RITE OF PASSAGE
Preeti, unfiltered!
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, Peter Sherwood, Andrew Spires, Elena M. Zepeda
PRINTING
Promise Network Printing Ltd, G/F, Block B, Phase 4, Kwun Tong Industrial Centre, Kwun Tong Rd, Kowloon
ADB OFFICE
L/G Unit 3, Block 1, 92 Siena Ave, DB North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
HLG KART RACE
Enrol now!
The HLG Kart Race returns to DB on November 22, celebrating its 10th anniversary with roughly 100 competitors expected to take part. The action unfolds on Discovery Bay Road cycle lane where an eightfoot-high ramp, almost 16-foot long and eight-foot wide is set up. While standard karts are provided by the organiser Harvey Law Group, kids, aged seven to 12, also have the opportunity to compete in their own kit-made karts. Enrol to compete at www.hlgkartrace.com or by emailing kartrace@ harveylawcorporation.com.
October 6
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.
© AROUND DB 2025
RUN THE DB 10K
Enrol now!
Open to runners, walkers and families alike (bring your strollers and your pets), there’s a place for everyone at the DB10K on November 1. This year’s proceeds are going to two local rescues: Hong Kong Paws Foundation and Tails of Lantau. To join the community in celebrating fitness, friendship and philanthropy, visit www.db10k.com.
Happenings STUFF TO KNOW
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS
Also known as the Chinese Moon Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month in the Chinese calendar (October 6, 2025) and coincides with the full harvest moon. Traditionally it was a time for people to give thanks for the harvest and ask for good luck in the year to come. These days, families and friends get together to eat well and enjoy some time-honoured customs.
We eat mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival because their round shape resembles the full harvest moon. A full moon represents family reunion and harmony, so by coming together to share mooncakes families ensure equal blessings for everyone at the table. Mooncakes are also exchanged as gifts among friends and business partners to convey best wishes for prosperity, health and happiness. While lotus seed paste and red bean paste are classic fillings, Cantonese-style mooncakes typically also contain a salted egg yolk. Creative modern fillings include matcha, custard, coffee and even ice-cream.
During Mid-Autumn Festival, we also light lanterns and join lantern parades in honour of the full moon. Chang’e (the goddess of the moon) is said to bless her worshippers with beauty, and the bright lanterns help her to see us clearly from the sky. It has become traditional for DB residents to gather on Tai Pak Wan and celebrate the festival as a community but there are lantern parades all over Hong Kong – the biggest is in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.
DB BREW BEER RUN
Looking to combine the thrill of running with the joy of craft beer? DB Brew Beer Run, hosted by DB-based craft brewer Maverick Wang, allows you to do just that. Participants meet on the last Thursday of every month at around 6.30pm and do a 500m lap of Tai Pak Beach – finishing up with a cold, convivial DB Brew. To find out more, visit www.dbbrewbeer.com.
Dear readers,
We re excited to announce that the newAround DB website launched on September 18I The site, designed by longtime DBer Thomas Corbin and the team at Digital Nova, is packed with info, has a fresh look and is easy to navigate. By visiting www.arounddb.com, you can read our latest articles, get updated on community news and events, sign up for our newsletters and explore advertising opportunities. Plus, there s the option to dive into our archives, to read articles from every issue dating back to our very first in 2002.
& Events! IN OCTOBER!
Get ready to explore DB like never beforeI
We hope you like what you seeI
T he Around DB team
October 18
BAKE SALE FOR VKB
Dog lover and longtime Lantau Boat Club participant Sabine Fischer is co-hosting a for-charity bake sale on October 18 outside Spicy Tiger (Shop 104A) in DB South Plaza. Take your pick of fantastic, homemade baked goods from 10am to 2pm with all proceeds going to Mui-Wo based dog rescue Villa Kunterbunt. For more on VKB, visit www.vkblantau.com.
HKRI’s newly published 2024/25 ESG Report recorded a focus on greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, electricity consumption and waste management. Milestones included the installation of additional solar panels across the Group’s managed properties. This initiative generated over 454,800kWh of clean energy, equivalent to offsetting 172,800kg of carbon dioxide emissions or planting 7,500 trees. Additionally, the consumption of unleaded petrol and diesel decreased by 34% and 19%, respectively, compared to last year, thanks to the ongoing adoption of electric vehicles (half of DB’s hire cars are now EVs).
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
OCT 04 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm. Visit FB @DynamicDBers.
OCT 12 | SHOP THE DB MARKET in DB Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.
OCT 25 | 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.
TEAM FEAR JUNIOR CHALLENGE
Started in 2001, the Team Fear Junior Challenge is a standout on DB’s action-packed racing calendar. This year’s race is scheduled for November 30 with 600 adventurers expected to take part. Youngsters, aged eight to 17, are challenged to run, coasteer, kayak and rock-scramble around DB, while raising money for Youth Outreach. To enrol on a first-come-first-served basis, visit www.team-fear.com. For more on the race, turn to page 20.
[PHOTO BY Col Sim.]
SCREAM SKATE ICE PARTY
October 26
Kids aged 3 and up are invited to Scream Skate, a spooktacular Halloween ice party at DB Ice Rink on October 26. There are two thrilling sessions: 1.30pm to 4pm and 4.30pm to 7pm with Halloween gifts on offer, plus trick-or-treat games. While tickets are priced at HK$95 per person, kids dressed in their Halloween best enjoy a special walk-in rate of HK$75. You can pre-book tickets through Klook, or grab walk-in tickets at the rink starting from 12pm on event day. To find out more, call 2234 0187 or visit dbicerink.com.
October 12
DB SWIMMING GALA
Harry Wright International is hosting a swimming gala at Discovery Bay Recreation Club on October 12, from 2pm to 5.30pm, for kids aged 4 and up. Expect 25M / 50M backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle races, plus a parent-child relay, a siblings relay and a boys and girls relay. To find out more and enrol by October 6, call 2987 7381 or email dbrc-lessons@dbrc.hk.
SPOOKY CHILLS @ DISCOVERY BAY
DB is the place to be in the lead-up to Halloween with both plazas spookily decked out from October 11: eerie lighting installations, ghost and pumpkin decorations, a giant spider web and haunted house create magical backdrops for photo ops. The festive fun really kicks into gear on October 26 at the annual Discovery Bay Halloween Night Market in DB South Plaza. From 2pm to 9pm, you can shop 50+ stalls selling handmade items of all kinds, plus Halloween-themed accessories. Watch out too for a roving magician, Halloween workshops, face-painting and a giant inflatable maze. Also on October 26 at DB South Plaza, DB dogs are invited to take part in a Hallo-Woof Runway Pet Costume Contest. To register, simply submit a photo of your dog in Halloween costume at www.visitdiscoverybay.com. The finalists take to the stage from 3pm to 5pm, and there are special prizes for the dogs who place first, second the third.
Lastly, be sure to head to the No Tricks just Treats booth at both plazas on October 26, from 1pm to 8pm, and on the big day itself, October 31, from 6pm to 10pm. To receive a treat, simply show a screenshot of having liked or followed @VisitDiscoveryBay. Be sure to dress up in Halloween costume to celebrate the scariest time of the year.
Happy 3 th!
See you at Tai Pak Beach on October 26
Discovery Bay Services Management Ltd (DBSML), aka City Management (CM), continues to create a buzz, delivering fun and meaningful events that bring the community together. The annual DB Dragon Boat Gala, now in its 35th year, is one such event.
