Around DB March 2026

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

STADIUM STORIES Four residents reveal their best Sevens moments

FROM APP TO AMP Riding the tech train to Nashville

POSITIVE PARENTING The art of raising happy children

Life on the Fairway!

MEET MIMI HO MIU-YEE, FORMER GOLF PRO AND

DEDICATED DISCOVERY BAY GOLF CLUB COACH

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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.

L/G UNIT 3, BLOCK 1, DB NORTH PLAZA, DISCOVERY BAY, LANTAU ISLAND +852 2426 8828 | INFO@COWORKINGDB.HK WWW.COWORKINGDB.HK

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!

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SUMMER TERM 2026 夏季課程 16 March - 27 June 3月16日至6月27日

EASTER CAMPS 2026 復活節游泳營 30 March - 2 April 3月30日至4月2日

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

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FEATURES 12 PROFILE Meet Mimi Ho Miu-yee, former golf pro and dedicated Discovery Bay Golf Club coach

16 COMMUNITY In the lead up to this year’s tournament, four residents reveal their best Sevens moments

24 INSIDER Looking to learn an instrument?

Apps and AI coaches make progress faster, easier and cheaper

30 PARENTING

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There’s a simple trick to raising happy children – live life to the full and let them follow AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

REGULARS

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08 EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

04 DB NEWS

20 CLIENT TALK

22 AT THE MOVIES QUIZ

What you’ve been up to

Claiming French citizenship

27 GOOD READS

Six rock ‘n’ roll stories

28 ESCAPES West Cork Coast

40 AT A GLANCE Why March feels different C O M M U N I T Y

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ON THE COVER

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

STADIUM STORIES

Mimi Ho Miu-yee at DBGC

Four residents reveal their best Sevens moments

FROM APP TO AMP Riding the tech train to Nashville

POSITIVE PARENTING The art of raising happy children

33 ADB SCAVENGER HUNT 34 KIDS CORNER 37 CLASSIFIEDS 38 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.

Life on the Fairway!

PHOTO BY Andrew Spires

MEET MIMI HO MIU-YEE, FORMER GOLF PRO AND DEDICATED DISCOVERY BAY GOLF CLUB COACH

AROUNDDB.COM

Sixth Form Open Event Thu 12th March 6.15 – 7.45pm Join us to find out why studying A Levels in Years 12 & 13 at Discovery Bay International School is the right choice for your child

admissions@dbis.edu.hk

+852 2987 7331

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REGISTER dbis.hk/ OpenEvents2026

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30TH TENNIS NATIONS CUP

DBRC is hosting the 30th Tennis Nations Cup on March 7 and 8 with match play from 8am to 6pm. Twenty teams (eight men and four women per team) are taking part, and all players are encouraged to wear fancy dress. There’s also a carnival from 10am to 5pm on both days at the DBRC lawn area – expect face painting, game booths, food kiosks and a bouncy castle. To find out more, visit dbrc.hk/en. [PHOTO BY www.richardgordonphotography.com.]

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h 20 Starting Marc

CONT R I B U TO RS

Sam Agars, Ray Au,

Elizabeth Kerr, Andrew Spires, Inka Viirret, Elena M. Zepeda

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STUFF TO KNOW

Bring your plushies along as you explore and stop for springtime photo ops set up just for Duffy and Friends’ fans. You can also drop by the Duffy and Friends Playhouse for a hug and a quick chat, then catch all seven characters marching, singing and dancing together in Friendtastic, the park’s largest parade.

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Ever yone’s favourite Disney charac ter franchise is taking centre stage at Hong Kong Disneyland from March 20, with Duf f y, ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, CookieAnn, ‘Olu Mel and LinaBell providing a series of fun fan experiences that feel both magical and warmly familiar. What we, and so many across Asia love about the gang is their curiosit y, kindness and love of adventure, values that shine brightly during this seasonal event.

G/F, Block B, Phase 4,

© AROUND DB 2026

Founded by Discovery College alumni Jessica Inkin in 2022, Love From Luke is held annually to support Hong Kong’s blood donation efforts.

There is truly no substitute for human blood, which is why every donor counts. A single donation can save up to three lives! This year’s drive is being held on March 3, from 11.30am to 6pm, at DC’s Senior Student Centre. Residents aged 16 and up are invited to participate and support. Scan the bar code to register.

DUFFY AND FRIENDS PLAY DAYS

PRIN T I N G

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.

LOVE FROM LUKE BLOOD DRIVE

StellaLou fans can see her per form with the Hong Kong Ballet in StellaLou’s Wonder ful Wishes Ballet, and the whole gang appears in Disney Friends Live: Par ty at the Castle! alongside Mickey and Friends and the Disney Princesses. As night falls, Duf f y and Friends are back on stage making a special appearance during Momentous: Par ty in the Night Sky. If you’re planning an overnight stay at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, be sure to checkin on a Tuesday, with access to the Kingdom Club where Duf f y, ShellieMay and LinaBell are taking turns to say goodnight to fans. Bring your own bedtime plushie and stop by before turning in for the night. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Hong Kong Disneyland.]

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

DB NEWS

March 11

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PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN DAY AT DC

Discover y College is holding an Open Day for prospec tive parents on March 11 from 8.30am to 10am.

This is a wonder ful oppor tunit y to explore the campus, get a deeper understanding of the school’s unique educational approach, obser ve lessons in progress and meet members of the student body and leadership team.

Register to at tend at ht tps://shor turl.at /ZlMN5.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF DC.]

! s t n e v E &

IN MARCH!

ORGANIC FARMING WORKSHOP

March 7

Learn how to grow healthy and delicious organic veget ables at DB Communit y Green Square on March 7, f rom 10.3 0 am to 12.3 0 pm. The work shop is led by a team f rom f rom O∙PARK1, the cit y ’s f ir s t organic resource recover y centre, with instruc tion in English and C antonese. To f ind out more and enrol, visit FB @db.communit y.hk.

March 7

DBIS PTSA INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR Head on down to Discovery Bay International School from 12pm to 3.30pm on March 7 to sample delicious foods from around the world at the DBIS PTSA International Food Fair. Choose from a wide variety of cuisines, enjoy a range of family-friendly activities, and catch up with friends while listening to live music. For more information, visit FB @dbishongkong. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.]

March 14

COMMUNITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The DB 3X3 Community Basketball Tournament is back on March 14, from 9am to 4pm, at the Club Siena outdoor basketball court. The competition is open to players aged 15 and up, and in the mixed category there must be at least one female player on court. To find out more and enrol, visit FB @db.community.hk.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY MARCH 07 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4.30pm. Visit FB @db.community.hk.

MARCH 14 | SHOP THE DB WEEKEND MARKET in DB South Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit handmadehongkong.com.

MARCH 15 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue Wan gate at 2pm. 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.

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DB NEWS

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March 13

March 12

SWAP & SHOP FASHION SHOW

The student-led Swap & Shop Fashion Show, being held at Discover y College Theatre on March 13, from 6pm to 7.15pm, sets out to redefine st yle sustainably. In collaboration with Plastic Free Seas, the aim is to promote sustainable fashion prac tices within our communit y, while highlighting the talent and dedication of DC’s student designers and models. All proceeds from the show will be donated to PFS. Ever yone is welcome, with tickets available at ht tps://shor turl.at /cFyEb. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DC.]

