July Around DB Magazine 2021

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D I S COV ERY B AY ' S O R I G I N A L CO M M U N I T Y M AGA Z I N E - P U B L I S H ED S I N C E 2 0 0 2

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PA R E N T I N G

J U LY 2 0 21 | A R O U N D D B.CO M

URBAN JUNGLE

Decorating outdoor living spaces

GET TUTORED

BY TEENS!

Theo Robinson's bright idea

Reboot the way you recycle and

CLEAN A BEACH

HOW TO GET A PILATES BODY FOLLOW US

Residential Packages HK$ 20,800 up / month

Book by 30 June to enjoy value-added / tailored privilege to make your stay a memorable one.

Authentic Thai food fresh from the Land of Smiles!

Shop G30, 96 Siena Avenue, Discover y Bay North Plaza, Lantau Island Te l : 2 9 8 7 2 010 , 2 9 8 7 2 0 2 6 O p e n i n g H o u r s : 11 : 3 0 a m t o 10 : 3 0 p m CALL US FOR HOME AND OFFICE DELIVERY OR CONTACT DELIVEROO

Authentic Indian Cuisine

Opening Hours 11am to 4pm 5.30pm to 11pm Mirch Masala Indian Restaurant Shop G29, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay North Plaza, Lantau Island Tel: 2987 1387, 2987 1337

J U LY 2021 W W W. A R O U N D D B .CO M

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FEATURES 20

Profile Community Time to reboot the way you recycle (and clean a beach)

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Parenting

Why child therapy works – and who to consult

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Fitness What Pilates can do for your body and mind

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Insider How to decorate an outdoor living space

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Teen educator and entrepreneur Theo Robinson

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REGULARS

AGENDA

44 HELPLINE

08 DB EVENTS

Support for FDWs

50 RECIPES

Steak supper and Pavolva

52 DB FACES

Community snaps

60 OUT THERE

Peter Sherwood talks back

13 GIVEAWAYS 47 DINING OUT 54 CLASSIFIEDS 57 LOCAL NUMBERS

SUMMER CAMPS ROUND-UP O N TH E COVE R 2 0 Theo Robinson and his team of teen tutors

PHOTO BY Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com

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WE ALSO PUBLISH

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_ PH I L I P JAY Publisher/ Owner R ACH E L AINS L E Y Managing editor rachel@baymedia.com.hk R ACH E L S A DLE R Assistant editor rachels@baymedia.com.hk SA RA H M U IR H E AD Digital manager sarah@baymedia.com.hk DE B B Y M E Y E R S Art director debby@baymedia.com.hk SA MM Y LO IT/graphic designer sammy@baymedia.com.hk AM B ER KAH U Operations manager amber@baymedia.com.hk

CO NT RIB UT O RS LO R RA I N E C O O K , E L I Z A B E T H K E R R , P E T E R S H E RWO O D, D O ROT H Y V E I TC H

P H OT OGRAPHERS BA L J I T G IDWANI www.evoqueportraits.com R IC H AR D G OR DO N www.richardgordonphotography.com

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D I SC LAIMER 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. © BAY MEDIA 8 GROUP 2021

! t u o b A & t Ou

W H AT Y O U ' V E B E E N U P T O !

FATHER’S DAY IN THE PLAZA PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

DB dads and their little ones enjoyed a very special weekend in June with Father’s Day falling on June 20.

DB EVENTS

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A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE PHOTOS BY Island Dance alumni Nisha Boehm

Over the weekend of June 12 and 13, Island Dance presented its annual recital A Night at the Theatre at the Y-Theatre in Chai Wan. The dancers were excited to be back on stage and performed with high energy and expression. Many styles were showcased including ballet, freestyle, hiphop and tap.

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DB EVENTS

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BEACH TENNIS TOURNAMENT PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon -

www.richardgordonphotography.com

On June 19 tennis players took to Tai Pak Wan to compete in a ladies’ and men’s doubles tournament organised by DB Beach Tennis Hong Kong.

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DB EVENTS

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FOREST BATHING WORKSHOP PHOTOS BY Debby Meyers and Boston Ko

City Management organised a series of events at DB Community Green Square last month to encourage residents to relax and connect with nature. There was a forest bathing workshop on June 16 led

by DB resident Amanda Yik of Shinrin Yoku Hong Kong, and on June 19, residents had the chance to learn more about succulents at a workshop hosted by DB landscaper Anna Li.

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GIVEAWAYS

BUDDY BITES

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HOW TO WIN! IS OFFERING ONE READER HK$1,000 WORTH OF PREMIUM EUROPEAN DOG KIBBLE

Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply.

Simply scan the barcode or go to www.arounddb.com/ giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

Buddy Bites is a Hong Kong-based dog food subscription brand delivering premium European kibble to your door. Simply let the team know how much of their vet-created kibble your dog needs, how often they need it, and they take care of the rest!

For every 2kg of kibble you buy, 1kg is donated to local animal shelters to feed dogs in need. As a result, Buddy Bites is able to support the food needs of Catherine’s Puppies and Hong Kong Dog Rescue for free. To order online, visit www.buddybites.dog.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE'S WINNERS Molly Fern received a one-day detox set from Yogika; Cathy Blanc received a place on a week-long summer camp at The Beat.

Ele anor McColl

IS OFFERING ONE READER A SET OF FINE-ART INSPIRED KITCHENWARE (WORTH HK$360)

HOW TO WIN! Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply.

Simply scan the barcode or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

These beautiful products stem from DB-based artist Eleanor McColl’s latest painting series The Chroma Collection, which is in turn inspired by Hong Kong’s bold and vibrant city life. Their colourful and practical details will brighten your day every time you use them.

Eleanor is passionate about producing affordable art to compliment her more exclusive original works and this new product range is the ultimate in affordable art – one that you can showcase while you cook. To find out more and shop online, visit www.eleanormccoll.com.

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DB BAKING COMPETITION

Bake Love Share @ DB UNLEASH YOUR INNER CHEF! SUBMISSION DEADLINE JULY 15!

ELIGIBILITY

To enter, bakers must be DB residents (with proof of address) or students studying in DB (with a DB student ID card).

YOUR SUBMISSION

There are two entry categories – Open and Under 12 – with three

KEY DATES July 15: Submission deadline August 1: Shortlisted entrants are announced and pictured in the August issue of Around DB August 5-15: Online voting on the Around DB Facebook page

finalists in each category: first-prize winner, first runner-up and

August 18: Results posted on the Around DB Facebook page

second runner-up.

September 1: The first-prize winners’ recipes – Open and Under 12 categories – are published in the September issue of Around DB,

We are looking for you to share your best bake sale recipes –

along with photos of the first-prize winners, first runners-up and

anything from cookies, cakes and brownies to pies, breads, scones

second runners-up in each category

and muffins.

Entry submissions, emailed to baymedia.competition@gmail.com, must include:

PRIZES TO WIN

Up to HK$8,000 worth of vouchers to spend at the Auberge Discovery Bay, Peony, D Café, Café Siena and DB Ice Rink.

• Complete recipe with list of ingredients • Six photos (full-size image and resolution, preferably 1600 x

If you have any questions about the application process, don’t

1200px) showing the ingredients, key preparation steps, the

hesitate to email us at baymedia.competition@gmail.com. Get

baker baking and the finished product

baking fast as the submission deadline is July 15!

Love.Together@DB is a community-caring platform initiated by Hong Kong Resort Company dedicated to serving the Discovery Bay community. The platform has been supporting and coorganising diversified corporate social responsibility initiatives with NGO’s, community leaders and volunteers to promote the loving and caring culture in the sustainable and multicultural DB community.

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Bake

BAKE OFF

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TOP TIPS FOR DB BAKERS Looking to compete in this year’s DB Baking Competition?

Here’s how to bake like a pro PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

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he deadline for this year’s DB Kitchen Baking Competition is July 15, with local bakers challenged to share their best bake sale recipes with the community for an online vote. Baking experts Agnes Chin of Complete Deelite and Lan Hee Hong of Flour have some timely advice for all those looking to take part.

KNOW YOUR OVEN First off, both bakers advise that you need to know your oven.

“Every oven has a ‘personality,’” Agnes says. “Make sure that the temperature shown on your dial is accurate. If you’re unsure, use an oven thermometer to check. Cakes need to be baked at the exact temperature stated in the recipe.”

And speaking of the recipe, you need to follow it to the letter.

“Even if you’re making something simple, read the recipe from start to finish at least once before you begin,” opens Lan. It’s important to realise that every ingredient in a baking recipe has a purpose, whether it is to enhance the flavour, the texture, or the structure. “Use the ingredients the recipe calls for as these ingredients play a specific role in the science of the bake,” Lan advises. “If you need to substitute an ingredient, make sure you do the research first as it can alter the results.”

PREPARATION IS KEY In baking, too many factors play into the success rate, so it’s important to proceed calmly and methodically. “Gather your tools and have all your ingredients at hand before you begin,” says Lan. “Measuring the ingredients prior to mixing will result in fewer mistakes.”

The most accurate way to measure wet or dry ingredients is by using a kitchen scale. This may mean that you have to convert cup measurements to grams but it’s worth the effort.

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“If you are working in cups, wet ingredients (like milk and oil) should be measured in measuring cups devoted to liquids that have a handle and spout,” says Lan. “Dry ingredients should be measured in the smaller individual cups. When measuring dry ingredients (like flour and sugar), use a spoon to scoop the ingredient into the cup so it is overflowing, then with a straight edge sweep across the top to even it out.”

READY! SET! BAKE! Unless the recipe states otherwise, have all ingredients at room temperature before mixing. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen, it might take 30 minutes to an hour for the ingredients to reach room temperature. If butter keeps its shape and is easy to cut through with just a little resistance, then that is a good level of ‘softness.’ Place eggs in warm water to bring them to room temperature – this way they will whisk well.

“Be sure too that all the ingredients are fresh, including the baking powder or soda,” Agnes advises.

