Around DB June 2025 by Around DB Magazine

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

Love!

WHY DOGS AND BABIES ARE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Club Siena, Discovery Bay

Daily Programme: Saturdays only, June 30 - August 15

Weekly Camps (3 and 5-day Camps): June 30 - August 15 愉景灣海澄湖畔會所

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES ANDFULLKITCHEN OUTDOOR BBQ

WorkspaceDiscover Your Ideal

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HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS AND WIRED INTERNET

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Our layout encourages integration and interaction among members. Engage with fellow professionals and cultivate relationships in an inspiring setting that encourages creativity.

Our workspace is equipped with everything you need for a productive day, including a printer, scanner and shredder, a full kitchen and outdoor BBQ for social gatherings. We also provide free coﬀee and snacks to fuel your work!

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

Sofia Brantingham, Molly Whitehead and Fiadh-Rose Howlin have

CONTACT US

P: +852 6117 1889

E: info@arounddb.com

W: www.arounddb.com

RACHEL AINSLEY

Managing editor rachel@arounddb.com

KRISTIN JIANG

Sales manager kristin@arounddb.com

SARIN ALE

Art director

sarin@arounddb.com

KAYLI LIEBENBERG

Digital marketing coordinator kayli@arounddb.com

ANDREW SPIRES

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Ray Au, Mervyn Black, Elizabeth Kerr, Sharon Lesley Le Roux, Andrew Spires, Peter Sherwood

PRINTING

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

ADB OFFICE

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

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.

HARMONICA CLASS FOR BEGINNERS

Dickson Cheung of Adventure

Harmonica Music Centre is giving harmonica lessons for beginners on June 21 at the Multipurpose Hall, DB Office Centre. All ages are welcome: HK$100 per person, HK$50 for children aged 12 or below. Free harmonicas are provided and you can look forward to mastering a few simple songs in just 40 minutes. To find out more and enrol, head to https://forms.gle/H437dJeTM3Rvbhpt7.

Happenings 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).

DISCLAIMER

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

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 .]

DANISH CORD WEAVING WORKSHOP

Former DB resident Emmy Sandt is hosting a Danish cord weaving workshop at A Collective Space in Mui Wo on June 22. The class is open to 15 participants and is perfect for beginners. Join a community of creatives, share laughs and swap stories while you learn! To enrol (purchase two tickets for a 15% discount), head to FB /IG @collective.space or visit www.acollective.space.

& Events! KNOW IN JUNE!

PLASTIC FILM RECYCLING

Residents have been making good use of the government-funded Green@Community collection 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 polyfoam recycled, along with liquid cartons (Tetra Paks), disposable coffee cups and fibre food containers, rechargeable batteries, energy saving light bulbs and waste electronics. For more information, visit FB @Islands Recycling Station. [PHOTO BY Joanna Hewitt.]

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.

SMOKEY JOE’S IN DB NORTH

Don’t be misled by the old Buraq at Osman Bey signage, Smokey Joe’s soft-opened in February in DB North and is your go-to for juicy, handcrafted burgers; perfectly aged steaks; hearty sandwiches and – our top pick – Cajun prawn pasta. Chef Joey Daze hails from New York City 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.

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 www.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

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 effects of climate change. The aim of the game is to teach participants the fundamental science behind climate change and empower them to take action. 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.

HARRY WRIGHT 50TH CELEBRATIONS: SWIM WITH THE BEST

FOOTBALL QUIZ AT THE CHIPPY

As a way to celebrate Ampcontrol DB’s Masters Cup win at the 2025 HKFC Standard Chartered 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 soft drinks. The Chippy sponsored Ampcontrol DB at the Soccer Sevens in May, alongside Ampcontrol, Marvelsoft, Tanner de Witt, CLA, CTC and Kelme. Call 2987 8688 to book a table for quiz night. [PHOTO BY Nigel Baillie Photography.]

This year marks an extraordinary milestone for Harry 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 community, HWI is offering a special opportunity 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 sport’s most respected coaches. David has guided athletes to podium finishes at the Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games, including coaching Minna Atherton 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 https://forms.gle/ EzXUV1JTuq4xj9Ca9?hl=en and fill out the Competitive Swim Camp sign-up form.

