Discovery Bay events from the past few months EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Three Sheets Marquee and Bar’s eighth anniversary party was packed with residents and their families on June 6 who enjoyed the opportunity to get together, have a drink or three and listen to live music. There was an open bar on Sapporo Draught from 4pm to 6pm. [PHOTOS BY Col Sim Photography. WHOLE-COMMUNITY EVENTS AT DC Discovery College students were busy in the lead-up to the long vac, presenting an Ensemble Evening on May 19 and a TEDx Youth Talk on June 8. Both events were free and open to the whole community. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF DC.] SEA CUCUMBERS IN SAI KUNG The DB-based Sea Cucumbers made a splash at the Sai Kung District Dragon Boat Race on June 19. Competing in high-energy heats along the Sai Kung waterfront, the Men’s Team placed second in the Bronze Cup Final, while the Ladies’ Team finished sixth in the Gold Cup Final. The Small Mixed Team placed fifth in the Excellence Cup Final, and the Standard Mixed Team placed seventh in the Gold Cup Final. AT THE DB NIGHT MARKET On June 13, Handmade Hong Kong hosted the first DB Weekend Night Market of the year, with over 60 local artisans and homegrown brands showcasing handmade accessories and crafts, plus specialised products for kids and pets. The DB Weekend Market is now on summer break and will return in September. [PHOTOS BY Andrew J.C. Spires.]

FOURTH OF JULY AT SMOKEY JOE’S Smokey Joe’s in DB North is the place to celebrate July 4, with Chef Joey Daze serving up a sizzling US Independence Day feast. Alongside his popular burgers, steaks and sliders, expect all-American favourites like chilli-cheese hotdogs and standout Texas Twinkies – slow-smoked, bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cheese. Vegetarians are well catered for too, with Impossible Burgers, fresh salads and hearty sandwiches. The festivities kick off at noon, with a happy hour from 3pm to 7pm. Expect baseball on the T Vs and classic American tunes on the speakers. To book a table, call 5784 7101 or visit smokeyjoesdb.com RACE LANTAU 2 PEAKS Registration is open for the Lantau 2 Peaks, organised by Action Asia Events, and the two peaks in question are, of course, Lantau and Sunset. There are two distances: the 24km (two peaks: elevation gain 1,889m), which you can run solo, with a partner or in a team of four, and the 15km (half peak: elevation gain 854m), which is run solo. To sign up to race on October 4, visit actionasiaevents.com [PHOTO COURTESY OF Action Asia Events.] LEARNING CHINESE ONLINE Trusted by 1,000+ non-native learners globally, Hong Kong-based Linguabox specialises in online Mandarin and Cantonese instruction. Tailored learning pathways for adults and international school students target academic success and real-world fluency. Students gain the confidence and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers, and are supported by a specialised, exam-aligned curricula (IB, IGCSE, HSK, YCT). To find out more, visit linguaboxgroup.com HARRY WRIGHT SWIM SCHOOL: 50+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, Harry Wright Swim School continues to build on over five decades of empowering young swimmers and shaping Hong Kong’s aquatic culture. From parent-and-child lessons to elite swim squads and adult classes, it offers something for every age, every ability and every ambition. Harry Wright has been a trusted swim partner for families in DB for decades, offering expert-led lessons at Club Siena. With a structured progression system, small group sizes and professional coaching that meets international standards, Harry Wright’s community-driven values continue to resonate with DB families. This summer, Harry Wright is running an extensive summer holiday programme at Club Siena through August 15 for all ages, including adults. The daily programme runs Mondays to Saturdays, while weekly camps (three-day and five-day options) run through August 14. A new adult class is also available on Saturdays through August 15. Both club members and non-members are welcome to enrol at Club Siena or DBRC reception. Over the past five decades, 18 Olympians, 22 Asian Games and 13 Commonwealth athletes have trained with Harry Wright, representing Hong Kong and countries around the globe. Recent notable alumni include Siobhán Haughey and Ian Ho. For more information and to enrol in the summer programmes, call 2575 6279, or visit harrywright.com.hk [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Harry Wright.] NO BUTTS DAY On No Butts Day, July 4, thousands of