Next step, preheat the oven. “Always switch your oven on well before you’re ready to bake,” says Agnes. “Use the right pan size for your mix, and be sure to grease and line it with parchment paper, or use a non-stick, easy-bake spray. Place the pan right in the middle of the oven, unless the recipe says otherwise.”

Finally, once your bake is in the oven, set a timer so you don’t forget about it. “Don’t assume, however, that the bake time in your recipe is set in stone,” says Lan. “A good approach is to set the timer for the minimum bake time suggested in the recipe and then check the bake at that point for signs of readiness – if a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, your work is done!”

COMPLETE DEELITE specialises in cakes, cupcakes and cookies to order. Cake decorating and baking classes are offered, and you can also shop online for high-end bakeware. Visit www.completedeelite.com.

FLOUR creates modern and sophisticated cakes for special occasions. Baking classes for children and adults, either one-on-one or in groups, are also provided. Visit www.facebook.com/flourhk.

For more on the DB BAKING COMPETITION turn to page 15 or visit www.arounddb.com.

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Buddy Bites is a Hong Kong-based dog food subscription brand delivering premium European kibble to your door.

For every 2kg you buy, 1kg is donated to local animal shelters to feed dogs in need. By keeping our customers’ tails wagging, Buddy Bites is able to support the food needs of Catherine’s Puppies and Hong Kong Dog Rescue for free.

To order online, visit www.buddybites.dog.

DB EVENTS

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DB BAKING COMPETITION

T8 FIRST RESPONSE FOR PARENTS

PROVERSE PRIZES

Bake! Share Love! The deadline for this year’s DB Baking Competition is July 15, with local bakers challenged to share their best bake sale recipes with the community for an online vote. There are two categories – Open and Under 12 – and shortlisted entrants will be announced in the August issue. To find out more, turn to page 15 or visit www.arounddb.com.

From July 31 in DB North Plaza, T8 First Response is running a new series of parent courses focused on babies’ and young children’s first aid. The course covers CPR and choking, nosebleeds, seizures, bug bites and stings, as well as how to spot a sick child.

To sign up, visit www.t8-firstresponse.com.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF T8 First Response.]

July 11 is your last chance to submit your entry for the International Proverse Prizes, founded by DB residents Verner and Gillian Bickley. The Proverse Prize for single-author book-length fiction, non-fiction, or poetry offers a cash prize (HK$10,000) and publication. The Proverse Poetry Prize for single poems offers cash prizes for the six finalists and possible anthology publication. To enter, visit www.proversepublishing.com.

! s t n e v E & s g in n e Happ STUFF TO DO IN JULY! MATHNASIUM PARENTING SEMINAR

EUROPEAN TOUCH IN DB Opening early this month in DB Plaza, European Touch supermarket sets out to bring the flavours of Europe to DB, with the aim to help us ‘eat better and feel better.’ We can expect a deli corner (pastries, cold cuts, seafood and meat) and a ‘grab and go’ express (hot and cold items), plus dairy, grocery and farm-fresh items.

TUNG CHUNG ARTISTS' GROUP EXHIBIT

Vitality Vibrancy, showing July 28 to August 2 at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, features a dynamic mix of figurative, expressive and abstract paintings created during the pandemic.

View the latest works by six artists living in Hong Kong, including Tung Chung-based Eunhe Park, Hiromi Fujiwara and Jonas Ng. To find out more, visit www.chanchokki.com/vitality-vibrancy.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Eunhe Park.]

On July 8, Mathnasium is hosting a free parenting seminar at DB North Plaza.

Residents can enjoy a talk by Dr Yvonne Becher from the Child Development Centre on The Power of Positive Parenting – Changing Lives Through Math. To secure your spot, visit www.cdchk.org.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY JULY 3 | GATHER AT THE DB PLANT MARKET in DB Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm.

JULY 10 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP at Cheung Sha Lan from 3pm to 5pm.

Check out the DB Green Facebook page for details.

JULY 11 | SHOP THE DISCOVERY BAY SUNDAY MARKET in DB Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.

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ESTELLE LEADING A LIVING OCEANS FIELD TRIP IN DB

JASPER COOK, CLIVE TANG, SUMMER DUBROWSKI, HWAN HEE AND THEO ROBINSON (CENTRE)

to keeping my prices low but the quality high " I’mto helpdedicated those parents who can’t quite afford the high rates of some music and educational tutors in Hong Kong...

- THEO ROBINSON 20

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PROFILE

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TEEN SPIRIT DB student Theo Robinson is blazing an entrepreneurial path with his first start-up – a tutoring service manned by DB teens.

Elizabeth Kerr reports PHOTOS BY Baljit

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Gidwani – www.evoqueportraits.com

heo Robinson has the innate comportment of a natural entrepreneur. He listens intently during a conversation, he chooses his words carefully but makes them look spontaneous, and remembers to circle back to previous threads he wants to address. Theo’s also a 16-year-old Discovery Bay International School student with a new skateboard tucked under the coffee shop table he’s sitting at. “It’s good fun and a good way of travelling,” he says of his relatively new hobby-transport.

Theo is the latest Discovery Bay teen to embrace his inner Warren Buffet and start a low-key, small business catering to DB residents. TR Music School and TR Tutoring (www. trmusicschool.com and www.trtutoringdb.com) are now a go-to for DB kids aged five to 14. What started as a way to hone his own drumming skills and earn a little spending money turned into a mini-empire when, after about four months, enquiries about guitar lessons started coming his way. No small feat considering the tutoring services are lockdown ventures.

hanging with friends, hitting the beach and doing some paddle-boarding.

That, however, doesn’t mean he’s not looking ahead to a new school year and expanding the tutoring business – within reason. Theo tries not to overwhelm his staff (he’d likely cringe at the word “staff”), most of whom are more academically inclined than he. Theo is by no means a slacker, but he views traditional education through a very different lens these days.

“I used to be a very good student, hard-working, and I cared very much about it. But as I discovered more about the business world, talking to my dad and talking to others, I started to realise all these school qualifications were moot,” he argues.

Theo doesn’t believe education is without value; he just sees it as part of a larger whole. Attending school in a less privileged part of the UK opened his eyes to the world’s diversity, and exploring different places and meeting different people entrenched a love of travel.

“It’s two separate schools under the same umbrella. One’s a music school, which is what I started with, and as that grew more successful and people started hearing about it, [teen tutors] started coming to me, asking how I did it. So, I figured why not help them start a tutoring business and grow my own by rolling them into the existing [TR] platform,” Theo explains. And why not? That’s how Microsoft did it.

GENERATION Z Born and raised in the UK, Theo and the family followed his father, in business development in F&B, to Qatar for two years, then back to London (Theo did two years secondary there), and finally to Hong Kong in 2019. Also in DB are his mother, a French teacher, younger sister and a retrieverpoodle mix. His older brother, now 18, remained in the UK to try his hand with a semi-professional football club.

DB suits Theo just fine: The summer is going to be about A R O U N D D B | J U L Y 2 0 2 1 21 THEO ROBINSON TUTORING THEO HULL

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earn a little bit of money to go and enjoy their weekends,” Theo says. “I’m dedicated to getting the word out that us teenagers can be hard working, compassionate people even though at times we may be a little silly.”

Theo maxes out each tutor’s student load to five for bioprotocol compliant, one-on-one classes which means tutors that want it have more study time for themselves. So how does he account for the rapid growth of TR Music and TR Tutoring?

For starters, in a COVID economy they’re more affordable, flexible options for parents. “I’m dedicated to keeping my prices low but the quality high to help those parents who can’t quite afford the high rates of some music and educational tutors in Hong Kong,” Theo says. “I knew I could do something to help link those teens looking for tutoring jobs and the parents trying to find well-priced tutors for their younger children.”

THEO, HIS FATHER AND SISTER CAMILLE

THEO’S PLAYLIST Nonetheless with a teacher in the house, there are some debates going on at home about Theo’s academic future. “As long as I know how to deal with people and manage people I’m set,” he argues. “As long as I’m doing something I love.”

Theo’s not dropping out any time soon either, and he hopes he’ll be heading to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music for a degree in music engineering and production after DBIS. “It’s crazy expensive, so I’m hoping to be a millionaire before I leave,” he quips.

As a drummer with a penchant for technology Theo has his heart set on Berklee because of its focus on the technical and commercial side of music as well as the creative side. Still, he has plenty of musical opinions. He is steadfast about the importance of a good rhythm section: “If you don’t have a good drummer and a good bass player, you’re in trouble,” he states dryly.

And, best of all, kids ‘get’ kids. Students are more comfortable with a teen tutor than with a 55-year-old double PhD holder. “We’re almost their age. We know what they’re going though at school,” Theo reasons of the success of the service. “We’re not like other tutors stuck in the 1970s, who don’t understand new systems. It makes the students happy and it makes the parents happy.”

Theo notes most of their clients are normal kids that are a little behind and who would be uncomfortable with that PhD, and kids who don’t like maths and music, and need a little push to ensure graduation.

School's out for summer but expansion looms. Whatever September brings, Theo’s gained some coveted real-world knowledge and helped a few kids along the way.

“This is a big learning experience for me. I don’t see this going like Kumon, worldwide developing my brand. Not at all,” he finishes with another laugh. “If it all collapses tomorrow, starting a business and learning how to make it work will have been worth it.”

Theo admits to being a straight up pop and rock type, but he’s learnt to appreciate jazz through his drum teacher, Anna Fan. He debates the relative strengths of Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello and Justin Bieber. “Have you listened to his new stuff? He’s really evolved.” He defends Ed Sheeran as an under-appreciated songwriter. “His lyrics are great, and he writes so much for so many other musicians.”

A WIN-WIN GAME Right now, Theo is less a musician than a tutor and administrator, one’s who’s big on organisation and planning lessons, and who did his own marketing early on by building two websites. Word of mouth and good old fashioned ‘postering’ did the rest. Currently, he and his stable of student tutors help younger kids brush up on class work and occasionally teach concepts some students are just not understanding. In a fun, resonant way.