As part of its ongoing 50th celebrations, HWI is hosting a celebratory Anniversary Dinner on June 21 at the Hong Kong Football Club, bringing together past and present swimmers, coaches, families and supporters. The evening will feature guest speakers, including prominent swimmers from the local community, who will share inspiring stories, memories and reflections 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 structured progression system, small group sizes and international-standard coaching. Visit www.harrywright.com.hk.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

SPOT CHILDREN’S THERAPY CENTRE

www.spot.com.hk

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.

Tel: 2807 2992

Email: contact@spot.com.hk

SummerCamps!

GYMNASTICS

IGYM GYMNASTICS

www.igymhk.com

The iGym Gymnastics and Ninja Camp runs from June 30 to August 22 at iGym’s newly launched Gymnastics Academy in DB North Plaza. Morning, afternoon and fullday sessions are on offer Monday to Saturday. Fun, age-appropriate activities in both gymnastics and ninja zones give kids, aged 3 to 10, the opportunity to develop their skills, make new friends and have a blast.

WhatsApp: 6077 2758

Email: igymhk@icloud.com

MANDARIN TIME

www.mandarintimeschool.com

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 elementary, intermediate and native) for kids aged 10 to 13.

WhatsApp: 6153 7108

Email: info@mandarintimeschool.com

MONTESSORI MANDARIN

YIFAN MANDARIN

www.yifancamps.com

The Yifan Mandarin Summer Camp at DB North Plaza is fully immersive and activity 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.

一帆中文夏令營在愉景灣開展超過十六年；助孩子們快樂學中文，語言能力大提升！

WhatsApp: 9208 7611

Email: admin@yifanmandarin.com

OUTDOOR

TREASURE ISLAND GROUP

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.

Tel: 5236 7016

Email: inquiries@treasureislandhk.com

GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI

www.guidepost.hk

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, storytelling, creative crafts, science discoveries and sensory experience, fostering curiosity and empathy about the universe.

WhatsApp: 9126 6211

Email: admissions@guidepost.hk

SURFING

HONG KONG SURFING LESSON

www.hongkongsurfinglesson.com

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.

WhatsApp: 6199 0904

Email: info@hongkongsurfinglesson.com

www.arkedenonlantau.org

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.

Tel: 2988 5355

Email: angus@arkedenonlantau.org

www.faustworld.com

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: 2547 9114

Email: info@faustworld.com

Out & About! 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.]

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.]

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.]

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.]

Fast on their Feet!

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

For 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 history 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 performative Irish dancing, which is essentially

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 Discovery 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

PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of Katherine Toong

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 everyone is at the ‘meeting’: Mui Wo-based Sofia from the ferry 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 part in some kind of genteel contest where they collected a lovely bouquet of flowers for finishing. Quite the contrary. Competing in Irish dance, as Molly explains it, demands muscular strength and robust cardio health to go with mental acuity. “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, and wearing heavy dresses and wigs that make everything hurt.”

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 every 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 perfecting new steps, mastering timing and rhythm, incorporating resistance training to become more powerful and prevent injuries, while also incorporating at-home stretching to maintain mobility and joint health.”

For the uninitiated, the ORnC is a long, hard road. “It’s like a rugby or football tournament and the

“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

- MOLLY WHITEHEAD

MOLLY WHITEHEAD, FIADH-ROSE HOWLIN AND SOFIA BRANTINGHAM

Worlds are kind of like the finals,” says Fiadh-Rose. “It’s more than just a mental thing because there are so many parts to it and to do well you have to get everything 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 fourth appearance at the Worlds, she placed 35th (out of 101 dancers) in the Ladies 20-21 age category – 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 certified 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 category. “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 very 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 Discovery Bay International School; Sofia begins studies in sports

science at the University of South Australia in the autumn. Fiadh-Rose is preparing to compete at the 2025 North American Irish Dance Champions in Maryland, and there’s a ton of practice for everyone 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 very, very 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. Everything’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 performance and then, maybe, directing. Watch your back, Flatley.

THE TRIO ONSTAGE IN DUBLIN

Road Running!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

While the nearby trails are a hive of traffic, it’s the roads of Discovery Bay that best cater to runners of all fitness levels and you don’t have to go far to find someone in the community ready to espouse the benefits of getting out there.

