Around DB February Issue 2019

Discovery Bay’s original community magazine

FEBRUARY 2019

JP Castillo, living life to the fullest

Unplugged in the Myeik Archipelago

How to raise a bilingual child

Real remedies for insomnia

good fortune

Ring in a healthy, wealthy Year of the Pig!

ISLAND-WIDE EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

FREE

Baby Basics T: +852 2311 1048 E: info@babybasicshk.com

Stock up on child health and hygiene products, toys and more...

Enquire about our delivery options

All your baby and child needs under one roof

All the brands you love - Childs Farm - Mamas & Papas - Water Wipes - Ella’s Kitchen ...and much more...

BREAST FEEDING AND BABY CHANGING AREA

www.babybasicshk.com FB: @babybasicsHK Insta: @BabyBasicsHongKong Unit 1-3, 7th Floor, Lansing House, 41-47 Queen’s Road, Central (Just down Li Yuen Street East)

EXPAT SERVICE WITH LOCAL KNOWLEDGE HOT PROPERTIES

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN DB We are proud to celebrate 30 years in DB! After 3 decades, we know that our specialty is matching the right properties to DB residents.

To see our property portfolio, visit our website or call the team on:

2987 2088

www.headlandhomes.hk

Scan to view more exciting properties EAA LIC C-033418

Charles 61407971 S-278320

Katie 91507319 E-290103

Meeta 90477252 S-030829

Sue 97002399 S-574333

Epic Foods’ Perfect sliced meats

The key elements to the ultimate hotpot is a great flavorful stock, and this deserves the perfect sliced marbled meats. This February, at Epicfoods, we can slice prime boneless US beef short rib or Australian lamb upon request to complement your ingredients selection.

Happy cooking from our team!

#EPICFOODSHK

@EPICFOODSHK

CONTENTS February 2019

Join your community online

PROFILE - 28 Meet JP Castillo

IN FOCUS - 32 Celebrating CNY in DB

EDUCATION - 40 Why it pays to be bilingual

TOP TIPS - 47 Overcoming insomnia

ESCAPES - 56 Best in the Myeik Archipelago

28 REGULARS

If you have a story idea, email rachel@baymedia.com.hk For general enquiries, email info@baymedia.com.hk To advertise, email corinne@baymedia.com.hk For graphic design, email andrew@baymedia.com.hk Call 2987 0577/ 2787 0886 Fax 2987 0533

AGENDA

23

SPOTLIGHT Trisha Hughes

06

DB EVENTS

24

ISLAND LIFE What you need to know GIVEAWAYS Win big prizes

61

HK HAPPENINGS

27 37

WISH LIST February must-haves

66

CLASSIFIEDS

64

DB FACES In and around the plaza

68

PROPERTY

72

OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back

69

LOCAL NUMBERS

ON THE COVER

It’s CNY! Happy Year of the Pig

We also publish…

Discovery Bay’s original community magazine

FEBRUARY 2019

To read the cover story, turn to page 32

FREE February / March 2019

2018 / 2019

JP Castillo, living life to the fullest

Unplugged in the Myeik Archipelago

WIN! A Childs Farm toiletries set + Water Wipes from Baby Basics

How to raise a bilingual child

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

Real remedies for insomnia

good fortune

Ring in a healthy, wealthy Year of the Pig!

ISLAND-WIDE EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

FREE

www.arounddb.com

HIKING THE LANTAU TRAIL (SECTIONS 1 TO 3) RELIGIOUS INTEGRATION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY

FENG SHUI TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

Illustration by Andrew Spires

MUI WO BAD GUY

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

PHILIPPE JOLY CORNERING THE MARKET ON HK MOVIE VILLAINS NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

FOOD & DRINK • LIVING • PETS • SPORTS • PASTIMES • EDUCATION • HEALTH • BEAUTY • SERVICES • TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS • COMMUNITY

PUBLISHER Corinne Jedwood corinne@baymedia.com.hk MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Spires andrew@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Monika Carruthers monika@baymedia.com.hk OFFICE MANAGER Maxine Parry maxine@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHER Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com CONTRIBUTORS Katrina Mercado Ray Robertson Claire Severn Suveera Sharma Peter Sherwood Lori C. Tighe Dorothy Veitch Samantha Wong INTERNS Alexander Grasic alexander@baymedia.com.hk Lea Mahoudeau-Campoyer production@baymedia.com.hk PRINTING Champion Design & Production Company Ltd. Flat D, 18/F, Sing Teck Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong.

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in AroundDB 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 GROUP LTD

www.evoqueportaits.com and colsimphotography.com

ALL-GIRLS BEACH FESTIVAL

The DB Pirates held its annual International All-Girls Beach Festival on January 12 and 13. Hardfought rugby and netball matches were played across youth, minis’ and ladies’ teams.

DB EVENTS

s t n e v e y t i rece nt c om m u n

THE HOTTEST

IN DISCOVERY BAY

www.arounddb.com February 2019

7

DB EVENTS

BUS DRIVER ASSAULTED IN DB On January 15, DB bus driver Ar Foon was assaulted by two women who were travelling to DB from Sunny Bay on the DB03P bus. DB residents who witnessed the attack either at firsthand or on FB footage have been horrified by the ferocity of the attack. Touched by residents’ concern, Ar says, “The greetings and care I have received from DB residents have caused me to be thankful, and I am cooperating with the police in their investigation. I don’t know what the outcome will be but I believe that the attitude of those around me has proven that there is love in Hong Kong. I am grateful to serve the residents of DB – your support will always be in my heart and I wish all of you joy every day.”

Photo courtesy of HKR

TEKKERZ DB FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Progressive Sports Asia hosted its third Tekkerz football tournament on January 20 at the Discovery College pitch. Teams from across Hong Kong, including the DB Angels, were invited to compete in U7 and U8 matches.

prosportsasia.com/tekkerz-football

8

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

DB EVENTS

BEACH CLEAN-UP DBers headed to Nim Shue Wan to join the first beach clean-up of the year on January 12.

plasticfreeseas.org

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE COLLECTION DBers did their bit to help reduce waste as Plastic Free Seas collected a Gogo van-full of expanded polystyrene at the flea market on January 20, and took it for recycling. Fusion staff also helped by collecting the store’s foam fruit nets for two weeks.

plasticfreeseas.org

YOGAUP GRAND OPENING YogaUp celebrated the grand opening of its new studio at DB North Plaza on January 11. Attendees enjoyed two free yoga classes and drinks.

Photos by Andrew Spires and www.evoqueportraits.com

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February 2019 www.arounddb.com

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DB EVENTS

R.I.P DOUGLAS ROBERT ANDERSON Former DB Marina resident Douglas Robert Anderson was found dead in his new DB apartment on January 3. Recently divorced, with two children Kirsten, 27, and Andrew, 21, Douglas joined Cathay Pacific seven years ago, where he was a simulator instructor for the 747. He is remembered as funny and chatty, and as a gentle giant. A memorial walk and beach gathering on January 12 allowed Douglas’ visiting family, friends, Cathay Pacific colleagues and the greater DB community to come together and mourn their loss.

Photos by Nico and courtesy of Koke Killian

ISL

A Veterinary clinic for your exotic pets ISLAND EXOTICS

Open 9am -7pm, 7 days a week

2/F Hing Tai Building, 139-140 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun 15 minutes walk from the DB Ferry Pier in Central Consultations available in French

Tel: 2858 9388 www.taiwaiexotic.com

c i t n a m o R

SPONSORED CONTENT

Rendezvous

@ Discovery Bay

R

Photos courtesy of HKR

eflecting the spirit of happiness, unity and abundance, the moon has long been associated with love and romance.

With back-to-back celebrations for Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day and the Spring Lantern Festival this month, Hong Kong Resort proudly presents Romantic Rendezvous, a series of unique and memorable experiences for you and the one you love to enjoy, all centred around the theme of Moonlight Romance.

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From now until February 19, love is in the air thanks to the exquisite installations at D’Deck and DB North Plaza. Alongside the glittering lights at Love Lock Promenade, DB North Plaza features picturesque crescentmoon and heart-shaped ‘lovers in the moonlight’ decorations. The romantic ambience makes the plaza the perfect place for heartto-heart talks, loving kisses and, of course, taking selfies. Over at D’Deck, meanwhile, a stunning installation of peach blossoms symbolises everlasting love – walk around it with your beloved and make a wish!

On Valentine’s Day, there’s no better place to be than Tai Pak Beach since it’s lit up by

thousands of candles arranged in heart-shaped displays. And be sure to treat your beloved to a classic horse-drawn carriage ride on February 14! Pick up your tickets (HK$300* per ride) at the Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong’s Activity Centre to enjoy a glamorous 10-minute ride, soaking up the charming scenery and European-inspired architecture.

In fact, Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong is the perfect place for you and your loved one to spend February 14, whether you choose to stay a night or to treat each other to a delectable Valentine’s Day

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

meal. Valentine’s specials are also available at many of the restaurants at DB North Plaza and on D’Deck promenade. Why not embark on a romantic culinary journey accompanied by stunning 180° panoramic sea views!

And the romance doesn’t end there! Take a stroll along DB North Plaza’s Love Lock Promenade on February 9, 10 or 14, and you can collect a complimentary love lock (padlock) to attach to one of the hearts adorning the popular lovers’ walkway. There’s no better way to seal your love forever!

To redeem your love lock (while

stocks last), simply ‘like’ the Visit Discovery Bay Facebook page, ‘like’ the Valentine’s Day post, leave a comment and tag three friends. To redeem your love lock, present your phone at the redemption desk near the DB North Plaza clock tower between 2.30pm and 11pm on February 9, 10 or 14.

And a final word for those who may wish to express their love through handmade gifts – the one-of-a-kind open-air Discovery Bay Sunday Market on February 10 offers a wide array of gift choices specially crafted for this month of romance. Happy Valentine’s Day and Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Activities for sweethearts • • • • •

February 9, 10 and 14, 2:30pm to 11pm: Redeem a complimentary love lock to seal your love at DB North Plaza near the clock tower February 10, 11am to 6pm: Pick a heart-warming gift for your sweetheart at the Discovery Bay Sunday Market in DB Plaza February 14, 9am to 11am and 3pm to 6pm: Take a classic horsedrawn carriage ride at the Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong.

(Regular horse-drawn carriage rides are available daily.)

February 14, 6pm to 11pm: Take a selfie beside the thousands of candles arranged in heart-shaped displays on Tai Pak Beach February 14 to 16. Enjoy a romantic getaway with your loved one at the Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong

Valentine’s room packages at Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong Romantic Getaway Package February 14 HK$2,488*

Love Never Ends Package February 15 to 16 HK$1,888*

One-night stay in a mountain-view room, plus breakfast buffet for two and Valentine’s Day set dinner for two

One-night stay in a mountain-view room, plus breakfast buffet for two and Valentine’s afternoon tea for two

Both packages include mini sweets, a special gift and an arts-and-crafts class Guests are entitled to upgrade to an ocean-front room for an additional HK$400*

Valentine’s specials at Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong Valentine’s Day Set Dinner February 14 HK$1,388 for two*

Valentine’s Afternoon Tea February 14 to 16 HK$398 for two*

Plus two special drinks and your photo taken beside the hotel’s European horse-drawn carriage For reservations or enquiries, email reservations@aubergediscoverybay.com or call 2295 8355 *All prices are subject to 10% service charge. Terms & conditions apply.

www.arounddb.com February 2019

15

DB EVENTS

YOUR GUIDE

L A I T N E S S E E H T TO UPCOMING

COMMUNITY EVENTS

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI! Across DB On February 6, DBers are invited to welcome in the Lunar New Year by watching the traditional lion dances at the entrances of Discovery Bay Recreation Club (DBRC) and Club Siena. Club members can also book a harbour cruise to see the fireworks in the evening. Boarding at DB pier is at 6.30pm. A ticket includes a dinner buffet, two drinks and a lucky draw. To know more, call 2987 7381 or turn to page 32.

February 5-7

www.evoqueportraits.com

NGAI NING YU EXHIBIT

DB DANCERS AT THE CNY NIGHT PARADE Tsim Sha Tsui February 5

Through February 10

Chantal Miller Gallery, Admiralty On January 26, 15-year-old DB resident Ngai Ning Yu was awarded first prize in an open art exhibition hosted by Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Responding to the theme: Expressing Self – Inspired by Pan YuLin, the Discovery College student’s winning painting is on show at the Chantal Miller Gallery, Admiralty until February 10. To find out more, visit asiasociety.org.

www.islanddance.com.hk

Catch students from Island Dance performing at the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade alongside professional dancers from across the globe. Performers start interacting with attendees at 6pm, and the parade begins at 8pm at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza.