“I only employ students around my age, and I help them develop their social and teaching skills. It also helps them 22

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HWAN HEE TUTORING CAMILLE ROBINSON

Summer is the ideal time to do something that will give your child a huge advantage when school resumes in the fall: Accelerate their math skills with Mathnasium.

While most students experience math learning loss over a normal summer, disruptions due to the pandemic have caused many kids to fall behind even more. Mathnasium’s personalized Learning Plans are proven to improve grades and help kids catch up and get ahead in math. With live face-to-face instruction, either in-center or online.

And don’t worry — your child will still enjoy their summer. Because we make learning math fun.

You can always spot the student who spent their summer with Mathnasium.

ASK ABOUT OUR SUMMER OFFER. MATHNASIUM DISCOVERY BAY 6897 9991 (WhatsApp) / 2628 3362 (Phone) mathnasium.com.hk/discoverybay Shop 105-B North Plaza

THEO ROBINSON TUTORING THEO HULL

COMMUNITY

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! e g n a h C Be the

JUST DO IT Fourteen years in, Dana Winograd of DB Green continues to encourage us to expand our recycling regimes and volunteer to clean beaches. Reporting

by Rachel Sadler PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - richardgordonphotography.com

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s one of the founding members of DB Green, Dana Winograd first started encouraging fellow residents to recycle better and live greener 14 years ago. The mission then as now is to create awareness within the community about Hong Kong’s waste pollution issue, strive to keep waste off DB’s beaches, encourage people to use less single-use packaging, and work alongside Hong Kong Resort (HKR) to ensure that DBers’ recycling options are second to none.

Recent months have seen growing involvement from DB restaurants, many of which have switched to non-plastic packaging for takeaway. Uncle Russ Coffee and Hemingway’s now also recycle their liquid cartons, and have partnered with tech start-up Circular City (and Plastic Free Seas) to trial a brandnew reusable takeout borrow/ return scheme in DB this month.

Through Choose: Reuse, residents can borrow coffee cups and food containers (with a fully refundable deposit) using their Octopus card, and return them to the smart return stations at Hemingway’s and Uncle Russ Coffee (DB ferry pier and Central pier 3). The scheme is digitally enabled, so participants get to see their individual impact in the number of cups/ containers saved from landfill, alongside the collective impact from other users.

One thing’s for sure, there are numerous ways all of us can live greener, as long as we are prepared to make the effort. This month, why not recommit to recycling (it really does all need to be cleaned and sorted before you bin it) and perhaps even spare an hour or two to clean a beach.

CLEAN A BEACH Dana first started organising DB beach clean-ups in 2007 and DB Green now partners with Plastic Free Seas to organise monthly clean-ups at two DB beaches: Nim Shue Wan and Cheung Sha Lan. 24 AROUND DB

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“HKR manages Tai Pak Wan and cleans it ever y day,” Dana says.

“However, Nim Shue Wan, Cheung Sha Lan and Sam Pak Wan are not par t of DB; they are cleaned either weekly or bi-weekly by the government.”

So, if you turn up at this month’s DB Green/ PFS beach-clean-up what can you expect? Dana clarifies: “The monthly community beach clean-ups are open to individuals and families, not only from DB but from all around Hong Kong. We provide reusable, one-sizefits-all cotton gloves and rubbish bags, and we ask that volunteers wear closed-toe shoes, and bring a full, reusable water bottle, along with sun protection and bug spray. If it is a registered beach clean-up, you can leave the collected waste on the beach. The government will come and collect it for you.”

Each meet typically involves around 50 participants, who are focused not only on the sandy part of the beach but also on the vegetation line. “We typically collect 75 to 150 kilogrammes of waste per cleanup, depending on the season,” says Dana. “Cigarette butts, empty cans, plastic bottles, polyfoam, nets and now, of course, face masks – we picked up 121 at the clean-up in June.”

Importantly, beach cleaning is not just for adults – kids are also welcome to do their bit and see the positive impact community action can have on the environment. “It’s never too early to bring your children down to the beach, although we ask that kids below the age of nine are accompanied by an adult,” Dana says. “Even if they only pick up a few bottle caps and then play the rest of the time, kids are learning about the [waste pollution] issue and, most importantly, they are enjoying the beach.” This is especially important because, as Dana well knows: “People tend to take better care of what they appreciate.”

Interestingly Dana doesn’t hope for the same volunteers to turn up each month – her fundamental objective is to “raise awareness…

It’s important to change your behaviour as a result of what you’ve learnt [even in small ways, like refusing single-use plastic bottles and take-away containers, and seeking out plastic-free packaging options] and also, of course, to share what you’ve learnt.

“It’s contagious, when people see you doing something, they think, I can do that too,” Dana adds, pointing to the way many DBers now clean beaches independently of DB Green.

All rubbish that isn’t properly disposed of has the potential to end up in the ocean, so Dana urges that we pick up litter wherever and whenever we see it – on the beach, on the street, ORGANIC VEGETABLE STALL on the trails. “Our actions on a daily basis have the potential to positively impact our environment,” she says.

VOLUNTEERS AT A DB BEACH CLEAN-UP IN JUNE FLOWER BASKET ARRANGEMENT WORKSHOP DANA WINOGRAD NOW HEADS UP BOTH DB GREEN AND PLASTIC FREE SEAS

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NEW GREEN@COMMUNITY SORTED RECYCLING COLLECTION AT GREEN ICON

RECYCLE AT THE GREEN ICON

the Green@Community for it to have the highest chance of getting recycled.

Refuse! Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! We all need to use less, re-use what we can and, most importantly perhaps, treat our waste like the waste industry sees it – as a resource. Drink cartons are being converted into paper pulp, glass into ecobricks, plastic bottles into (new) plastic bottles or clothing… the type of waste that can be recycled is rapidly expanding.

So, now’s the time for all of us to recommit to recycling, ensuring more of our waste stays out of landfill and gets a new lease of life.

“Be sure to check the number in the chasing arrows triangle.

Theoretically #1, 2, 4 and 5 plastics can be recycled from the communal separation bins, but in reality, this is not certain,” Dana says. “Plastic bottles (beverage and body-care products) will get recycled, but non-bottle rigid plastic and film/ soft plastics will have a much better chance of being recycled at the weekly Green@Community sorted recycling collection, and rigid polystyrene and polyfoam can only be recycled there. They don’t accept #3 plastic. And #7s, a catchall for any type of plastic other than a #1-6, although accepted are problematic, as they may include bio-based plastic which can contaminate the plastic recycling stream.”

In DB, we are already ahead of the curve since there are communal separation bins at all villages, clearly labelled for glass, plastic, paper and metal but until May of this year we had to work a little harder to recycle certain ‘hard to collect’ items. For instance, large electrical appliances, CDs and DVDs had to be taken to the waste transfer station near the Mui Wo ferry pier, while small electrical items (WEEE), rechargeable batteries, energy-saving lightbulbs and fluorescent tubes were handed in at the village management offices. Polyfoam and plastics, including drink cartons, coffee cups/ lids and contact lens packaging, could be disposed of at DB Green’s dedicated recycling collection, held monthly at the waterfront side of Hemingway’s.

As of May, however, we’ve been able to unload the bulk of our recyclables at the Green Icon in front of Parkridge Village.

Thanks to DB Green, a team from the government-funded Green@Community recycling network now comes to DB every Tuesday, from 10am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm, to collect clean and sorted recyclables, including most plastics/ polyfoam, liquid cartons, electrical appliances, rechargeable batteries and energy-saving lightbulbs and fluorescent tubes.

The Green@Community team also takes metal, glass and paper recyclables (though there’s no harm in continuing to deposit these items at the communal separation bins). With plastics it’s a little more complicated. Dana recommends that we take any non-bottle shaped plastics, particularly soft plastics (film), to the Green Icon for weekly collection by 26

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"

Properly sorted materials means a better chance that they will get recycled, especially for different types of plastic...

- DANA WINOGRAD

What’s key is that all recyclables are cleaned and properly sorted. “In order to be recycled, all cartons need to be cut open and washed with the plastic spout and lid removed, and they should be dried, flattened and sorted by type (whiteback and silver-back),” says Dana. “Polyfoam items, including food containers, fruit nets and product packaging also need to be clean and dry, with no food residue, tape, stickers or any other contaminants. Beverage bottles must be empty of liquid, and you can leave the cap and label on.

“Properly sorted materials means a better chance that they will get recycled, especially for different types of plastic,” Dana concludes with a satisfied grin. “The waste will be disposed of properly and not end up in a landfill, or worse, in the sea.”

OPEN -DAY

Saturday, July 17th, 9am-noon We are passionate about paddling and offer social paddles and competetive racing in both Dragon Boat and Outrigger Canoeing. Join us for a trial. Reserve your spot now!

Snacks from the BBQ & Drinks available for token prices.

TM

www.lantauboatclub.com, Tai Pak Beach, Discovery Bay paddleforlbc lantau boat club paddle section TM

RSVP: paddling-secretary@lantauboatclub.com GM 1544 NEW Goodmark Logo with TM

S5-1

5.11.18

shu milne creative shu@orange.fr

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FAMILY LORE

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ESTABLISHING PATERNITY If a child is born out of wedlock, the father’s parental rights need to be legally recognised.

Jocelyn Tsao of Withers counsels unmarried dads to get themselves a Section 3 Declaration

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PHOTO COURTESY OF Withers

ohabitation and having children prior to, rather than after, marriage has become popular in recent years. However, what unmarried fathers may not know is that there is no legal ‘presumption of paternity’ when their child is born outside of marriage. As the law currently stands, the unmarried father does not have the same legal parental rights as the unmarried mother. Unmarried fathers can therefore find themselves at a serious disadvantage if a relationship turns sour, particularly if their partner decides to relocate with their child to another country.

If the unmarried father has established legal parental rights to his child, he can invoke the Hague Convention on international child abduction – through cooperation between the central authorities of the relevant countries, he can immediately secure his child’s return. However, an unmarried father, who has not applied for a Section 3 Declaration and therefore has no legal parental rights, can find it impossible to call upon the Hague Convention. His only recourse is to apply to the local court of the child’s former residence (in Hong Kong) to secure a return order but, even then, he may face difficulties, particularly with enforcement.