Through Mar ch 26

LAI SEE PACKET RECYCLING

Do your bit by getting behind CM’s Lai See Packet Recycling Campaign running through March 26. You’ll find recycling boxes, where you can deposit as-new red packets at the DB Office Centre, DB Pier ticket counter and local management offices. To find out more, visit FB @db.community.hk.

DBIS SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENT Discovery Bay International School is hosting a Sixth Form (Year 12 and 13) open event on March 12, from 6.15pm to 7.45pm, for parents of current and prospective students. Join the Secondary School’s leadership team for a presentation and tour of the school’s North Plaza campus, and find out why studying A Levels at DBIS is the right choice for your child. Go to dbis.hk/OpenEvents2026 or scan the QR code to register. For more information about DBIS, visit dbis.edu.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.]

PFS SCHOOL TALKS ALL-WOMEN'S RUNNING GROUP

Fondly known as the Running Cult, DB’s all-women running group hits the trails four to five times a week. Regardless of individual distances, paces, or health goals, the ladies set out to suppor t and inspire each other, finding solace and camaraderie in their shared passion for running. New members are welcome!

To get involved, call Anita Schneider-de Vries on 5629 8123.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Anita Schneider-de Vries.]

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For over 12 years, DB’s homegrown environmental education charit y Plastic Free Seas has provided free education on plastic pollution to students of kindergar ten age right through to universit y. The team has reached over 150,0 0 0 students in more than 40 0 local and international schools across Hong Kong. If you are a teacher, parent or student and would like to have PFS visit your school, visit w w w.plastic freeseas.org.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF PFS.]

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

HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL

A C R O S S H O DN BG NK EOW N GS

March 21

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29 Through March

Hong Kong Ar ts Festival, now in its 54th year, delivers a monthlong celebration of world-class performing arts through March 29.

The festival is taking place across multiple venues including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Cit y Hall and Academy for Per forming Ar ts, featuring music, dance, theatre, opera and mixed-media. For programme details and to book tickets, visit hk.ar tsfestival.org.

HONG KONG March 1 to 8 INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL

COMPLEXCON HONG KONG Premier pop and street culture festival ComplexCon Hong Kong is back at AsiaWorld-Expo from March 21 to 22 bringing live music, curated fashion, exclusive sneaker drops and art. The twoday concert is big on K-hip-hop with Jennie, Jay Park and Crush headlining, alongside groundbreaking American rage rap artist Yeat. Book your tickets at klook.com.

Running March 1 to 8, the Hong Kong International Literary Festival sees over 100 writers and artists gather at venues across the city for a series of talks, workshops, book launches and panel discussions. Now in its 25th edition, the festival highlights diverse voices across genres and themes, and covers everything from poetry to memoir, fiction to non-fiction. Book your tickets at eventbrite.com.

March 21 to 29

HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW

March 20 to 29

If you didn’t get your fill of flower power over CNY, head to the Hong Kong Flower Show from March 20 to 29 at Victoria Park.

This year’s theme is ‘A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong’, and stocks are the featured flower. Expect vibrant floral displays, curated potted plants and stunning landscaping from over 200 local and international horticulturists. Admission is free.

HKWALLS STREET ART FESTIVAL

HKwalls Street Ar t Festival returns for its 11th edition from March 21 to 29. The event sees international and local ar tists painting murals across Central and Western, with guided tours and workshops for the general public. In the weeks leading up to the event, proper t y owners can ‘donate’ a wall to see it transformed into a work of ar t. To find out more, visit hkwalls.org.

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO! AT THE VIUTV SOUND BEAR FAMILY RUN A whopping 4,000+ people turned out for the ViuTV Sound Bear Family Run on January 31 at DB South Plaza, and there was something for everyone: a 10km race (16 years and above); two 3km races (10 to 15 years, 16 years and above); and two parent-child beach obstacle races, plus a carnival. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]

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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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ROMANCE ON THE BEACH Tai Pak Beach transformed into the perfect setting for a romantic photo op on February 14 with over 7,000 LED candles arranged to form a galaxy of hearts. Live music was provided by local buskers The Flame. [PHOTOS BY Claire Al-Halabi.]

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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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CNY CELEBRATIONS ACROSS DB CNY was a blast in DB this year with a dedicated market on February 14 and 15, and lion dance parties at the DBRC and Club Siena on February 18. [PHOTOS BY Claire Al-Halabi.]

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AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

⾹港聖公會弘道堂

Sundays 10am

Learn more

Wei Lun Scho o

l Hall

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

逢星期⽇ 上午⼗時半 聖 公會偉倫⼩學 第⼀、⼆、四主⽇聖餐崇拜 第三、五主⽇早禱崇拜 每主⽇均有兒童主⽇學 （⼗時半開始） 了解更多

PROFILE

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! ee T a To

LIFE ON THE FAIRWAY DBGC coach and former golf pro Mimi Ho Miu-yee reflects on family, discipline and the unlikely joys of a game she loves playing far more than watching. Elizabeth Kerr reports

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires

imi Ho Miu-yee is sipping a drink at Cof fee Academics looking, for lack of a better word, ver y golf-y, albeit in bright pink. Perhaps to no one’s shock, she’s just finished a round of golf, and lunch, with her dad and she’s in between coaching sessions. The Discover y Bay Golf Club coach and former pro begins with greetings on behalf of her mum, ar tist and past Around DB profile Judyanna Li, before reflec ting on what took her to golf, a spor t some call ‘a good walk, ruined’. Mimi chuckles, not taking it personally, and admits she can see where all those golf jokes come from.

“I don’t really watch golf movies. I don’t really watch that much golf,” she says, surprising herself.

“On a list of spor ts I want to watch, golf would be last. When people say, ‘Oh, I love watching live golf,’ I say, ‘You’re joking right now.’ You’re literally fighting for a spot to see a sliver of a player 170 yards away. And then you bust your ass running to the next hole. If I do watch golf, it’s at home and I let the cameramen do their work.”

Mimi is relatively new to the DBGC coaching gig, but she knows the course like the back of her hand.

She’s the spor ty one of the family, having tried ever y thing from tennis to tag rugby, and when she discovered the competitive nature of golf, she was hooked. She’s happy to mention her best game at the DBGC par 72 course, but her worst? “Let’s not go there,” she chuckles.

Mimi’s family (mum Li, older sister and construc tion entrepreneur dad Danny Ho), has been living in DB 12

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

since its earliest days in the 1980s. Mimi star ted playing at seven when her parents took up the game, at the time when Tiger Woods was peaking and spurring broader interest in the spor t. “Seven is late, by the way. Right now, I’m coaching some kids that are three. It’s amazing,” she says of golf ’s appeal. “For us, golf became a family thing, and it has thankfully stayed that way. There’s ac tually a good sense of a community to golf; it’s ver y sociable. And as cheesy as it sounds, you do learn a lot from it. It keeps you humble; you meet a lot of dif ferent people in dif ferent stages of life.”

Mimi, just shy of 30, was raised in DB, and af ter demonstrating a natural aptitude for golf, she attended Discover y College on a full scholarship ( Year 9 to 13). Though the Kowloon school she star ted at was a good one, the local school system couldn’t suppor t her travel for golf tournaments when her career really star ted to take of f. “I was ac tually falling behind in school. I’m not wired that way, to do the work in that manner. My sister did really well in that system but international school was the right path for me.”