“CM initiatives aim to engage and connect DB residents while promoting enjoyment,” states Ernest Lee, Assistant General Manager of DBSML. “We are excited to invite you to the annual DB Dragon Boat Gala, one of the signature CM-led community events in Discovery Bay, being held on October 26, a Sunday, at Tai Pak Beach.
The 35th edition of DB Dragon Boat Gala is a significant milestone and CM is delighted by the way the event continues to bring DB residents of diverse cultures, age groups and interests together.
Attendees can expect fiercely contested mixed, open, ladies, A45 and community races with approximately 40 teams participating from across Lantau and beyond. The event kicks off at Tai Pak Beach at 9am, and concludes with an open-to-all ceremony and award presentation at 4pm.
RACE-DAY FUN WAVES OF JOY
The special anniversary slogan for this year’s DB Dragon Boat Gala is ‘Waves of Joy 35th’ and to mark the occasion, CM has commissioned a celebratory mural designed to spark happiness in both spectators and competitors. Taking pride of place on Tai Pak Beach on October 26, the mural showcases precious and unforgettable moments captured over the event’s 35 years through archived photos and memorabilia.
PADDLE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Since 2023, DB Dragon Boat Gala has combined dragon boat racing with philanthropy, and 2025 is no exception. This year, CM is partnering with Hong Kong Cancer Fund, a reputable and well-known organisation, that provides free information and professional support to anyone living with or affected by cancer in Hong Kong. Pink Power Hong Kong – Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat Team has signed up to race this year in the community category.
“The 35th DB Dragon Boat Gala sets out to celebrate community spirit and togetherness: participants and spectators can enjoy the excitement of the races and join in the festivities surrounding the ceremony and award presentation,” Ernest concludes. “We look forward to a day filled with fun, camaraderie and celebration!” To find out more, visit Facebook/ Instagram @db.community.hk.
People against Pollution!
Help tackle worldwide nurdle spills
WHAT’S A NURDLE?
Nurdles are small plastic pellets the size of a lentil. Billions of nurdles are melted down each year to make almost all plastic products, but thousands of tonnes also spill directly into the environment wherever they are handled or transported. They spill from nurdle production factories, during transport on land and at sea, from plastic manufacturing sites and even plastic recycling sites. Once in the environment nurdles are extremely difficult to clean up.
THE GREAT GLOBAL NURDLE HUNT
You can collect and count nurdles and share the information at any time of the year, but every October, people join together in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt. This citizen science programme helps as a lot of information is gathered in a short period of time. You can use the new Nurdle Hunt App to report your findings, or you can upload to the Great Nurdle Hunt website, www.nurdlehunt.org.uk.
In 2012, 150 tonnes of nurdles washed ashore in Hong Kong –the spill was discovered at Sam Pak Wan by former DB resident Tracey Read. Since then, there have been 10 major spills around the world – the worst was off the coast of Sri Lanka in 2021.
WHY ARE NURDLE SPILLS A PROBLEM?
Fish, seabirds and other wildlife mistake nurdles for food. Eating them can cause ulceration, organ damage or even death. Nurdles can absorb pollutants like PCBs, pesticides and heavy metals from the water, making them even more dangerous when eaten. When small animals eat nurdles, toxins can move up the food chain, potentially
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Most countries have limited guidelines on how nurdles are stored and transported, so spills happen often and go unreported. International rules need to be put in place so nurdles can’t ‘slip through the cracks’ in global trade. The more information gathered, the easier it is for countries to create these laws. You can help by doing a nurdle hunt and reporting your findings.
You can find instructions on how to do your own nurdle hunt on the Plastic Free Seas website or you can join their DB beach cleanup on October 25.
NURDLING TIPS
• Bring water in a reusable bottle, bug spray, sunscreen and gloves
• Wear a hat, running shoes and comfortable clothes
• Bring tweezers, a sieve and a bag or container for your nurdles
• Pick a spot near the high tideline on a sandy beach to find the most nurdles
• Take photos
• Share your findings with The Great Global Nurdle Hunt and on social media and tag Plastic Free Seas
Start small! Make a big impact! Together, our choices create a cleaner, greener future for everyone. Find more from DB’s own environmental charity at www.plasticfreeseas.org.
Enter the all-new
ADB SCAVENGER HUNT!
UNCLE RUSS INSTAGRAM COMPETITION
SOLVE A RIDDLE, TAKE A PHOTO, WIN PRIZES!
You are invited to take part in the ADB Scavenger Hunt! We’ve elected to make it a little harder – and much more fun –for you to win four complementary drinks from Uncle Russ and The Pier Bar!
HOW TO PLAY: Answer the riddle above, head to the DB destination we’re hinting at, take a photo and share it on Instagram #arounddb. You have until the 15th of the month to enter.
If you win, we’ll contact you on Instagram #arounddb, on the 15th of the month, and ask you to email us the winning photo in high resolution
WHERE AM I? WHAT AM I?
I’m not a swimming pool, but I’m filled with water clear, Hidden in the hills, I’m not far, but not too near. Climb the steps and follow the sound, A secret ‘nature’s bathtub’ is what you’ve found!
Find and photograph me before the 15th of the month and share the photo on Instagram #arounddb
Win vouchers for free drinks!
Out & About! WHAT YOU'VE BEEN
UP TO!
AT THE DB OPEN WATER RACE CHALLENGE
The third Discovery Bay Open Water Race Challenge saw Tai Pak and Sam Pak beaches packed with competitors and spectators on August 31. Organised by Open Water Swim Series HK, the event was open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, and included three solo swim races (3.8km, 1.7km and 400m) plus two 400m swim relays. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]
ENJOYING FAMILY-FRIENDLY CM WORKSHOPS
In September, City Management provided two hands-on workshops for residents at Discovery Bay Office Centre in DB South Plaza. There was a Floral Cone Workshop on September 6 and a Botanical Printing Workshop on September 13. Instruction was in Cantonese and English, with DBers of all ages welcome. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]
AT DB WELLNESS DAY
At DB Wellness Day at DB South Plaza (and Tai Pak Beach) on September 14, attendees enjoyed dance performances, athletic displays and parent-child yoga. There was also the chance to shop the DB Market. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]
Must Love Dogs!
PREETI, UNFILTERED
Blunt, big-hearted and endlessly busy, Preeti Sharma’s life is marked by grit, reinvention and dogs – lots of dogs.
Elizabeth Kerr reports
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires
Do not ask Preeti Sharma what she thinks of anything because you’re likely to get her unvarnished opinion. There’s a colourful, slightly profane way to describe how much energy the Discovery Bay multi-hyphenate has for nonsense, so unless you can take the brutal truth, don’t ask for her thoughts. Which is not to say that if you do get into a rambling conversation with the 51-year-old Delhi native you’ll get anything less than a welcoming and at times shockingly naked exchange about, in no particular order: choices, self-determination, dogs and food.
Preeti’s an easy woman to ramble with too, particularly given her straightforwardness and tendency to phrases like, “Oh, all that gunk on samosa chaat is the best part!” Only a woman who’s truly lived would see the beauty of gunk.