Photo courtesy of Heidi Yu

VALENTINE’S SPECIALS Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong February 14

Photo courtesy of HKR

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Lovers can look to Café bord de Mer & Lounge for Valentine’s Day Set Dinner or Valentine’s Afternoon Tea on February 14. The first 220 couples who book a Valentine’s room package at the hotel receive special gifts. For reservations and enquiries, email reservations@aubergediscoverybay.com or call 2295 8355. For more romantic activities across the resort, turn to page 14.

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TRAINING YogaUp, DB North Plaza February 16-June 2

www.evoqueportraits.com

Are you looking to become a yoga teacher?

Chaukei Ngai, YogaUp founding director and 2013 World Yoga Champion, is providing the 200hour course, alongside yoga master Yogesh Varun and osteopath Jonathan Vallade. Visit www.yogaup.com.hk.

C O M P E T I T I O N S

LOVE YOUR BODY! LOVE YOUR COZZIE! Throughout DB Submission date: February 28 Ozzie Cozzie is looking for mother and daughter models to take part in a fun and meaningful fashion shoot! There are just five spots (for five pairs of mums and daughters), with fittings in Ozzie Cozzie’s Central store from March 12 to 16 and a photo shoot in DB on March 30. Models get to keep the renowned-brand swimsuit they wear for the shoot.

To enter, email full torso, mother and daughter photos to info@ozziecozzieco.com by February 28, along with your full name, email address and phone number. Check the guidelines and find out how the wider DB community will be involved at the Around DB and Life on Lantau Facebook pages or at www.arounddb.com.

YOUNG WRITERS COMPETITION Throughout Lantau

ADOPT A PET through Hong Ko

www.ozziecozzieco.com

Submission date: May 3 All secondary school students living and/ or studying in Lantau are eligible to enter our Young Writers Competition (YWC). For 2019, students are asked to submit a 600- to 700-word ghost story by May 3 to rachel@baymedia.com.hk. From the articles submitted, our three mentors each select a winning story and work on improving it with the author. The three finished articles are posted on the Around DB and Life on Lantau Facebook pages for an online vote. The winning story is published in both magazines, and the finalists and runners-up are presented with HK$2,300-worth of vouchers from Bookazine, the competition sponsor, at an award ceremony at Discovery Bay International School. Young writers can check the YWC guidelines on the Around DB and Life on Lantau Facebook pages or at www.arounddb.com.

ng Paws Foundation (PAWS) at DB Pla za on February 2, 9, 16 or 23. Call Kat Cheu ng on 9485 5188.

STOCK UP AT THE

ANT MARKET across from Haven CourtPL on February 2 from 2pm to 4.45pm. Call 2238 36 17.

ENJOY FREE YOGA

FOR HELPERS classes at Yoga Bay, DB No rth Plaza on February 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 7am to 8am. Call 6704 9851/ 9150 7019 or visit yog abay.hk.

SHOP THE DISCOVERY BA Y SUNDAY MARKET in DB Plaza on Febru ary

10 from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.han dmadehongkong.com.

HAVE YOUR PRELOVED ITEMS COLLECTED at your home fro m 2p

m to 4pm on February 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28. WhatsApp Nikki Boot at 9677 6676.

HELP YO

UR HELP ! Enrich HK works ho equip helpers with theER tools to save, budget andps plan for a future with greate r financial security.

Visit www.enrichhk.org.

JO

www.arounddb.com

IN A BEACH CL N-UP on Fe bruary 24 with DB Green and PlaEA stic Free Seas at Sam Pak Wan, from 2pm to 4pm. Vis it plasticfreeseas.org. www.arounddb.com February 2019

17

DB EVENTS

NEW in DB

LANTAU HIGHLIGHT

LUNCH AT HEMINGWAY’S

VALENTINE’S DAY RACE Start: Pui O Beach February 9

Photo courtesy of Hemingway’s

The plant-based food revolution continues at Hemingway’s which is now open for lunch. “People want to eat natural and healthy at lunchtime and we’ve had lots of requests,” says Hemingway’s owner Gary Stokes. “It’s a whole food menu, with everything made in house and nothing processed.” The lunch menu changes daily and is available from 12pm to 3pm. Try the laksa! To find out more, call 2987 8855.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Lagarde

Lock in your slot for The Trail Hub Valentine’s Day Race, organised by Jeremy and Valerie Lagarde. Teams of two compete in either the 9-kilometre ‘Easy Love’ trail or the 14-kilometre ‘Tough Love.’ The pair must complete the whole course together. For more information and registration, visit www.thetrailhub.com.

SAVE the DATE TENNIS NATIONS CUP Discovery Bay Recreation Club

DBIS INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR DBIS main campus March 9

March 2-3

www.dbis.edu.hk

www.evoqueportraits.com

The Tennis Nations Cup, now in its 26th edition, sees DBers dress in whacky national costumes as they battle it out on court. Expect food and game stalls as well as fun activities for kids. To know more, visit www.dbrc.hk.

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One of the largest community events in DB, all are welcome at the annual DBIS International Food Fair. Enjoy a range of culinary delights from all corners of the globe, plus live music and a host of commercial and charity stalls from 12pm to 4pm. Bring your own cup, eating utensils and takeout containers, or rent them from the eco team. To find out more, visit www.dbis.edu.hk.

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

HARVEY LAW GROUP KART RACE Discovery Bay Road March 16

www.evoqueportraits.com

The first Harvey Law Group Kart Race in October 2015 attracted over 20 racers, the latest race in March 2018 saw over 80 children, aged 7 to 13, vying for trophies. The races are split into age groups, and kids have the option to design and build their own kart. Proceeds go to Heep Hong Society. To register, visit www.hlgkartrace.com.

DMR

School of Ballet Est 1984

Asian Express DB’s premier mover

trust US to take you home!

It is said that the Fire Pig is an adventurous and energetic person that will always have a positive, generous and kind hearted approach to everything they do in all aspects of life.

Sounds a lot like our DMR team

Kung Hei Fat Choi Shop 112 DB Plaza, Discovery Bay HK

2987 4338 info@dmr-hk.com - www.dmr-hk.com

2893 1000

aemovers.com.hk

DB EVENTS

SAVE the DATE STAIRMASTER RACES

GREEN SENSE CHARITY HIKE

Across Hong Kong

Across Lantau March 24

March 16 & 23

greensense.org.hk asiatrailmag.com

Conquer two of the toughest short courses in Hong Kong as The Trail Hub brings Stairmaster into its seventh edition.

Lantau Stairmaster, on March 16, sees participants go over Sunset and Lantau peak twice; Twins Stairmaster, on March 23, sees runners tackle Violet Hill and the Twins. For registration, at HK$298 for one or HK$500 for both races, visit www.thetrailhub.com.

Starting at DB Plaza, the 10-kilometre Green Sense Charity Hike aims to increase participants’ nature conservation awareness, as well as raise funds for Green Sense’s environmental protection work. Hikers follow the Lo Fu Tau and Olympic trails before descending to Silvermine Cave and the finish at Silvermine Waterfall Park. The registration deadline is March 15. To get involved, call 8100 4877, or visit www.greensense.org.hk.

AROUND DB AND LIFE ON LANTAU

Now officially open!

YOUNG WRITERS COMPETITION 2019 THE CHALLENGE

THE REWARD

Write a 600- to 700-word

The winning article is published in the July issue of Around DB and the August issue of Life on Lantau. HK$2,300-worth of book vouchers is presented to the finalists and runners-up by Bookazine, the competition sponsor, at an award ceremony at DBIS.

ghost story.

The three finalists are chosen during an online vote, June 7 to 14.

Open to all secondary school students living and/ or studying in Lantau.

Check the YWC guidelines on the Around DB and Life on Lantau Facebook pages or at www.arounddb.com.

Submit your article by May 3 to rachel@baymedia.com.hk.

The deadline is May 3

Last year’s finalists: Kayla Adara Lee (YHKCC) Serena Wong (DC) Eleanor Lambert (DBIS)

BAY MEDIA publishing and design studio

SPOTLIGHT

Three-year DB resident and bestselling author Trisha Hughes discusses her novels and explains how an incredible, life-changing event inspired her to put pen to paper

W

hat inspired you to become a writer? I started writing about 18 years ago, although even as a teenager I loved writing and, probably more importantly, I loved reading. I began by writing my memoir, Daughters of Nazareth, which tells how at the age of seven I was suddenly placed in an Australian orphanage.

It was a confusing time for me, not knowing why my life had changed or where my parents had gone. I grew up believing I was an only child, but that all changed 20 years ago when I received a phone call from a woman who told me she was my sister. She was four years younger than me and had also been placed in an orphanage, the exact same one I had been in for five years – Nazareth House.

possible to write everything about each king, but I have tried to write the juicy snippets about them. Some stories will send your head spinning with the atrocities of the times.

The first in the trilogy is called Vikings to Virgin – The Hazards of being King, and the second is called Virgin to Victoria – The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. The final in the series is due for release next year and will be called Victoria to Vikings – The Circle of Blood.

You're a mentor in the Around DB and Life on Lantau Young Wr i t e r s C o m p e t i t i o n .

What do you enjoy most about this role? I love encouraging children to express themselves through words. So much time these days is spent looking at our mobile phones, I feel it is important for children to use their imagination. I try to help them by asking questions… what, where, when and why. I encourage them to stop and think about what is actually happening around them and then put it into their own words.

It was such a strange feeling. Although I didn’t remember her, we had shared memories of those years. After investigating further, we uncovered an elder sister and a younger brother, and found out that I’d had a twin who had died at birth. After having believed all my life that I was alone, all of a sudden I had a large family of nieces, nephews, cousins and siblings.

The book was my therapy. It helped me to put things into perspective.

Photo by Andrew Spires

The book outsold a newly released Stephen King novel in its first week – how did that feel? Absolutely amazing! This story was mine, written from the heart, and to think that Australia loved it so much they had put Stephen King aside for me, it’s something I’ll never forget.

Tell us about your V2V trilogy. It is based on British Monarchs throughout history. Writing it was like being a time detective, hunting through the records, looking for clues to build a picture of what happened long ago. It’s not

[

[ Centre Stage: Trisha Hughes

What advice would you give to budding writers out there? Everyone has different likes and dislikes, and it is impossible to please everyone. My best advice is to believe in yourself and never give up.

Find more local heroes @ www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com February 2019

23

ISLAND LIFE

Photo by Andrew Spires

DB

24

Entrepreneur of the Month Lulu Lai of Nailed It and Head to Toe

I

opened Nailed It, DB’s first full-service nail salon, in 2011. My goal was to provide a wide range of professional and creative nail services. Head to toe, my latest business, grew out of Nailed It – as a way to offer my clients a full pampering service right here in DB. At Head to Toe you can enjoy a range of professional massage services including deep tissue, Thai, lymphatic drainage and body acupressure, plus traditional foot massage. My business is a success because it’s not just my business. It’s my passion. I started out as a nail artist over 30 years ago, and it was always my goal to start my own business.

I never saw owning a business as merely a job – it was my goal. The greatest challenge I face is staying one step ahead. I constantly strive to offer the latest techniques, products and innovations in the industry. If it’s on offer at Central salons, we need to offer it right here in DB. To succeed in business, you must get up every morning like it’s your first day. Your attitude must be fresh, energetic and ambitious. When you work for yourself there are no days off, so you must really love what you do. My advice for someone looking to start up a business is don’t do it for the money. Like I said, it must be your passion. So many successful businesses start off making no money, passion is what keeps them going. My greatest achievements are my two children, Skye and Lochie. I am a single mum, and even though that sometimes means a bit of extra work, nothing compares with being a mother. Nailed It and Head to Toe are my other two babies. Both my kids and my businesses take a lot of love, care and attention, but both show me that anything is possible if you work from a place of love, not just ambition.

They inspire me every day. My plan for the future is to continue to grow and evolve both businesses. There are many changes taking place in DB right now and I want my businesses to be part of it all. The more people we help feel beautiful and pampered the more inspired I get. When hiring staff, I always look for three basic qualities – dedication, skill and heart.

I am blessed to have very loyal staff, some of whom have been with me from day one. They have an unwavering dedication to their clients, top-of-the-line expertise and passion for what they do. The entrepreneur I admire the most is Coco Chanel. This is a woman who started a company that literally ‘freed’ women. Not only did she singlehandedly change the way women dress, she did it at a time when most women felt they could not work never mind run a business. Of course, I admire her for her creativity and her ambition but I most admire that she stood up for women and showed the world that a woman can do anything… even on her own! My personal motto is ‘Let your passion burn brighter than your fears.’