Mimi is almost wistful as she recalls her golf development days as a kid, journeying well over two hours to Hong Kong’s only public course, Kau Sai Chau in Sai Kung, to prac tise. Her dad would lug her golf bag through the MTR, and occasionally take her golf clothes to work with him and pick her up af ter school to hit at a driving range.

“My dad made a lot of big sacrifices,” she says.

Sacrifices that ultimately paid of f when Mimi won a

PROFILE

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THERE’S ACTUALLY A GOOD SENSE OF A COMMUNITY TO GOLF; IT’S VERY SOCIABLE - MIMI HO MIU-YEE

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

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PROFILE

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until Covid derailed her plans but returning to Hong Kong brought new oppor tunities. She got licensed by the Hong Kong PGA, coached at the American Club for 18 months and, in 2021, finally decided to go pro.

“I still had that itch to play,” she recalls. “I played with friends that had turned pro and I was, like, 'Dude, I still have my game.’ So I just bit the bullet.” Mimi played on the women’s Thai, China and Taiwan tours until 2025.

Currently Mimi coaches at the DBGC and teaches af ter-school programmes for kids from kindergar ten age to 16, ever y day. She’s also an advisor at ChipChipGolfHK, which runs junior development programmes around the city that are open to all ages and all skill levels, designed especially to provide beginners with a feel for the game. “That’s how it should be,” states Mimi of making golf more accessible. She understands the perception of the game in Hong Kong as a pastime for the ultrawealthy and would like to see that change. Mimi has scads of tips for anyone considering taking up golf.

“First, I say do it. You can play it forever; you can play with knee pain. You can’t play basketball in your 60s. Well you could but it ’s not going to be fun. You can make the game easier or harder; you can choose how athletic you want to be. And again, there’s that humilit y element. Most people are not humble enough.”

MIMI AT DISCOVERY BAY GOLF CLUB

full golf scholarship from California State University, Fresno, where she also completed a master’s degree in Spor ts Administration and cer tifications in golf biomechanics, elite coaching and kinesiology.

“We’re not football players,” she cracks.

But Mimi credit s her DB home town, where she still lives, as a critical fac tor in shaping her career.

“The course at DBGC is a trick y one. It ’s quite challenging. It ’s slope-y, it ’s mountainous. I think any golfers that come out of training there have a really good shor t game. There’s a saying, ‘ You drive for show and you put t for dough.’ At the end of the day, you’ve got to get the ball into the hole and DB trains you to be a really good shor t game player. It was a per fec t environment to get me where I am now.”

Which is a former HKGA Junior Squad member (at age 10), a national team member (12), and an NCA A Division 1 athlete. Mimi had intended to stay in California and work at the collegiate level 14

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

Mimi encourages tr ying out driving ranges, skipping the coach to star t, playing mini golf and buying second-hand gear. “In Australia, anybody can play; you can literally get of f work and just go in your jeans. When I was in college in California, we’d go to some public courses in sandals. I get the negative impressions golf leaves, and in Hong Kong it ’s a business thing. But it ’s a game. Make some mistakes. Have fun.”

When Mimi’s not at the gym or coaching, she’s probably firing up some horror or dystopian science fic tion on her Kindle (current read: “craz y” splat ter punk novel Blender Babies). And because golf is one of those games whose fans have robust bucket list s (think baseball fans coveting a game beside Boston’s ‘Green Monster ’), Mimi has a couple of target s too…

“Augusta,” she says immediately. “My teammate in college played its first collegiate women’s invitational, and the second year I was supposed to go with her as an assistant coach. Then Covid,” she laments. “And St Andrews. My dad is an of ficial rules tester and he told me it’s pretty cool, but also really flat,” she finishes. “But really, in the end, the wind might be dif ferent and the ball might roll weirdly, so I could play DBGC one million more times. It’s never the same and I don’t think I’d get bored.”

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COMMUNITY

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! r e v e F l a Festiv

SEVENS DREAMS, LOCAL ROOTS In the lead up to the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Sam Agars sits down with four Discovery Bay residents who have made it onto the game’s biggest stage PHOTOS COURTESY OF Alessandro Nardoni, Hong Kong China Rugby Club, Pam Mirabella & Tim Alexander 16

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

COMMUNITY

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ALESSANDRO NARDONI (THIRD FROM RIGHT) RUNS OUT FOR A MELROSE CLAYMORES MATCH AGAINST CHINA LAST YEAR

FANS GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE CATHAY/HSBC HONG KONG SEVENS

PYROTECHNICS LIGHT UP KAI TAK STADIUM 12 MONTHS AGO

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TIM ALEXANDER (BACK ROW, THIRD FROM LEFT) CELEBRATING SHIELD SUCCESS IN 2010

RAPH AND TEDDY MCLEAY AT KAI TAK STADIUM IN 2025

here are few Hong Kong spor ting event s as iconic as the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the three- day festival of rugby holds a special place in the hear t s of many Discover y Bay resident s.

whether as par t of the mini and youth rugby games and march past which gives youngsters the chance to soak up the atmosphere of the crowd, or – in the case of Alessandro Nardoni – ac tually representing Hong Kong.

In a place where rugby is such a big par t of the communit y through the DB Pirates and beyond, the path from DB to Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po was well-trodden. That path now leads, of course, to the new stadium in Kai Tak and this year ’s pilgrimage will be ex tra special as the Sevens, on from April 17 to 19, celebrates it s 50 th anniversar y.

Af ter first living in DB way back in 20 09 and star ting his rugby career with the DB Pirates, Alessandro is back living in the communit y and, all going as expec ted, will be playing in his six th Sevens come April.

While most DBers will be going as fans, some will ac tually get to grace the tur f of Kai Tak Stadium,

While Hong Kong teams are no longer in the main draw of the Sevens and play in the Melrose Claymores competition – in which Hong Kong’s men and women were both vic torious last year – AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

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Alessandro has been luck y enough to play in the main event. He considers vic tor y in the 2023 Shield – the award given to 13th place of the 16 teams – as his standout Sevens’ moment.

“Three years ago in the old stadium, we won the Shield, beating Canada in the final. That hadn’t been done by Hong Kong for over 10 years. Beating t wo circuit teams, that was definitely the highlight for me,” he says.

“As players, we want to inspire the nex t generation and show them there is the oppor tunit y to become a professional in Hong Kong,” Alessandro adds.

“The oppor tunit y is there.”

While Alessandro has been blown away by the new stadium, he’ll never forget the buz z of running out at the old venue. “The atmosphere of Hong Kong Stadium was amazing,” he says. “Not many people get the suppor t we do from the home crowd when we’re playing for Hong Kong. Just thinking about it now gives me goosebumps. There is a big change going to Kai Tak. The technology, the laser show, the atmosphere of a closed stadium and the music – it ’s also amazing,” he says with a grin.

Alessandro has experienced ever y facet of the Sevens, playing in the mornings as a youth, living it up in the famed South Stand and competing against the best.

“I also went to the Sevens as a fan and spent time in the South Stand. That par t is just unreal,” he says. “It just feels like a three- day festival. I enjoy rugby so I was ac tually watching some of the rugby but some of my mates had no idea what was happening on the pitch and they were just having a good time.