On this afternoon Preeti is sitting at a Starbucks in IFC, dressed for work in casual striped pants and sneakers. She’s drinking coffee, entirely unconcerned with the impact of caffeine; she can’t recall the last time she had an early night anyway. But she looks far from fatigued. Work right now consists of caring for her 15 dogs, three of whom are fosters; putting the finishing touches to her welfare trust that donates to Philippine feeding programmes, and Hong Kong and Indian elder care NGOs and pet rescues; running DB’s My Pet Shop in the North Plaza (find it on Facebook: mypetshopdb); teaching Indian cooking and catering through Preats Kitchen (find it on Instagram: preats.kitchen) and, somehow, teaching IB-level mathematics privately – around the world. She has an online class this evening with a student in the UK.
“That’s my life. Last year, I think I fostered about 39 or 40 dogs, all of them adopted out,” Preeti states proudly. “I’ve applied for Section 88 as we’re changing the shop into a welfare trust, and 10% from our earnings will go to that. I want to pay the bills but I also want to make sure that this pet shop does more for animal and human welfare.” She pauses for a split second. “I’m also blessed with my four helpers. They all love dogs.”
Preeti’s road from essentially Delhi street kid to Hong Kong professional philanthropist started when she first came to Hong Kong for a job in 1993. She was 18 and rolled the dice thinking she could do better for herself, and started working as a waiter before getting a chance to go behind the scenes in the city’s kitchens. A natural cook, she took advantage of the opportunity and years later, 2024 to be exact, opened her own kitchen. “I’ve started taking limited orders for Indian food. All the proceeds go towards my dogs.”
Things took a turn when she got married quite young and had her son. The son was great; the rest of it not so much. “Three days in I knew my marriage was never going to work, but because I was rooted to my culture, I thought I’d try and make it work,” Preeti states matter-of-factly before launching into the kind of private details most people try and keep buried. The couple argued over a second child, and things got so bad Preeti contemplated taking her life. Now she recalls the moment that pulled her back from the brink.
“The kids hugged me tightly one day and though I’d stepped off the track I thought, ’I can’t take their lives from them.’ They trusted me. I used to
be a people pleaser but that day, for the first time I said, ‘I don’t give a…’ I’m not the same person as I was before.” She sunk eight years into a fight for a divorce and custody of her children; the kids took her maiden name and no one has ever looked back.
The Sharmas have a nickname for the man who is no longer part of their lives, but Preeti gives credit where it’s due. “He did give me my kids. And how many people get to have a relationship with their own self? How many actually know themselves? I spent a lot of time reinventing myself; I had to go back to the trestle to see what was missing in my childhood. My kids were not going to miss anything.”
Part of Preeti reestablishing a so-called normal life for the family involved relocating to DB and taking a teaching position, just in time for the children to start demanding pets. Though she grew up with four dogs and a cat in Delhi, Preeti was under the impression pets cost a fortune in Hong Kong. Discovering they didn’t, she decided to indulge her kids and adopt a puppy: Shadow, who has become the “alpha and the king of the house, and speaks Hindi”.
Then came the two-million-dollar Indigo. Another rescue in 2020, Indigo turned out to have a mysterious health issue that became so persistent Preeti wound up spending the equivalent of a downpayment on a flat for her care. Her vet advised stopping, and most people simply thought she was crazy to spend that much money on an animal (tell that to pet owners). She had her kids’ support on her decisions, and DB dog lovers came through when she was down to her last pennies. After animal adoption advocate Catherine Lumsden (of Catherine’s Puppies) posted the story on socials, Preeti had thousands of dollars in donations.
“Indigo’s the love of my life. Those [vet] bills remind me how she brought me close to animals and their lives and feelings. I think it was a lesson I learnt about compassion. I call her my Buddha,” Preeti says. “I’ve struggled all my life. I grew up poor and begging on the streets. You can always get more money.” Whenever the chance arises to repay some of the kindness, Preeti takes it, calling it the best kind of karma.
Now, three decades on, she’s an unapologetic single mother of a 26-year-old son on the way to a career as a pilot, and a 24-year-old daughter heading into a Master of Education programme. She’s a small business owner, after purchasing My Pet Shop from its previous proprietor, who thought she was the logical choice to take over as a longtime customer. She’s an active philanthropist and a major pillar of the DB community 12 years in, with an email signature that says: ‘Preeti, Garv, Sonal… Shadow, Bailey, Indigo, Whiskey, Zac, Ivy, Chloe, Mocha, Simba, Nala, Biscuit & Preet.’ Only three of those listed are bipedal.
Preeti works to live, and to give back to those in need, not because it’s a tax write-off; just because it’s right. On top of that her openness about her life is another service, a way to destigmatise many of the challenges she’s faced. Preeti’s not Superwoman: she has her lonely moments and probably works too much, but she has no regrets. Plus she has her dogs, and someone new is always coming through her kitchen door.
“In everything there’s a yin yang. You need both. You’re lucky if you never see the downsides of life,” she finishes. “Come to my kitchen and we’ll cook together. We’ll make samosa chaat with all the gunk.” Deal.
THE MY PET SHOP TEAM
WASTE NOT‧ WASTE NOT‧ NOT‧ NOT‧ WITH LOVE WITH LOVE
LOVE WITH LOVE
WASTE NOT WASTE NOT HUNGER NOT HUNGER NOT WITH
FOOD ANGEL
Food Angel is a food rescue and food assistance program launched in 2011 with the mission of "Waste Not, Hunger Not, With Love"
The program rescues edible surplus food from different sectors of as prepared as nutritious communities in
The program rescues edible surplus food from different the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of as waste. Following strict safety protocols, the rescued food items will then be prepared as nutritious meals in our central kitchen and food packs. They will be distributed to serve the underprivileged communities Hong Kong.
Currently, Food Angel rescues 33 tonnes of edible surplus food each week, producing over 20,000 nutritious meals and helps distribute over 6,500 other meals and food packs daily free of charge for people who are in need of food assistance.
other Angel
16 kg produced 32 million nutritious providing food assistance, our mission is to nourish both those who
Since its founding in 2011, Food Angel has collected over 16 million kg of edible surplus food and produced over 32 nutritious meals. By reducing food waste and providing food assistance, our mission is to nourish both the body and soul of those who need it most.
US SERVE 40,000+ MEALS A DAY
SERVE 40,000+
US SERVE 40,000+ MEALS A DAY
The Production Centre milestone It more daily with larger facilities and automated To operations, we require business support are essential for increasing production to 40,000 meals or more, allowing us to meet the needs
Food Angel Jockey Club Food Production Centre is a new milestone for Food Angel this year. It helps to expand the meal production capacity to 40,000 meals or more daily with larger facilities and automated machinery. To support our daily operations, we require more food ingredients and volunteers. Community and business support are essential for increasing production to 40,000 meals or more, allowing us to meet the needs of our society.
Join us in making a difference! Your support can help us giving
Join us in making a difference! Your support can help us secure the ingredients and resources necessary to provide hearty meals and warmth to those in need.
Together, we can let lives be enriched through giving and receiving! foodangel.org.hk
Ask a bunch of entrepreneurs what drives them and most will say their passion; their belief in whatever it is they are sharing with clients. Three-year DB resident Jacques Derreumaux is no exception. “If you want to maximise your chances, and enjoy most of your working days, you’d better find a product that moves you,” the owner of online gourmet food shop Cheese Club opens. “My main success is in food; there is no coincidence. I have always been a gourmand!”
Jacques earned his entrepreneurial chops in mainland China where he spent 16 years opening businesses both for himself and for investors. His lightbulb moment came in 2017 when he moved to Hong Kong and, along with a university friend Normann Gany, launched a business dedicated to delivering premium fruit and vegetables to highend restaurants. After a few months, the duo added a fruit delivery service for households.