CONTACT

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

•

Head to Toe, Unit 8, LG/F, Block 2 DB North Plaza, 2988 1188, Head to Toe by Nailed It Facebook page

•

Nailed It, Unit 426, Block D DB Plaza, 2987 2266, Nailed it DB Facebook page

Y D O B R U O Y E LOV LOVE YOUR COZZIE! OZZIE COZZIE is looking for MOTHER & DAUGHTER MODELS to take part in a fun and meaningful fashion shoot! We believe beauty comes in all ages, colours, shapes and forms! If you agree, help us to spread the word, we love who we are!

To become an Ozzie Cozzie model and show off the latest range of swimwear, you don’t have to be slim, tall, young... just be YOU and believe in YOURSELF! FIRST COME, FIRST PICKED! There are just five spots (for five pairs of mums and daughters).

The details

WHAT YOU GET! Fittings in Ozzie Cozzie’s Central store March 12 to 16 and a photo shoot in DB on March 30. Models get to keep the renowned-brand swimsuit they wear for the shoot.

HOW TO ENTER! Email full torso photos of yourself and your lovely daughter to info@ozziecozzieco.com by February 28, along with your full name, email address and phone number.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT! Around DB will post individual photos of the models online on May 1 and in the Around DB May issue, with residents challenged to match the daughters with the mothers. On May 12, the names of those who matched the mums and daughters correctly will be placed in a hat.

Two winners drawn from the hat will each get a voucher worth HK$1,000 to spend at Ozzie Cozzie.

www.ozziecozzieco.com Enquiries: 2810 1356

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GIVEAWAYS

HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES! Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply.

Scan the QR code, or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

Win a 18KT white gold diamond pendant from Zaha et Cetera

Win two tickets to see Peter Pan & Wendy

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DB-based jeweller Zaha et Cetera is offering one reader an 18KT white gold diamond pendant (worth HK$3,440).

Zaha et Cetera offers a wide range of products and services, including redesigning old diamond and gemstone jewellery, repairs, consultations and engravings. The team puts time, dedication, imagination and love into making unique and breathtaking pieces of jewellery. For an appointment in DB, email info@zahaetcetera.com or WhatsApp 9656 0414.

Win two weeks of yoga classes with Yoga Bay

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Faust International Youth Theatre is offering two readers a pair of tickets (worth HK$280 each) to see its production of Peter Pan & Wendy on February 21 at 7.30pm at the Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai.

Faust International Youth Theatre presents its 20th anniversary production, Peter Pan & Wendy, February 21 to 24. Take a trip with Wendy, John and Michael as they join Peter Pan on a journey of a lifetime from London to Neverland. This original adaptation of the classic tale is performed by Faust’s young and talented actors, aged eight to 18. For tickets, at HK$280, visit ticket.urbtix.hk.

Yoga Bay is offering two readers two weeks of yoga classes (worth HK$500 each) at its DB North Plaza studio.

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Yoga Bay provides diversified yoga and aerial yoga classes suitable for everyone, from beginners to experts and from kids to seniors. The specialist studio, facing the sea, is staffed by qualified and experienced instructors.

For more information, WhatsApp 6704 9851 or visit yogabay.hk.

Congratulations to last month’s winners Rebecca Williams, Cam Dalling and Ian Pearson for a place at

Tekkerz’s Chinese New Year Camp, and Christian Blanc for a facial treatment from The Skin Therapy Centre. www.arounddb.com February 2019

27

PROFILE

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com and courtesy of Diana Calnan

The tallest boy in Hong Kong

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At the end of last year, as he bid a fond farewell to Discovery Bay, JP Castillo sat down with Lori C. Tighe to tell his story in his own words. Having come through two major brain surgeries in as many years and still undergoing biotherapy, he talks about DB life – basketball, fighting in the school corridors and his first girl crush

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

J

P Castillo is not your typical 13-year-old. He has gigantism, which has caused him to grow nearly 2 metres tall. He also has a Darth Vader-like brain tumour that has tried to kill him for the past two years.

So you’ll forgive JP, short for John Paul, when he grins and recalls how he and his best friend began a shoving and wrestling match at the Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) lockers last year. It was over nothing, they were both tired. But it made JP feel like a normal guy, whose friend briefly forgot about his height and brain tumour.

“Yeah, we both got in trouble,” says JP. “We had to clean our science teacher’s classroom as punishment. I regretted what I did.

Discovery Bay in 2015, bid a fond farewell to a legion of friends at Cathay Pacific, DBIS, the Crayon Run charity and the Vine Church in Wanchai. They, and seemingly the entire DB community, have cheered on and raised money for JP through two major brain surgeries, and monthly backand-forth travel to the US for gruelling chemotherapy.

The Castillos are resettling in Anchorage, Alaska, the coldest US state, to be closer to Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where JP continues his biotherapy treatment to keep his brain tumour from growing. “I’m a little worried about the cold. But I’m loving the skiing part,” he says with a grin.

If I didn’t have gigantism, I wouldn’t get as much attention. Everyone wants to be noticed and appreciated and it feels good He’s the first good friend I’ve had since Tony Gordon in Year 5.”

JP is living as much of a typical 13-year-old’s life as possible, after surviving his second successful brain surgery in the US last summer. He likes a girl. He got called up to play with the U16s basketball league. And he enjoyed his 13th birthday party with his friends and father, Ed – they went to see a Jack Black movie. But on one thing, JP is serious. When he talks about protecting his two adorable sisters, Maryah, 12, and Ashley, 11, he says in a bigbrother way, “No one’s going to hurt my sisters.”

Moving to Alaska In December, the Castillo family, who moved from Miami to

Ed, a Cathay Pacific cargo pilot, could only transfer to Miami or Alaska, the two Cathay bases in the US. The Alaska office offered Ed the position.

“It will be a huge adjustment,” says JP’s mother, Diana Calnan, an educational assistant at DBIS kindergarten. “We will miss our Discovery Bay friends so much.

They’ve become like family to us.

But this move will help JP – and we are up for the adventure.”

The family look forward to having more house for their money, stunning wide-open nature vistas, and seeing reindeer occasionally stroll down the street. As for the sub-zero temperatures and the long dark winters, they’re staying positive. They have learnt life is full of surprises.

Battling the odds JP’s journey started when he began rapidly growing at age 6, but his doctor said he was fine.

Then JP broke three bones in one summer. “That’s when we knew something was wrong,” Diana says. At age 9, JP went from a size 9 shoe to an 11. His hands grew twice the size of Diana’s hands. “Have you heard of the giants in fairy tales and The Guinness Book of World Records?” says Diana. “He grew so fast, that’s what it was like.”

After settling into Discovery Bay, JP’s parents began researching his accelerated growth online. Ed read that it could be an endocrine problem caused by tumours. But they both thought, ‘No, no, he’s healthy.’ They went to Queen Mary Hospital in Pokfulam in early 2017 where an endocrinologist found JP’s brain tumour, the size of a golf-ball around his pituitary gland. An American friend working at Johns Hopkins, known for treating children with rare disorders, told Ed and Diana to take JP there. After they bought health insurance through Obamacare for JP, a team of 15 doctors removed his entire tumour in a 12-hour surgery in 2017.

“I thank God for the Obamacare,” Diana says. “JP’s surgeries were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. We never could have afforded that.”

Numerous flights followed between Hong Kong and Maryland for his monthly chemo infusions. Then the tumour returned with a vengeance.

JP had his second major brain surgery last summer – after a lengthy disagreement between the health insurance adjusters and Johns Hopkins administrators.

But the surgeons performed another successful surgery on JP, once again removing the entire

www.arounddb.com February 2019

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29

PROFILE

tumour entwined in his brain. The doctors told the Castillos they would not perform brain surgery on JP in the future, since ongoing biotherapy would keep the tumour from growing.

“I was kind of nervous about when I would wake up from the eighthour surgery,” JP says. “With the second surgery, I had to stay in the hospital longer, my sodium levels were really high. I peed six times a day, which dehydrated me. They wouldn’t release me. I stayed a week. When they took my catheters out from my taped hands, when they emptied the urine, I would pray with my mom.

That was hard.

“Now I get monthly injections” JP explains. “My mom gives me a shot in the butt every 28 days. I feel fine. The next day I get side effects – stomach ache, vomiting.

I feel the effects for about a week.” Diana says she feels sick herself seeing JP experience this. The biotherapy shots, called Somatuline Depot, suppress JP’s tumour cells and may help control his growth hormones. It’s used when surgery or radiotherapy haven’t worked. “If it keeps JP alive,” Diana says, “It’s worth it.”

Living life to the fullest Looking on the bright side, JP says his height offers some benefits.

“If I didn’t have gigantism, I wouldn’t get as much attention.

Everyone wants to be noticed and appreciated and it feels good.”

He admits, smiling, “It helps out in basketball, too.”

JP’s the Center and he recalls the day his basketball coach asked him to play in the higher age level. “I played a good game in November in the U14s. Then my coach asked me to play for the

U16s with the Year 10s and Year 11s. It’s cool to be asked to play for a higher group, it will challenge me more. The rules are more aggressive when you get older.”

every day to shoot like that,” he says. “I want to meet him and play a game with him. I don’t know if it will ever happen, but my mom says to stay positive.”

JP practises basketball daily and dreams of playing professionally one day. “I got a passion for it,” he says. “It encourages me to play and love it more. It’s a really fast sport, that’s what I like about it. Although not as many people play basketball in Hong Kong, it’s at a pretty good level.”

JP says his mom is the biggest influence in his life about the power of positive thinking.

JP crawling under a brid ge made by his DBIS classmates’ hands – symbolising he’s not alone in what he’s goin g through

JP wants to meet his favourite basketball player, Steph Curry, of the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California. So he applied to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Pennsylvania, where his mother used to live, after his first 12hour brain surgery in 2017. But the Make-A-Wish branch said regrettably they couldn’t grant his wish because he lived in Hong Kong. If JP applies again to a second Make-A-Wish in a different state, his name will be removed from the national foundation’s list and he will be blackballed.

JP is in awe of Curry, famous for his 3-point shooting. “I practise

If the basketball career doesn’t materialise, JP wants to be a flight engineer pilot, like Ed, who grew up in Miami. “My dad bought a flight simulator game when he was 13 and played it ever since.

As a teen, he worked at the airport as a janitor to earn money for college,” JP says with admiration.

“He studied and worked hard, and then he got to fly his own plane as a pilot.”

When JP talks about his first crush on a girl, someone he met in Year 6 at DBIS, he smiles.

“There is a girl,” he says, “away from school we hold hands. I’m not sure if she likes me, she is shy. Her friends made me guess who in their group liked me. I guessed her. Sometimes when her friends talk to me about her, they start laughing. She likes me, they say. Her friends get all weirded out.” He grins and shakes his head.

The girl JP likes came to his birthday party on October 21, when he turned 13. “We saw The House with a Clock in its Walls. It was really good, about witches and warlocks, and one killed himself in a fortress. He put a clock in the wall that would reset time to the beginning. The nephew’s uncle was a warlock.

He had trouble making friends at school. He told his friends he could do magic, and one day he would prove it,” says JP, recounting his birthday treat with excitement. “It was great.”

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February 2019 www.arounddb.com

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IN FOCUS

Like pigs in clover Winter in Hong Kong is all about celebration, and hot on the heels of Christmas comes Chinese New Year. Suveera Sharma takes a look at this most colourful of festivals, and how DBers like to celebrate it

llustrations by Andrew Spires, photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com.hk

T

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he streets are hung with red and gold lanterns admonishing the grey skies of a cold winter.

Jangly Chinese music streams out from restaurants and shops.

Mandarin trees are everywhere, ushering in good luck. Dancing lions with gongs are walking the streets. It’s Chinese New Year (CNY) in DB! And there’s a loud banging sound coming from my kitchen…

I jump out of my chair to find my son bashing a steel plate with a ladle. It takes me a while to work out what he’s up to but then I remember. He’s just learnt about the origins of CNY at school, and he’s making this deafening noise to scare away Nian the monster.

You see CNY dates back to around 1600 BC when, legend has it, a village on the mainland was terrorised by a monster called Nian. Each year, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Nian came to the village and ate all the livestock and grain, while the villagers hid in their homes. That is until a wise old

man worked out how to vanquish the monster. The old man had discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, so he told the villagers to scare him away by banging drums, letting off firecrackers and making music. The villagers did as the old man instructed and Nian never returned.

To this day, the villagers’ success, the triumph of good over evil, is marked by a major festival not just on the mainland and here in Hong Kong but across the globe.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Based on the lunar, rather than the Gregorian calendar, CNY begins on the first day of the new moon, which falls any time between January 21 and February 20. This year, February 5 is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Kate Zhou, director and owner of DB Chinese language learning centre Yifan Mandarin, speaks of the holiday very fondly. “It is our most important festival,” she says.