volunteers worldwide hit streets, parks, trails and beaches to collect discarded cigarette butts. The campaign highlights the environmental harm caused by plastic cigarette filters, and calls for their ban. You can join the effort in DB by organising your own clean-up or taking part in an existing event. To help contribute to the global count, visit nobuttsday.org SHOUT-OUT TO TAICHI KHO Congratulations to sometime DB resident Taichi Kho who achieved a landmark Asia Tour victory on June 14 by winning the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. The 25-year-old golfer, who developed his game at DB Golf Club, finished at 19-under par, edging two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson by one stroke after making a crucial birdie on the 18th hole in the final round. The victory earned Taichi his first International Series title and his second Asian Tour victory as a professional. ELDERLY HEART CARE SEMINAR Seniors, families and carers are invited to attend an Elderly Heart Care Seminar on July 30, focused on mental health protection. The seminar is being held at DB Office Centre, from 12pm to 1pm, and is led by a Lifeline senior counsellor. Admission is free. To find out more and enrol, visit FB@db.community.hk MURAL REFRESH AT DB NORTH In case you haven’t noticed three walls at DB North Plaza have been transformed by fun, anthropomorphic murals celebrating DB’s pet-friendly environment. The wall paintings were created by Art Dreamers, a Hong Kong social enterprise that partners with schools, charities and non-profits to host art workshops and community mural projects, notably Project C – Cats in a Dreamy Rose Garden in Yau Ma Tei. Students from S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School helped Art Dreamers put the finishing touches to the DB North murals on June 20. SMOOTHIE-MAKING WORKSHOP Hong Kong food-tech startup Food With Benefits is hosting a Zero Food-Waste Smoothie-Making Workshop on July 18, from 11am to 12.30pm, at DB Office Centre. The fully interactive workshop combines nutrition education with sustainability themes, teaching participants how surplus produce can be upcycled into healthy and delicious smoothies. Instruction is in English and Cantonese; all ages are welcome. Find out more and enrol at FB @db.community.hk. DB TRANSPORT APP Long-time DB resident Christoph Lamprecht has developed DB Transport, a free app that delivers instant, offline timetables for our internal buses, external buses and ferries. Fast and easy to browse, DB Transport features a smart filtering system that surfaces the routes that are relevant to you (and hides the rest). It also includes favourites, live departure countdowns and a search function – in English and traditional and simplified Chinese. Most importantly, it’s completely free – no ads, no tracking, no sign-up, no upsell. Download it at App Store and Goggle Play. SUMMER SECURITY REMINDER The idea that burglaries in DB spike every summer is largely an urban myth. However, holiday periods can create opportunities for burglars because more homes are left unattended. While DB periodically experiences burglary incidents, the risk appears to be driven more by vacant properties, hillside access routes and construction-related vulnerabilities than by the season itself. Offenders have been known to approach properties from hillside areas and use darkness, vegetation or scaffolding associated with renovation works to access upper-floor units. Recent incidents demonstrate that burglaries still occur in DB despite Hong Kong’s generally low burglary rate. In late May, at least two break-ins were reported in the same residential block within nine hours. At the same time, burglary figures across Hong Kong have been trending downward. Police reported that 2025 recorded a historic low of 816 burglary cases, the lowest since records began in 1969, and that burglaries during Easter, summer and Christmas holiday periods fell significantly following targeted anti-burglary operations. Security priorities vary depending on whether you live in a stand-alone house, ground-floor unit or upper-floor flat, but the same basic precautions apply: • Lock all windows and balcony doors • Be especially vigilant during renovation or scaffolding works • Consider installing CCTV or alarm systems • Store valuables in a bank safe-deposit box • Inform building management if you will be away • Arrange for someone to collect your mail and deliveries • Use timers for lights so your home seems occupied Remaining vigilant and reducing access opportunities remain the most effective burglary deterrents.