“When setting up a business, the first thing you need to consider is what pain point your idea is going to solve. In our case, we noticed that artisan cheese was extremely expensive in Hong Kong, meaning cheese lovers had to limit their intake. From that observation, we decided to look for a cost-effective model.”
Cheese Club launched in January 2019 and was an immediate success. “Thanks to our group preorder offers, we could buy directly from European artisanal producers, save on logistics, avoid waste and ultimately propose prices 40-50% cheaper than the usual Hong Kong prices,” Jacques explains.
“Successful entrepreneurs are adaptable. You start with an idea, but you need to be open to adjust when it reaches the market. Your environment evolves constantly, external events like protests and Covid hit you – it’s important to stay flexible and be able to reinvent yourself.”
The duo opened Cheese Club Singapore in 2021, and kept widening the scope of products offered, to finally become a complete grocery store. “Today we sell more meat than cheese, maybe time for a rebranding,” Jacques says with a grin.
“Everything is a matter of timing. A good idea at the wrong time is worth nothing, move on! That’s the best piece of entrepreneurial advice I’ve ever been given. That and keep a close eye on the competition. We order from our competitors regularly to make sure we are still on top in terms of quality, price and service.”
Entrepreneur of the Month!
JACQUES DERREUMAUX, OWNER OF CHEESE CLUB
With the business doing well, how does Jacques ensure it stays that way? “You need to focus on your team,” he says. “You can’t possibly do everything by yourself, so you need to make sure you are surrounded by the right people. When hiring staff, I look for people who can multi-task, who are committed, and who are respectful to colleagues, suppliers and clients.”
Lastly, when asked how he reaches his target audience, Jacques says he spends little on advertising. “Almost all our client acquisition is done through word of mouth: you invite some friends for dinner; they like the food and ask where you got it from. We are lucky to work in a field that’s about sharing pleasure.”
Rite of Passage! ULTIMATE CHALLENGE
There are few people, if any, more qualified than Thomas Corbin to talk about why Discovery Bay loves Team Fear. After all, the race was first held for him and his friends, writes Mervyn Black
PHOTOS BY Col Sim
One of the highlights of the year for kids from DB and beyond, the Team Fear Junior Challenge has been running since 2001, when an eightyear-old Thomas Corbin convinced his dad Steve to create an adventure race.
“Back then, my dad was part of a semi-professional adventure racing team and used to travel around Hong Kong and Asia,” opens Thomas. “I always really wanted him to take me with him. I used to say I could keep up – I didn’t know what I was talking about – but I wasn’t allowed to go. So I asked him if he could make an adventure race for me and my friends.
“My dad talked to his team, which at the time was called Team Fear – the Far East Adventure Racers –and they set up the first race in 2001. Forty kids took part, and it’s taken off from there.”
While Steve no longer lives in Hong Kong and isn’t as actively involved in organising Team Fear these days, Thomas is very much at the coal face as one of a group of 17 committee members that bring the event together annually.
Held each November, Team Fear has become an institution in DB and is something of a rite of passage for many youngsters. It challenges kids aged eight to 17 with running, coasteering, hiking, gorging and kayaking; there’s also a water jump and an obstacle course. Registration is open for this year’s race, scheduled for November 30, at www.team-fear.com.
Team Fear is open to teams of two across seven age groups – under 9s, under 10s, under 11s, under 12s, under 13s, under 16s and under 18s. Each team – all girls, all boys or mixed – must start, run and finish the race together.
“This mutually supportive dynamic forges great bonding opportunities for the racers,” chimes in Chris Mackreth, chair of the Team Fear Race Organising Committee. “In fact, we often see the same teams come back year after year to compete or defend their titles. Every racer gets a finisher medal but there are special medals and a mention for category champions and first runner-up teams.”
There are two course lengths: 8km for the youngest and 12km for the older racers. The courses are not set and they change every year.
“We’re still in the process of planning the 2025 route, and racers can always look forward to a different route than they experienced in previous years,” Thomas says. “Looking to the future, we are considering bringing back some elements that were in place preCovid, like the biking and abseiling, or adding new elements that haven't been seen before.”
“The actual course is kept completely confidential each year,” says Chris. “We purposely don’t release the route till just before the event. This means it is always fresh and ensures that racers who live in DB, versus the rest of Hong Kong, don’t get an advantage.”
“There’s another really good reason, we keep the route under lock and key until the day before the race,” says Thomas. “In the past, when we divulged the route earlier, a lot of parents tried it out and injured themselves!”
On race day, children’s safety is, of course, the number one priority. “In our long history we can report a very safe event with no more than cuts, bruises and sprains,” Chris reassures. “Children can expect a wellmarked course with ribbons and dedicated marshals throughout to ensure safety.
“We rely on the support of over 250 volunteer marshals who help us all around the course. The marshals manage their section of the route and are well versed on the particular challenges and any potential hazards. We use sufficient marshals so that we can operate an ‘always nearby’ system to quickly identify any issues.
“It is in fact mandatory for each competing team to have a nominated marshal, aged at least 16 years, available to help on race day,” Chris adds.
Additionally, a sweep system is in place so no one can get left behind on the course, and a team of first responders, many of whom are nurses or doctors, volunteer their skills on race day.
Roughly 600 brave racers will tackle Team Fear this year, significantly less than the pre-Covid highs of close to 1,000. “It’s building back to what it was, and
“SOME KIDS WALK MOST OF THE WAY AND OTHERS TRAIN FOR MONTHS, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT
- Thomas Corbin
AT THE FINISH
that’s a good thing,” says Thomas. “Right now, we’re growing the committee with several new members, and we’ve limited participant numbers so that we can scale back up safety.
“I think one of the reasons Team Fear is so popular is that people in DB are normally quite active. Families do a lot of hiking and sports in general and either the kids are interested in taking part or their parents want them to experience it,” Thomas adds. “I’ve done the race many times and I’ve done it with friends who didn’t want to do it, and they’ve done it and they’ve loved it.”
So what are Thomas’ top tips for racers enrolled to compete this year?
“I would say there are two things you need to do in terms of preparation. Number one is to make sure you are comfortable moving over rocky terrain. That’s where you can save a lot of time and overtake people. If you practice coasteering, with supervision of course, and build some experience doing it, you’ll be able to fly through that section. It can be quite difficult if you haven’t done a lot of training.
“Number two is to work on endurance. There’s a cutoff time of four hours, and if you’re fit enough to run most of the course, or at least the flat and downhills, you’ll finish that much faster.”
Thomas is quick to remind, however, that winning is not the be-all and end-all. “It’s not easy, no matter what age you are. Some kids walk most of the way and others train for months and months, but there is always a sense of achievement. It’s not about being the person who gets there first: you feel that overwhelming sense of achievement to have made it to the end wherever you finish.”
Another satisfying element of participating in Team Fear is raising money for charity, with sponsorship funds directed to Youth Outreach, a local charity that supports disadvantaged youth in Hong Kong. “Team Fear has been able to donate over HK$1,000,000 to Youth Outreach since it first started,” Thomas concludes. “The racers get a real kick out of that.”