“A time for family reunions and

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

celebrations. I always go to my parents’ house in Sichuan province.

Everyone tries their level best to be at home over the holiday no matter how far away it might be.”

CNY indeed witnesses the largest annual human migration on the planet as millions of people in China make the journey home.

Comparing CNY with America’s largest annual migration is a good way to gauge its enormous size. Thanksgiving 2017 saw 50.9 million travellers – the number of people on the move in China at CNY is over seven times that.

2019 ushers in the Year of the Pig, one of 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the others being the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster and Dog. Babies born throughout each year are thought to display certain characteristics unique to their zodiac animal, for example Tigers are thought to be great leaders and Dogs are loyal and dependable, while Pigs are said to be easy-going, honest, generous, sincere and sociable.

We can expect good things from 2019 because the Pig symbolises wealth and happiness and represents good fortune.

Join the parade

Choi Sun the God of Money giving out lai see

DBers enjoying the CNY fun

If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of local festivals and don’t mind braving the crowds then the annual Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is the place to be. You can expect dancers and floats from across the globe, not to mention what feels like the city’s entire population, congregating along the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. This colourful carnival takes place on the evening of February 5, beginning at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and culminating at the Sheraton Hotel.

From February 7, Lam Tsuen plays temporary host to many of the night parade’s floats, so if the main event is a little too crowded for you, head to the New Territories. The carnival lasts for a couple of weeks and you can expect firecrackers, food stalls, game booths, cultural performances and lion dances galore.

While in Lam Tsuen, you can take part in the ancient and highly colourful Well Wishing Festival.

You write your wish on a piece of paper (traditionally red or gold for good luck), together with your name and date of birth. Tie the paper to an orange and toss it into one of the Wishing Trees in the centre of the village – the higher the paper lands, the more likely it is that your wish will come true.

Lion dancing outside Discovery Bay Recreation Club

Releasing a Wishing Lantern is another popular Lam Tsuen tradition which sees locals releasing water lanterns, carrying good fortune for the New Year, into the canal.

www.arounddb.com February 2019

33

IN FOCUS Festive fun in DB But why leave the resort? There’s plenty of festive fun to be had right here in DB, with many of the restaurants putting on special CNY menus and plenty to do at the residents’ clubs.

“We have planned a host of events for CNY,” says Vicky Hui senior marketing officer at Discovery Bay Recreation Club. “We have our very popular lion dance show at the entrance of both clubs on February 6, when there are also traditional Chinese snacks and tea on offer.

The little ones may also enjoy an arts-and-crafts workshop at Club Siena on February 6, and you can go on a cruise to see the fireworks in the evening.

“Peony will offer a traditional prosperity menu featuring

favourites like roasted crispy pork belly, lobster, dried oysters and more,” adds Vicky.

Food plays a huge part in the CNY celebrations, particularly on the eve of the festival when families traditionally enjoy a huge evening meal at home. “Sometimes many generations sit down together,” says Kate. “Dishes with lucky meanings are added to the menu.

Sticky-rice cake and dumplings, and fish and chicken dishes are all considered auspicious.”

In the lead-up to the holiday, schools across DB also do a great job of celebrating, making sure that all pupils have a clear understanding of what’s going on.

“The children dress up in traditional costumes, and there is a special assembly in school, performed

by the students,” says Rochelle Ferreira, an educational assistant at Discovery Bay International School.

“Apart from the celebrations, we also always have a special class about the origin and story behind the festival for the children to grasp the reason behind the celebrations. Children from different nationalities celebrate as one.”

It’s beautiful to see how the festive atmosphere of CNY affects everyone in DB, irrespective of nationality, as we come together to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It’s a time of new beginnings; a time when we are given the opportunity to free ourselves of negativity and resentment. At CNY, we ignite the firecracker of hope, and scare away the ‘Nian’ inside. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Find more topical local topics @ www.arounddb.com

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EDUCATION

Raising

bi li n g u a l k i ds

By Ray Robertson

T

here’s only one hardand-fast rule to raising a bilingual child – if you want him to speak two languages with the proficiency of a native, you need to expose him to the two languages early, ideally from birth.

Consider what we mean when we talk about someone’s ‘mother tongue.’ It’s the language the mother speaks to the child when he’s in the cradle. It’s the first language the child hears or speaks, and it follows that it’s generally the language he is most comfortable speaking in later life.

Photo courtesy of www.unsplash.com

Most toddlers can say about 20 words by 18 months and 50 or more words by the time they turn 2. By age 2, kids are starting to combine two words to make simple sentences, such as ‘dog barking’ or ‘Daddy strong.’ By age 3, children have words for almost everything they want to say. And by age 4, they’re talking in sentences using five or more words, though the size of their vocabulary will vary widely.

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In setting out to raise a bilingual child, what you want is for him to have two mother tongues. Later in life, you may find he uses one language more than the other, or prefers one language over the other but, given sufficient exposure as he matures, he will always be fluent in the languages he mastered as a baby.

Young children need direct person-to-person contact in order to learn a language

Exposure to two languages To encourage language development, paediatricians tell you to talk to your child as much as possible, to read to him and sing to him. For bilingual development, children need this type of constant exposure to both languages.

Ideally too, they’ll be introduced to each language by a native speaker. It almost goes without saying that if you speak to your child in your native English, he’ll grow up speaking English like a native; his speech patterns will be

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

rich and idiomatic and he’ll have your accent.

It’s important to note that while older kids can learn vocabulary from educational screen-time, young children need direct person-to-person contact in order to learn a language.

So how do you give your child this level of exposure to two languages? You might decide that you and your spouse will each speak a different language (your own native language) to your child,

or you may agree to both speak two languages to your child.

Regardless of the method you choose, you’ll find that your child is able to differentiate between the two languages right from birth. He may mix the languages from time to time, but this doesn’t mean he’s confused. Rather, it’s a sign of linguistic ability. If you think about it, adult bilinguals mix their languages all the time. They may do this on purpose because they prefer the word or phrase in the other language, or they may be forced to do so because they don’t know the word they need in the language they’re speaking. If mixing languages is the norm at home, you can expect your child to do as you and your spouse do.

It does take longer to acquire two languages than one, so don’t be surprised if your bilingual baby starts speaking a little later than his monolingual peers. It’s only natural. What’s more, a child who is learning two languages (say English and Mandarin) may have a smaller vocabulary in each than a child who is only learning one; there are only so many hours in the day, and he’s either hearing English or Mandarin.

Boosting bilingualism It’s clear that raising a bilingual child takes a tremendous amount of parental input but it’s important to look outside your immediate family for support.

One obvious way to boost your child’s bilingualism is to encourage him to speak both languages socially. The more native language speakers he knows, and the more fun, interesting conversations he has with them, the more comfortable he will be with the language and the culture. If yours is an English/

Korean household, invite Korean friends over for supper and speak Korean with them, do the same with English friends. Time spent with both sides of the family, with cousins and grandparents, is also invaluable even if that involves a trip overseas.

In Hong Kong, of course, kids who are learning English and Cantonese are at an advantage since they hear these languages being spoken all around them on a daily basis.

Employing a helper, who’s fluent in one of the languages your

Of course, the choices you make about your child’s schooling will also impact his bilingualism.

There are many schools here in Hong Kong where language learning is a priority – the aim is that students are all bilingual or trilingual at the end of their studies. For the most part, rather than having him taught in two languages at the same time, you choose a language stream for your child. For instance, at the French International School, the French Stream follows the French National Curriculum to Brevet and French Baccalaureate. The International Stream follows the

It does take longer to acquire two languages than one, so don’t be surprised if your bilingual baby starts speaking a little later than his monolingual peers child is learning, is a sure-fire way to boost his proficiency.

Again, it’s about giving him as much exposure to a language as possible, from as young an age as possible. Quality one-onone time, spent playing, let’s say with a Spanish nanny, will allow your child to focus on his Spanish while having fun.

English Curriculum to IGCSE, then International Baccalaureate.

Literacy in a language is important because it increases both vocabulary size and grammatical understanding, so you need to be mindful that your child learns to read and write in both languages. Again, the younger literacy is achieved the better – wait until he is older, even at junior school, where he’s learning 101 new things, and your child may feel overwhelmed.

Send your child to a school where only one language is spoken (either English or Cantonese here in Hong Kong), and it’s likely that English or Cantonese will become his go-to language. But this needn’t mean all your hard work has been wasted. Continue to speak both languages he learnt as a baby when you’re together as a family, and he’ll still be your bilingual (or even trilingual) boy.

Within this type of system, children get to focus on one language for their academic studies, while having the opportunity to speak another language with students in the parallel stream outside of class.

Find more on education @ www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com February 2019

41

EDUCATION

On learning a 7TIPS language as an adult

By Ray Robertson

W

hether it’s for business purposes or as a hobby, because you’re relocating overseas or want to understand the culture around you better, it’s never too late to learn a second language. The admiration you get from friends, family and colleagues when you burst fluently into a language that’s not your own will far outweigh the challenges of learning something new.

1

Photo courtesy of www.upexels.com

Don’t be put off by your age. There is a common perception that children learn languages more easily than adults – that we can’t absorb the information as effectively – and it’s true to an extent, because kids’ brains are like sponges, automatically soaking up any data that’s thrown at them. But adults have the advantage when it comes to processing information.

Mature students are usually more motivated too – if you’ve actively chosen to learn the language, you’re more likely to focus during class and after class.

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2

Do find the right teacher.

Take a couple of trial classes to see whose teaching style best suits you. A good teacher makes complicated things simple, which encourages

Practise every day and don’t be afraid to make mistakes

you to learn. Given the right match, you’ll find that after just one or two lessons, you can actually start to communicate in your chosen language. You’ll be surprised by how quickly you begin to understand things and also make yourself understood.

3

Don’t sign up for class with the wrong mindset. If you go in thinking it will be too difficult, you’ll end up quitting before you’ve given yourself the chance to succeed. The biggest barrier for adults when learning a new language is not believing they can do it. The key is to give yourself a chance.

4

Do practise every day.

It’ll be challenging to remember all the new information being thrown at

you, so be sure to revisit what you’ve learnt regularly to help with retention.

6

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You need to pronounce words properly but give yourself time. Begin with speaking and then move on to writing when your teacher says you’re ready. Don’t expect to get where you want to be after only a couple of classes.

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And stop analysing. It’s important to accept a new language for what it is. If you’re always trying to figure out why words need to be said in a certain order, you will struggle – accept the differences, and you’ll find things much easier.

Be patient, practise and you’ll be fluent in no time.

Find more on education @ www.arounddb.com February 2019 www.arounddb.com

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St David’s College Est. 1965

Why the St David’s College ‘Three Peak’ education model is so effective

“S

Photos courtesy of St David’s College

tudents don’t just receive an academic education at St David’s College in North Wales,” the school’s headmaster Andrew Russell opens. “Established in 1965, St David’s College pioneered a ‘three-dimension’ vision for education, creating a living and learning environment where our young boarders can reach their academic potential, develop tailored physical fitness and conditioning, and explore a personal spiritual and moral framework.”

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St David’s is set close to the mountains of Snowdonia, and three of its School Houses are named after the range’s three highest peaks, Snowdon, Cader Idris and Tryfan. The ‘Three Peak’ model is uniquely placed to prepare young people for their adult lives and to make a significant contribution to society.

St David’s boasts highly experienced qualified teachers

with specialists in a variety of subjects. At its outstanding Cadogan Learning Centre, oneon-one and small group support is provided, plus Speech, Language and Occupational Therapy.

“The school’s students gain the skills and strategies needed to access mainstream qualifications to go onto further their education at university level,” says Andrew.

“The ability of St David’s to integrate innovative and personally tailored learning with exceptional outdoor education with a spiritual and moral focus, makes the school a leader in its sphere.”

What’s more, the awardwinning range of extra-curricular activities offered allows each pupil to grow in self-confidence, ensuring endless possibilities for all. Each year sees overseas expeditions developing personal resilience and life skills in students, while Link International Innovation – the school’s charity – provides them

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

with the opportunity to reach out to others.

While St David’s is set in a serene and secluded location, the school is under three hours by train from London. It’s well located to access Manchester International Airport, with direct flights from Hong Kong.

St David’s is popular among Hong Kong residents, drawing particularly rave reviews from one Discovery Bay family: “We relocated to Hong Kong 13 years ago, when our son was two. Orin spent his early years struggling through the educational system with dyslexia. We tried various schools but constantly failed to get the proper support and educational tools required to fit his learning needs. We finally discovered St David’s in 2016.”