The fact that the unmarried father does not have legal parental rights does not give the unmarried mother carte blanche to take his child away without his consent. This kind of conduct is frowned upon by any court of law. However, it makes sense for unmarried fathers to apply for a Section 3 Declaration immediately after their child’s birth, so that they may have the same legal parental rights as the mother.

Parents who choose to cohabit rather than marry are well advised to consult an experienced family lawyer, who will make sure that both parties fully understand their parental rights and responsibilities.

To establish legal parental rights, unmarried fathers need to apply for a court order (known as a Section 3 Declaration, under the Guardianship of Minors Ordinance). Where there is clearly a stable relationship between the father and the child, the court will almost certainly grant this. The court will consider factors like the degree of commitment that the father has shown towards the child, the degree of attachment that exists between the father and the child, and the father’s reasons for applying for the order.

Parental rights include custody rights – the right to be consulted over the important decisions in a child’s life, for example which school he goes to, where he lives, what religion he identifies with and what medical decisions can be made on his behalf.

THE HAGUE CONVENTION The COVID-19 pandemic and Hong Kong’s turbulent socialpolitical climate have motivated many expats to relocate to their home country. So, what happens if a relationship ends and the unmarried mother decides to leave Hong Kong with her child without his father’s consent?

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Withers has extensive experience in dealing with child custody issues and Hong Kong family law. Contact the team at 30/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, 3711 160 0, www.withersworldwide.com/en-gb/hong-kong.

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PARENTING

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! e c a p S e f a AS

COUNSELLING FOR KIDS If something is troubling your child and you can’t fix it, Lorraine Cook suggests it’s time to seek professional help PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

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veryone goes through ‘bumps’ in life, and as painful as it is to see your child not his ‘happy self,’ often these challenges are key moments of growth and maturity, where resilience becomes a part of his character and personality. Research is finding that parental efforts to fix everything for children, to prevent them from ever being sad, disappointed, or hurt, is actually harmful to their long-term success. Despite our desire as parents to do everything we can to make our children happy, such actions are not always best in the long run.

However, when a ‘bad day’ becomes a ‘bad week’ or a ‘bad month,’ or you realise that you can’t remember when your child was last really happy and content, you are wise to look for assistance, just as you would if your child has a physical pain that won’t go away. There are many professionals available to help, but where to begin?

WHAT IS CHILD THERAPY? Child therapy is similar to therapy and counselling for adults: It offers a safe space and an empathetic ear while providing tools to bring about change in thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Many people consider child therapy for huge topics like abuse, neglect and trauma, but it can have an equally weighted focus on positive growth and strengths.

Children receive emotional and goal support in their sessions. They can focus on resolving conflict, understanding their own thoughts and feelings, and on thinking of new solutions to their daily problems.

DECIDING THAT YOU NEED HELP WITH THE SITUATION IS OFTEN THE HARDEST STEP 30

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Therapy sessions can empower children to work towards an optimistic future and develop positive coping methods, while boosting self-esteem, self-confidence and other positive states and traits. Whether the child is participating in play therapy, behavioural therapy, or expressive therapy, it can provide him with opportunities to eventually thrive.

PARENTING

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CHILD THERAPISTS PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE AND THE TOOLS TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE

TAKING THE FIRST STEP

THE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

Child therapy is not always easy for parents to discuss, and the hardest step is often the first one – deciding that you need help with the situation. Unlike physical problems, where we tend to easily accept tests, examinations, medications and referrals to other professionals (like a physiotherapist, perhaps), when issues are emotional or behavioural, where concerns might be about troubling moods, unexplained anger, lingering sadness, difficulty with social relationships and more, then we tend to be less inclined to seek help.

If you fear judgement from friends, family or community, it’s important to know that confidentiality is a keystone tenet for those that work in this area, so others will not hear about you from them. In addition, should you decide to talk with friends about seeking help, you may find that many have also had to reach out in this way, or have known someone in their family or close friendship group who has.

The reasons for this vary. Some parents worry what others will think of their inability to cope with their child’s issues.

What’s more, friends often brush our concerns aside. It’s not uncommon to be told that it’s nothing, or normal, or just a stage. People often advise us that we should ‘ just get over it,’ or they remind us that others have it so much worse.

None of these platitudes are at all helpful – they actually make things worse, because now there is often guilt (for not being grateful for what you have) and shame (that you don’t recognise it).

Even close friends, who are kind and trying to be helpful, are typically unprepared to of fer the sor t of assistance that a professional can, as friendship and therapy are very dif ferent JUSTINE relationships.

BARLOW WITH A YOUNG STUDENT

The struggle is that an unfortunate loop of secrecy can exist, where individuals are reluctant to tell others that they have sought help (out of fear for how this information might be judged), but it is this same secrecy and fear in others that prompts them to do the same.

Another common concern is that of labelling. Parents are sometimes hesitant to have their child see a therapist as they are afraid he might be labelled in some way and that this will make things worse. Sometimes, however, a diagnosis is fundamental to determining best strategies. Dyslexia is a good example of this, as knowing what is limiting your child’s ability to read leads to specific actions that will help.

Impor tantly too, there is a growing trend across the helping disciplines to move away from labelling individuals, (for example, labelling a sad child as depressed). Instead, therapists focus on a variety of strategies to help make things bet ter.

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PARENTING

THERAPY IS A DYNAMIC PROCESS...

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FINDING A GOOD FIT So how to choose who to see, especially when there are so many options – psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counsellor or life coach? And then, as you look further, there are further categories, sub-categories and approaches, all of which can help you to make a choice if you understand the differences, but which simply add to the confusion if you don’t.

Hong Kong offers a wide variety of professionals available to help. As a group, they offer a range of educational qualifications and training, varying years of experience, and countless techniques and strategies. Be aware, however, that professionals here have often earned their credentials in different educational systems around the world, and similar sounding designations from one country can mean something quite different in another. At the same time, each therapist will take a slightly different approach, even if they have the same qualifications, training, or years of experience.

Probably the greatest distinction is between psychiatrists and others in this field. Despite popular myth (think Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip – The Doctor is in!), taking your child to see a psychiatrist is not usually the first step unless your situation is critical. Psychiatrists are specially trained medical doctors, who are able to prescribe medication.

Most require a referral from another professional, whereas others in this category typically do not.

Ultimately, there is no way to declare one constellation of education, experience and approach as being definitively ‘better’ than another. The important thing is to find what works best for you and your child – it’s a matter of finding a good fit between your family and your expert. Therapy is a dynamic process.

Taking the first step can be the hardest but, for most families, even after one session, there is a bit more clarity, a bit more calm, and the beginning of hope that things are going to get better. If you are concerned about your child, it is definitely a step worth considering.

THERAPISTS FOCUS ON A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES TO HELP MAKE THINGS BETTER 32

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Long-time DB resident Lorraine Cook (M. A . Psych) relocated to Canada earlier this year. She now provides counselling and therapy online, and you can email her at growingupgreat@gmail.com.

Activites Guide for Lantau Kids DRAMA FAUST

CHESS CASSIA HONG KONG CHESS CLUB w w w.caissahk.org Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club is running t wo five - day camps, for kids age 5 and up, in DB Plaza from July 5 -9 and August 9-13. Led by Matthew Tan, a FIDE International Master, the camps are action - packed, fun and competitive, with a focus on tactics, strategy and calculating.

Tel: 6938 7603 Email: contact@caissahk.com

w w w.faust world.com Faust’s summer programmes (Summer Theatre, Creative Writing and Musical Theatre) run throughout July and August in seven locations across Hong Kong, including Summer Theatre in DB and Mui Wo. The week- long camps, for children aged 3 to 16, offer a fun - filled learning experience to boost creativit y and confidence.

Half- day Saturday workshops are also available for kids, aged 4 to 16, in Sheung Wan.

Tel: 2547 9114 Email: info@faust world.com

FIRST AID T8 FIRST RESPONSE w w w.t8 - firstresponse.com T8 First Response’s summer courses are being held throughout July and August at Headland Drive in DB. Each six- hour course runs over t wo days for kids aged 8 to 11 and 12 to 15, working toward UK National Curriculum key stages 2 and 3.

The courses cover Emergency First Response, CPR, bug bites and stings, choking, severe bleeding and asthma.

Tel: 2517 8248 Email: enquiry@t8-firstresponse.com

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

LANGUAGES

HK DRAGONS

TEKKERZ

YIFAN MANDARIN

dragons.hk/camps - 3

w w w. prospor tsasia.com

w w w.yifancamps.com

HK Dragons Summer Camps, U4 (2017) to U11 (2010) and U12 (2009)+, run from July 5 - 30 in Pui O, Stanley and at Discover y Bay Nor th Plaza Pitch. The five - day camps, led by experienced coaches, are open to players of all abilities. Fun training sessions are based on daily themes like dribbling, passing, receiving, finishing and possession.

Tekker tz Summer Camps, U3/4, U5/6, U7/8, U9/10, U11/13 and U9/12, are running from July 5 - 30 in DB and Tung Chung. The Tekkerz® football programme is designed to develop the technical skills and overall game play of individual players using a ‘maximum touch’ approach. Boys and girls can sign up for the whole camp, preferred weeks or preferred days.

Tel: 6417 3303 Email: theoffice@dragons.hk

Tel: 9043 3095 Email: train@tekkerzfootball.com

At Yifan Mandarin’s weekly Mandarin immersion programmes, children learn Mandarin through fun, hands- on activities with varied, daily themes. The DB camps for kids aged 3 to 8 run from 9.30am to 12.30pm, starting July 5.

From August 2-13, Yifan is also running a Mandarin Theatre Camp for kids aged 7 to 11 at Discover y College, DB – a great way to boost kids’ confidence and teamworking skills.