Anita Schneider, founder of local running group The Running Cult, is one such person, with the former CrossFitter embracing road running since moving to DB. “I love spreading the joy of running and I would like everybody to run because it sets you free,” she opens. “You can do it whenever and wherever you want, however fast or slow.”

For many road runners, the appeal is that they can almost run on auto-pilot, focused on nothing other than pace and energy expenditure. When you are road running, the chances of having to maneuver around an obstacle like a root or rock are slim. Paved surfaces are consistent and predictable, in DB at least, making it easy for runners to clock in the miles, while freeing their minds.

“There’s a lot of personal growth that happens when you step outside your comfort zone, and running is so outside of your comfort zone,” Anita says. “People think that you just start running… and then stop running but there’s so much in the middle that happens. There are lots 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.”

Active for roughly three years, The Running Cult is a running group for women that focuses on being inclusive, and inspiring people to give running a crack. Operated through a WhatsApp chat (5629 8123), The Running Cult’s sessions normally involve a run of between 4-7km in small groups of four to five people and it is open to women of all ages and fitness levels.

“At Running Cult, we’re non-judgmental and we don’t charge money. I always try to create a safe space so people can be included at whatever stage they are,” says Anita. “We don’t all run together because of school drop offs and stuff, so there is normally a morning and evening group. I’m big on milestones, so we really focus on everyone getting their first kilometre. There are a lot of times where we start together and then people peel off.

“I think, in general, people find running very intimidating because of distances and the time it takes. People have a big misconception about what running is and instead of learning more about it, they just don’t do it – they completely exclude it from their repertoire.”

Hoping to do away with this misconception, Anita stresses that running is, in fact, easily accessible and something you do at your own pace. “People need to know that most runners run-walk. I’ve done six marathons in the past two-and-a-half years and I walked in every single one of them,” she says, adding, “you don’t need to have a coach or a sophisticated programme to get into running. All you really need is a good pair of shoes.”

Like Anita, DB Runners’ founder Peter Morley is quick to extol the benefits of running. “It’s just a very easy way of staying fit, managing your personal wellbeing and busting stress,” he says. “Running makes you feel good about yourself.

“Running is the cheapest sport to access and it’s really easy to do in Hong Kong, particularly in DB because it’s very safe,” Peter adds. “You can start 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 comfortable.”

With over 100 people in its WhatsApp group, DB Runners (dbrunners.com) sees between 10 and 20 people at most of its twice-weekly sessions.

ANITA SCHNEIDER OF THE RUNNING CULT

DB RUNNERS

“IT’S JUST A VERY

Around in various iterations over the years, the group in its current format recently celebrated its one-year anniversary with, you guessed it, a run.

“We have been running for about a year now under the new name DB Runners and if you have a look at the website, it’s based around the idea that it’s a free-to-access group and we meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6am,” says Peter. “We mix it up in terms of the different activities that we do, but it’s always running on the roads in DB. Sometimes it’s going up and down hills, sometimes it’s doing loops and circuits – it’s a fun, sociable thing rather than being too competitive and everyone is welcome to join.

“We normally have a routine where we start 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 run on their own or in a group, Peter has a very simple message: “I think if you’re part of a group you feel more motivated and you tend to put a bit extra in. If you get injured or you need any tips or support, there are lots of other people who have the experience to help. It’s the social aspect of it. You feel more motivated if there’s a bunch of other people getting up at the same time and meeting every week.”

One challenge of running on DB’s roads is just how hilly they are. Peter is a big fan of hitting up Seabee Lane – “it’s a nice quiet road and one whole loop to DB Road is a mile” – while Anita has you covered at both ends of DB.

WELLBEING

EASY WAY OF STAYING FIT, MANAGING YOUR PERSONAL

AND BUSTING STRESS.

RUNNING MAKES

YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT

YOURSELF

- PETER MORLEY

“The beach loop is the flattest 1km in DB – you go down the beach, around that little lip and up the little steep part onto the main road. Then you go past Seahorse Lane and just before the tennis courts, you go back down to the beach. People who run in DB North, run through the park around Discovery College – there’s another little loop there.”