Orin, now 15, has embraced being a boarder. As his mum says, “St David’s is so much more than a school, it’s a life’s education.”

St David’s is so proud of so many such success stories.

Giulietta’s story Attending an elite boarding school in the South of France may sound idyllic for some, but for Giulietta it was a miserable experience.

The Croatian 18-year-old said she lost all her confidence because despite being convinced she was dyslexic, three different French experts who tested her for dyslexia told her parents it was a linguistic problem.

“I was made to feel stupid, and I felt humiliated in the classroom as I found it so hard to keep up with the other students,” says Giulietta, who is fluent in Croatian, French and English. “The education system in France is very rigid and if you fall behind, there isn’t much help.”

In desperation to help her increasingly unhappy daughter, Giulietta’s mother Googled schools in the UK that could offer support in dyslexia, and St David’s College was the first one on the list. An interview was arranged and Giulietta said she fell in love with the school as soon as she saw the list of activities on offer (especially the 4X4 driving) and that pupils weren’t expected to get up at 6am and study until 8pm, as in her former school.

After being tested by a British dyslexic expert, it was discovered that Giulietta was indeed dyslexic.

“In France they don’t really offer anything like BTECs, it’s all about

sitting a big exam at the end, which is no good for someone like me who prefers continual assessment,” she says.

“When I first saw the school’s website I was interested to read Rachna’s story, and I thought I wanted to study business too, it was good to see a girl doing so well as I always thought business was a man’s world.”

Since joining St David’s College last September, Giulietta has thrown herself into school life, including bagging herself the lead role as Cinderella in her house play. She lives in Augusta House

CONTACT

•

with the other female boarders and describes it as “one happy family;” she especially enjoys the soup and roll night on Sundays, brownie nights and movie nights.

“I love the British way of education, because in France as soon as you reach the sixth form you can’t study music, or drama or art unless you go to schools that specialise in these subjects – here you have a choice.

“The teachers at St David’s give up so much of their free time to help me, they are here to make sure I will succeed, and I believe that I will, I now have belief in myself.”

St David’s College, www.stdavidscollege.co.uk

Registration is open for September 2020 and beyond.

Limited places are available for September 2019. www.arounddb.com February 2019

45

TOP TIPS

Overcome…

By Samantha Wong

T

he most well recognised cause of insomnia is… you guessed it, stress. Both acute insomnia, which lasts a few days, and chronic insomnia, which renders you unable to get a good night’s sleep for a month or more, are often the result of long, demanding working hours, problems at home, or quite simply an overly busy lifestyle.

Studies show that women are more likely to have insomnia than men.

Older people, those in pain and people suffering from depression are also particularly susceptible.

Doctors will tell you that a great many medications can cause insomnia as a side effect. Cold medications are the most common culprits. Certain anti-depressants can also cause wakefulness if taken at night, and several of the antihypertensives (used to treat high blood pressure) can result in poor quality of sleep.

Illustration courtesy of all-free-downloads.com

Lifestyle changes To combat the problem, step one is to regulate your lifestyle. Our circadian rhythms vary throughout the day, causing us to feel sleepy at certain times and awake at others. Irregular habits disrupt that, so try to regulate what time you go to bed and what time you get up.

Take a look too at what you eat and drink and when. Avoid eating late at night because this will mean your body is active (busy digesting) right when you want to rest. And take care with alcohol. Although it will make you feel sleepy initially, it

I I NS O M N I A S O M N I A

But back to what you should and should not eat. Reduce your meat intake, eat more vegetables and clear sugar from your diet. Sugar makes adults hyper – not just kids – so sleeplessness is another good reason to cut it out.

Carbohydrates like rice and cereal will aid sleep, but if you’re after a healthy night-time snack, try cherries. They contain melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.

Tried-and-tested remedies

can lead to poor sleep quality and tiredness in the morning.

Of course, caffeine can keep you up at night, so have your last cup of coffee at 6pm or even earlier if you are sensitive to it. Substitute with natural teas – try chamomile which is commonly regarded as a mild tranquiliser or sleep inducer.

Be sure to drink a glass of water right before bed, and keep a jug of fresh water on your nightstand.

Interestingly, the old wives’ tale about warm milk making you feel sleepy holds true. Milk contains tryptophan which is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter which can help with sleep.

And what about sleeping pills?

Although night sedation is very effective, the more recent medications don’t last very long and you’ll find you wake early in the morning. The older medications, like benzodiazepines and sedating antihistamines, have a risk of morning sedation or hangover. In general, you should take sleeping pills as seldom as possible and in the smallest dose that will work. Some sleeping pills are addictive and most tend to work less effectively the longer you use them.

It’s important, of course, that you’re sufficiently tired physically (not just mentally weary) to need a full night’s sleep. Insomniacs often benefit from regular exercise, which allows them to burn off excess energy.

There’s some truth too in the sedative power of counting sheep.

If you find yourself unable to drop off, don’t just lie there fretting – think about something else, or get up and walk around for 10 minutes or so.

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47

TOP TIPS

Sugar makes adults hyper – not just kids – so sleeplessness is another good reason to cut it out then that if the feng shui isn’t right, if the positive energy isn’t flowing, your ability to sleep will be compromised.

Any technique that involves creating a relaxed environment (internally as well as externally) is worth a try. Many insomniacs find meditation beneficial since it clears and quiets the mind, and helps regulate breathing and overcome stress. Alternatively, treat yourself to a massage a couple of evenings a week, sign up for a course of yoga, or book in for some reiki healing.

First step is to get your bed in the ‘command position.’ This means placing it so you can see the entry door (anyone coming in) when you are lying in bed. But don’t place your bed so that it directly faces the door, do this and you’ll be lying in the position of the dead – you’ll be ready ‘to go feet first.’ Generally speaking, when you face your bed west, you create the best conditions for a good night’s sleep.

Whatever you do, don’t resort to watching TV in bed, or switching on your phone or computer when you wake in the night. Your gadgets will stimulate your brain and make you feel energised; they will not help you sleep. In fact, it’s a good idea to make your bedroom a tech-free zone.

If the bedroom is big enough, leave a space on both sides of the bed. Energy needs to flow all around you when you’re sleeping, so keep the space under your bed clutter-free too.

Bedroom makeovers

In terms of what you want to see in your bedroom, go with restful, earthy tones. Feng shui masters will tell you that stark white walls are too mentally stimulating. Offwhite, cream and chocolate brown spaces promote peaceful vibes.

Speaking of the bedroom, invest in a quality mattress and some new pillows. Install blinds or even shutters to shut out any light from the street. Take a look at the decor too, and change things up a bit. Moving the furniture around, or giving the walls a fresh coat of paint will help create a new atmosphere which you may find is more conducive to sleep.

You want your bedroom to be a sanctuary, somewhere that makes you feel relaxed, somewhere you are happy to sleep in. You’re seeking harmony and balance, so be sure to nourish your senses.

Play some soothing tunes, layer soft and inviting fabrics and burn sweet-smelling essential oils.

Putting a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil on your temples and on your pillow before you go to bed can help you get a good night’s rest.

Better still take a look at your bedroom’s feng shui – this comprehensive ‘rule book for living’ has been around for centuries, so by following its advice, you might well find some relief.

Feng shui says that your bedroom is the space that symbolises you and affects you the most. It follows

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48

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

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ISLAND LIFE

READY TO UP YOUR GAME ON

? y a D s ’ e n Va l e n t i In this issue's Island Life you will find Tips from local experts Rahila Refaaq of Zaha et Cetera Jeremy and Valerie Lagarde of The Trail Hub

www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com February January 2019

51 51

ISLAND LIFE

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH

DIAMONDS? Katrina Mercado sits down with Rahila Refaaq, owner of DB-based jeweller Zaha et Cetera, to find out why diamonds are so desirable

W

diamonds are alike and each one is graded based on its individual merits,” Rahila adds.

“For this reason, the price of diamonds varies greatly. Lowgrade diamonds are in fact much cheaper than investmentgrade rubies, sapphires or even emeralds. We can’t assume that just because we’re dealing with diamonds, they are all super expensive.”

ith Valentine’s Day coming up, love is definitely in the air.

And what do we associate most with romantic love? Why diamonds, of course.

But why is that? What is it with these sparkly rocks that makes every woman swoon?

“Regardless of the size of the bling, diamonds up the feel-good factor,” says Rahila Refaaq, owner of Zaha et Cetera. “They are more than just long-term investments. There is an emotional connection between a woman and her diamonds.”

Photo courtesy of Zaha et Cetera

One of the main reasons for this is that diamonds have long been the symbol of marital love and commitment. This century-old association was boosted by De Beers in 1947 when copywriter Frances Gerety came up with the ad slogan ‘A Diamond is Forever,’ essentially inventing the modern concept of an engagement ring.

“80% of marriage proposals involve the giving of a diamond engagement ring,” says Rahila, whose bestselling rock is a solitaire diamond ring.

52

Diamonds are, of course, a girl’s best friend, and not only on her engagement day. “We are seeing a trend where diamond jewellery is given during family celebrations like the birth of a child, an anniversary or birthday, and especially for a girl’s 16th or 21st. And it doesn’t stop with family, friends are now giving each other diamonds to show they value each other deeply.”

So, when shopping for diamonds, how do you know which to pick?

“Take note of the 4Cs: colour, clarity, cut and carat,” Rahila advises. “The Gemological Institute of America invented this way of grading diamonds in 1955 and it’s now globally accepted.

“The GIA grading system is part science and part art. No two

Interestingly too, diamonds come in virtually every colour of the rainbow. “The blacks and browns are the least expensive in the fancy coloured diamond range,” says Rahila. “Rare red diamonds are the most expensive followed by blues, pinks, purples and greens. There’s a natural human tendency to want something that’s so rare no one else has it.”

The 4Cs

CUT refers to the quality of a diamond’s angles, proportions, symmetrical facets, brilliance, fire, scintillation and finishing details.

The GIA grades diamond cut on the scale of ideal, excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.

COLOUR is graded in terms of how colourless a diamond is. The GIA grades white diamonds from D to Z, with D being the most colourless and Z containing a brown or yellow tint.

CLARITY grading evaluates how clean a diamond is from inclusions and blemishes. The GIA grade scale moves from FL (flawless) through to 13 (included).

CARAT refers to the weight of the diamond. Roughly speaking, 5 carats is equal to 1 gram.

CONTACT •

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

Zaha et Cetera, 9656 0414, info@zahaetcetera.com, www.zahaetcetera.com

s ’ e n i t n Vale on the trails The Trail Hub owners Jeremy and Valerie Lagarde discuss their upcoming Valentine’s race with Katrina Mercado

A

re you tired of celebrating the day of love with fancy dinner dates, out-of-town trips and romantic spa days? If you’re after something new and different to do with your partner, The Trail Hub might have just what you’re looking for.

Jeremy and Valerie Lagarde set up The Trail Hub one year ago in order to provide an avenue for Lantauers to run and enjoy the beautiful trails of the island. “We are both avid racers. I have been doing this for 16 years and have been running ultra-distances – any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42 kilometres – for 11 years now,” Jeremy opens. Valerie has been running competitively for nine years.

Photo courtesy of www.thetrailhub.com

Coming up on February 9, The Trail Hub Valentine’s Day Race is a fun team event to be run with a spouse, partner, friend or relative. “Participants have a choice between a challenging ‘Tough Love’ 14-kilometre loop with a number of hills to climb, or a simpler ‘Easy Love’ 9-kilometre loop, which is manageable with minimal training.

“Go for it! The benefits [of running] sit with you for the rest of your life.

It isn’t nearly as hard as you might imagine,” Jeremy advises.

The run starts and finishes on Pui O Beach, and Jeremy and Valerie are expecting at least 400 people to compete this year.

“The Valentine’s race was the first running event we organised in 2013, back when we were the owners of Lantau Base Camp,”

Jeremy says. “We set up numerous runs throughout 2013 and 2014 before moving to Canada in mid2014. Since we returned to Hong Kong in 2015, we’ve been eager to get back into the racing scene. The Lantau Vertical, last December, was actually our first race since we’ve been back and we have so much more in store!”

The Trail Hub is organising the Fast28, Fast50 and Fast100 across

the New Territories from February 15 to 17, and in March it’s bringing Stairmaster into its seventh year.

Lantau Stairmaster, on March 16, starts in Nam Shan and sees participants go up and over Sunset and Lantau peaks twice.

“Come join us at The Trail Hub,” Jeremy concludes. “We are sure we have an event that will pique your interest and feed your adventurous soul.”