FIRST RACE WITH 40 KIDS
PRE-COVID PEAK
EXPECTED IN 2025
8-17 YEARS
7 AGE GROUPS (U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U16, U18)
WorkspaceDiscoverYour I deal
, where innovation meets comfort! Nestled in the heart of Discovery Bay, our unique workspace offers a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor environments designed to cater to today’s dynamic work needs.
in our thoughtfully designed hybrid workspace. With adjustable-height tables and ergonomic chairs indoors, combined with a sun terrace and lounge area outdoors, our space promotes flexibility and comfort. Whether you prefer the tranquility of indoor environments or the refreshing open air, we have the perfect spot for you – with views!
Our layout encourages integration and interaction among members. Engage with fellow professionals and cultivate relationships in an inspiring setting that encourages creativity.
Our workspace is equipped with everything you need for a productive day, including a printer, scanner and shredder, a full kitchen and outdoor BBQ for social gatherings. We also provide free coffee and snacks to fuel your work!
Join us and become a part of a vibrant community that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
UNLOCKING SECOND PASSPORTS
HARVEY LAW GROUP REVEALS THE RISE OF CITIZENSHIP-BY-ANCESTRY PROGRAMS
AND HOW EASY IT CAN BE TO CLAIM CITIZENSHIP THROUGH LINEAGE
As interest in dual citizenship surges, more people are exploring foreign citizenship options than ever before. Citizenship-by-Ancestry (CBA), which allows applicants to claim citizenship through their lineage, has emerged as a popular choice for those seeking a second passport.
One of the key advantages of CBA is that it simplifies the pathway to citizenship without the need for job offers, relocation, or hefty investment funds. Unlike other immigration routes that can be complex and costly, CBA allows individuals to obtain citizenship based on their family heritage, making it a more accessible and straightforward option for those looking to pursue a second passport while staying rooted in their home countries.
“If you think you don’t have any ancestors with foreign nationality, take a closer look at your family tree. You might just find an ancestry link that opens the door to a second nationality and passport, which can really enhance your lifestyle and career opportunities,” advises DB resident Jean-François Harvey, Global Managing Partner of Harvey Law Group, the leading international business and immigration firm headquartered in Hong Kong.
CBA hotspot: the European Union
Did you know that over 50 countries worldwide offer some form of CBA? Popular destinations for claiming CBA include Canada, France, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal. While most countries require you to have at least one citizen parent to qualify – think France and South Korea – others allow you to claim citizenship through a grandparent, like Greece, Spain and Ireland. Some nations, like Slovakia, even extend this opportunity to great-grandparents.
Recently, there’s been a remarkable surge in interest in CBA programs across the European Union. This is because, with an EU passport, one gains not just a powerful travel document but also the right to live, work and study anywhere within the EU. Plus, EU citizens can access consular protection and social benefits across member states, making this pathway to citizenship increasingly attractive for non-EU nationals.
France’s CBA program is particularly appealing, as it allows children of French citizens to apply for French citizenship regardless of their birthplace, language proficiency, or familiarity with French culture. Similarly, Portugal’s citizenship law offers a citizenship pathway for grandchildren and children of Portuguese citizens, regardless of their birthplace.
Relaxation of CBA rules
With the world becoming more accepting of dual nationality, some countries with historically rigid rules are now relaxing their requirements. For instance, Austria, which typically does not recognise dual citizenship, has recently allowed descendants of Nazi persecution victims to claim citizenship without renouncing their foreign nationality. Slovakia has also made significant strides in making citizenship more accessible to its diaspora. The country has streamlined the application process for Slovak descendants, allowing many to reclaim their citizenship through relaxed requirements. Remarkably, qualified descendants can still apply for Slovak citizenship, even if their ancestors lost or renounced their Czechoslovak citizenship.
In a similar vein, the United States is now accepting DNA tests as valid proof of a connection to a
HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG)
qualifying ancestor. This development is a game-changer for those who may lack sufficient documentation to support their claims, opening new avenues for citizenship that were previously out of reach.
Fo un ded in 19 92 , Har vey Law Group is a prem ier multinational law fir m, s peciali zing in Res idency by I nv es tment ( RB I) and Citize n by In v estme nt (CBI) for over 30 y ear s. W it h
If you have any questions about CBA, we encourage you to reach out to us at harveylawcorporation.com/ citizenship-by-ancestry. The experienced team at Harvey Law Group is here to provide the guidance and support you need to move forward with confidence.
The Global Ancestry Index
ove r 20 office s world w ide rep resen ting over 30 di ffe rent cou n tries and th eir res pecti ve In ves tme nt I mm igratio n progra ms , Harve y Law Group h as prov ided it s se rv ices to ov er 10 ,00 0 families from all aro un d the w orld. As the de m and for In ve stment I mm igration prog rams grows , var ious emergi ng co m pa n ies ha ve latc h ed on to the se rv ice offe rin g, but Ha rv ey La w Group remai ns the on ly legacy la w fir m that s peciali zes in I nv estment
If you’re interested in claiming CBA and have roots in multiple countries, consider using the Global Ancestry Index (globalancestryindex.org) to explore your options. With a comprehensive evaluation of 197 CBA options worldwide, this index empowers you to compare and contrast various programs and discover which nations offer the most favourable conditions and streamlined application processes for obtaining citizenship.
Im m igratio n as a di s cipline
SHOUT-OUT TO READERS:
Ou r p rogram s:
Resi de n cy by I nve st me nt i n ov er 6 c on t in en ts o v er 2 0 c ountrie s
So, if you’ve ever wondered about your ancestry and how it can enrich your life, now might be the perfect time to dig into your family history – you never know what treasures you might uncover!
Re ti reme nt Vi sa s
Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia Pacific
In the coming months, Harvey Law Group will be sharing a series of articles with Around DB readers exploring popular CBA programs. These articles will delve into various aspects, from eligibility criteria to the application process, providing insights to help you navigate the often complex landscape of citizenship options and discover how your heritage might open new doors.
Ci ti z en s hip by Anc estry
HONG
Coming Soon!
FANTASTIC NEWS FOR POTTERHEADS
Production for the new Harry Potter TV series began in the UK this July with the aim to go deeper into the books and capture a new generation of fans. What is it about the hepatology that makes it so bankable, asks Ray Robertson
otterheads who grew up with Harry Potter (or enjoyed a second childhood with Harry) by reading J.K. Rowling’s seven-book franchise are counting the days until the new Harry Potter TV series starts to air. Production began in July and the series is planned to roll out on HBO over a 10-year period (2027 to 2037) with one season dedicated to each book. That’s a whole lot of Potter coming soon!
While HBO and Warner Bros. are aiming to capitalise on the franchise’s financial potential, there are other factors at play. The TV format will provide a more book-accurate adaptation and allow for an in-depth portrayal of all the plot points, characters and magical details that didn’t make it into the movies. The series aims to capture a new generation of fans with a fresh cast including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron.
So what is it about the Potter books that makes Warner Bros. so sure they will appeal to a new generation, and Potterheads so excited by the prospect of a lengthy TV adaptation? J.K. Rowling’s ability to take us into a fantasy world where magic is a natural part of everyday life is certainly a key factor. But the greatest books provide more than just a ‘good read,’ they impart goodness and wisdom; they support and carry us through life. The Harry Potter hepatology, like Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, does just that.
A MORAL EDUCATION
Young children reading Potter for the first time may focus on the classroom banter and the potionmaking but as they get older, they find that J.K. Rowling’s books have a lot to teach them. A battle for power unfolds; good triumphs over evil (realworld evil not the supernatural kind) and friends stick together no matter what.