Funnily enough, Anita was one of the many that would avoid DB’s steepest hills, but now that she is training for Action Asia Events HK50 on the trails this October and the gruelling Comrades Marathon – a 90km road run in South Africa in 2026 – she has a different 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 embracing the suck. All of a sudden DB is a lot more attractive to me because it has all the hills, the heat and the humidity of the Comrades – so everything’s worked out perfectly.”

PETER MORLEY AKA THE MARATHON PANDA

PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA HARVEY LAW GROUP PRESENTS A STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY FOR GLOBAL INVESTORS IN 2025

The Portugal Golden Visa offers a strategic opportunity to non-EU nationals, regardless of their current place of residence. Whilst the Portugal 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 Portugal Golden Visas are no longer available.

Let us reassure you that this is not the case. The Portugal 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 support of approved artistic production or national cultural heritage. To date, the investment fund option remains the most popular amongst investors.

Many Hong Kong residents, regardless of nationality, have already taken active steps towards this. Some are planning ahead to give themselves retirement options, while others are looking at the education opportunities it will give to their children to study not only in Portugal but anywhere in the EU. English language postsecondary degrees flourish within the EU and are generally less expensive than courses charging overseas fees to international students. Since COVID, we have observed a surge in the desire to secure EU residency 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 attractive way to diversify their investment portfolios, limit currency risk exposure and tap into the European market.

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

As of today, the Portugal 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 after five years without requiring physical presence in the country for more than seven days per year (or 14 days in every two years).

If you are considering Portugal as a possible destination of choice or even simply as a possible back-up plan, you may contact Harvey Law Group. With over 32 years of experience in investment residency and citizenship programmes all over the world, we would be happy to advise on the destinations and programmes most suited to your personal goals.

HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG)

5-DAY ITINERARY FOR FOODIES

a worldwide presence expediating your immigration goals

For a taste of Portugal’s beautiful coastline, history-rich towns and mouth-watering cuisine, we can suggest the following five-day itinerary:

Day 1 ⇢ Lisbon

� Take in Lisbon’s pretty terracottat iled skyline from Miradouro da S enhor a do Monte viewpoint: g limpse domed cathedrals, c obbled alleyways and the mighty Ri ver Tagus

� M ake a beeline for Belém, L isbon’s historic and laid-back o ld town. Near the vast Mosteiro d os Jerónimos, the popular Pastéis d e Belém patisserie is famed for i ts Pastel de Nata (egg tarts)

� E at Petiscos (Portuguese tapas), w hile listening to Fado, the bitters weet music that has been L isbon’s soundtrack since the 19th Century

Day 2 ⇢ Sintra

� T ake the 30-minute train ride f rom Lisbon to Sintra, a charming h illside retreat. Visit Palácio da P ena, with its fairy-tale turrets a nd domes, and the glorious g ardens and grottoes at Quinta d a Regaleira

Day 3 ⇢ Porto

� F ly to Porto (one hour from L isbon) to explore the picturesque b irthplace of port wine. Cross D om Luís I Bridge for stunning v iews of the Douro River and stop b y a port wine cellar for tastings

� V isit Livraria Lello: ‘the most b eautiful bookstore in the world’. W ith its sweeping staircases and s tunning art-nouveau decor, it’s s aid to have been the inspiration f or JK Rowling’s Hogwarts

� E at Cozido à Portuguesa (various m eats and offal boiled with r ice, beans, potatoes, carrot and c abbage). Weird but delicious!

Day 4 ⇢ Douro Valley

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.

SHOUT-OUT TO READERS:

If you have a favourite Portuguese recipe to share, please email it to rachel@arounddb.com, along with photos of you preparing or eating the dish. You may find yourself featured in the next issue of the magazine, or in our upcoming ADB Around the World Cookbook

Residency by Investment in over 6 continents over 20 countries

Our programs:

� S oak up the dazzling views from t he Santuário da Peninha, almost 5 00m above sea level. W alk the breathtaking cliffs to g limpse Praia do Guincho, C ascais and Cabo da Roca l ighthouse, the westernmost p oint of mainland Europe

Retirement Visas

� B ook a day tour from Porto to visit t he Douro Valley’s UNESCO l isted, terraced vineyards, and e njoy the wine tastings