How much do you know about Martin Scorsese and his films? 01. What is Martin Scorsese’s full name? A. Martin Charles Scorsese B. Martin Marcantonio Luciano Scorsese C. Mar tin Luciano Scorsese 02. What is Scorsese’s first short film called? A. After Hours B. What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? C. Mean Streets 03. Which Scorsese film follows a child adventuring in a Paris train station? A. Kundun B. Hugo C. The Age of Innocence 04. When is Scorsese’s birthday? A. November 17, 1942 B. November 19, 1943 C. November 17, 1940 05. The Departed is inspired by which Hong Kong action film? A. Infernal Affairs B. Gallants C. Naked Killer 06. What sport is Raging Bull focused on? A. Wrestling B. Boxing C. Football 07. How many times has Scorsese been married? A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 08. In the opening sequence of Casino, what happens when Sam Rothstein gets into his car? A. He gets shot B. He gets arrested C. The car explodes 09. What instrument does Jimmy Doyle play in New York, New York? A. Violin B. Saxophone C. Trumpet 10. Which famous actor has Scorsese collaborated with in 10 of his films? A. Leonardo DiCaprio B. Joe Pesci C. Robert De Niro 11. In Taxi Driver, who does Scorsese play? A. A taxi driver B. A wrestler C. A passenger 12. Which Scorsese film is based on stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s memoir? A. The Wolf of Wall Street B. Silence C. The Irishman 13. What object symbolises Teddy Daniel’s unresolved trauma in Shutter Island? A. A gun B. A glass of water C. A police badge 14. Which Scorsese film is inspired by Nicholas Pileggi’s Wiseguy? A. The Gangs of New York B. The Departed C. Goodfellas 15. Who plays vicious gangster Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas? A. Robert De Niro B. Ray Liotta C. Joe Pesci 16. In Taxi Driver, what does Travis Bickle say to himself in the mirror? A. “I amuse you? I make you laugh?” B. “He ain’t pretty no more.” C. “You talking to me?” 17. Which film won Scorsese the Best Director Oscar? A. Casino B. Cape Fear C. The Departed 18. In which neighbourhood is Mean Streets set? A. Brooklyn Heights B. Harlem C. Little Italy 19. What is Alice’s dream career in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore? A. Dancer B. Singer C. Actress 20. Who plays Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ? A. Willem Dafoe B. Harvey Keitel C. Martin Scorsese Answers: A B B A A B B C C C C A B C C C C C B A

Dive into the dark, addictive and often dangerous world of online fame A TOUCH OF JEN: BETH MORGAN (2021) In A Touch of Jen, a young couple, Remy and Alicia, become obsessed with an influencer named Jen: they constantly check her social media, analyse her posts, and build a fantasy version of her life in their heads. When they get a chance to meet her in real life, their fixation becomes unhealthy and intense, and soon escalates into violence. AESTHETICA: ALLIE ROWBOTTOM (2022) Aesthetica follows Anna, a former Instagram influencer, who plans to undergo an experimental surgery that would reverse all her cosmetic procedures and return her to her ‘natural’ face. A slow, unsettling character study of what fame and beauty culture can do to a person over time, the novel explores self-objectification, feminism and ageing in a nuanced way. ANON PLS: DEUXMOI & JESSICA GOODMAN (2022) A fictionalised version of DeuxMoi, Anon Pls. centres on Cricket, assistant to a celebrity stylist, who starts an anonymous Instagram account sharing celebrity gossip. When it blows up and goes viral overnight, Cricket gains fame, influence and insider access. No one knows she’s behind the account but the bigger it gets, the harder it is to stay anonymous… FAKE ACCOUNTS: LAUREN OYLER (2021) Fake Accounts explores the gap between how people present themselves online and who they are in real life. An unnamed woman learns that her boyfriend is secretly running a conspiracy account on Instagram, and the discovery completely changes how she sees him. She becomes obsessed with the idea of truth and identity and starts to question whether anything is real… INFLUENCE: SARA SHEPARD & LILIA BUCKINGHAM (2021) A tense YA drama, Influence follows four teenage influencers living in Los Angeles whose lives look perfect online but are actually full of pressure, secrets and rivalry. The story starts as a look into influencer life – followers, sponsorships, drama – but quickly turns into a mystery when tensions between the girls escalate and one of them ends up dead. THE INFLUENCERS: ANNA-MARIE MCLEMORE (2025) A sharp, character-driven satire of influencer culture, The Influencers centres on a powerful social-media matriarch whose empire collapses after a murder and arson – leaving her five daughters as suspects. It’s less about the ‘who did it’ and more about family dynamics, identity and exploitation. Multiple perspectives give the novel a chaotic, very online feel.