“The Sevens is special because there’s such a big buy in from people that live in Hong Kong – ever yone looks for ward to it. It ’s a big par t y; people are dressing up, people enjoy a drink and the cit y comes alive during the weekend. There are a lot of event s going on out side the stadium as well and that adds to the enjoyment.”

Like most, Alessandro is rather circumspec t when asked for his best South Stand memor y: “It is ver y good fun. I’ll just leave it at that.”

Another DBer who was luck y enough to play in the Sevens is Tim Alexander, stepping out for Hong Kong at the tournament on t wo occasions and experiencing Shield success in 2010.

“We beat Wales [in the pool stage], who were the world champs at the time,” says Tim. “The last tr y we scored [in the final], we got a turnover and it 18

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

went through four or five set s of hands to score. It was almost a length- of-the-field ef for t.

“The crowd was ridiculous. To be playing deep into day three on the Sunday when ever yone was just topping themselves up from the Friday and Saturday, it was ver y loud. It was the first silver ware Hong Kong had won at the Sevens for a long time.”

Tim, who has lived in DB for almost 10 years, is a Sevens regular as a fan these days and he’s under no illusion as to what makes the event so special: “The atmosphere is amazing and it ’s truly global.

It ’s not just people from Hong Kong but people from ever y corner of the globe and they’re all there for the one reason and that ’s to have a par t y.”

A raf t of DB youngsters will again make the trek to Kai Tak this year to ply their trade on the pitch before the main event begins, including the McLeay brothers – 12-year- old Raph and nineyear- old Teddy. The boys have been to the Sevens t wice, playing for the first time last year, with both brothers winning their games.

“It was cool because a lot of people were watching and it felt like you were ac tually playing in the Sevens,” says Teddy. “Being seen on the big screen was really cool.”

“The stadium is just so big. Playing and then get ting to watch the rugby too was great. We won and at the end of the match there was a bit of a fight – a player threw the ball at one of our player ’s heads and things got a bit heated,” adds Raph.

W hile the crowd was s till building when they played, Raph and Teddy enjoyed being able to soak up the atmosphere during the march pas t later that af ter noon. “Around 3pm we walked around the pitch before the nex t teams played and it was cool bec ause ever yone was there by that s t age,” says Teddy.

While the players will be leaving no stone unturned to ensure they per form at their best at the world’s most-loved Sevens tournament, there will be plent y put ting almost as much time into a dif ferent sor t of preparation – costume selec tion.

While most subscribe to the mantra of ‘what happens in the South Stand stays in the South Stand,’ plent y also like to keep a lid on their costume ideas until the big weekend. If histor y is any thing to go by it should be easy to spot the likes of Dar th Vader, Wonder Woman, Superman, Ronald McDonald and the Harlem Globetrot ters in the South Stand.

If you look hard enough, you might even find Wally.

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FROM ROOTS TO RIGHTS HARVEY L AW GROUP REVEALS HOW EASY IT CAN BE TO CL AIM FRENCH CITIZENSHIP THROUGH LINEAGE Many people are surprised to discover that you don’t need to be born in Europe – or have ever lived there – to qualify for European Union (EU) citizenship. For those with European roots, this oppor tunit y of ten comes through Citizenship by Ancestr y programs.

Among these, France s tands out today as one of the most generous and accessible options within the EU. Nes tle d in Wes ter n Europ e, Fr ance is a countr y celebrated for its diverse landscapes, historic cities and vibrant cultural life. Its capital, Paris, sits along the Seine River and is renowned as a global centre of ar t, fashion and gastronomy. With its excellent rail and air connections, Paris links seamlessly to major European destinations such as Brussels, London and Geneva, making France both a cultural beacon and a well-connected European hub.

CLAIMING CITIZENSHIP THROUGH ANCESTRY I n Fr a n c e, c i t i ze n s h i p c a n b e g r a n t e d t h r o u g h jus s anguinis, or t he r ight of bloo d. T his means eligibilit y may be established based on ancestr y, regardless of where you were born, the language you speak, your health s tatus, or your familiarit y with French culture. If you have a parent who was a French citizen – either by bir th or naturalisation – at the time of your bir th, you may qualify to apply for French citizenship by ancestr y.

What’s remarkable about this pathway is that this oppor tunit y isn’t limited to biological children; it ex tends to f ully adopted children, provided t he adoption took place at bir th or during childhood.

20

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

In fact, eligibility under this path can flow through generations, making it possible for those with a Fr e n c h g r a n d p a r e n t t o c l a i m c i t i ze n s hi p. F o r example, if your gr andparent was bor n in Fr ance to French citizen parent s, your parent can secure French nationality through descent, allowing you to do the same. This ancestr y connec tion opens the door for many to reconnect with their heritage and embrace the French way of life.

One critic al aspec t of this citizenship pathway is that your French ancestor must have retained their nationality to pass it on. Specifically, this means that French parents, settled outside France, must not have lost their connection to France for 50 years prior to submission of their children’s French citizenship by ancestr y applications. This requirement ensures that the right to French citizenship can be transmit ted seamlessly through generations.

WHY FRENCH CITIZENSHIP MATTERS The advantages of acquiring French citizenship are substantial. With a French passpor t, you can live, wo r k , o r s t u d y a ny w h e r e w i t hi n t h e EU w i t h o u t the need for a visa or stric t residency regulations.

It also opens door s to visa-free or visa- on-arrival t r a v e l t o 174 c o u n t r i e s w o r l d w i d e. P l u s , s i n c e France permits dual citizenship, you can retain your current nationality while enjoying the freedoms that accompany being an EU citizen.

According to t he French Minis tr y of Europe and F o r e i g n A f f a i r s , b y t h e e n d o f 2 0 24, o v e r 1.7 million French citizens and their descendants living

CLIENT TALK

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law ye r to g ui d e t he m t hr o ug h t he a p p lic at io n process, which includes submitting the application to t he Par is C our t. If ever y t hing c hec k s out, a positive decision will be granted, opening the door to applying for a French passpor t, along with the rights and privileges of being an EU citizen.

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21

QUIZ

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! s e i v o M e th t A

20 QUESTIONS How much do you know about Hong Kong cinema?

01. Which film, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, is the inspiration behind Martin Scorsese’s The Departed?

A.

Hardboiled

B.

Infernal Affairs

C.

PTU

02. In Wong Kar-wai’s Chunking Express, what food does Cop 223 obsess over after his break-up?

A.

Canned pineapples

B.

Strawberr y ice cream

C.

Instant noodles

03. In Infernal Affairs, why does Lau Kinming panic when a phone rings during a police meeting?

A.

He could be exposed as a police mole

B.

He could be exposed as a triad mole

C.

A bomb might be about to go off

04. In Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love, why does Mr Chow move to Singapore?

A.

To star t a new life as a journalist

B.

To star t a new life with Mrs Chan

C.

To care for his ageing parents

05. Which stunt sequence in Police Story is one of Jackie Chan’s most iconic?

A. He slides down a pole covered in Christmas lights B.

He falls from a clock tower

C.

He jumps onto a moving hovercraft

22

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

QUIZ

06. In Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer, what makes the brothers so good on the field?

14. In Ann Hui’s A Simple Life, what happens to Ah Tao after she has a stroke?

A.