Day 5 ⇢ The Algarve

� F ly to Faro (one hour from Porto) f or a firsthand glimpse of the A lgarve’s beautiful beaches

� H op on a boat to take in Praia da M arinha’s towering limestone c liffs and the mysterious marine g rottoes of Algar de Benagil

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

� E at Bacalhau à Brás (salted cod, o nion, garlic, potato fries, egg an d coriander) or Cataplana de M arisco (seafood stew)

Citizenship by Ancestry

� E at Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato ( clams in a garlic, olive oil and wine s auce), Arroz de Marisco (seafood r ice) and Sardinhas Assadas ( grilled sardines)

Hong Kong Island: Unit 2505-6, 25/F, United Asia Finance Centre, 333 Lockhart Road, Wanchai T: +852 2116 1333

Discovery Bay: Unit 3, L/G Unit, Block O ne, North Plaza T: +852 2416 8618

HONG KONG

Canada

Myanmar

South Africa

Vietnam

Ivory Coast

France

Türkiye

Dominica

Cambodia

Grenada

United Kingdom

India

Oh Daddy! HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

MADE IN HEAVEN

Dogs and Babies! MATCH

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

Have you noticed that almost every 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 particularly noticeable in DB (Dogs and Babies, right?), where every family seems to have at least one of each.

The question is why. Why does the picture of an ‘ideal family’ contain a dog? For sure, photos of our children playing with their brand-new pedigree pup or endearing rescue mutt 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.

Having a dog is a huge responsibility 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 pretty much everything from food and exercise to love and cuddles.

Getting 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 survival and happiness is dependent on their actions, 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 responsibility, even sole responsibility for a dog. It’s important to ask yourself how much responsibility 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 perfect playmate: a source of comfort, a trusted friend and a supplier of unconditional love.

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. 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. Petting a dog has been proven to lower cortisol 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 difficult to decide which breed is the best fit. Golden Retrievers, Beagles and Irish Setters are all sound choices – known to be playful and protective. Pugs, Brussels Griffons and French Bulldogs love their families – particularly their laps. Breeds associated with aggressive behaviour – German Shepherds, Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers – are seldom seen on ‘best family dog’ lists but there are always exceptions. Remember

that while breed plays a part, each dog has its own unique personality.

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 hungry 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 ability 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 importantly, they need to learn to set boundaries for themselves and respect 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 its feet. Despite not speaking our language, dogs are expressive enough to make us understand when we’ve crossed the line. Discussing a dog’s reaction can open the way for a wider conversation with our children about their own personal boundaries and those of their friends.

One of the most obvious benefits of dog ownership is that it keeps kids active. But it may surprise you to know just how active they are compared to children who don’t own dogs. According to a Child Heart and Health Study (CHASE), a St George’s project examining the health of 5,000 UK-based primary school students, children with dogs spent an average of 325 minutes (more than five hours) doing physical activity per day, 11 more minutes than those without dogs. Dog owners also spent 11 fewer minutes (562 minutes over the sevenday stint) in sedentary behaviour each day, and they were found to take 360 more steps than the other kids.

Surprisingly enough, homes with dogs are also healthier for kids. Research has shown that babies in homes with dogs have fewer colds, fewer ear infections and need fewer antibiotics in their first year of life than those raised in pet-free homes. Children who grow up with a dog have fewer respiratory tract infections and get asthma much less often than other kids.

It’s not clear why living with a dog makes such a difference. A time-honoured theory, the hygiene hypothesis, suggests that children’s immune

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 infants are exposed to germs in just the right amount. Too many germs are unhealthy but so is a sterile, germ-free home. That theory is now giving way to the microbiome hypothesis. It’s no longer about getting exposed to the right number of microbes, but to good bacteria and viruses that alter the microbes in children’s intestines and protect against both allergies and infections.

Of course, this isn’t a one-size-fits-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 very early in life. And what of kids who are allergic to dogs? Are any dog breeds hypoallergenic? The short answer is no but there are less-allergenic breeds – dogs with a lowshedding coat – around whom allergy-sufferers can sometimes be comfortable. Call your local animal shelter, they might just happen to have an almost hairless Chinese Crested who’s waiting patiently to complete your family.