CONTACT •

The Trail Hub, www.thetrailhub.com

www.arounddb.com February 2019

53

LISTING ALL FLOORS

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54

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February 2019 www.arounddb.com

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www.arounddb.com February 2019

55

ESCAPES

Paradise Photos courtesy of www.wikimedia.org

UNPLUGGED IN

56

It takes over eight hours by plane to get from Hong Kong to the Myeik Archipelago in southern Myanmar. You have to work a little bit to get somewhere truly wild, remote and undiscovered.

Dorothy Veitch reports

P

lenty of tourists now make it to Myanmar – to Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay – but few have yet discovered the coastal towns. So, if you find yourself in Kawthaung, deep in the south, it’s already clear that you’re looking for something that little bit different.

Flying into Yangon (3 hours, 10 minutes from Hong Kong), you then board a 4-hour, 50-minute flight to Kawthaung. In town, you find a couple of sleepy guesthouses and

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

a beautiful stretch of unspoilt beach.

There are a couple of pagodas worth visiting and a small waterfall and hot spring in nearby Maliwan Village and… that’s about it.

Tempting as it might be to hunker down in Kawthaung and simply take it easy, chances are you’re not there to hang out. You find yourself in Kawthaung because it’s the entry point for trips into the Myeik Archipelago where, among other things, a total e-tox is on offer.

The islands are densely forested and ringed by white sand beaches

very recently, only James Bond buffs were familiar with these islands and then only vaguely – in Thunderball (1965), Ernst Stavro Blofeld demands that NATO deposits a cache of flawless white diamonds (worth £100 million) in the archipelago for crime mob SPECTRE to pick up.

The liveaboards avoid the resort islands to ensure you get a Robinson Crusoe experience

The ultimate e-tox The Myeik Archipelago comprises over 800 islands, some with space for just a few palm trees and others several kilometres long and wide.

Most are uninhabited, there are no ferries connecting them, and out there in the Andaman Sea, there is no Wi-Fi or 4G. The area was opened up to foreign tourism in 1997 but, with free-andeasy Thailand right next door, it’s never really taken off. In fact, until

To date, there are still only three places to stay, all at the southern end of the archipelago, west of Kawthaung.

There’s Myanmar Andaman Resort on MacLeod Island, Victoria Cliff Resort on Nyaung Oo Phee Island, and Boulder Bay Eco Resort a little further out on Boulder Island. The Grand Andaman Hotel, a Thaiowned casino resort on Thahtay Kyun Island is worth avoiding.

Foreigners are not permitted to travel to the islands independently, but this doesn’t mean you are limited to a resort stay. There are daily boat trips into the archipelago from Kawthaung, or you can book your bunk on a liveaboard for a multi-day trip with optional overnight camping.

The larger liveaboards provide accommodation for 10 people, a communal dining area and sundeck. Don’t expect anything fancy – most of these boats are simple dive boats gamely reconfigured, but they are gaily painted and, at least in my

experience, seaworthy. If you can, opt for a five-day trip, this way you really have a chance to unwind and unplug, while enjoying the surprisingly varied activities on offer.

An Asian Galápagos Heading northwest into the archipelago, you soon lose sight of land. The islands surrounding you are densely forested, and ringed by rocky shorelines, whitesand beaches and coral reefs.

Their names, rather surprisingly, hark back to the era of British rule in Burma – Hastings Island, Lord Loughborough Island, Great Swinton Island… and, once at sea, you quickly feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.

On a typical day, you might come across one, maybe two fishing boats – in these parts, Myanmar fisherfolk spend most of their lives at sea, catching squid at night. But other than that, you’ll find yourself alone out there with just the sound of the waves for company.

Alone, apart from the incredible wildlife that is. Look up, and you spot sea eagles, kites, kingfishers, reef herons and emerald doves circling the islands. Look down, and you see dolphins frolicking in your wake, and thousands of sea urchins and tiny tropical fish darting through the coral reefs.

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ESCAPES

Moken fisherfolk on Eyles Island

The liveaboards steer clear of the resort islands to ensure you get a real Robinson Crusoe experience.

Take a dinghy to a deserted beach to commune with the resident wildlife – monitor lizards, civets, chevrotains, gibbons and crab-eating macaques. If you’re lucky, a family of oriental otters might scamper right by you, heading from the mangroves into the sea. So remote is the terrain and so profligate the wildlife, it’s tempting to describe these islands as the Galápagos of Asia.

Dive right in Beachcombing, jungle trekking, snorkeling, kayaking and standup paddle boarding allow you to experience the wildlife at firsthand, and then of course there’s the diving. Conditions are optimal from December to April, with sightings of sharks and manta rays virtually guaranteed.

Experienced divers head to Burma Banks, where the continental shelf drops off, and to Shark Cave where the grey reef sharks sometimes lose their inhibitions and swim up close. At Black Rock, you’re soon surrounded by huge shoals of colourful fish, and there are spectacular red-whip,

Sleepy Kawthaung is the gateway to the Myeik Archipelago

mosaic and table corals in the waters surrounding the Little Torres Islands, as well as batfish and luminous moon wrasse.

For sightings of Bryde’s whales, Omura’s whales, occasional blue whales, strap-toothed whales and killer whales, ask your skipper to head to Whale Bay on Kisseraing Island.

To date, the archipelago’s only permanent human inhabitants are the Moken, originally an Australasian people, locally known as sea gypsies. In the past, they spent nine months of the year moving around the islands, free diving for food from dugout canoes, and three months sheltering on land during the monsoon season.

Nowadays, they live mostly in the villages, notably on Eyles Island, where life seems to continue much as it always has. Visitors are welcomed, and it’s a delight to watch the ‘sea gypsies’ going about their business – repairing their canoes, thatching their huts and playing with their children.

It’s rare that you find yourself somewhere that you can honestly say hasn’t been disturbed by man since its creation. The experience, the total break from 21st century reality, is at once profoundly moving and a huge culture shock. Approaching the mainland after an idyllic five days, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when one of our group yelled, “I’ve got a signal.”

Find more exciting holiday destinations @ www.arounddb.com

58

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

Dream Cruises presents

the Wonders of Women T

Photos courtesy of www.dreamcruiseline.com

o celebrate International Women’s Day next month, Dream Cruises is presenting a special event aboard World Dream, one of its three celebrated ships. The Wonders of Women campaign, running from March 3 to 31, encompasses wellness, art and fashion, and it’s targeted at women of all ages, encouraging them to rediscover and celebrate just how wonderful they are.

On every sailing in March, cruise passengers are invited to attend a spectacular Art of Cheongsam fashion show, inspired by Shanghai’s Golden Age of the 1920s. The event comprises a Cheongsam Catwalk at Sea, as well as dance parties to set the decadent mood. Ladies are invited to a professional hair and make-up workshop as they prepare for the big night, and they are encouraged to wear their own cheongsams.

To bring yet more glamour to the cruise experience, Wonders of

Women features the dazzling fashion photography of Ryan Tandya. The Indonesian photographer’s stunning portrait photos capture the essence of women – their charm, beauty, strength and vulnerability.

Wellness is another focus of the Wonders of Women campaign and ladies can enjoy a number of special treatments and offers at Crystal Life Spa. Women are encouraged to reward and pamper their bodies, whether detoxing, swimming or enjoying the spas’ hydro-thermal facilities.

From March onwards, classes taught by certified yoga instructors are available through World Dream Yoga Academy at Sea. In addition, from March 8 to 10 and March 10 to 15, guest personal trainer and South African-born strongman competitor Darrel Erxleben is conducting yoga classes. His main yoga focus is power Vinyasa for body transformation and strength conditioning.

Wonders of Women also encourages ladies to have fun and enjoy a night out onboard ship. Special discounts are available on drinks and snacks throughout March.

World Dream Cruise Package 2-Night Weekend Getaway Departs Fridays from Hong Kong Inside Stateroom from HK$1,680 per person (Double occupancy) Balcony Stateroom from HK$2,610 per person (Double occupancy) Booking hotline: 2317 7711

www.arounddb.com February 2019

59

HK HAPPENINGS

AIA GREAT EUROPEAN CARNIVAL Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central

10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN HK THIS MONTH!

Through February 17

Like the Around DB Facebook page for event reminders woawstore.com

Merging elements of carnivals and festivals into one amazing outdoor event, the AIA Great European Carnival is a winter extravaganza not to miss. Expect rides, games, attractions, food, a circus and much more. For tickets, starting at HK$120, visit tgec.asia.

KIDSFEST!

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wanchai Through February 17

CNY NIGHT PARADE

Start: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsim Sha Tsui www.kidsfest.com.hk

February 5

Produced by ABA Productions, KidsFest is dedicated to providing exciting theatre for the whole family. Catch Wilde Creatures (January 30 to February 3), The Gruffalo (January 31 to February 10), Children are Stinky (February 13 to 17) and Clinc! World of Bubbles (February 14 to 17). For more information, visit www.kidsfest.com.hk. For tickets, starting at HK$195, visit premier.hkticketing.com. Â

partnernet.hktb.com

See numerous illuminated floats as well as street performers, acrobats and drummers at the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade. Performers start interacting with attendees at 6pm, and the parade begins at 8pm. Purchase tickets for the special spectator stands at the Kowloon Star Ferry Hong Kong Tourism Office. For more information, visit www.nextstophongkong.com.

CNY HORSE RACING Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin February 7

CNY FIREWORKS Victoria Harbour

February 6

travel.virginaustralia.com

Enjoy a breath-taking 25-minute fireworks display complete with lasers and choreographed building lights to usher in the Year of the Pig. Starting at 8pm, you can view the show from various points across the city. Popular viewing points include the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Central Harbourfront Promenade.

racingnews.hkjc.com

Close the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Hong Kong Chinese New Year Horse Race Meeting. Considered one of the best equestrian events of the year, attendees can also expect a full line-up of world-class entertainment, plus traditional dragon parades and lion dances. Tickets, at HK$10, are available at the venue. For more information, visit www.hkjc.com. www.arounddb.com February 2019

61

HK HAPPENINGS

THE GREAT GATSBY

Get your events listed @ www.arounddb.com

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wanchai HK Ballet’s The Great Gatsby overflows with extravagant dancing, decadent parties and steamy jazz music performed live by Billy Novick’s Blue Syncopators and awardwinning blues singer E. Faye Butler. The sets www.hkballet.com and costumes are by Academy Award-winning designer Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). For tickets, starting at HK$140, visit premier.hkticketing.com.

February 15-16

LONGINES MASTERS OF HONG KONG AsiaWorld-Expo, Chek Lap Kok February 15-17

HONG KONG MARATHON Victoria Park, Causeway Bay February 17

www.longines.com.au

Back for its seventh year, the Asian leg of the Longines Masters series, known as the Grand Slam of indoor show jumping, features heart-pounding show-jumping by the world’s top riders and horses. The three-day event also offers world-class entertainment, fashion, art and food. For tickets, starting at HK$230, visit www.cityline.com. www.marathonnewbie.com

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon includes a full and half marathon, 10-kilometre run, youth dash and family run, plus 10- and 3-kilometre wheelchair races.

Registration is now closed but spectators can cheer on the 80,000 runners as they make their way to the finish line. For more information, visit www.hkmarathon.com.

HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL Across Hong Kong February 21-March 23

PETER PAN & WENDY Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai Take a trip with Wendy, John and Michael as they join Peter Pan on a journey from London to Neverland.

With this vibrant adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s classic play, Faust International Youth Theatre is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The show is suitable for kids aged four and up. For tickets, at HK$280, visit ticket.urbtix.hk

62

February 21-24

www.hk.artsfestival.org

www.faustworld.com

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

Experience world-class opera, music, theatre and dance at the 47th Hong Kong Arts Festival. Highlights include Marin Alsop’s Brazilian orchestra, Robert Lepage’s autobiographical one-man show and Li Liuyi’s Chinese Hamlet. To know more, visit www.hk.artsfestival.org. For tickets, starting at HK$200, visit ticket.urbtix.hk.

AWESOME BAMBOO SOCKS

ANKLE NO SHOW ATHLETIC GREAT DISCOUNTS FOR

CHINESE NEW YEAR! Eureka (bamboo) Socks aren’t just regular socks, but healthy ones thanks to the natural bamboo fibres which make them gorgeous, soft and comfortable and ready for every step they’ll take!

What’s more, we’re 100% committed to the community

ONE PURCHASE = ONE PAIR DONATED Let’s reach our 2019 target together: 100,000 pairs of socks will be donated to children in need.

Available from Baby Basics on Queen’s Road, Central

+852 2311 1048

Order online at www.eurekasocks.com

DB FACES

Snaps COMMUNITY

Photos by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com

Who do you know?