They were trained in the UK

A.

B.

They are superheroes

B. She returns to her village in mainland China

C.

They use kung-fu techniques

C.

07. What does Ip Man refuse to do during the Japanese occupation?

/

She goes back to work as a full-time maid Her former employer becomes her caregiver

A.

Join the Japanese army

15. What challenge does Wong Fei-hung face when he falls for the ‘13th Aunt’ in Tsui Hark’s Once Upon a Time in China?

B.

Teach mar tial ar ts for money

A.

She belongs to a rival mar tial ar ts school

C.

Beg for food

B.

She is his relative (by naming convention, not by blood)

C.

She is already engaged to another master

08. In John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow, why is Ho sent to prison?

A.

He is framed by his brother

B. He is betrayed during a counterfeiting deal C.

He steals money from his boss

09. What secret do the landlords of Pigsty Alley hide in Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle?

A.

They are wanted criminals

B.

They have zero fighting ability

C.

They are retired kung-fu masters

10. In Stanley Kwan’s Rouge, why does Fleur’s ghost return to Hong Kong?

A.

To find out why her lover broke their suicide pact

B.

To relive her childhood

C.

To relive her happiest night with her lover

11. In Peter Chan’s Comrades: Almost a Love Story, where do Li Xiang-Jun and Li Qiao meet years later?

A.

London

B.

Shanghai

C.

New York City

12. In Johnnie To’s Election, what tradition determines who becomes the next chairman of the Wo Shing Society?

16. In Ching Siu-tung’s: A Chinese Ghost Story, why does Ning Caichen fall in love with Nie Xiaoqian?

A.

She shows him genuine ‘human’ kindness

B.

She is a reincarnation of his best friend

C.

She transforms physically as one of his past lovers

17. In Herman Yau’s The Untold Story, who is Wong Chi-hang’s first victim?

A.

Mr Tsui

B.

Mrs Tsui

C.

The Tsui’s eldest son

18. In Mabel Cheung’s An Autumn Tale, what is Cher shocked to discover about her boyfriend Vincent?

A.

He’s been cheating on her

B.

He’s joined the triads

C.

He’s her half brother

19. What medical condition does Bing’s mother suffer from in Jessey Tsang’s Big Blue Lake?

A.

Diabetes

B.

Atrial fibrillation

C.

Dementia

A.

A fight between the two strongest candidates

B.

Possession of a wooden dragon-head baton

20. In Fruit Chan’s The Midnight After where do the minibus passengers wake up?

C.

The elder triads cast a vote

A.

Kowloon

B.

Central

C.

Macau

13. In Stanley Tong’s Rumble in the Bronx, why does Keung get into a conflict with the local gang?

A.

The gang kidnaps one of his family members

B.

The gang vandalises his uncle’s fiancée’s supermarket

C.

He refuses to join the gang

You can check your score at www.arounddb.com>post>at-themovies-hong-kong-cinema-quiz AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

23

INSIDER

/

! s p i T Top

FROM BOILED CAULIFLOWER TO BEETHOVEN Learning an instrument can be slow, frustrating and occasionally soul-destroying but with smart apps and AI coaches, technology is making it easier (and cheaper) for you to hit the right notes.

Andrew Spires reports PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels

I

of ten wander into the kitchen and wonder why I’m there, and of late it ’s taking me slightly longer than normal to remember the answer.

Usually, it ’s chocolate biscuit s. In a wellintentioned ef for t to make sure my brain doesn’t turn into a boiled cauliflower as I progress into later life, I’ve been tr ying to learn an instrument.

If you’ve ever taken the time to learn an instrument, you’ll appreciate how soul-crushing the initial stage is. The first few months are akin to Sisyphus pushing his rock up that never-ending hill. It’s wor th remembering that all this ef for t is not without reward.

In a study by the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatr y, it was noted that playing an instrument regularly was associated with a 35% lower dementia risk, and like all wor thwhile endeavours, learning to play any musical instrument takes time and patience.

Whilst there are no hacks or shor tcut s to get ting good at tickling the ivories or plucking the G-string, there are now some cool bit s of tech to help you on your melodious journey; a journey that ’s undergoing a tech revolution.

Where previously you had a teacher and a shared physical space, now you have an app, meaning you can study any where you feel comfor table. From ar tificial intelligence that ac t s as a personal coach to plat forms that transform prac tice into play, technology is making it easier and cheaper than 24

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

ever to puck and plink your way to finally learning an instrument.

Finding a great teacher can be trick y, and finding the time to visit a music coach can be even harder, not to mention the cost. Most teachers charge in excess of HK$30 0 per lesson, so you need to really want to learn to play Tears in Heaven to justif y spending HK$1,20 0 a month on instruc tion.

If you’re serious about lifelong learning, an inperson, real-life teacher is always going to win out.

A friend of mine who has tried using music learning apps is now sending her eight-year- old daughter to in-person lessons. She said, “I think there's a lot you can learn through apps and online, but personally I think it's wor th paying for face-to -face lessons if you can af ford it. The teacher will not only help you learn but hold you accountable to keep you learning.”

But before you commit, why not tr y some costef fec tive tech to see if you enjoy learning an instrument as much as you thought you would.

First up for the piano or keyboard, I recommend Simply Piano. In much the same way kids are taught in schools by slowly building up the information, Simply Piano gently takes your hand and walks you, baby steps, into an ac tual song, rather than chromatic scales or arpeggios. The benefit of this is that you feel like you’re making progress with

INSIDER

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

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25

INSIDER

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a recognisable tune. Whilst it sounds like a quick fix – it ’s crucially impor tant to get the foundations correc t before taking an instrument to another level – Simply Piano does get you hooked on learning quickly. The app has an audio func tion that listens to you play, adjust s the pace accordingly and recognises any bum notes you hit. You can set dif ferent goals, ranging from reading sheet music to playing your favourite songs. You can also selec t how of ten you want to prac tise. I recommend being realistic at the out set so as not to fall at the first hurdle and become downhear ted.

The Simply Piano app costs HK$1,400 a year, so nowhere near as costly as a tutor, but progress does rely on you prac tising.

For guitar, I already have the basic s down from when I was a teenager tr ying to learn Smoke on the Water, so I didn’t want to pay for an app. I’ve been really impressed with Guitar Tuna by Yousican. I stumbled onto it when tr ying to find a way to tune my guitar quickly and accurately. Like Simply Piano, Guitar Tuna can hear the notes you play, meaning you can tune up – and it also provides songs for you to play along with whilst following your speed.

If you want to get more technical, there are a range of lessons, such as learning chords and an ‘ear trainer ’ which plays a chord sound and you have to match it.

Maintaining motivation is one of the greatest challenges in learning an instrument. Music learning apps tackle this head- on through gamification, essentially applying video game concept s to learning an instrument. By tapping into the intrinsic motivation to keep levelling up, one becomes completely absorbed in the ac tivit y.

Failing the game makes you want to star t over to beat your high-score. This gamification element works especially well with kids. My t wo like to compete against each other to see who can get the longest clean run on the piano without errors.