Top Tips! 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

Ihad some friends in town so we took them out for dinner on D’Deck. As the sun was setting and we were entering ‘golden hour’ – where the sun creates that beautiful soft glow – we asked a passing waitress if they wouldn’t mind taking our photo. She looked terrified. The resulting photograph, on later inspection, was of the waitress’ face. Clearly panicked by taking strangers’ pictures, she’d inadvertently switched to the reverse camera and snapped her own beautiful profile.

To avoid this fear and be a phenomenal phone photographer, follow my top tips to unlock your phone camera’s secret powers and build your confidence behind the lens.

The first step is the easiest. Unless you’re after that 1970s snuff-movie look, clean your lens. A smudged lens can mean the difference between a hazy snapshot and a crisp, vibrant photo. Clean your lens before every shoot. A quick wipe with a microfibre cloth (I use my t-shirt) can make all the difference.

Your phone’s flashlight should only ever be used to find your keys at night. Avoid using it to lighten your subject, as it will flatten your image and give it a creepy glare. You can switch it off by clicking the flash icon. Click it off and keep it off. Instead, seek out ambient light sources: a desk lamp, string lights, or even the glow of another smartphone screen can add moody and cinematic flair.

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 function, available in the settings. That way you can click the shot and run into the picture. Most phones have a night mode which acts as a delayed shutter, allowing in more light, but again, you’ll need to balance your phone on a solid object to keep it still when using this function. If you’re still using wired headphones, you can press the volume button to activate the shutter. Finally, simply ask the people being photographed to stand or sit very still, and voila, crisp and clear shots, even in the corner of the pub!

Grid it up. A well-composed photo doesn’t just capture a scene – it guides the viewer’s eye. One of the best lessons I was taught on photography is the ‘Rule of Thirds,’ a simple principle where you mentally divide your frame into a 3x3 grid. Luckily, your phone can do this for you. Click the settings icon and select the grid. Unlike the flash, you should always keep this on. Place your subject along these grid lines or at their intersections to create a more dynamic shot. Align your subject’s eyes with the top gridline, or a landscape where a solitary tree stands at the intersection of the right third of the grid lines. Avoid placing your subject right in the middle of the shot.

Negative space is also worth considering. If you’re shooting a sky or sea, emphasise that expanse by placing another object, be it a boat or plane, right

GETUP CLOSE WITHMACROLENSES

LEAD THE VIEWER’S EYE INTO THE PICTURE

at the bottom or to the far edges of your frame –give your subject room to breathe.

For high-contrast scenes like woods or clouds, you can enable HDR, or High Dynamic Range mode. Your phone will take multiple exposures to preserve detail in both highlights and shadows. You might want to turn this off after using it as the image files will be larger than usual and will take up valuable phone memory.

If you’re shooting the kids playing with a ball or a black kite diving for its dinner, not only will you need great light, but you can maximise your chances of a great shot by using the burst mode, which will take a series of shots a second. You then simply go back through the images and delete any shots that don’t hit the mark. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of deleting poor images or someday you’ll go to take that once-ina-lifetime selfie with Chris Martin and find your phone is out of memory.

Get yourself, as well as your subject into position. Don’t shoot every picture standing up. Crouch down and shoot up at your subject. This works well when shooting reflections in puddles. You can also play around with reflections in windows, sunglasses, or even your subject’s eyeballs!

Adding an object in the foreground of your shot can lead the viewer’s eye into the picture. The best technique for this is to use the phone’s autofocus function. Imagine you’re in a coffee shop and you want to capture your partner reading their book opposite you. As opposed to simply taking their picture, pop a coffee cup right up in the foreground, then place your phone upside down – the benefit of this being you’re putting the phone’s camera at its lowest point for a whole new exciting perspective. Now touch the screen so that the focus is only interested in your friend and blurs the coffee cup and foreground, then shoot. You now have a beautiful image and not a dull, listless picture of your mate. Share this on the socials and you’ll rack up the engagement.

and finish with subtle sharpening. Remember, editing should enhance, not overpower. You’ll soon notice you develop your own signature look.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, experiment wildly. Use apps like Slow Shutter Cam to blur rushing waterfalls or car headlights into streaks of colour. Have fun with it.