Essentially what kids learn through reading the hepatology is courage: they overcome their fears alongside Harry, Hermione and Ron, and witness their bravery. The fate of the wizarding world is placed in the hands of young people like themselves, so kids learn that they too have the potential to stand up for what is right – and that they must never give up.
It becomes easier to take on a bully at school once you have fought Lord Voldemort, Severus Snape, Bellatrix Lestrange and Dolores Umbridge alongside Dumbledore’s Army. Children learn that it’s wrong to be prejudiced or to seek power over others. Intelligence, loyalty and nerve are important; our choices determine who we are.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT’S A THRILLING
ADVENTURE STORY,
FILLED
WITH UNEXPECTED PLOT TWISTS, EDGE-OF-YOURSEAT SUSPENSE AND MAGICAL SURPRISES
Anyone who labels J.K. Rowling a transphobe should note that the hepatology also has a fiercely inclusionary message to impart. In the world of Potter, children are taught always to support and be accepting of those who are ‘different’. They learn to empathise with outsiders and to stand up for anyone who is mistreated simply for being themselves –Harry, Luna Lovegood, Remus Lupin and, of course, Dobby, the House-Elf. In Potter, only people like the Malfoys use the word Mudblood. Muggle-born Hermione is the smartest witch of her age, and all the central female characters are warriors – they are not the sort to sit by while others save the day.
What’s more, the Potter books are profoundly spiritual, focusing on the importance of the soul, the consequences of choices and the concept of life after death. The after-life is a particular focus in the last book where we see Harry using the Resurrection Stone to summon the spirits of his parents, Sirius Black and Remus. After being hit with the killing curse, Harry meets Dumbledore (who died in the previous book) at a clean, empty version of King’s Cross Station. At this symbolic crossroads between this world and the next, Harry is given the choice to go on or return to his body.
A THRILLING RIDE
A profound, classic example of beautifully written fiction, the hepatology shows kids what literature –or more specifically, fantasy – is all about. First and foremost, it’s a thrilling adventure story, filled with unexpected plot twists, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and magical surprises. A true page-turner, it keeps readers captivated from start to finish.
Immersed in a mind-blowingly complex fantasy world, children connect powerfully to the characters, they live vicariously through their potentially fatal challenges and, when the last page is turned, they return to their real lives having saved the wizarding world from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. There’s a lot of fun to be had, fear to get through and bravery to be found before the ‘happily ever after’.
Importantly, J.K. Rowling doesn’t talk down to children or pull any punches. There’s not much sugar coating in Potter. When Sirius dies, Harry’s pain is almost too much to take. Children discover, the hard way, that people (even Dumbledore and Sirius) aren’t all good or all bad but a mixture of both. Many of the characters kids care about most die at the Battle of Hogwarts – Nymphadora Tonks and Remus, Colin Creevey and even Fred Weasley. The hepatology may end well but it’s still a tragedy of epic proportions.
J.K. Rowling writes as if she were recounting both history and legend, and draws children into a world that feels every bit as real as their own. Kids reading the books for the first time, literally grow up with Harry. They walk with him on the road to maturity, sharing his setbacks and breakthroughs, choosing between hallows or horcruxes.
PURE ESCAPISM
The other side of it is that Potter gives kids the chance to experience a really potent fantasy and almost live it, without any of the consequences. They get to visit a place where impossible things are suddenly, temporarily, possible. And they get to have all these experiences in the safety of their own homes.
Like all the best children’s fantasy books, Potter is written in such a way as to help kids differentiate between what is real and what is not. The hepatology opens in the real world, one with which young readers are familiar, that is populated by characters not unlike themselves. Then, after a page or two, something happens that announces the transition into a world of make-believe. ‘Magic’ is introduced gradually, first with subtle hints like a vanishing glass at the zoo, then with the conspicuous appearance of Rubeus Hagrid, who arrives, on a flying motorcycle, to deliver Harry’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Children know when the bridge between reality and fantasy has been crossed, and they adjust their fear threshold accordingly.
With these parameters in place, kids are free to sit back, suspend disbelief and really have some fun. They can get so caught up in the story that they scream when Aragog attacks Harry, Ron and Fang in the Forbidden Forest, or when Nagini emerges from the corpse of Bathilda Bagshot in Godric’s Hollow. What they are enjoying is the thrill, the hyperarousal of the fight-or-flight response within safe parameters.
It’s true that certain scenes in Potter can cause nightmares (none of us has ever really gotten over our fear of Dementors) but, generally speaking, the fears children experience in a story like this are manageable. By age seven, most kids know the difference between what is real and what is not and, once they are able to do this, most can cope with the scares they experience in the make-believe world of a book. Kids can handle the fears they face in the wizarding world because the wizarding world doesn’t actually exist.
Or does it?
A FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPERIENCE
Wands at the ready! Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is launching its inaugural China tour in Shenzhen’s Longhua District in the first week of October. Running through March 2026, the globally acclaimed outdoor adventure unfolds on an illuminated forest trail, and features magical creatures and wizarding wonders inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories. Tickets are on sale now at Klook.
EDUCATION ASIA
Pathways to
(852) 2116-3916
4/F., Bank of Dongguan Tower, 134-136 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong (s45903) (92885)
FireUpthe Barbie! ALFRESCO WITH ATTITUDE
The autumn months mean barbeques and outdoor dining, if you’re lucky in the comfort of your own home. Here’s how it’s done
Aaah. Autumn. Time to bask (if you can call it that) in the authenticity of sub-tropical urban humidity – cold drink in hand. Sticky as the Hong Kong climate can be, the right accoutrements and attitude can maximise that leisure time. When was the last time you heard of anyone turning down a barbeque invitation – rain or shine, 20 degrees or 40? That’s right. You haven’t.
But first things first. There are plenty of ways to barbecue – with gas, with charcoal, with wood chips, with split logs – so which do you choose? Here in DB, where smoking out the neighbours is frowned upon, charcoal and gas are your only real options. So, let’s take that as our starting point.
Purists will tell you to avoid gas grills, that the smoke is an ingredient in itself, and without it, you’re missing out on the nuanced flavour. Gas devotees, on the other hand, point to the way heat distributing materials in gas barbecues work to vaporise drippings and create an aromatic smoke. What’s important is whether you can taste the difference. Do you prefer the strangely delicious over-done beef that only charcoal can provide, or are you good with gas?
One thing’s for sure, it’s easier and quicker to barbecue with gas. A gas barbecue requires no real warm-up time – the griddle gets nice and hot in just five minutes. With charcoal, you need to wait around 40 minutes for the initial flames to die down before you have the whitened cinders essential for your first hamburger. Generally speaking too, you can fire up gas barbecues with
ease, and gas gives you more control – adjusting temperatures is as easy as turning a knob, so you are less likely to overcook things.
On the other hand, if you are looking at barbecuing as a pastime – if you really want to make a meal of it – then gas is simply no fun. What you’re after is a fiery, challenging experience that can’t be compared to cooking at a stove; you’re satisfying a basic human need to make fire, and you enjoy the hands-on experience of working with charcoal.
With that decision made, there are a few golden rules to follow. First, purchase brand-name items that come with strong product warranties, good customer support and are easily assembled. Second, choose a grill with at least 400 square inches of cooking space. There’s nothing worse than staggering too many items for larger gatherings, or making people wait during intimate dinners. Lastly, don’t get suckered by bells and whistles: select features that are essential, like stay-cool dials and adequate storage. Preparation surfaces are nice, but if space is limited, simply do your chopping in the kitchen.
