLUBS DBees ······································································ 9867 9240 Funfit ······································································· 6302 6327 HK Dragons Football Club Coaching for girls & boys aged 2.5 to 14 years at DBIS & DB North pitches. The professional coaches (FA level 2 or above) are First Aid & CPR qualified. Call 2987 4274

Harry Wright Trusted swim partner offering expert-led lessons at Club Siena with a structured progression system, small group sizes & international-standard coaching. Call 2575 6279

iGym Gymnastics ······················································ 6077 2758 Jungle School ··························································· 9095 7250 Living Oceans ··························································· 6701 9203 Tekkerz Curriculum for U3 to U14 boys & girls designed to develop technical skills & overall game play by using a ‘maximum touch’ approach. Training at DB North pitch. Call 9770 4548

The Performers Studio ·············································· 6894 7243 50

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

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 scientifically structured for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Seafront views & an outdoor play space at DB North Plaza. Call 2185 6134

HKILA ······································································· 2416 3198 Mathemagic (home tutoring) ····································· 9135 4724 S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School ·································· 2987 8608 Woodentots Montessori Playgroup ···························· 6108 9131 MEDICAL Bayside Dental (DB Plaza) ·········································· 2285 8068 Bayside Dental (DB North) ········································· 2987 0855 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 MOVERS Bernardo Removals Home & office relocations. Full service (transportation, packing, unpacking & some storage). DB based, HK-wide service. Efficient, friendly & economical. Established 2012. Call 9854 4410

FTC Relocations ······················································· 2814 1658 Nauzer Moving Service ············································· 6076 2500 ReloSmart ································································ 2561 3030 Rocket Movers ·························································· 5134 0044 PLACES OF WORSHIP DB Alliance Church ··················································· 2987 8136 DB Anglican Church ·················································· 2987 4210 DB International Community Church ·························· 2987 7061 Trinity Chapel ··························································· 3590 8017 REALTORS Centaline Property Agency ········································ 2987 8484 Century 21 Newcourt Realty ······································ 2987 9729 Headland Homes ······················································ 2987 2088 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 ································································ 2987 7382 DB Football Club ······················································ 9770 4548 DB Golf Club ···························································· 2987 7273 DB Ice Rink ······························································ 2234 0187

LOCAL NUMBERS

/

DISCOVERY BAY 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 Epic Foods ······························································· 2172 6111 Figos Seaside Café ··················································· 2987 2995 il Bel Paese Heart-warming dishes made from the freshest ingredients provide the ultimate Italian experience. Simple & inviting decor. Located in DB Plaza. Call 2987 0202

Island Café ······························································· 2987 9311 JOO Korean Grill & Bar ············································· 2234 6118 Koh Tomyums Thai ···················································· 2987 0767 La Creation ······························································ 2987 1829 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 Shanghai Breeze ······················································· 2987 7808 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 – Bar Grill & Restaurant.

Steakhouse, specialising in modern international cuisine with a dedicated kids’ menu. Pet-friendly, located in DB Plaza Extension overlooking DB Ice Rink. Call 5444 6046

Three Sheets Marquee Bar ········································ 2987 0966 Uncle Russ ································································ 2840 1188 Viet Bu Tong Kitchen & Bar········································ 2338 8970 SHOPPING 7-Eleven ··································································· 2299 1110 Bloom ······································································ 6117 7653 Circle K ···································································· 2991 6337 Coco Express ··························································· 9220 3527 Cosmo Computers ···················································· 5136 1799 European Touch ························································ 2918 0868 Felix & Mina ····························································· 2130 7013 Fusion ······································································ 2987 7486 Genius Loci ······························································ 5633 5088 Gillian Florist ··························································· 2529 8256 Greenmont Kids ······················································· 5345 1451 il Bel Paese Express ·················································· 2997 6303

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 Watson’s ··································································· 2987 4089 Watson’s Wine ·························································· 2987 0268 SPORTS 24/7 Fitness ······························································ 6538 2247 DB Pirates ································································ 9255 6133 DB Runners ······························································ 5646 2946 DMR ········································································ 5210 7208 Embody ··································································· 6624 8712 HK Yoga Boutique yoga studio in DB North Plaza offering regular yoga classes (hatha, power flow, yin etc), plus a 500-hour Teacher Training Course. Call 6113 6770