They also love to find their favourite tracks from piano instruc tional videos on YouTube. I always used to use YouTube videos to learn how to change door handles and drain engine oil, but the kids have found a series of instruc tional videos by using simple search terms like ‘How to Play Für Elise on Piano’. There are great videos showing ‘first person’ hands on the keys, and the notes flow down the screen in a similar fashion to the famous video game Guitar Hero. YouTube doesn’t provide the feedback and struc tured learning that apps of fer, but the videos are great tools once you’ve got to grips with the basic s.

When riding the tech train to Nashville, it ’s also well wor th embracing AI. Moises.ai is a ver y cool 26

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

MAINTAINING MOTIVATION IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES IN LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT. MUSIC LEARNING APPS TACKLE THIS HEAD-ON THROUGH GAMIFICATION application that allows budding musicians to upload any song and separate it into individual tracks. For example, a guitarist can isolate the lead guitar par t of Hotel California to learn it note-fornote, or remove it entirely to prac tise along with the professional backing track. The sof t ware can also slow down complex passages without changing pitch and detec t chords automatically, making song analysis and prac tice far more ef ficient. Ear training (the technical word for recognising a chord or note) and theor y, once reliant on workbooks, are now interac tive through websites like ToneSav v y and Teoria, which of fer exercises cleverly disguised as games.

The future of music education is not about technology replacing human teachers. Instead, it should become a par tnership. Whilst the app can sor t the analysis of a student’s playing, human teachers are liberated to focus on their irreplaceable role; that of of fering passionate encouragement, nuanced and tailored guidance, and the inspirational encouragement a student needs when they feel they aren’t making any progress.

Much like the invention of the washing machine made doing the laundr y quicker and easier, music teaching apps of fer another layer of suppor t to those with dreams to one day play to an audience.

Whilst these tools are breaking down traditional barriers of cost, scheduling and geography, you still need to have the dedication to learn, be able to commit the time and suf fer the sore fingers to become a music maestro.

! t s i L t e k c Bu

GOOD READS

/

6 ROCK ’N’ ROLL MUST-READS For anyone who ever wanted to join a band

DAISY JONES & THE SIX: TAYLOR JENKINS REID (2019)

THE COMMITMENTS, RODDY DOYLE (1987)

LIVING WITH THE DEAD: ROCK SCULLY (1996)

THE GROUND BENEATH HER FEET: SALMAN RUSHDIE (1999)

N&N’S INFINITE PLAYLIST: RACHEL COHN (2006)

31 SONGS: NICK HORNBY (2003)

A Fleetwood Mac-inspired story about a fictional 1970s rock band’s meteoric rise, legendary album Aurora, and mysterious breakup after a final, iconic show. Reid focuses on the volatile, creative and romantic tension between fiery singer-songwriter Daisy Jones and brooding bandleader Billy Dunne, exploring themes of fame, addiction, love and artistry.

In the first memoir ever published by a member of the Grateful Dead family, one-time band manager Scully provides the full story of rock’s longest-running road show. He brings to life two decades of ceaseless touring, wild antics and musical experimentation, in which the Dead transformed from a folksy revivalist quintet to one of the most enduring legends in music history.

Two music-loving New York teens embark on a chaotic, all-night adventure as they search for a secret show being put on by a legendary band. Told in alternating chapters, the story unfolds over a single night as they navigate band drama, drunken friends and their own insecurities, culminating in an unexpected first date that’s fuelled by their shared passion for music.

Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed Dubliner, forms The Commitments to bring Motown-style R&B to Ireland.

The novel, the first in Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy, chronicles the band’s raw talent, energetic rise, internal clashes and sudden collapse. The authentic, colloquial dialogue captures the spirit of 1980s Dublin and the transformative power of music.

An epic rock ‘n’ roll love story about the tumultuous relationship between Indian rock stars Vina Apsara and Ormus Cama, narrated by their childhood friend, photographer Rai Merchant, as they rise from postcolonial Bombay to global fame. Rushdie explores themes of love, loss, celebrity and alternate realities through a reimagining of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth.

A funny, relatable and heartwarming collection of essays in which Hornby discusses his 31 favourite pop/ rock anthems, and what they mean to him. He explores the profound emotional impact of music, and how it serves as a soundtrack to life, delving into why specific tracks resonate, ranging from nostalgic connections to deep lyrical appreciation.

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

27

! e im T Vacation ESCAPES

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WEST CORK COAST The place to be on St Patrick’s Day

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

ALTHOUGH NOT DEFINED BY A BORDER, the West Cork Coast

lies to the west of Cork Cit y and continues down to Ireland’s most southerly point at Mizen Head.

It s breathtaking coastal views, historic sites and charming seaside towns are easily equal to those found in the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerr y, and they are relatively crowd free.

THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY is a 2,500-kilometre driving route that delivers an unforgettable look at Ireland’s western coast: West Cork’s por tion of the route runs from Kinsale to the Beara Peninsula. Mar vel at the rugged cliffs and crashing waves; stop off at picturesque fishing villages, like Ballydehob, Skibbereen and Schull; and admire the golden sand beaches.

BANTRY HOUSE IS A STRIKING EXAMPLE of Georgian architecture

with glorious grounds to explore.

Built by Richard White, the first Earl of Bantry, in the 18th-century, the estate has been passed down through the Hare family for generations. Take a guided tour to admire the grand reception rooms and a marvellous collection of artwork and antiques.

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AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

FASTNET LIGHTHOUSE PROTECTS AGAINST SHIPWRECKS in the

ESCAPES

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surrounding waters, and is affectionately known as the Teardrop of Ireland. Perched on a rock, it’s not open to the public but you can take a ferry ride out to see it up close.

These tours also take you to Cape Clear Island, a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area, which homes a bird observatory.

THE DRUID’S ALTAR AT GLANDORE dates back to the

Bronze Age. The 9.3-metre stone circle originally consisted of 17 closely spaced stones of which 13 survive. Two taller stones mark the entrance to the circle, and face a recumbent altar stone. This arrangement creates a south-west axis, and orients the monument in the direction of the setting sun during the midwinter solstice.

MIZEN HEAD TOWERS ABOVE THE ATLANTIC at Ireland’s

southern tip. From the Maritime Museum, you can climb down 99 steps to cross Mizen Head Footbridge. This dramatic suspension bridge stretches across a gorge that separates the mainland from the Mizen Peninsula. As you take in the waves crashing 45 metres below, you may spot the resident colony of seals.

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY, March 17 this year, is celebrated with great

enthusiasm throughout Ireland, and arguably the place to be is Clonakilty – De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty, to be exact. Grab a locally brewed Guinness, craft beer or whiskey and settle back as musicians gather to play traditional fiddles, flutes and bodhráns.

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

29

PARENTING

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! s r e k c i t S d on y e B THE ART OF RAISING HAPPY CHILDREN

Clean rooms and completed homework matter but they’re not what make children thrive. Happiness is built through connection, confidence and resilience – and being shown how to enjoy life PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels 30

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

W

e put a lot of focus into teaching our kids to clean their rooms, ac t responsibly and do their homework. These things are impor tant, but there’s one thing that ’s more impor tant: teaching kids to enjoy life. As parent s, there is nothing we want more than to make sure our children are happy.

Their contentment and wellbeing, af ter all, is – in some ways – within our power. But what makes a happy child? Is it giving into their ever y whim – and granting them more screen time – or is it about building secure at tachment s, validating their experiences and encouraging autonomy?

Being happy, proud and fulfilled aren’t just emotions that leave us feeling warm and fuz z y.