Tel: 2486 9012 Email: learn@yifanmandarin.com

FOOTBALL LANGUAGES

MIXED

FOOTBALL

HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGES w w w.hklanguages.com From July 5 to August 27, the school is offering immersive language workshops in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin for kids aged 4 to 12.

Fun and educational, the language workshops are culturally enriching with an emphasis on the spoken language to encourage children to express themselves and become actively involved in the lessons.

Tel: 2877 6160 WhatApp: 5421 0288 Email: info@hklanguages.com

MULTI-SPORT

VIKINGS FOOTBALL CLUB w w w.vikings.hk

Vikings Football Club’s summer programme, for children aged 3 to 12 years, runs from July 12 to August 2 LES PETITS LASCARS EPICLAND at the Discover y College pitch in DB. Professional, cer tified football coaches their w w w.petitslascars.com encourage children towhone w w.epiclandhk.com physical skills, have fun and develop a lifelong love of the beautiful game.

HK DRAGONS From July 5 to August 27, Les Petits Throughout the summer, kids can Lascars is offering fun, educational play all day at EpicLand in DB dragons.hk/camps -3 and interactive workshops, designed Nor th Plaza for just HK$1,200 per Tel: 9367 7243 HK Dragons Summer Camps, U4 (2017) to allow children to explore, imagine month. The special summer pass is to through U11 (2010) andyU12 runavailable Email: enquir y@vikings.hk and create, a variet of (2009)+, in July and August and from July 5 -curiosit 30 in Pui O, Stanley and at activities stimulating y and opens up a world of adventure at Nor th in Plaza Pitch. TheHong Kong’s tallest indoor family promoting Discover creativit yy. Bay Available five - day camps, led French, English or Mandarin – by in experienced enter tainment centre. are open to players of all Central andcoaches, Tseung Kwan O – for abilities.

Fun children aged 2 training to 11. sessions are based on daily themes like dribbling, passing, receiving, finishing and possession.

Tel: 2526 8892 Tel: 2441 0098 Email: cours - de -vacances@ Email: info@epiclandhk.com petitslascars.com Tel: 6417 3303

Email: theoffice@dragons.hk

FITNESS

! s e t a l i PCONTROLOGY

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Arlyn Fermin of The Beat shows Rachel Sadler how to get a long, lithe Pilates body PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

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ilates is the art of controlled movements, aimed at improving flexibility, building strength and developing control and endurance in the entire body. Practice it enough and you will get a temptingly toned ‘Pilates body,’ while alleviating ill-health and stress.

ARLYN FERMIN

PILATES WAS INVENTED BY JOSEPH PILATES during World War One while he was interned at a prisoner of war camp on the Isle of Man. Pilates has since become a global fitness phenomenon.

THE NINE PRINCIPLES OF PILATES are concentration,

control, centre, flow, precision, breathing, postural alignment, relaxation and stamina. Workouts are centred around engaging the core muscles through a series of movements that stabilise and strengthen the body.

PILATES IS A LITTLE BIT LIKE YOGA in that it’s a ‘mind-body-spirit thing,’ placing a focus on breath and flow to facilitate movement and induce calm.

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FITNESS

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ALMOST ANYONE CAN DO PILATES and feel the benefit. The movements are precise so it’s suitable for pregnant women and for people with long-term injuries. For some, it’s like rehab. Pilates is also a challenging workout for dedicated sportspeople, providing an important boost to their existing training regime and physical development.

YOU CAN PRACTICE PILATES OFF THE MAT. Joseph Pilates

accompanied his mat-based method with various pieces of equipment, each designed to help accelerate the process of stretching, strengthening, body alignment and increased core strength. The Pilates Reformer is the best-known and most popular apparatus in use today.

BOTH THE EQUIPMENT AND THE EXERCISES

can be modified and adjusted to suit the individual, which makes it per fect for those looking to tone up, rehab from an injur y, or train for a par ticular spor t. The Pilates Reformer is best for individuals who are seeking to achieve core stability and good postural alignment through a low impact, full-body workout.

THE BEAUTY OF THE PILATES REFORMER is that the length of the bed (and the bars) can be adjusted to suit the individual’s needs. Spring strength can also be adjusted to increase or decrease the resistance. Handheld weights provide an extra challenge, and there’s the option to add a jump board for a cardio workout.

PILATES MAKES YOU FEEL STRONG , tall and confident. It works the deep local muscles, whilst many other workouts only target the global muscles.

Pilates is a full-body workout, allowing you to recruit and target specific areas, which makes it a great complimentar y or standalone form of exercise.

Arlyn Fermin is a Pilates Reformer teacher at The Beat here in DB. To find out more call 5721 30 0 0 or visit www.thebeat.com.hk.

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OUTDOOR DECORATING Eliminate clutter and with the right furniture and accessories, you can make even the smallest patch of urban jungle look wild.

Dorothy Veitch reports PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

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INSIDER

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hile our interiors may be cutting-edge or at the very least super comfortable, we tend to furnish outdoor spaces with much less panache. Yet there is no real reason why a balcony or terrace cannot be approached as creatively as a room within the home.

Initially you will probably be faced with a lot of unsightly concrete cladding and your first task is to set up a strong, carefully considered backdrop.

THE BLANK CANVAS Start by bringing the outdoor area into your living room – blurring the boundaries between indoors and out will make both areas look bigger. You may want to install sliding or French doors that open onto the balcony.

Floor-length windows fool the eye, turning an outdoor area into an extension of the living space, letting in more light and expanding the view.

The simplest, though not necessarily the cheapest, way to connect outdoor and indoor areas is to link the materials underfoot. Here, most designers agree that tiles are the only way to go. Relatively inexpensive, natural looking and non-slip, both slate and terracotta tiles age well and, as they don’t absorb heat, the surface remains cool long into the afternoon.

Chances are your interior is white-washed, so stick with complementary white paint for the exterior. As with any small room, a fresh coat of white paint stretches the space, and you’re well advised to choose a textured, weather-resistant masonry paint, which introduces an interesting stippled effect, while putting paid to mouldy walls. In a sun-filled space, it’s tempting to let loose with brilliant tropical hues but you run the risk of making it looked cramped. If you are heart-set on a splash of colour, paint the back wall of the balcony – the one that is not visible from the living room.

CREATING SHADE You’ll want to create shade in your outdoor space and in many cases a classic umbrella will do the job just fine.

Traditional parasols, which blew over at the first hint of a breeze, have been replaced by compact, lightweight models with sturdy, concrete bases. Some umbrellas are now even built into task-specific, al-fresco furniture.

If you’d like something more permanent, however, consider installing a retractable or folding-arm awning, which can be assembled in minutes and tilted to provide protection even when the sun is at a low angle.

Normal canvas will fade and rot surprisingly quickly, so go for something that’s been properly treated like Teflon or colourfast, waterproof woven acrylic. The best awning systems feature sun and wind sensors that extend and retract the shade automatically according to the weather conditions.

On a sheltered balcony or terrace, if you want to keep things really simple, bamboo blinds or lengths of translucent netting will create shade and provide an element of privacy. Alternatively, a well-placed trellis, covered in trailing foliage, will ward off nosy neighbours, while filtering the sunlight.

WOOD IS A CLASSIC CHOICE BUT BE PREPARED FOR IT TO WEATHER

LIGHT, HEAT AND THE BBQ Light will spill outside from whatever room the balcony is accessed, but if you’re planning on spending a lot of time outdoors, you’ll need to put in additional al fresco lights, and find a way to heat and cool the space. A licensed electrician can rig a power source to run a small fan or space heater, helping you out in the dog days of summer and dead of winter. As to light retailers, you can unearth understated wall-mounted lights inexpensively from IKEA or a local hardware store.

Chance are you’ll want a (gas) barbecue, and the first thing to consider is whether you want it inbuilt or freestanding and/ or portable. Think about the size of your outdoor space, and factor in how many people you will be regularly entertaining. Your best bet is to go for as big a barbecue as you can afford (and as space allows), not least because meat needs to have space around it as it grills. You don’t want your hamburgers and kebabs crammed up against each other, or against the sides of the cooker while they are cooking.

If barbecues now come in all shapes and sizes, they also vary widely in style, so you can plump for a modest nofrills model that does the job, or something hi-tech with all mod cons. Maybe your grilling experience would be transformed if you had a barbecue with stainless-steel side shelves, integrated utensil holders and a cart to push it around on. Illuminated control knobs that allow you to grill after dark could well be a godsend, as could a charcoal tray add-on to your gas grill.

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INSIDER

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FILLING IN THE DETAILS Before you even think about splashing out on outdoor furnishings, consider what you will actually be using the space for. The idea is to set up clearly defined areas for specific activities. Fold-up seating and collapsible tables help keep a space flexible but there are also a host of streamlined (ideally inbuilt) pieces to choose from.

If you want a small terrace to serve as an alternative dining room, do without additional seating and make room for a storage unit in which to keep outdoor tableware. On a narrow balcony, if all you need is a suntrap, pair two deck chairs with a small, oval table.

When you furnish outdoors, nothing beats plastic in terms of durability and it has come a long way from the cheap, white variety you may remember from childhood. Check out Hularo, a hardwearing, UV-resistant formula that looks a lot like woven wicker.

Wrought-iron and glass is a chic alternative but iron rusts over time and pieces will need to be moved indoors during typhoon season. Likewise, wooden furniture is a classic choice but you have to be prepared for it to ‘weather.’ Even high-grade teak wrinkles and bleaches in the sun, which means that it will need to be sanded down and re-oiled every couple of years.

ACCESSORISE WITH PLANTS

A SPLASH OF GREEN

Hong Kong has a harsh environment (a deadly cocktail of heat, sun, humidity and pollution), so you’re best advised to choose long-lasting, easy-to-clean, man-made fabrics for your soft furnishings. Quick-dry foams, Sunbrella fabrics and synthetic weaves make maintaining outdoor furniture a breeze – you simply take a hose to it.

Of course, no outdoor area is complete without plants and, in a small space, multi-layered displays work particularly well.