Retailers from Wing On to Japan Home Centre carry scores of grills at reasonable prices, but for serious cooks and those redesigning an outdoor space, Everything Under The Sun and Bru Living both carry some amazing barbeques in varying sizes – gas or charcoal, fitted and /or portable.
Your first port of call could well be Cadac: the range encompasses charcoal and gas grills in
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock
HERE IN DB, WHERE SMOKING OUT THE NEIGHBOURS IS FROWNED UPON, CHARCOAL AND GAS ARE YOUR ONLY REAL OPTIONS
various sizes to fit all outdoor spaces. Cadac grills are sturdy, easy on the budget and reasonably compact – from the modest Leisure Chef to the four-burner Meridian. Other brands regularly appearing on the best grills of 2025 lists are CosmoGrill, VonHaus, Weber and House of Home.
On the space-saving side, look no further than Grand Hall’s T-Grill, designed for acclaimed Australian chef Neil Perry. The T-Grill is modern, sleek and best of all, compact, with a smooth curved hood and hidden gas-tank compartment. The barbeque works on Crossray infrared sidemounted burners, which reduces the smoking and flare-ups that char your food and make the neighbours crazy. Infrared provides an even, consistent heat while using up to 50 percent less fuel than traditional open flame burner systems –if you’re energy conscious, this could be the grill for you.
Eco warriors will also want to note that solarpowered barbecues are now readily available. Take the Helios Grill, by designer Sean McGreevy, which uses a reflective parabolic dish to focus sunlight onto a solar receptor, transforming it into usable energy. The energy travels from the dish to the grilling platform and heats a coil in order to cook food. After dark, or under polluted skies, a retractable plug, stored in the base, provides an alternative energy source. Compact and fully portable, you can grill whatever you choose, wherever you choose, while reducing your carbon footprint.
At the other end of the spectrum, when major remodelling is on the cards, are the Viteo (Austria) and Tao (Italy) outdoor kitchens, which is where designers will tell you the formerly humble barbeque is heading. Decked out in Corian, stainless steel and fine woods, these are the cream of the grilling crop, and an excellent way to bring the resort lifestyle home.
Got the hardware, got the (organic) food and you’ve clearly got at least a bit of alfresco space. The last problem is your lack of desire and time to pull a Martha Stewart and deck out the terrace in order to set the perfect mood. First and foremost: keep it simple, and remember that IKEA can be your best friend for colourful matching napkins and shatterproof tableware.
What you want to prioritise is creating a fully functional space in which to eat, drink and have a good time with family and friends. Don’t overcrowd it. That’s the biggest thing: overpowering might just be a balcony decor’s cardinal sin. At the end of the day, you won’t use it and it won’t be inviting. Go smaller rather than bigger and you’ll actually enjoy the space more.
All that being said there’s nothing to stop you getting creative with the essentials. Everything from pest-control devices to fans and heaters are now being designed to make the outdoors a prettier and more practical place in which to entertain. Certainly, the latest outdoor lamps look like they belong indoors, but waterproof and washable, they are specifically designed for yearround outdoor use. Rechargeable lights in various shapes and colours are also popular, as are ‘noflame’ candles for the table top.
A crucial element to throwing an outdoor shindig is seating. For last-minute affairs (which can happen with a barbeque), much depends on how much traffic your outdoor space sees. If plans are for the same day, simply move some of the indoor furniture outside to create an entertainment area. But most owners of a terrace are at least partially prepared. If you have outdoor furniture in place then all you need are a few accessories to dress up the space – sofa pillows, side tables for drinks and so on.
Likewise, plates and utensils that we would normally keep for indoor use are now making it outdoors. You can, for instance, add a dash of contemporary restaurant luxe by serving your appetisers on wood or marble serving platters. Pop a platter in the fridge beforehand and it will help keep your deli meats and cheeses cool.
With all this under control, ambiance is the last hurdle. Potted plants instantly add life to a space but if you don’t have a green thumb, simply splash out on flowers. And finally, get some candles and put them on everything. Just don’t forget the iPod dock and a strong fan.
WITH THE GRILL IN PLACE, ALL YOU NEED IS A DINING TABLE –AND SOME PLANTS
Sundays 10am Wei Lun School Hall
Sunday School, Youth Group, Bible Studies, Fellowship, Community Service
Sunday School, Youth Group, Bible Studies, Fellowship, Community Service
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
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
Learn more 了解更多 （⼗時半開始） （⼗時半開始）
Get YourSpook On! GHOST HUNTING
Scary places to haunt on October 31
MEET THE PENITENT GHOST
of Lord Richard Nugent at 16thcentury Ross Castle in County Meath, now a five-bedroom B&B. As the story goes, Richard separated his daughter Sabrina from her husband, and she starved herself to death. In addition to the sightings, raised voices are heard and doors slam shut on their own. Sabrina’s livid!
GET FREAKED OUT AT THE TOWER
OF LONDON: one of the spookiest places in Britain. Edward V and his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York play outside the Bloody Tower, and Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII, wanders the grounds – you might also spot the ghosts of Thomas Becket, Sir Walter Raleigh and Lady Jane Grey.
TOUR GRUESOME BOGGO ROAD GAOL
to spot the ghost of Ernest Austin, the last man to be executed in Brisbane. The prison, which closed in 1989 and reopened as a museum in 1992, was notorious for its inhumane living conditions and was the scene of roughly 100 deaths, including 42 hangings. Austin’s ghost is said to have menaced both prisoners and guards.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Unsplash
STAY IN ROOM 2022
at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg and you might wake to see blood dripping down the walls – and an apparition of a cloaked woman, who is said to have committed suicide in the room on hearing of her husband’s death. The horror movie 1408 , starring John Cusack, is loosely based on the unnatural occurrences reported at the Fort Garry.
WALK WITH LOST SOULS
at Aokigahara on the northwestern flank of Mount Fuji, where 100+ people commit suicide each year. The ghost-filled woodland, now known as ‘Suicide Forest’, is one of the world’s most-used suicide sites. Signs are in place urging suicidal visitors to think of their families and seek help.
AT ISLAND OF THE DOLLS just south of Mexico City, you’ll see thousands of dolls moving their heads and arms, opening and closing their eyes, and whispering to each other. The dolls reportedly began to wash ashore after a local girl drowned off the island. Visitors bring dolls to add to the collection, hanging them in the trees to appease restless spirits.
ENTER THE DIABOLIC WORLD
of sadist and socialite Madame Delphine LaLaurie, who committed her atrocities at her New Orleans home in the 1830s –the slaves she tortured and killed haunt the property to this day. In a city known for paranormal activity, voodoo and vampires, the LaLaurie Mansion Ghost Tour is rated the most terrifying.
Workshops & Corporate Retreats Allotment Rental
As
Recipe of the Month!
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
1tsp vanilla extract
FRIGHTFULLY GOOD CUPCAKES
Makes 18
Preheat the oven to 180℃. Line a muffin tray with 12 paper cases. Beat together the butter and 250g caster sugar, add 2 beaten eggs a little at a time, then the vanilla extract. Combine the flours, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa. Gently fold the flour mix into the butter mixture along with the buttermilk. Divide the mixture between the paper cases and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Set aside to cool on a wire rack.