Concrete positive outcomes are life-af firming, and they are associated with bet ter school at tendance, bet ter academic per formance, bet ter self- esteem and bet ter overall health. So how do we raise our children to be happy?

While happiness may seem rather basic – one is either happy or not – many things can contribute to a child’s happiness. E x ternal stimuli, for example, may make a child happy (or, conversely, it could make a child sad). Validation can result in peace and contentment, and friendships can be full of pleasure and joy. But there is no one thing which makes children happy. There is also no way to ensure a child is always happy. Full-time happiness is a my th, something that is impossible to at tain.

Still, there are skills you can teach your children to help them enjoy life to the full.

Nur turing resilience is essential: empowering children to be resilient set s them up for positive, construc tive experiences and helps them learn how to deal with dif ficult situations. It can also help them bounce back, when stressors occur.

Encourage your children’s abilit y to successfully adapt, positively transform and return to their baseline despite being surrounded by stressors and adversit y.

Teaching kids to believe in themselves is never a bad decision, so instead of mollycoddling or overprotec ting, focus on building autonomy and self- ef ficac y. Once children have control over their own decision-making and become confident in their decisions, they feel empowered to take an ac tive par t in creating their own happiness. Encouraging problem-solving – in school, with friends and with you – is a first step. By talking through dif ficult situations, you help your child learn how to handle the problems they’re facing currently and that they will face in the future.

Empathy, being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, is a skill ever yone should learn.

Children benefit from appreciating each other ’s

PARENTING

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MODEL WHAT HAPPINESS MEANS TO YOU: FROM PRACTISING SELF-CARE TO MEDITATING, READING AND PLAYING PICKLEBALL, ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES THAT BRING YOU HAPPINESS WILL ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO DO THE SAME. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHILD’S WELLBEING IS TO ATTEND TO YOUR OWN similarities and dif ferences, and the abilit y to empathise with the people around them helps them build fulfilling relationships. Likewise, it ’s impor tant for children to understand the need for emotional regulation and impulse control.

Incorporating mindfulness into their routine and encouraging them to be aware of their feelings helps with this.

Children need to feel suppor ted (and loved) in order to become happy and healthy. They also need to be inspired by your own at titude to life and willingness to embrace happiness. Here are a few ways you can do that.

Foster connec tions: let your children see that you are ac tively involved in other people’s lives and, most impor tantly, their own. Spend qualit y time together having fun. Have meaningful conversations with them about school, friends and hobbies. Talk through and validate their experiences, and be open and honest about your own.

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

31

PARENTING

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by explaining that shopping is not a recreational ac tivit y, and follow through by limiting time spent in stores and malls. Many children get so much stuf f given to them that it quickly becomes overkill. By giving children too many gif t s, you encourage them to believe that having things brings happiness – so tr y to avoid that, even on bir thdays.

As for your own bir thday, use it as an oppor tunit y to reinforce your values. You might discourage gif t s and instead ask your child to share a memor y with you of a favourite family ac tivit y. You can also help your children dream up gif t s for your spouse that will be meaningful, like a handmade card, a home-baked cake or a self-penned poem.

Play games with your children to demonstrate how much fun can be had with a simple deck of cards.

Pitch a tent or bake a cake with them to show the pleasure of a produc tive ac tivity. Go to a museum to show them the pleasure of an intellec tual ac tivity.

It sounds counterintuitive, but the best thing you can do for your children’s long-term happiness may be to stop tr ying to keep them happy. If we put our children in a bubble and grant them their ever y wish and desire, that is what they grow to expec t… but the real world doesn’t work that way.

ENCOURAGE KIDS TO FIND PLEASURE IN ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES: AVOID RECREATIONAL SHOPPING

Model what happiness means to you: from prac tising self- care to meditating, reading and playing pickleball, engaging in ac tivities that bring you happiness will encourage your child to do the same. One of the best things you can do for your child’s emotional (and physical) wellbeing is to at tend to your own.

Prac tise gratitude: help your children feel safe, secure and happy by expressing thank fulness.

Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, prioritise their health, deal with adversit y and build strong relationships. So how do you foster gratitude in children? One simple way is to ask them to take time daily – before or during a meal, for example – to name aloud something they are thank ful for.

Then, make it a regular ritual.

Discourage consumerism: children need to understand that while money can give them the oppor tunit y to be happy, they can’t consume their way to happiness. How do you teach them this? Star t 32

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

To keep from overcoddling, recognise that you are not responsible for your child’s happiness. If we feel responsible for our children’s emotions, we have great dif ficult y allowing them to experience anger, sadness, or frustration. We swoop in immediately to give them whatever we think will bring a smile to their face, or solve whatever is causing them distress. Unfor tunately, children who don’t learn to deal with negative emotions are in danger of being crushed by them as adolescent s and adult s.

Once you accept this, you’ll be less inclined to tr y to ‘fix’ their feelings – and more likely to step back and allow them to develop the coping skills and resilience they’ll need to bounce back from life’s inevitable setbacks.

Of course, if you really want to bolster your child’s self- esteem, focus less on compliment s and more on providing them with ample oppor tunities to learn new skills. Master y, not praise, is the real selfesteem builder. The great mistake good parent s make is doing too much for their children.

While it can be dif ficult to watch our children struggle, they’ll never know the thrill of master y unless we allow them to risk failure. Few skills are per fec ted on a first tr y, becoming proficient in something takes prac tice. And through repeated experiences of master y, children develop the can- do at titude that let s them approach future challenges with the zest and optimism that are central to a happy life.

, email us!

Solve the riddle, take a photo from Uncle Russ!

Win free drinks H O W TO PL AY:

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

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Q UKI IZD S / C O R N E R

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! y a B y r e v o c s i D in te a e r C k in h T y la P BRAIN BOOSTER!

AMAZING PINK DOLPHINS OF OUR WATERS!

Lantau’s coast is one of the best places in Hong Kong to see pink dolphins. They prefer shallow waters like those off North Lantau and Tai O. If you’re lucky you might even spot one when you take the ferry to Central. Here are some fun facts!

WHAT THEY ACTUALLY ARE

BUILT DIFFERENT

Their scientific name is Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin though many people call them Chinese white dolphins.

They are heavier and bulkier than many dolphin species so they splash about more than they leap.

WHY THEY LOOK PINK

HOW THEY COMMUNICATE

Their blood vessels are very close to the surface of their skin so they are pinkish especially when they swim fast.

They swim in small groups called pods, and they use clicks and whistles to ‘talk’ to each other.

COLOUR CHANGES

ONE EYE OPEN

Female dolphins often look pinker than males, and baby dolphins are dark grey – they lighten as they get older.

They surface for air every two to eight minutes, and they swim 24/7 because they sleep with one eye open.

THIS MONTH’S CHALLENGE!

DRAW A PINK DOLPHIN!

Use paints, crayons, pencils, or anything you like. Any size, any style – just have fun!

Pink dolphins are naturally rosy, so don’t hold back with the pink!

Ask a grown-up to email your drawing to rachel@arounddb.com.

You might see it in the next issue or on our Instagram page!

34

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

Pink dolphins are vulnerable and endangered because of habitat loss, heavy marine traffic, construction and pollution. So, if you want to see them up close, choose an eco-friendly tour like Hong Kong DolphinWatch.