The linchpin of the decor might be an old cabinet or desk with plants spilling out of the drawers, or simply a couple of hanging baskets. Trellises now come in all shapes and sizes but the standard, rectangular, bamboo variety, with pull-out ledges, remains the most practical.

With accessories, stick to the bare necessities – lights and lanterns for outdoor use and scented torches to ward off mosquitoes. Anything more elaborate is superfluous and impractical – wall hangings or scatter cushions rot if they are left outdoors, mirrors and paintings look out of place, stone sculptures gather dust.

Exotic, inexpensive planters look better in clusters rather than in rows, so group them in the corners to save space. If you pair plants of different types and heights, you only need a few pots to create a year-round splash of green. Ferns, juniper, hibiscus and bougainvillaea do well on most DB balconies, as do herbs of all varieties.

NO OUTDOOR AREA IS COMPLETE WITHOUT PLANTS AND, IN A SMALL SPACE, MULTILAYERED DISPLAYS WORK PARTICULARLY WELL BOON TIONG TAN WITH HIS YOUNGEST, REESE, 12 TRADITIONAL SOFT FURNISHINGS WORK ON A WELL-SHELTERED BALCONY 42

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Let us help you take care of your family. enquiry@profwills.com +(852) 2561 9031

www.profwills.com

HELPLINE

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Enrich HK is an awardwinning Hong Kong charity providing financial and empowerment education to migrant domestic workers. To learn about the courses on offer, WhatsApp 5981 375 4 , email info@enrichhk.org or visit w w w.enrichhk.org.

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HELPLINE

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAKING OUT A LOAN Help for migrant domestic workers from the team at Enrich HK!

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PHOTO COURTESY OF Unsplash

his time last year, many of us thought the pandemic would be over by now but that’s far from the case; it continues to take its toll, not least on domestic workers and their families. If your finances aren’t doing well – maybe due to emergency costs or higher remittances sent home – you might find yourself tempted to take out a loan to ease that burden.

Although we always advise planning ahead to avoid borrowing, taking out a loan can sometimes be necessary. If you find yourself in this position, there are some important things you need to consider in order to protect yourself. It can be easy to end up in a cycle of debt and we definitely don’t want that! Know that if you are already in chronic debt, the advice that follows will be useful for you too – and we’re also going to talk about an exciting new programme at Enrich HK which can help you become debt free!

BEFORE TAKING OUT A LOAN First step: Ask yourself, is the loan for something my family actually needs, like medical expenses, or is it for something inessential that my family simply wants?

Before signing a loan contract, there are some very important things that you need to check. Is the lender licensed? (Remember that unlicensed money lenders can give you illegal loan terms.) Will you receive certified documents (e.g. contracts, receipts, statements) for your records? Do you understand the loan terms? Can you afford the monthly repayment and any late payment fees?

Remember that no matter which moneylender you choose, it is illegal for them to take your Hong Kong ID card, passport, national ID card, or bank savings/ account book as security for your loan. Neither should the moneylender request photos of you, your guarantor or your family. If you have already given any of these items as security/ collateral, ask the moneylender to return them immediately. If they refuse, contact your consulate and the Hong Kong Police (999) straight away.

AFTER TAKING OUT A LOAN If you do decide to go ahead with the loan, you will of course sign a contract with certain terms. This means that

you have both responsibilities and rights according to Hong Kong law (Money Lenders Ordinance).

Let’s start with your responsibilities because these are straightforward. Firstly, you are responsible for paying your monthly loan payments on time. Secondly, you must not provide misleading information in applying for a loan – this is very important as doing so can be a criminal offence.

Know that you also have rights when you take out a loan. You are entitled to receive a full copy of the contract, repay the loan in instalments, understand the terms of repayment, and understand if any asset has been pledged as security for the loan. Importantly too, you are entitled to repay your entire loan early at any time at the same effective interest rate as if the loan was not repaid early.

BECOMING DEBT-FREE Taking out a loan doesn’t mean you will definitely be in a debt cycle, but it can make it easier to slip into one. Once you’re in a debt cycle, it takes dedication and commitment to get out of it. We recommend you to start by assessing the problem and listing all your loans/ debts. Next, set financial goals – work your loan repayments into your monthly budget and stick to it. Negotiate with your creditors to see if you can explore alternative repayment schedules.

We also advise controlling unnecessary spending by you and your family until your loans are paid off. And if possible, increase your income – perhaps a family member could support the household by finding work.

However, the best way to break a cycle of debt forever is to learn how to manage your finances and that brings us to that exciting announcement we promised you!

Enrich HK is introducing a new programme called DebtFree Helper – a free eight-week debt-management course for domestic workers, that will give you the tools and knowledge you need to finally leave your debts behind.

This is the first programme of its kind in Hong Kong, and it provides the opportunity to join workshops, attend activities and receive confidential, individual advice from an impartial financial counsellor. Applications are open this month and places are limited. Are you ready to become debt-free?

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DINING OUT

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RESTAURANT REVIEW REPORTING BY Rachel Sadler PHOTOS COURTESY OF Koh Tom Yums and Taste of Thai

KOH TOM YUMS

Koh Tom Yums’ chefs specialise in classic dishes from across Thailand, reinventing many of them with a fresh, modern twist

SIGNATURE DISH

Grilled New Zealand lamb cutlets with Tom Yum soup spices

Chefs’ specials Coconut rice with seafood in a sweet red coconut curry Big river prawns stir-fried with crispy garlic and green peppercorns

Best for takeout Grilled pork neck served with a tamarind and chilli dip

Wine pairings Sauvignon Blanc (and most Italian white wines) pair well with salads, green curries and seafood sauces

TASTE OF THAI

Taste of Thai’s chefs hail from Pattaya and Udon Thani – it doesn’t get more authentic than that!

SIGNATURE DISH Massaman curry with lamb shank

Chefs’ specials Thai crispy prawn with mango salad Whole roasted fish in sweet and sour sauce

Best for takeout Penang curry (chicken/ pork/ beef/ prawn) served with rice

Wine pairings As with European food, red wines work with red meat-based Thai dishes, white wines with chicken, fish and seafood

Buttery Chardonnays are good with coconut-based dishes

Drink your red wine, like your beer, well iced, especially if you are eating spicy food

Light reds (Pinot Noir or Merlot) go well with satay, red curries and grilled meats

Or stick with Thai tradition and save the wine (and the whisky) until after you’ve eaten

Soft drinks

Soft drinks

Fresh lime soda

Fresh coconut or lime smoothie

Fresh young coconut

Fresh young coconut

Fresh fruit shakes (mango, pineapple, watermelon)

Thai Milk tea

Known for its glorious terrace overlooking the sea, Koh Tom Yums boasts an equally dramatic interior inspired by the temples of Chiang Mai. The ceiling is hung with deep-red silk-covered lights and the walls are punctuated by dark wood panelling and ornate gold detailing. Sit back and enjoy!

Taste of Thai delivers a laid-back, no-fuss dining experience whether you choose to sit indoors or out. The ultra-modern interior is big on authentic Thai details with a standout elephant mural and oversize woven rattan baskets piled in corners. True Thai cooking and hospitality awaits!

Shop 105B, 1/F D Deck, DB Plaza, 2987 0767 Opening times: 12pm-11pm

Shop G30, G/F DB North Plaza, 2987 2010 / 2987 2026 Opening times: 11.30am-10.30pm AROUND DB

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樂群家居照顧服務

電 申請服務H致 otline︓ Application

Lok Kwan Home Care Service

Caregiver Support 照顧者支援服務

Nursing & Personal Care 護理及個人照顧

Clinical Psychological Service 臨床心理服務

可自行申請服務 May apply on your own 服務時間︓星期一至六︓早上八時至下午六時 逢星期日及公眾假期休息 Service Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (Close on Sunday and Public Holidays)

Physiotherapy 物理治療 Case Management 個案管理

綜合到戶家居服務

Package of home-based support service

3

2803 210

Speech Therapy 言語治療

Occupational Therapy 職業治療

為殘疾人士提供服務 Serve the people with disabilities

地址︓香港筲箕灣耀東邨耀樂樓 C 翼地下三號 Address:Unit 3, G/F, Wing C, Yiu Lok House, Yiu Tung Estate, Shau Kai Wan, HK 電話 (Tel)︓2803 2103 傳真 (Fax)︓2803 2145 電郵 (e-mail)︓lkhcs@tungwah.org.hk

RECIPES

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH STEAK SUPPER PRESENTED BY LEKKER LAA RENU'S BUTTER-FRIED FILLET STEAK WITH BLACK PEPPER SAUCE AND KETO YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS RECIPE BY Renu Malani PHOTO BY Veronica Modesti

Serves 2 400g New Zealand tenderloin 40g onion, finely chopped 50g salted butter 1tsp freshly cracked pepper, to taste 1 beef or vegetable stock cube 160ml double or whipping cream 1 egg 16g arrowroot Season the steak well with fresh cracked black pepper and some sea salt flakes, pressing the seasoning into the steak to make it stick. Drizzle with olive oil and leave to marinade for at least one hour. To make the black pepper sauce, use a small saucepan and sauté the onion in 25g salted butter until very soft. Add the freshly cracked pepper and crumble in a stock cube. Fry it all together.

Remove from the heat and stir in 100ml cream. Taste and adjust for seasoning and thickness, thinning it out with a little water if needed.

To make six Keto Yorkshire puddings whisk together the egg, arrowroot, 60ml cream and a good pinch of salt. Heat ½tsp of butter for each Yorkshire in a muffin tin till very hot. Evenly pour the batter in to the hot butter. Bake in a hot oven for about 30 minutes.

Next, fry the steak in 20g hot, melted salted butter (about three minutes on each side) in a very hot, preferably castiron pan. Baste the steak with butter from the pan as it cooks and sear the sides well. Rest the steak on a cutting board for a few minutes and then slice thickly. Drizzle with the black pepper sauce to serve with the Yorkshire puddings and a side vegetable or salad.