For the icing, place the golden syrup, remaining sugar and 4 tablespoons of water in a large saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and cook for 5-6 minutes. While the syrup is boiling, whisk the remaining eggs (whites only) to form soft peaks. Then, with the mixer on a low speed, add the sugar syrup in a thin steady stream. Increase the speed of the mixer and mix for 10 minutes more until the icing is thick and completely cool. Use the icing to pipe a ghost on to each cupcake. Set aside for 20 minutes to allow the icing to harden, then add chocolate shavings to give each ghost a face.
PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock
A Little Bit of Trivia! 20 QUESTIONS
How much do you know about the month of October?
BY Kayli Liebenberg
01. Mid-Autumn Festival falls on October 6 this y ear: traditionally, it was a time to give t hanks for what?
A. A g ood harvest
B. R ain
C. T he coming of winter
02. Which singer scored a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 19, 2023?
A. Gw en Stefani
B. B lake Shelton
C. R eba McEntire
03. W hich of the following Anime characters w as not born in October?
A. A nna Nishikinomiya
B. Re ina Kurashiki
C. M afuyu Orifushi
04. C hung Yeung Festival falls on October 29: what is it also known as?
A. D ouble Ninth Festival
B. D ouble Fifth Festival
C. M ooncake Festival
05. W hat is the name of October’s full Moon?
A. P ink Moon
B. H unter’s Moon
C. W olf Moon
06. W hat is Oktoberfest all about?
A. W earing lederhosen
B. Nu dism
C. B eer drinking
07. Halloween falls on October 31: it has its o rigins in which Wiccan festival?
A. B eltane
B. M abon
C. S amhain
08. W hat does October’s birth flower, the marigold, represent?
A. Ev erlasting love
B. G race
C. F ascination
09. D iwali falls on October 21 this year: what does it celebrate?
A. T he victory of light over darkness
B. T he end of British rule in India
C. T he birth of Lord Ganesha
10. W hat is October’s birthstone?
A. O pal
B. R uby
C. Topaz
11. W hich movie stars were both born on October 28?
A. H enry Cavill and Alicia Vikander
B. M argot Robbie and Ryan Gosling
C. J ulia Roberts and Joaquin Phoenix
12. W hat are October’s zodiac signs?
A. L ibra and Scorpio
B. V irgo and Libra
C. S corpio and Sagittarius
13. N ational Day falls on October 1: what d o we celebrate it with?
A. R ugby sevens matches
B. D ragon boat races
C. F ireworks on Victoria Harbour
14. W hen was the Statue of Liberty, a gift f rom France, unveiled?
A. O ctober 28, 1886
B. O ctober 29, 1887
C. O ctober 30, 1900
15. Which famous rapper was born on October 17, 19 72?
A. L il’ Wayne
B. E mimen
C. Ja y-Z
16. W hen were Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump and Jurassic Park released?
A. O ctober 1984
B. O ctober 1992
C. O ctober 1994
17. A leister Crowley was born on October 12, 1875: who was he?
A. A stronomer
B. Mat hematician
C. O ccultist
18. W hich fashion designer was born on O ctober 14, 1939?
A. R alph Lauren
B. C oco Chanel
C. V ivienne Westwood
19. W hat do we celebrate on October 16?
A. W orld Cat Day
B. W orld Food Day
C. W orld Fossil Day
20. E nglish writer Zadie Smith was born on October 27, 1975: which novel didn’t s he write?
A. White Teeth
B. The Corrections
C. Swing Time
Lantau Crossword!
We are currently offering special advertising packages (both print and digital) for 2025.
Tung Chung Ambulance
TUNG CHUNG
YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC)
Direct Subsidy Scheme, Tung Chung-based secondary school providing an international-style education with English as the medium of instruction. Call 2988 8123
North Lantau Hospital
Rural general hospital in Tung Chung with a 24-hour accident & emergency service. Outpatient services include the North Lantau Community Health Centre. Call 3467 7000
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
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
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
DISCOVERY BAY
Koh Tomyums
La Creation
Levain Bakery
il Bel Paese
Heart-warming dishes made from the freshest ingredients provide the ultimate Italian experience. Simple & inviting decor. Located in DB Plaza. Call 2987 0202
Liang She Han Buy Good
McDonald’s
MOOJOO Lifestyle Café
1829
4922
3618 7827
2987 1033
3619 0937
Osmanbey Turkish Restaurant 5401 8350
Pachanga
Pasha
Peony
Pho Bay
PizzaExpress
Shanghai Breeze
Smokey Joe’s
Spicy Tiger
Rink – Bar Grill & Restaurant.
2215 0833
0932
1340
2987 7808
5784 7101
specialising in modern international cuisine with a dedicated kids’ menu. Pet-friendly, located in DB Plaza Extension overlooking DB Ice Rink. Call 5444 6046
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
These global events span decades, innovations, tragedies and cultural shifts, and they all occurred on October 31 2024
LONGEST
FLIGHT TIME FOR NORTH KOREAN ICBM
A North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile test marked the longest flight time recorded for one of its missiles (300km)
CHICAGO HALLOWEEN PARTY SHOOTING
A mass shooter opened fire at a Halloween party in Chicago’s North Lawndale, injuring 15 people
2021
2023
UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE
HALLOWEEN FLYBY OF ASTEROID 2015 TB145
A 650-metre asteroid made a close flyby of Earth, and was later revealed to have a skull-like shape
2008
15 people injured
A landmark deal was reached including commitments to phase down coal, cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 and halt deforestation
2015
BITCOIN WHITE PAPER RELEASED
Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin white paper, planting the seeds for the world’s most well-known cryptocurrency
APOLOGY MADE TO GALILEO
The Vatican formally acknowledged its error in condemning Galileo Galilei for teaching the heliocentric model of the universe
ASSASSINATION OF INDIRA GANDHI
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh security guards, triggering widespread violence across north-central India
SOUTH POLE PLANE LANDING
Rear Admiral George J. Dufek achieved a milestone in polar exploration by landing at the South Pole as part of Operation Deep Freeze
1941
MOUNT RUSHMORE COMPLETED
1956
After 14 years of carving, the monumental memorial in South Dakota featuring four US presidents was officially declared complete
WAR OF THE WORLDS RADIO PANIC Orson Welles’ vivid radio dramatization of an alien invasion caused widespread panic among listeners who mistook it for real news
1938
HARVEY LAW GROUP (HLG)
Fo un ded in 19 92 , Har vey Law Group is a prem ier multinational law fir m, s peciali zing in Res idency by I nv estment ( RB I) and Citize n by In v estme nt (CBI) for over 30 y ear s. W it h ove r 20 office s world w ide representing over 30 di ffe rent cou n tries and th eir res pecti ve In ves tme nt I mm igratio n progra ms , Harve y Law Group h as prov ided it s se rv ices to ov er 10,00 0 families from all aro un d the w orld. As the de m and for In ve stment I mm igration prog rams grows , var ious emergi ng co m pa n ies ha ve latc h ed on to the se rv ice offe rin g, but Ha rvey La w Group remai ns the on ly legacy la w fir m that s peciali zes in I nv estment Im m igratio n as a di s cipline .
Ou r p rogram s:
Reside n cy by I nve st ment i n ov er 6 c on t in ents o v er 2 0 c ountrie s
Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia Pacific
Reti reme nt Vi sa s Citi z en s hip by Anc estry
HONG