The DolphinWatch guides provide fun facts about dolphin life and behaviour, and explain why they need our help.

They focus on protecting dolphins, not chasing them. The boats keep a safe distance so the dolphins aren’t scared or stressed. @hkdolphinwatch.com

K I D S C O R N QE UR I Z / /

MAKE IT!

COLOURFUL PAPER KITE A fun outdoor craft you can fly on a breezy spring day YOU’LL NEED: •

Scissors

•

Coloured paper or light card

•

Glue or tape

•

Two short sticks

•

String

•

Ribbons

•

Pen or markers

TRY THIS!

HOW TO MAKE IT:

•

Use bright colours so your kite stands out in the sky

•

Decorate it with spring designs like flowers or sunshine

•

Fly your kite in a safe open space with an adult

1.

Cut your paper into a diamond shape

2.

Tape or glue the sticks across the back in a cross shape

3.

Tie string around the four corners to make the kite frame

4.

Attach a long piece of string to the centre for flying

5.

Glue or tape ribbons to the bottom to make a tail

6.

Decorate your kite with drawings, patterns or stickers

BONUS PUZZLE! SPOT THE DIFFERENCES Can you find all five?

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

35

' s e r i p S w e Andr

DB FACES

/

COMMUNITY SNAPS

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

36

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

CLASSIFIEDS

Help expand the ADB archives!

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

Weʼd love to hear from you if you have any old copies that would help us fill these gaps.

Weʼd scan and return them! Please email us at admin@arounddb.com.

• Use the food-waste bins and the plastic-bottle, paper, metal, glass and drink-box recycling bins located in every village • Recycle contact lens packaging at South Plaza

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• Deposit good-condition toys in the DB Mothers & Friends’ collection boxes (located at Costa Court, Brilliance Court and Midvale bus stop), and barely-used clothes in one of the many smart bins located around DB

a unique open-air shopping experience in DB South Plaza

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

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

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

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

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

37

LOCAL NUMBERS

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

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

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

38

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company ·················· 6894 7243 Tinytots Soccer ························································ 3488 7724 Treasure House ························································ 2987 4217 YRock ······································································· 6180 0817 LANGUAGE TUITION Dr Bear Education Centre ········································· 9685 7856 Japanese Private Tutor ·············································· 9462 0550 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················································ 2185 6134 HKILA ······································································· 2416 3198 La Petite Enfance Kindergarten ·································· 6071 3136 Mathemagic (home tutoring) ····································· 9135 4724 Open Book Learning Hub Phonics & literacy programmes designed to nurture kids’ reading, writing, spelling & language skills through personalised instruction. Located in DB South. Call 9665 8740

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 ·················································· 9854 4410 FTC Relocations ······················································· 2814 1658 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 EPS Property Consultants Ltd DB’s trusted property consultants for buying, selling & renting homes. Top listings & expert guidance provided for first-time buyers, seasoned sellers & renters. Call 2987 2023

Headland Homes ······················································ 2987 2088 Homes R Us ······························································ 2662 1878 Kingsland ································································· 2987 2987 Land Master Property················································· 2987 6238 Midland Realty ·························································· 2987 2888 Okay.com ································································· 2102 0888

LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY Pacific Estate ··························································· 2987 2928 RECREATION BMSE Community Centre ········································· 2259 3422 Club Siena ······························································· 29877382 DB Football Club ····················································· 9770 4548 DB Golf Club ··························································· 2987 7273 DB Ice Rink ······························································ 2234 0187 DB North Community Centre ···································· 2987 8136 DB Recreation Club ·················································· 2987 7381 Lantau Boat Club ······················································ 9377 3074 Lantau Yacht Club ····················································· 2987 9591 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DB Office Centre ······················································ 2238 3388 DB Lost & Found ······················································ 3651 2345 DB Services Management ········································· 2238 3601 RESTAURANTS Café Bord de Mer & Lounge ····································· 2295 8299 Coffee Academics ···················································· 2882 2280 DBrasserie ······························································· 9848 1101 Dough Bros ······························································ 2408 0448 Ebeneezer’s ······························································ 2987 0036 Quality Cuts ····························································· 2172 6111 Feather & Bone ························································ 5198 1831 Figos Seaside Café ··················································· 2987 2995 il Bel Paese Heart-warming dishes made from the freshest ingredients provide the ultimate Italian experience. Simple & inviting decor. Located in DB South Plaza. Call 2987 0202

JOO Korean Grill & Bar ············································· 2234 6118 Koh Tomyums Thai ···················································· 2987 0767 Levain Bakery ··························································· 2726 4922 Liang She Han Buy Good ·········································· 3618 7827 McDonald’s ······························································ 2987 1033 MOOJOO Lifestyle Café ··········································· 5122 5928 ÓNA ········································································ 3619 0937 Osmanbey Turkish Restaurant ··································· 5401 8350 Pachanga ································································· 2626 3008 Pasha ······································································· 6340 0903 Peony ······································································· 2215 0833 Pho Bay ···································································· 3619 0932 PizzaExpress ····························································· 3164 1340 Smokey Joe’s ···························································· 5784 7101 Spicy Tiger ······························································· 2328 3383 Subway ···································································· 2914 0005 Sunset Bay Bar & Grill ··············································· 2787 7788 Sushi No En······························································· 3705 9984 Taste of Thai······························································ 2987 2010 The Chippy ······························································· 2987 8688 The Pier Bar······························································· 2520 2166

European Touch ························································ 2918 0868 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 ··································································· 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 Elly House Of Beauty ················································ 6131 9039 Herbal Health Care ··················································· 2834 7276 Salon De Coiffure ····················································· 2987 4112 Sophia Essentials ······················································ 2527 0118 Spa Botanica ······························································ 2295 8129

The Rink – Bar Grill & Restaurant Steakhouse, specialising in modern international cuisine with a dedicated kids’ menu. Pet-friendly, located in DB South 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

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

AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

39

! r e v e F g Sprin AT A GLANCE

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WHY MARCH FEELS DIFFERENT

Brighter mornings, busier minds and a restless energy in the air – time for a seasonal reset

Mood Lift

23.5° Axial Tilt

Longer Daylight

17°C - 26°C TEMPERATURE RANGE

UNDERSTANDING THE EQUINOX EARTH'S TILT

Circadian Rhythm Adjustment

Humidity Increase Warmer Days

96%

AVERAGE HUMIDITY

Energy Lift

70 - 82MM RAINFALL AVERAGE

WHAT’S TRENDING

EQUAL DAY & NIGHT N

Sun Over Equator # 1 World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Bar Leone, Sheung Wan. Italian-inspiredcocktail popolari & warm hospitality #2 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025: The Chairman, Central. Ingredient-forward dishes, Cantonese fine dining

Orbit Around Sun Day = Night (12 Hours)

s

SEASONAL SHIFT Spring Begins (North) Before N

Peach gum: rich in collagen

March Equinox N

Tea-forward menus: oolong, pu’er

After N

Sakura-flavoured everything Korean Dubai Chocolate Cookie

Bali: TripAdvisor’s #1 travel destination 2026 Mainland cities: Dongguan, Zhanjiang

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AROUND DB / MARCH 2026

s

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Phu Quoc: Vietnam's rising star Tokyo: It’s cherry blossom season!

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