If you are inspired by this recipe, visit www.lekker.hk. Founded by two DB residents, Neil Schonken and Ainslie Vosloo, Lekker Laa is a specialty online food and wine business now delivering to DB. On top of delicious wine and meat (such as traditional boerewors) from South Africa, Lekker carries salmon from Norway, bacon from the Netherlands and steak from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Find more of Renu Malani’s recipes on Instagram (@ketorezza) and at the DB dinner & dessert Facebook page.

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RECIPES

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Pavlova Serves 6 3 large egg whites 175g caster sugar 275g whipped cream 350g raspberries, strawberries and redcurrants Icing sugar

Preheat the oven to 150˚C. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Then whisk in the sugar 25g at a time. Take a metal tablespoon and spoon the meringue mix onto a lightly oiled baking sheet forming a circle about 20cm in diameter. Spoon round blobs next to each other so they join up and form a circle all around the edge. Place in the oven, turn down the heat to 140˚C and cook for one hour. Turn the heat off but leave the meringue in the oven until completely cold. Place the meringue on a serving dish, spread the whipped cream on top and put the fruit on the cream. Dust with a little icing sugar to serve.

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Summer Pudding

Beat the heat with thIS sweet and fruity no-bake classic PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

DB FACES

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i n a w d i G Baljit

COMMUNITY SNAPS

PHO T OS BY Bal j i t G i dwan i www.evo q uepo r t rai t s .c o m

UNCLE RUSS INSTAGRAM COMPETITION

Win prizes from Uncle Russ C o f f e e a n d T h e Pi e r B a r !

The best snap wins! Your mission this month is to share your favourite photo of DB on Instagram, hashtag #arounddb. You have until the 10th of the month to enter.

This is your chance to win a complimentary coffee from Uncle Russ, or a beer from The Pier Bar every day for a week. We will contact the winner via Instagram. Good luck!

Congratulations to last month’s winner: Richard Grant (posted by Zoe Grabham@zoegrabham)

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CLASSIFIEDS

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The finest selection of lavender essestial oils, shampoos, hand creams, Foam Bath, Wildflower & Geranium, body lotions imported from the U.K. Lavender grown and harvested in the Cotswold with no artificial fragrances.

Ginger extract hair serum and herbal teas from Thailand.

A range of branded alcohol hand & body gels.

E-mail: essentialssophia@gmail.com

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CM

MY

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CMY

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www.sophiaessentials.com

CLASSIFIEDS

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If you’re reading this, so is everyone else To advertise in print or online, email info@baymedia.com.hk

www.arounddb.com Is It Possible to Buy Custom-Made Household Items at a Reasonable Price?

Alcoholics Anonymous

Yes!

If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, we can help.

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5JMJOH DB PROPERTY FOR RENT $POUBDU 4UFWF %POPWBO L U X U RY A PA R T M E N T S I N S I E N A 2 Spacious 600 square-foot apartments – quiet with sea views over park, near Club Siena & BU DB Tunnel. Fully furnished with washer/ drier, bed linen, kitchenware, 55” TVs, wi-fi, NOW TV DBMM PS 8IBUT"QQ

& sound bar. Contact the owner on 9317 0624, nialady2011@gmail.com USJNDPIL!HNBJM DPN If you are looking to rent or sell a property and would like to see it listed on this page, email info@baymedia.com.hk AROUND DB

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2021

Our New Look!

Published since 2015, Life on Lantau is the trusted provider of island-wide news and information. Find the latest on local influencers, events and destinations.

New website coming soon! wwww.lifeonlantau.com

LOCAL NUMBERS

LOCAL NUMBERS

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TUNG CHUNG EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station

2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1999

HOME & REPAIRS Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Mr Chan 24-Hour Handyman ShunYu Engineering

2109 2330 9343 3718 2988 1488

HOTELS Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel SheratonTung Chung

3969 1888 3602 8888 2286 8888 2535 0000

LEARNING CENTRES Clement Art School Discovery Mind International Play Centre Greenfield International Kindergarten Salala Kids’ House Soundwaves English Education Centre Sun Island Education Foundation Sunshine House International Preschool Tung Chung Catholic School YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

9757 9157 2987 8070 2162 5538 2611 9193 2164 7210 2420 1068 2109 3873 2121 0884 2988 8123

MEDICAL Bayside Dental Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Hospital North Lantau Physiotherapy Quality Health Dental Quality Health Care Medical Raffles Medical

Raffles Medical Emergency

2185 6550 2109 9396 2109 2288 3467 7000 2194 0020 2403 6613 2403 6623 2261 2626 2261 0999

REALTORS HomeSolutions

3483 5003

REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 2814 1658 FTC Relocations ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Caribbean Coast Clubhouse Caribbean Coast Management Office Coastal Skyline Clubhouse Coastal Skyline Management Office Seaview Crescent Clubhouse Seaview Crescent Management Office Tung Chung Crescent Clubhouse Tung Chung Crescent Management Office

2109 9277 2109 9288 2179 6678 2179 6621 3473 8700 3473 8833 2403 6770 2109 1222

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY ATavola Bar & Grill 2321 5500 Airport Izakaya 2286 6668 Andante, Novotel Citygate 3602 8828 2286 6238 Café Aficionado Café Lantau, SheratonTung Chung 2535 0021 China Coast Bar & Grill 2286 6898 Curry Lounge 2960 1977 Essence, Novotel Citygate 3602 8808 Kimos 2886 3646 McDonald’s Delivery 2338 2338 Moccato Coffee Shop, Novotel Citygate 3602 8838 MyThai 2907 6918 Olea, Novotel Citygate 3602 8818 PizzaExpress 2297 3588 Pizza Hut Delivery 2330 0000 Regala Café & Dessert Bar, Regal Airport Hotel 2286 6618 Resto 2886 3156

Rouge, Regal Airport Hotel Skycity Bistro, SkyCity Marriott Sunset Grill, Sheraton Tung Chung Tung Chung Pizza Yue, SheratonTung Chung Velocity Bar & Grill, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott

2286 6868 3969 2500 2535 0025 2466 1010 2535 0028 3969 1888

RETAIL FTC Apparel Lantau Balloons

2428 2566 9733 5483

SPORT & RECREATION Asia Pacific Soccer Schools 2385 9677 Aqua Gym 2914 0658 Dance for Joy 9264 8597 Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre 6688 2167 ESF Sports 2711 1280 Fitness in Motion 9744 4736 HK Dragons 2987 4274 Kinder Kicks Soccer 2385 9677 Perun Fitness 6443 6597 Rugbytots 5307 6677 Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool 2109 9107 2109 2421 Tung Chung Sports Centre Tung Chung Rugby Club 6079 0825 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Royal Pets (Pet Sitting) Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung ChungVet Centre

6314 9887 2988 1534 2328 7282

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Max Beauty Spa OM Spa, Regal Airport Hotel Tung Chung Nail Ninjas Quan Spa, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott

2162 5752 2286 6266 9551 6468 969 21888

The Gallery The Kitchen Treasure Island Beach Club

2980 2582 5991 6292 5236 7013

SOUTH LANTAU MEDICAL North Lantau Hospital

3467 7000

REALTORS Findley Leung HomeSolutions

2984 8334 3483 5003

EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Lantau South Police MuiWo Fire Department

3661 1696 2984 1570

HOME & REPAIRS KoonWah Hardware LeeWo Construction Engineering Man Shun Construction & Engineering New Look Design

2984 8487 2984 1802 2984 9833 9783 5840

HOTELS Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

6810 0111 2985 8383

REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 2984 2268 Lee Hing Loong ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008

LEARNING CENTRES Ashville International Kindergarten & Nursery Buddhist Fat Ho College Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School, Reception, Lantau International School, Lower Primary Lantau International School, Upper Primary Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten MuiWo Language Cafe Silvermine Bay School

2109 9886 2985 5365 2984 0302 2984 0302 2980 3676 2984 0302 3689 7033 5511 6107 2984 0006

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY BahçeTurkish Restaurant 2984 0222 Bathers 2504 4788 Cafe Isara 2470 1966 Caffe Paradiso 2984 0498 China Bear 2984 9720 La Pizzeria 2984 8933 Lantana Italian Bistro 5465 5511 Long Island 2320 2001 The China Beach Club 2983 8931

RETAIL Friendly Bike Shop 2984 2278 Garden Plus 2980 2233 IslandWines 9521 8481 Loi Chan Frozen Meat Co. 2984 8346 Lantau Base Camp 9889 4375 Lantau Grocer 2702 0050 Red Hall Chinese Antiques 2988 1368 Tony’s Salon 2984 0990 ValueVigilantes 6132 9120 VIBE Book & Music Shop 9088 2370 SPORT & RECREATION Long Coast Seasports South Lantau Paddle Club Treasure Island Beach Club

5545 5625 6058 8843 2546 3543

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Pause by the Banyan Spa Ambiance

9708 0187 2984 2488

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LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 China Light & Power Emergency DB Fire & Ambulance Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline Lantau North Police Report Room

2728 8333 2987 7502 2435 4511 3661 1694

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank of China 2160 8585 HSBC 2233 3000 Parsons White Wealth Management 2433 6981 The Stephen Putnam Practice 2914 0388 HOME & REPAIRS China Light & Power Information DRS Company Good Luck Engineering Hung Kee Co May’s Furniture & Curtain Design Rich Point Hardware Materials Water Fault Reports

Water Supplies Department Well Supreme Laundry

2678 2678 9156 0360 2987 1313 2987 5087 2987 0222 2987 0789 2811 0788 2824 5000 2987 5151

HOTELS Auberge Discovery Bay

2295 8288

LAWYERS & INSURANCE Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services. Meeting facilities available in DB. Contact 24168618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com,