Find more familiar DB faces @ www.arounddb.com

Win prizes from Uncle Russ Coffee and The Pier Bar! Do the Oscars Nominations 2019 Quiz below for your chance to win a complimentary coffee from Uncle Russ, or a beer from The Pier Bar every day for a week.

• W hich two movies have tied for most nominations (10 each)?

• Which superhero film has been nominated for Best Picture?

• Which Oscar-nominated Best Actress took that trophy at the Golden Globes in January?

Congratulations to last month’s winner: Heather Rose-Chase (@roseknows)

Send your answers to info@baymedia.com.hk by the 10th of this month. We will contact the winner via email. Good luck!

WORSHIP SERVICE Discovery College Sundays @ 10am CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PRACTICAL BIBLE TEACHING KIDS CHURCH & TEENS

Xmas Promo: up to 35% off PEUGEOT OPEN EUROPE HOLIDAYS BY CAR

Best duty-free Car Rental in Europe!

- for short & long durations -

Church Office: 2987 7061 www.dbicc.org

info@eurocardrives.com www.eurocardrives.com

View local business directories @ www.arounddb.com EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH & WELLBEING

HOME SERVICES

DELIVERY PERSON/ MESSENGER

THE SKIN THERAPY CENTRE

AKASH MOVING & HANDYMAN SERVICES

Michael, a HK resident, is available to deliver documents & small parcels around HK. Available full- or part-time.

Call 9145 6731 to leave a message

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Professional beauty services provided in DB by a qualified, internationally certified beauty therapist with over 20 years' experience. Treatments include facials, CACI (non-surgical facelifts), glycolic (peals & pigmentation treatments), energy healing & more.

Contact Gillian on 6022 4190

• Local packing, moving, storage & handyman service • All kinds of transport services • Inbound shipment clearance • Having stuff delivered from China? They are not delivering to DB Or Lantau? Have it delivered to our office in Kwai Chung & we'll deliver it to your home Contact 2421 8088, info@akash.hk, www.akash.hk

VR, HYPNOSIS: INDIVIDUAL &/ OR COUPLES THERAPY Virtual reality programmes for PTSD, addictions, phobias (fear of flying/ public speaking/ bridges/ enclosed spaces/ storms). * Couples’ conflicts * Overeating * Career/relationship stress * Anger management * Nail biting * Exam jitters Divorce/ post-divorce/ career coaching.

Quit smoking quickly.

Dr Melanie Bryan, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist, Hypnotherapist.

Contact 2575 7707, www.mindmatters.hk

LIFE COACHING & FACIAL REFLEXOLOGY

• One-on-one online Quantum Life Coaching to help you achieve your goals • Quantum Facial Reflexology for a better looking face & whole-body relaxation & wellness Contact Tina at vatyh@netvigator.com

FTC RELOCATIONS

• Local & international moves • Long/ short-term storage • Handyman services • World-class service – competitive rates Operating on DB & Lantau.

Contact 2814 1658, sales@ftc.hk, www.ftc.hk

English-speaking and easily accessible from Sunny Bay MTR station.

9685 8366

Are you passionate about teaching English at all levels?

www.aa-hk.org

We are looking for energetic and committed teachers to work for our chain English Wise Learning Centres.

Those with a degree/ TESOL preferred.

Experience in arts a plus.

Please email resume to englishwiselc@yahoo.com.hk

Contact Erik at 9666 9511, rerikm@hotmail.com

Support classes in mathematics & sciences now available for:

• Painting • Decorating • Renovation • Tiling Contact Steve Donovan at 6149 0894 (call or WhatsApp), trimcohk@gmail.com

Back by popular demand

• Year 7 to Year 13 • IGCSE • IB (SL or HL) • A level (Standard & Further Modules) • SATs/ PSATs/ LSATs • UKCEE Home tuition available as well as online classes.

• Cladding

www.g reenwi ch- v i nyas a.com.hk

FULL TIME AND PART-TIME NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS

• Experienced teacher & DELE examiner • IB, IGCSE, A-levels & HKDSE • Business Spanish & courses for adults • Flexible schedule & locations • Special offers for students who live in DB & Tung Chung

MATHEMAGIC IS AT DB PLAZA

Slow and gentle yoga, taught by a qualified yoga instructor.

24hr hotline:9073 6922

Contact 9303 2996, marcguyonkungfu@gmail.com, www.marcguyon.com

• Native speaker

Tuesday mornings 11:30am at DB North Plaza.

Alcoholics No dues or fees.

Anonymous

Well known in the Hong Kong MMA community, Marc Guyon guides you through your journey to become a martial artist. As a former white-collarturned-professional fighter, Marc’s understanding of looking for peak performance in all your occupations & activities is like nothing in Hong Kong.

LEARN SPANISH

Tina at Tina’s AAA Practice in DB provides

TRIMCO HONG KONG

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

If you want to stop, we can help.

PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS COACHING

TUITION & COURSES

Yoga Therapy Class for Senior Citizens

Alcoholics Anonymous

SPORTS

Call/ WhatsApp Karim Arditi on 91354724. Contact MathemagicMD@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/HLmathemagic, www.hlmathemagic.com

Gillian ~ The Skin Therapy Centre

Holistic Beauty & Wellness in Discovery Bay UK trained and International Spa Trainer/ Therapist

• FACIALS - Guinot { France } and Dr Organics.

• CACI - Non Surgical Face lift- Firming,lifting&Collagen boosting.

• AROMATHERAPY - To Soothe,Relax and Revive the 5 Senses.

• GLYCOLIC - Peels and pigmentation treatments.

• ENERGY HEALING - Both PRANIC HEALING and REIKI [to restore the balance & De- stress].

• NLP - Neuro Linguistic programming and Coaching available. www.theskintherapycentrehk.com www.gillianelsworth.com

Please contact: 6022 4190

Greenland Pest Control

SINCE 1997

OUR SERVICES DOG & CAT GROOMING ( BY APPOINTMENT ) PET FOOD & ACCESSORIES SUPPLIES CAT SITTING SERVICE FREE DAILY DELIVERY Ground floor 11B, Discovery Bay Plaza, Discovery Bay (next to Island Vet) Tel: 2987 0428 / Fax : 2914 1313 / E-mail : petsgallerydb@yahoo.com.hk Open from 9:00 am till 7:30 pm (Mon - Sun)

Tailored Pest Control Solutions for Rodent, Cockroaches, Fleas, Mosquitoes, Termites, Ants, Ticks etc…

For info please call Thomas 9871 0771 or Baguio 6776 8400 Email: baguiowong@hotmail.com

THE WATCH BUTLER Jan Hofstede m«tc.K £.r«taft4t

GIVING LIFE SHOULDN’T BE SO DEADLY

I :S,

• Antique watch and clock restoration

Ramatoulaye, who lives in Burkina Faso, was about to give birth to her fourth child, but the boatman was nowhere to be found.

Unable to get to the health centre across the river, she gave birth alone on the river banks.

• Auction & Appreciation service • 2nd hand watch broker

Maternal health is a human right — join Amnesty International to defend human rights for women like Ramatoulaye.

Tel: 9464 7107 jan@thewatchbutler.com

Learn more at www.amnesty.org.hk.

© Anna Kari

Find short-term rentals @ www.arounddb.com DB PROPERTY FOR RENT

LUXURY APARTMENTS IN SIENA 2, DB

Spacious 600 square-foot apartments – quiet with sea views over park, near Club Siena & DB Tunnel. Fully furnished with washer/ drier, bed linen, kitchenware, 55” TVs, Wi-Fi, NOW TV and sound bar. Contact the owner on 9317 0624, nialady2011@gmail.com

FULLY FURNISHED DB 1-BED

Smart apartment on a high floor with sea view.

Close to pier & DB Plaza. Available fully furnished.

Call Tiareti on 9732 8985

If you are looking to rent or sell a property and would like to see it listed on this page or at www.facebook.com/arounddb, email monika@baymedia.com.hk

CLOT HING & ACCESSORIES

FTC Apparel

2428 2566 FOOD, RES TAUR A N T S & BA RS

A Tavola Bar & Grill Airport Izakaya Andante Café Aficionado China Coast Bar & Grill Curry Lounge Dosirak House Essence Restaurant - Novotel Citygate Federal Palace Restaurant Kimos Mansarover Indian Cuisine McDonald’s Delivery Melody Thai Moccato Coffee Shop My Thai Olea Restaurant - Novotel Citygate PizzaExpress Pizza Hut Delivery Regala Café & Dessert Bar Resto Restaurant Rouge - Regal Airport Hotel Skycity Bistro Tung Chung Pizza Zentro Garden

2321 5500 2286 6668 3602 8828 2286 6238 2286 6898 2960 1977 3520 0848 3602 8808 2626 0181 2886 3646 2109 1927 2338 2338 2988 8129 3602 8838 2907 6918 3602 8818 2297 3588 2330 0000 2286 6618 2886 3156 2286 6868 3969 2500 2466 1010 2802 8000

SOUTH LANTAU

TUNG CHUNG

LANTAU NUMBERS FOOD, RES TAUR A N T S & BA RS

Bahce - Turkish Restaurant Café Bar Bathers Caffe Paradiso (Tom’s Café) Cafe Isara China Bear Deer Horn Restaurant & Bar Kebab Korner La Pizzeria Lantana Italian Bistro Le Jardin de Sophie Long Island Mucho Gusto Robert’s Market Stoep @ High Tide Restaurant The China Beach Club The Gallery The Kitchen The Water Buffalo Treasure Island Restaurant FI T NESS, SP OR T S & W EL L BEING

Pause by the Banyan South Lantau Paddle Club Thai Palin Massage Thai Sa Baai Treasure Island Group

9708 0187 9688 9112 9062 0148 5228 6552 2546 3543

HE A LT H & W EL L BEING

Bayside Dental Bon’s Mobile Pet Grooming Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Physiotherapy Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung Chung Vet Centre Tung Chung Maternal & Child Health Centre Quality Health Dental Quality Health Medical Raffles Medical Rainbow Voice and Soundhealing

HOME & REPA IRS

2185 6550 9099 9959 2109 9396 2109 2288 2194 0020 2988 1534 2328 7282 3575 8370 2403 6613 2403 6623 2261 2626 5178 5658

HOME & REPA IRS

Akash Removals Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Shun Yu Engineering

2421 8088 2109 2330 2988 1488

HOT EL S

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel

3969 1888 3602 8888 2286 8888

L E A RNING CEN T RES Clement Art School Discovery Mind International Play Centre Greenfield International Kindergarten Kidznjoy Sakura Kids Salala Kids House Soundwaves English Education Centre Sun Island Education Foundation Sunshine House International Preschool Tung Chung Catholic School (Yat Tung) YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

9021 1502 2987 8070 2162 5538 6273 7347 6674 6194 2611 9193 2164 7210 2420 1068 2109 3873 2121 0884 2988 8123

SOCI A L , SP OR T S & EQUIPMEN T

Asia Pacific Soccer Schools Caribbean Coast Club House Coastal Skyline Club House Dance for Joy Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre Jumping Castles Perun Fitness Seaview Crescent Club House Smash Cricket Tung Chung Crescent Club House

2385 9677 2109 9277 2179 6678 9264 8597 6688 2167 9662 1747 6443 6597 3473 8700 5400 4109 2403 6770

Findley Leung Group Koon Wah Hardware Lee Wo Construction Engineering Man Shun Construction & Engineering New Look Design

2984 8334 2984 8487 2984 1802 2984 9833 9783 5840

HOT EL S

Mui Wo Inn Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

2984 7225 6810 0111 2985 8383 L E A RNING CEN T RES

Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten & Nursery Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School Lao Shi Lantau Mandarin lessons Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten Mui Wo Owls School & Kindergarten Mui Wo Language Cafe

2109 9886 2984 0302 2980 3676 5197 4647 3689 6709 2984 0006 5511 6107

PROPER T Y AGENCIES

Findley Leung Real Estate Home Solutions Real Estate Proper Trip Real Estate

2984 8334 3483 5003 2984 1666 RE TA IL

Friendly Bike Shop Greenstyle Organic & Healthcare INSIDE Island Wines Lantau Base Camp Lantau Grocer Quay House Red Hall Chinese Antiques Tony’s Salon Value Vigilantes VIBE Book & Music Shop ZenvarA

2984 2278 9802 0553 2890 8606 9521 8481 2983 8428 2702 0050 2882 8710 2988 1368 2984 0990 6132 9120 2984 9371 9586 3459