Finally, it’s worth talking about which phone has the best camera. I use an Huwei Pura70 Pro. The camera is mind-bendingly good. The Samsung S25 Ultra also scores highly, along with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, although this is HK$4,000 more expensive than its competitors. Amazingly, the upcoming horror 28 Years Later was shot entirely on an iPhone 15, perhaps proving that we’re nearing the end of the DSLR!

The convenience of having an almost professional quality camera in your pocket is something I don’t take for granted, although I still look back at photos I took on my iPhone 11 and realise it’s more about the quality of the composition and the thought that’s gone into the shot, than the tech used to capture it.

AFFORDABLE ACCESSORIES

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

2. F lexible mini tripod: steadies y our phone for a crystal-clear s hot, but a bit cumbersome to c arry around.

So you’ve taken some great shots. Now to the final stage, editing. Start with free apps like Lightroom Mobile for precision adjustments or Snapseed for healing away distractions like hanging cables or rubbish. Preset filters can add warmth or grit, but don’t overdo it. You’re not 10 – over-filtered photos look terrible. Be careful too with the vignette function. Less is more.

When editing your snaps, follow this simple workflow: adjust exposure to balance light, tweak shadows and highlights to recover detail, nudge vibrancy (not saturation!) for natural colour pop,

3. P ortable ring light: provides f lattering light anywhere, but y ou’ll look like a loony.

4. Portable battery: handy if you’re o ut all day and not near a plug s ocket. Just remember to charge i t and bring the correct cable. N ot like me.

5. L ens cleaning pen: much better t han your t-shirt.

Vacation Time! PACIFIC PARADISE

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.

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.

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.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

Aloha Oahu

IF THE PERFECT WAVE EXISTS, YOU’LL FIND

it 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.

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.

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.

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.

A Little Bit of Trivia! 20 QUESTIONS

How much do you know about the month of June?

BY Kayli Liebenberg

1. W hat are June’s zodiac signs?

A. G emini and Cancer

B. P isces and Taurus

C. L eo and Scorpio

2. I n the Northern Hemisphere, which day i s the longest of the year?

A. J une 21

B. J une 23

C. J une 30

3. W hat is June’s birthstone?

A. O pal

B. Pearl

C. A methyst

4. W hen do we celebrate Father’s Day in H ong Kong this year?

A. J une 8

B. J une 15

C. J une 22

5. W hich greenfield music festival, held a nnually in June, is the largest in the world?

A. Gl astonbury

B. G reen Man

C. Bu rning Man

6. W hat is June’s full moon called?

A. B lackberry Moon

B. B lueberry Moon

C. S trawberry Moon

7. W hich US state hosts a Superman Celebration annually in June?

A. Illinois

B. I ndiana

C. I owa

8. I n Greek mythology, which goddess is a ssociated with June?

A. Athena

B. Hera

C. Demeter

9. W hich famous comedian, known for his silent films, was born on June 16, 1890?

A. O liver Hardy

B. B uster Keaton

C. S tan Laurel

10. O n June 9, 1898, the British signed a 9 9-year lease for Hong Kong: when did t he lease expire?

A. J une 1, 1997

B. J une 31, 1997

C. J uly 1, 1997

11. W hich famous singer known as ‘The King o f Pop’ passed away on June 25, 2009?

A. Prince

B. G eorge Michael

C. M ichael Jackson

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

A. M organ Freeman

B. T im Robbins

C. B ob Gunton

13. What is June’s birth flower?

A. Rose

B. Snowdrop

C. Daffodil

14. W hich ground-breaking author, born on J une 25, 1903, wrote 1984?

A. V irginia Wolf

B. G eorge Orwell

C. J ames Joyce

15. I n June 2002, which singing c ompetition premiered on TV?

A. The X Factor

B. American Idol

C. America’s Got Talent

16. W hat do we celebrate on June 5?

A. W orld Environment Day

B. W orld Oceans Day

C. W orld Rainforest Day

17. W hich Hong Kong-based actor was born o n June 27, 1962?

A. P hillippe Joly

B. Tony Leung Chiu-wai

C. L eslie Cheung

18. H ow much did Kurt Cobain’s acoustic guitar from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance s ell for at auction on June 21, 2020?