Manulife 9172 9152 LEARNING CENTRES Discovery Montessori School A reputable & well-known international school for authentic Montessori bilingual (English & Chinese) education for children aged 1 to 12 years. Beautiful campus & highly qualified teachers. Contact 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk Lingostars Providing Mandarin & Korean education: Afterschool Mandarin for Year 1-13 & adult Mandarin classes in a communicative & interactive setting at DB North. Contact 6375 2015, info@lingostarshk.com, www.lingostarshk.com Little Explorers The longest running playgroup in DB, Little Explorers eases the transition between home play and kindergarten for children aged 18 months and up. Contact 6331 7215, littleexplorersdb@gmail.com Tree of Joy A fun, engaging & supportive environment in which children play & learn. Programmes include a drop-off nursery class, parent-toddler class, afternoon camp & cooking class. Contact 9787 2755, info@treeofjoydb.com, www.treeofjoydb.com

Bayview House of Children 6114 2436 DBIS 2987 7331 DBIS Kindergarten 2914 2142 Discovery College 3969 1000 Discovery Mind International Play Centre 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Kindergarten 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Primary School 2914 2202 Discovery Montessori Academy 2812 9206 Dr Bear Education Centre 6762 6264 Epic Adventurers 2441 0098 Eye Level Education Learning Centre 9366 0000 Funfit 6302 6327 HKILA 2416 3198 HK International Learning Academy 2416 3198 58

AROUND DB

| JULY 2021

Kumon 2459 8808 La Petite Enfance Kindergarten 8191 0813 8191 0813 L’Ecole Pierre et Marie Curie Links Parenting 6114 2436 Mandarin for Munchkins 2480 3909 9135 4724 Mathemagic (home tutoring) Mathnasium 2628 3362 SKH Wei Lun Primary School 2987 8608 2987 8143 Sunshine House International Preschool 2987 4217 Treasure House Woodentots 6108 9131 9648 2966 Zhi Zhi Chinese MEDICAL Bayside Dental Practice DB Medical Centre Health & Care Dental Clinic Island Health North Lantau Hospital Quality Health Medical Centre Quality Health Physiotherapy

2987 0855 2987 5633 2666 6183 2987 7575 3467 7000 2987 5633 2473 6200

PLACES OF WORSHIP DB Alliance Church Community Centre DB Anglican Church DB International Community Church Trinity Chapel

2987 8136 2987 4210 2987 7061 2987 9909

REALTORS 2987 2088 Headland Homes Kingsland 2987 2987 2987 6238 Land Master Property Okay.com 2102 0829 Savills 2987 1919 REMOVALS & RELOCATION 2421 8088 Akash Removals 2814 1658 FTC Relocations 2987 4488 Hoi Yu Transportation ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DB Office Centre DB Lost & Found DB Management The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Typhoon Signal Enquiries

2238 3388 3651 2345 2238 3601 2259 3422 2835 1473

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY 22º North 2987 2298 2383 0792 Bones & Blades 2295 8299 Café Bord de Mer & Lounge 2591 1426 Caffe Pascucci Cali-Mex 2904 7698 Coyote Mexican Cantina 2987 2848 Ebeneezer’s 2987 0036 Epic Foods 2172 6111 Figos Seaside Café 2987 2915 First Korean Restaurant 2987 9123 Hemingway’s 2987 8855 il Bel Paese 2987 0202 Island Café 2987 9311 Koh Tomyums 2987 0767 La Creation & Châteraisé 2987 1829 Lekker Laa 6857 1620 McSorley’s Ale House 2987 8280 Mirch Masala 2987 1337 Moofish 2987 6318 Pacific Coffee 2987 1662 Paisano’s 2673 4445 Peony 2500 1950 PizzaExpress 2465 2426

LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY Solera 2555 0772 Starbucks 2246 8372 Subway 2914 0005 The Pier Bar 2520 2166 2987 0966 Three Sheets Marquee Bar Uncle Russ 2840 1188 RETAIL & DAILY NECESSITIES 7-Eleven 2987 4401 Bones & Blades Butcher 2383 0683 Bookazine 2987 1373 DB Post Office 2987 6046 Fotomax 2914 2378 Fusion by PARKnSHOP 2987 7486 Gillian Florist 2529 8256 2987 1041 Japan Home Centre P-Solution 2987 1777 Rapee-living 2987 7082 Sloowood 2944 5189 Star Mart 2366 6534 Tai Fat Hardware Store 2987 0789 The Optical House 2987 1368 Nomadic 2987 8460 Red Velvet 9010 5832 Toysland 2987 7859 Watson’s Pharmacy 2987 4089 Wellcome 2947 9092 Wing On Department Store 2987 9268 Yours Electrical Centre 2987 4428 SPORT & RECREATION HK Dragons Football Club Football for girls & boys aged 2.5 years to 14 years.

Contact 2987 4274, dragons.hk

Island Dance A ISTD Freestyle, ISTD Hip Hop, RAD Ballet, tap & Bollywood classes at DBRC, Club Siena & DB Plaza.

Five professional instructors, teaching six days a week.

Contact 2987 1571, 9159 0663, info@islanddanceom.hk, www.islanddance.com.hk Tekkerz Football programmes for boys & girls for age groups U5 up to U14. Contact 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, www.prosportsasia.com

MGK Fight Club 9303 2996 Yoga Bay 6704 9851 Yogika 6749 7836 YogaUP 68054996 TRANSPORTATION DB Golf Cart Services DB Transportation Services Limousine Rental Wiselink Golf Cart Services

2914 2727 2987 7351 5303 3489 2987 9368

VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Island Veterinary Services

My Pet Shop Pets Gallery Ready, Pet, Go!

2987 9003 2987 8873 2987 0428 5721 6181

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Ingredients of Wellness Mindfulness training for children, teens & their parents and teachers. Offering Mindfulness Matters, Mindfulness in Education (for adults), AMT Mindfulness Teacher Training.

Contact 9048 5425, angie@ingredientsofwellness.com, www.ingredientsofwellness.com

Afflatus Hair Workshop 2987 0283 Bay Spa 9837 0969 DB Pure Spa 9794 0918 Herbal Health Care 2834 7276 Maximum Care 2987 2060 Nailed It! 2987 2266 Nest Care 2499 8826 2987 4112 Salon De Coiffure Sophia Essentials 2527 0118

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY @

www.arounddb.com

The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio A premium fitness centre situated in two convenient locations at north and south plaza.

Offering group fitness, pilates reformer, barre, yoga, kids fitness, personal training and latin dancing. Contact 5721 3000, info@thebeat.com.hk, www.thebeat.com.hk

BMSE Community Centre 2259 3422 Club Siena 2987 7382 DBees 6473 4277 DB Ice Rink 2234 0187 DB Pirates 9255 6133 DB Golf Club 2987 7273 DB Recreation Club 2987 7381 DMR School of Ballet 2987 4338 Embody 6624 8712 EpicLand 2441 0098 Fit 852 9680 7665 Future Stars Dance Academy 2987 6867 Greenwich Yoga School 9685 8366 Harry Wright International 2575 6279 Kapuhala Train-in-Space 6101 8434 Lantau Yacht Club 2987 9591

To add your own directory listing box, call the Bay Media office on 2987 0167, or email info@baymedia.com.hk AROUND DB

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OUT THERE

! on o p m DB La

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KILLER WILDLIFE AND COMMUNICATION

Dreaming of summer holidays past, Peter Sherwood recalls a hilarious trip to Australia’s Kakadu National Park

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PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels

iger Airways used to be strictly no frills, the only luxury being a guaranteed seat, and with a fare structure comparable in shipping terms to the Star Ferry. So cheap was Tiger that people would even fly to destinations they hated. So, when Australia’s Darwin (some 4,000 kilometres from Sydney where I was dragged up) appeared as a monthly special who was I to say no? My Spanish friend Carina and I left from Macau via Singapore. The first expected inconvenience: A stopover in the yawningly tedious city state.

Arrival at Darwin was 3am, the second inconvenience.

(Number three would have to wait till our departure when a jar of the native Vegemite was confiscated as a dangerous gel. This salt-saturated spread might well pose a health risk but is unlikely to explode, except in your arteries). Our rented car awaited in an otherwise empty car park the size of Wales.

First stop the village of Humpty Doo (seriously) where we spent an hour in hysterics before moving on to Kakadu. Down the road I asked a perky, red-headed park ranger to assist a man whose car had been sideswiped. She said, “I’ll call me old man, he’s a firey.” Carina: “I’ll call my father, he’s a fairy?”

No. She’ll call her husband, he’s a fireman.

All this time she had understood little of the local language, which is the same as in the rest of the wide brown land – but different. Back in Darwin we headed for a pub where I insisted she take courage and break the language barrier by ordering the drinks. Nervously she approached the strapping, blonde barman: “Err…two glasses of beer please.” There followed an unintelligible torrent of what I imagined were the types of brew available. Carina, pointing: “Err…just like that man’s over there.”

She paid and gave her thanks for which she received the following verbal deluge: “No-worries-love-you’re-a-legend,” spat out with the rapidity of machine gun fire. She turned to me as bemused as she had been throughout her fortnight’s linguistic adventure.

Two weeks – A generous landscape and animals that threatened her life. As for people, she had comprehended barely a word. (Carina holds a Master’s Degree in English.)

Carina’s first visit to the land of Oz brought wide-eyed wonder at not just the language, but “how bloody far” everything is, a reference to taking a day to drive from any place where there’s not much to see, to someplace where there’s even less. I inflicted upon her irrelevant local knowledge, such as: Did you know that the Northern Territory is almost three times bigger than Spain? Also boggling the Iberian mind were the millions of brilliantly coloured birds that burst from the trees at dawn in a vast squawking cacophony.

Wildlife in Kakadu? For starters we saw crocodiles the size of an amphibious tank, and three large brown snakes Carina almost stepped on during a half-day hike. Our description to a guide at the park office got a nonchalant: “Those would be your Coastal Taipan, third most deadly snake in the world.”

This news triggered an urgent need for Carina to be at least one Spain’s length away from where we stood.

60

AROUND DB

| JULY 2021

DO YOU SPEAK-A MY LANGUAGE?

Peter Sherwood has lived in DB for 20+ years. The former head of an international public relations firm, he is the author of 15 books and has written around 40 0 satirical columns for the South China Morning Post.

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