SERV ICES & OT HERS

Jumping Castles SPCA Miriam Safadi Photography Parteezi Phoenix Wills

9662 1747 2984 0060 5145 0227 6112 9842 6108 8471 T R A NSP OR TAT ION

U T IL I T Y, SERV ICES & E MERGENC Y HOT L INES

Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station

2984 0222 2504 4788 2984 0498 2470 1966 2984 9720 3484 3095 6429 3507 2984 8933 5465 5511 2997 9070 2320 2001 6422 5009 9193 2937 2980 2699 2983 8931 2980 2582 5991 6292 2109 3331 5236 7013

2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1999

Lee Hing Loong Hon Kee Transportation Company Lantau Tours New Lantao Bus Company

2984 2268 2984 8494 2984 8255 2984 9848

www.arounddb.com February 2019

69

DB NUMBERS COMMUNITY & HEALTH Bayside Dental Practice, North Plaza BMSE, North Plaza DB Alliance Church Community Centre DB Anglican Church DB International Community Church Discovery Bay Medical Centre Health & Care Dental Clinic Herbal Health Care Island Health Island Veterinary Services The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, North Plaza Trinity Chapel

2987 2259 2987 2987 2987 2987 2666 2834 2987 2987 2259 2987

0855 3422 8136 4210 7061 5633 6183 7276 7575 9003 3422 9909

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Action X, North Plaza Nomadic

3102 2977 2987 8460

DAILY NECESSITIES 7-Eleven Convenience Store Fusion by PARKnSHOP Just Green Watson’s Pharmacy Wellcome, North Plaza Star Mart, North Plaza

2987 2987 2448 2987 2947 2366

4401 7486 1180 4089 9092 6534

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Peony Chinese Restaurant PizzaExpress Solera Subway The Pier Bar Three Sheet Marquee Bar TigerLily Uncle Russ, North Plaza Zak’s

2500 1950 2465 2426 2555 0772 2914 0005 2520 2166 2987 0966 2997 8688 2840 1188 2987 6232

HOME d-clutter DRS Company Good Luck Engineering Hoi Yu Transportation Hung Kee Co Japan Home Centre May’s furniture & curtain design Rapee-living Rich Point Hardware Materials Tactful Design & Build Tai Fat Hardware Store Wing On Department Store Yours Electrical Centre

6323 9156 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2886 2987 2987 2987

1417 0360 1313 4488 5087 1041 0222 7082 0789 8555 0789 9268 4428

LEARNING CENTRES

Parsons White Wealth Management

Future Stars Dance Academy

Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management. An expert financial service of distinct quality, integrity & excellence at DB North Plaza.

Contact 2433 6981, 5664 7614, www.sjpp.asia/pwwm

Dance classes based on the ISTD requirements conducted in a fun, disciplined & safe environment. Contact 2987 6867, melissa@futurestars danceacademy.com, Futurestars Dance Academy Hong Kong Facebook page, Instagram: FuturestarsHk

Private Client Wealth Management.

Contact 2914 0388, www.sjpp.asia/tspp

Bank of China HSBC

2160 8585 2233 3000

FOOD & BEVERAGE, HOTELS 22º North Auberge Discovery Bay (Hotel), North Plaza Café Bord de Mer & Lounge, North Plaza Caffe Pascucci Cali-Mex, North Plaza Coyote Mexican Cantina Ebeneezer’s Epic Foods, North Plaza Figos Seaside Café First Korean Restaurant Gilmore’s by the Golden Pig Hemingway’s il Bel Paese Island Café Koh Tomyums La Creation & Châteraisé McSorley’s Ale House Mirch Masala, North Plaza Moofish, North Plaza Pacific Coffee Paisano’s, North Plaza

Tree of Joy A fun, engaging & supportive environment in which children play & learn. Programmes include drop-off nursery class, parent-toddler class, afternoon camp & a cooking class Contact 9787 2755, info@treeofjoydb.com, www.treeofjoydb.com

Bayview House of Children DB International School (Kindergarten) DB International School (Pri / Sec) Discovery College Discovery Mind International Play Centre Discovery Mind Kindergarten Discovery Mind Primary School, North Plaza Discovery Montessori Academy, North Plaza Discovery Montessori School, North Plaza DMR School of Ballet Dr. Bear Education Centre Early Adventures Playgroup Epic Adventurers Eye Level Education Learning Centre Funfit HK International Learning Academy, North Plaza Kumon, North Plaza La Petite Enfance Kindergarten L’Ecole Pierre et Marie Curie Education centre Les Petits Pois Links Parenting, North Plaza Little Explorers English For Kids Mandarin for Munchkins, North Plaza Mathemagic – home tutoring Mathnasium SKH Wei Lun Primary School Treasure House Zhi Zhi Chinese

Island Dance

The Stephen Putnam Practice

70

LEARNING CENTRES

FOOD & BEVERAGE, HOTELS

2987 2298 2295 8288 2295 8299 2591 1426 2904 7698 2987 2848 2987 0036 2172 6111 2987 2915 2987 9123 2662 9168 2987 8855 2987 0202 2987 9311 2987 0767 2987 1829 2987 8280 2987 1337 2987 6318 2987 1662 2673 4445

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@islanddance.com.hk, www.islanddance.com.hk

PapyrusEDU A family friendly center. Children’s programmes: 3D Modeling & Printing, LEGO Education Afterschool, Junior Food Art.Lifestyle morning programmes: Decoupage, Porcelart, Food Artist.

Contact 6360 1715, info@papyrusedu.com, www.papyrusedu.com.

The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio BODYPUMP, BODYBALANCE, GRIT, BODYSTEP & Zumba (fitness, toning & kids). Piloxing, yoga & Pilates, plus Latin, Irish, belly & wedding dance. Classes for adults & children, & personal training.

Contact 5194 9630, info@thebeat.com. hk, www.thebeat.com.hk

February 2019 www.arounddb.com

6114 2914 2987 3969 2987 2987 2914 2812 2987 2987 6762 2987 2441 9366 6302 2416 2459 8191 8191 8191 6114 9327 2480 9135 2628 2987 2987 9648

2436 2142 7331 1000 8088 8088 2202 9206 1201 4338 6264 9644 0098 0000 6327 3198 8808 0813 0813 0813 2436 0507 3909 4724 3362 8608 4217 2966

MULTIMEDIA Bookazine Fotomax (F.E.) Ltd

2987 1373 2914 2378

OTHER SERVICES

Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services. Meeting facilities available in DB. Contact 2416 8618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com, www.harveylawcorporation.com DB Party Time Gillian florist, North Plaza P-Solution Pen’n Paper The Optical House Well Supreme Laundry Services

9502 2529 2987 2987 2987 2987

2381 8256 1777 8898 1368 5151

6201 2987 2987 5721

7749 8873 0428 6181

PETS Kristy’s Paradise - Cat Sitter in Discovery Bay Mypetshop, North Plaza Pets Gallery Ready, Pet, Go!

PROPERTY LISTINGS & BOATS Centaline Property Agency EPS Property Consultants Headland Homes Kingsland DB Land Master Property

2987 2987 2987 2987 2987

8484 2023 2088 2987 6238

DB NUMBERS SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT

UTILITIES, SERVICES & EMERGENCY HOTLINES 24-hour Customer Service Hotline China Light & Power Emergency China Light & Power Information Line Discovery Bay Commercial Services Discovery Bay Fire & Ambulance Discovery Bay Lost & Found Discovery Bay Management Discovery Bay Office Centre Discovery Bay Post Office Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline Lantau North Report Room North Lantau Hospital San Hing Gas Co Typhoon Signal Enquiries Water Fault Reports Water Supplies Department

HK Dragons Football Club Football for girls & boys aged 2.5 years to 14 years. Contact 2987 4274, dragons.hk

Tekkerz Football programmes for boys and girls for age groups U5 up to U14. Contact 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, www.prosportsasia.com

Action X, North Plaza Club Siena DBees Ice Hockey DB Pirates Rugby, Netball, Hockey & Dragonboat Discovery Bay Marina Club Discovery Bay Golf Club Discovery Bay Recreation Club Embody EpicLand FIT 852 Greenwich Yoga School Kapuhala Train-in-Space MAS FIT MGK Fight Club Nutrition and Fitness with Emilie YogaBay YogaUp

2911 2987 6473 9255 2987 2987 2987 6624 2441 9680 9685 6101 9387 9303 6385 6704 8197

4833 7382 4277 6133 9591 7273 7381 8712 0098 7665 8366 8434 0735 2996 5425 9851 5591

TOYS & KIDS’ PARTIES Bo Bo House Toysland

2345 8333 2678 4242 7502 2345 3601 3388 6046 4511 1694 7000 6738 1473 0788 5000

WELLBEING

@ www.arounddb.com

Bay Spa

ay Spa

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Massage, facials & nail services in DB Plaza. Contact 9837 0969 (Tel/ WhatsApp)

DB Pure Spa Beauty begins within. Open 9am to 9pm at DB Plaza, for ladies only.

Body massages available for HK$198 and up. Contact 9794 0918, DB Pure Spa Facebook page

Ingredients of Wellness 2987 4230 2987 7859

TRANSPORT SERVICES DB Golf Cart Services DB Transportation Services Limousine Rental Passenger Telephone Hotline Wiselink Golf Cart Services

3651 2728 2678 2987 2987 3651 2238 2238 2987 2435 3661 3467 2987 2835 2811 2824

2914 2987 5303 2987 2987

To add your own directory listing box, call the Bay Media office on 2987 0577, or email info@baymedia.com.hk

2727 7351 3489 0208 9368

Mindfulness training for children, teens and 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

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www.arounddb.com

www.arounddb.com February 2019

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OUT THERE

“Y

our cholesterol is too high. It’s 6.5.”

The doctor could have been talking about the Richter scale for all I knew. Typically, I responded with a quip. He was unimpressed. “OK,” I said with a sigh of surrender, “I’ll go on a cholesterol-free diet.” Doc smiled a feeble victory grin. Three months later I was tested again.

“It’s gone up 10%,” he announced smugly. His words were met with the incredulous disbelief of a Trump media briefing. Turns out my liver had reacted “alarmingly” and produced even more of the stuff. So now I don’t just have high cholesterol, I’m in possession of a temperamental liver.

I’ve come to believe that the only way to win with diets is to invent one. Join the trillion-dollar industry of ingenious people circumventing the golden rule: calories in, calories out, a proven physiological fact emphasised in about 127 billion Google pages, and totally ignored by an equal number of us.

One of the earliest dieting bestsellers – The Art of Living Long – dates back to 1558. Author Luigi Cornaro began consuming just 400 grams a day. Later, he limited himself to a single egg. They say he lived until the ripe old age of 98.

Believe that if you want to.

Illustration by Andrew Spires

Of course, tapeworms can really help you fight the flab. These flat, parasitic worms get nutrients from their host, so you slim down as they devour most of what you consume. This insanity was popular with ladies in Victorian times – disgusting but easier than kickboxing. And what about the

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Diet or be damned Intent on shedding a few pounds and reducing his cholesterol, Peter Sherwood takes a look at some truly out there dieting regimes food version of Russian Roulette – the ‘all you can eat with a touch of arsenic’ regime? Only slightly less appetising than the Lord Byronapproved diet of potatoes soaked in vinegar.

The best dieting gimmicks involve doing no exercise at all. In the 1920s and ‘30s, women reached for La Mar Reducing Soap that promised to wash the pounds away in the bath. I like the idea of scrubbing away surplus fat, particularly in harness with the sensational ‘sleep all day’ weightloss programme. (Not sleeping enough can reduce and even undo the benefits of dieting. Google it.)

Enamoured as I am of any activity requiring minimal effort, I’m particularly taken with the plastic weight-loss suit.

Hermetically

sealed and vacuum packed like a frozen turkey, you jog about in 40ºC heat until fluid sloshes around your insides leaving you close to cardiac arrest – and 10 kilogrammes lighter. At least until you’ve spent 48 hours on a drip in an emergency ward. Overdosing in the sauna can produce a similar outcome, and you don’t need to dress up.

The latest whimsical technology is an ingenious monitoring wrist band. You lose weight because of the energy it takes to check the hi-tech ‘health measurement instrument’ (and your smart phone) 1,976 times a day. Constant movement of the head up and down, plus the energy expended by worrying online whether anyone still cares about you, really burns the calories.

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

Find more from Peter @ www.arounddb.com February 2019 www.arounddb.com Find more from Peter @ www.arounddb.com

Lantau International School

Open Day 15th June 2 019 12:00 - 14:0 0 at Tong Fuk

Reception and Primary 1 - 6 places still available

Enquiries: 2980 3676 / 2984 0302 Website: www.lis.edu.hk E-Mail: lisadmin@lis.edu.hk FB: lantauinternationalschool