Island Dance ···························································· 9159 0663 Kaisei Ryu Ju Jitsu ···················································· 5315 0227 Kipmovin ································································· 6436 3308 Korea Taekwondo Cheung Do Kwan ·························· 9663 8077 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 Limousine Rental ······················································ 5303 3489 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 Herbal Health Care ··················································· 2834 7276 Salon De Coiffure ····················································· 2987 4112 Sophia Essentials ······················································ 2527 0118 Spa Botanica ······························································ 2295 8129

VIEW THE ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY @www.arounddb.com To add your directory listing, call the

Around DB office on +852 6117 1889 or email info@arounddb.com

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

51

OUT THERE

/

GO YOUR OWN WAY

Don’t allow yourself to be pigeon holed, says Peter Sherwood. Let your imagination take flight PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels

I

was once inter viewed by a class of 14 -year- olds who cornered me with irresistible and wholly misplaced flat ter y. Peppered with personal questions, they threw me of f-balance with a maturit y I still lack – and demanded verbal quick fire. But spontaneit y is not my for te; a quickwit ted riposte can take weeks.

So, I wriggled and squir med, tr ying to appear brilliantly in control. They wanted to k now who the hell I am, a conundr um I also wres tle with.

Educ ation ques tions c ame up fir s t and I tried the old ‘if you c an’t convince ‘em, confuse ‘em routine,’ hoping the dis tr ac tion of a concealed tr uth would make me appear bright and amusing.

“I got a degree in communications and journalism.

I was then of fered a scholarship to Ox ford Universit y where I graduated with honours in English Literature.” That got their at tention, and I star ted to feel pret t y good. “I became the youngest- ever feature writer on The Times.”

A n imagined ‘wow ’ lit the room. I let it hang in the air, making the mos t of the reverence. Revelling in perceived awe, I pres sed on to reminisce about publishing my fir s t novel aged 25 and inter viewing various heads of s t ate. The openmouth silence was palpable as I quietly admit ted the tr uth: “Oh, and should you choose to believe any of that I have a Sydney Har bour Bridge to sell you.” (I might have said it was all a big c anard and c aused even more confusion, par ticularly amongs t the s tudent s of French.)

Looking blankly at each other, and wondering about bridges, their bemusement was complete.

E x perience had defeated c allow youth, at leas t for the moment. To esc ape humiliation and land on my feet, I needed to weave the yar n into something sur prisingly philosophic al.

“The truth? I lef t school at 15 (there being no prize for class clown) and struggled mightily at any thing but writing. I don’t recommend it, but there are many ways to get ahead in the world.

Thousands of hugely successful people never at tended universit y. Millionaire movie-maker Guy Ritchie lef t school at 16 – and he’s dyslexic. As the Romantic poet Heinrich Heine said: “If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found time to conquer the world.”

I’m a clas sic autodidac t. But I didn’t come here to give advice. We gener ally don’t want to hear it. It ’s easier to s tick to what we already believe.

Something to ponder from Stephen Fr y: “Osc ar Wilde said if you k now what you want to be you inevit ably become it. That is your punishment. But if you never k now, then you c an be any thing. There is a tr uth to that. We are not nouns; we are ver bs. I am not a thing – an ac tor, a writer – and I never k now what I’m going to do nex t. I think you c an be imprisoned if you think of your self as a noun.”

So, I gues s I’m a ver b, which is easier to remember than autodidac t.

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

52

AROUND DB / JUNE 2025

HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG) a worldwide presence expediating your immigration goals

United Kingdom France

Canada

Türkiye

HONG KONG Myanmar

United States India Dominica

Cambodia Vietnam

Ivory Coast

Grenada

South Africa

Founded in 1992, Harvey Law Group is a premier multinational law firm, specializing in Residency by Investment (RBI) and Citizen by Investment (CBI) for over 30 years. With over 20 offices worldwide representing over 30 different countries and their respective Investment Immigration programs, Harvey Law Group has provided its services to over 10,000 families from all around the world. As the demand for Investment Immigration programs grows, various emerging companies have latched on to the service offering, but Harvey Law Group remains the only legacy law firm that specializes in Investment Immigration as a discipline.

Our programs: Residency by Investment in over 6 continents over 20 countries

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

Retirement Visas

Citizenship by Ancestry

Hong Kong Island: Unit 2505-6, 25/F, United Asia Finance Centre, 333 Lockhart Road, Wanchai Discovery Bay: Unit 3, L/G Unit, Block One, North Plaza

T: +852 2416 8618

T: +852 2116 1333