A. U S$2 million

B. U S$4 million

C. U S$6 million

19. Which sabbat do Wiccans celebrate in June?

A. L ammas

B. O stara

C. L itha

20. A merican country singer June Carter w as born on June 23, 1929: who did s he marry in 1968?

A. J ohnny Cash

B. C arl Smith

C. R oy Orbison

BEACHES AND BAYS

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

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

Andrew Spires' COMMUNITY

SNAPS

BY Andrew Spires -

PHOTOS

TOILETRIES COLLECTION

Tung Chung Ambulance Depot

Tung Chung Fire Station

TUNG CHUNG

DISCOVERY BAY

Co-working Space@DB

Hybrid workspace encouraging interaction between members. The hi-tech, ergonomic interior is boosted by a spacious outdoor lounge area. Call 2426 8828

Guidepost Montessori

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

Auberge Discovery Bay

Five-star hotel in DB North with 22 mountain/ ocean-view rooms & suites. Meetings & events, dining, wellness & recreation. 25 minutes from HKIA. Call 2295 8288

Harvey Law Group

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

Bernardo Removals

Home & office relocations. Full service (transportation, packing, unpacking & some storage). DB based, HK-wide service. Efficient, friendly & economical. Established 2012. Call 9854 4410

HK Dragons Football Club

Coaching for girls & boys aged 2.5 to 14 years at DBIS & DB North pitches. The professional coaches (FA level 2 or above) are First Aid & CPR qualified. Call 2987 4274

Harry Wright

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

Tekkerz

Curriculum for U3 to U14 boys & girls designed to develop technical skills & overall game play by using a ‘maximum touch’ approach. Training at DB North pitch. Call 9770 4548

il Bel Paese

Heart-warming

DISCOVERY BAY

5122 5928 ÓNA

3619 0937

Osmanbey Turkish Restaurant 5401 8350

Pachanga

Pasha

Peony

Pho Bay

2626 3008

6340 0903

GO YOUR OWN WAY

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

Iwas once interviewed by a class of 14-year-olds who cornered me with irresistible and wholly misplaced flattery. Peppered with personal questions, they threw me off-balance with a maturity I still lack – and demanded verbal quickfire. But spontaneity is not my forte; a quickwitted riposte can take weeks.

So, I wriggled and squirmed, trying to appear brilliantly in control. They wanted to know who the hell I am, a conundrum I also wrestle with. Education questions came up first and I tried the old ‘if you can’t convince ‘em, confuse ‘em routine,’ hoping the distraction of a concealed truth would make me appear bright and amusing.

“I got a degree in communications and journalism. I was then offered a scholarship to Oxford University where I graduated with honours in English Literature.” That got their attention, and I started to feel pretty good. “I became the youngest-ever feature writer on The Times .”

An imagined ‘wow’ lit the room. I let it hang in the air, making the most of the reverence. Revelling in perceived awe, I pressed on to reminisce about publishing my first novel aged 25 and interviewing various heads of state. The openmouth silence was palpable as I quietly admitted the truth: “Oh, and should you choose to believe any of that I have a Sydney Harbour Bridge to sell you.” (I might have said it was all a big canard and caused even more confusion, particularly amongst the students of French.)

Looking blankly at each other, and wondering about bridges, their bemusement was complete. Experience had defeated callow youth, at least for the moment. To escape humiliation and land on my feet, I needed to weave the yarn into something surprisingly philosophical.

“The truth? I left school at 15 (there being no prize for class clown) and struggled mightily at anything but writing. I don’t recommend it, but there are many ways to get ahead in the world. Thousands of hugely successful people never attended university. Millionaire movie-maker Guy Ritchie left 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 classic autodidact. But I didn’t come here to give advice. We generally don’t want to hear it. It’s easier to stick to what we already believe. Something to ponder from Stephen Fry:

“Oscar Wilde said if you know what you want to be you inevitably become it. That is your punishment. But if you never know, then you can be anything. There is a truth to that. We are not nouns; we are verbs. I am not a thing – an actor, a writer – and I never know what I’m going to do next. I think you can be imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun.”

So, I guess I’m a verb, which is easier to remember than autodidact.

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

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