PIXAR SUMMER FEST The new Pixar summer event at Hong Kong Disneyland starts on June 12 and runs through August 31. Highlights include a Pixar Water Play Street Party, a new night-time drone/ projection show (Pixar Pals Spectacular) and Pixar character meet-and-greets, plus themed food and merchandise. The event starts just five days after the park’s 20th anniversary celebration ends. Find tickets at hongkongdisneyland.com. THE NEXT CHAPTER Every year, Island Dance chooses a special theme for its annual show. For this year’s production, The Next Chapter, teachers took inspiration from different book genres, ranging from children's books, to Shakespearian classics, contemporary fiction and non-fiction. You can catch The Next Chapter live on stage at Y-Theatre, Chai Wan on June 13 and 14, with 300 Island Dance performers (140 from DB). For tickets and to find out more, head to islanddance.com.hk. TEDX YOUTH TALK Students at Discovery College are holding a TEDx Youth Talk on June 8 from 5pm to 7pm. The event, being held at the school’s ground floor theatre, is free and open to the whole community. This year’s theme is ‘Kaleidoscope’, and you can expect an exciting evening filled with stories, questions and bold ideas – the student speakers are eager to speak up, stand out and share their visions for the future through their unique ideas and experiences. To register in advance, visit eventbrite.hk; for more on DC, visit discovery.esf.edu.hk. PROVERSE PRIZES Founded by long-term DB residents, the late Dr Verner Bickley, MBE and his wife, Dr Gillian Bickley, the International Proverse Prizes for writing submitted and previously unpublished in English (may be in translation) are open for entry through June 30. They are the Proverse Prize for single-author book-length fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, and the Proverse Poetry Prize for single poems. You need to be at least 18 to enter, but otherwise everyone is eligible, whatever their place of birth, residence, nationality or citizenship. New and experienced writers are all welcome to send in their work. Entry documents and full details are available at proversepublishing.com. For enquiries email info@proversepublishing.com; or you can enter at proversehongkong.submittable.com/submit. CONTACT LENS PACKAGING RECYCLING Contact lens packaging, particularly the plastic blister packs and foil lids, is notoriously difficult to recycle. While many opticians and retailers offer specialised recycling programmes for these items, there’s a simpler solution for DB residents. You can drop separated blister packs and foil lids at the DB Office Centre weekdays (9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm) and on Saturdays (9am to 1pm). PUZZLE SWAP CHAT GROUP A new WhatsApp group dedicated to puzzle swapping has launched in DB, giving jigsaw enthusiasts a simple way to exchange puzzles rather than store or discard them. The Piece of Mind community operates on a one-for-one swap system and encourages members to share clear photos, puzzle details and convenient exchange locations within DB. Organisers ask that puzzles are complete where possible, securely packaged and never resold for profit; members are encouraged to arrange swaps privately. Scan the QR code to join: UNI BEAR UPCYCLING WORKSHOP The Uni Bear Used Clothing Upcycling Workshop on June 13, from 11am to 12.30pm at DB Office Centre, is open to residents aged 6 years and up, with children aged 6 to 12 years accompanied by an adult. This is your chance to give used clothes a second life by transforming them into teddy bear-wear. The workshop is being held in English and Cantonese by representatives from Dress Green, a design-driven social enterprise dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion by upcycling old uniforms. To enrol and find out more head to FB @db.community.hk. Dates For Your Diary JUNE 13 | SHOP THE DB WEEKEND MARKET in DB South Plaza from 2pm to 9pm. Visit handmadehongkong.com. TUESDAYS | RECYCLE EVERYTHING at the Green@Community collection point from 10am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm. ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit FB @dbmf.collection.

AMPCONTROL DB’S HAT TRICK AT THE SOCCER SEVENS Congratulations to Ampcontrol DB for taking the honours in the Masters Tournament at the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens. The Masters team clinched the championship by defeating All Stars 1–0 in the Shield Final on May 24 at Hong Kong Football Club. Since 2017, the team has reached the final of the tournament on several occasions and they won the Masters Trophy in 2018 and 2025. [PHOTOS BY Nigel Baillie.] AT THE ACTION SPRINT TRAIL SERIES DBAY The DB leg of Action Asia Events’ Action Sprint Trail Series headed out from DB South Plaza on April 26 with over 250 runners. There were two distances – 9km and 12km – with the 12k including the climb over Tiger’s Head. Chan Ka Keung won the Men’s 12km and Dolores Rofiqoh won the Women’s 12km. Chris Davis and Colette Monahan took the 9km titles. [PHOTOS BY William Leung.] ENJOYING HELPER APPRECIATION MONTH Helper Appreciation Month enables all of us in the community – individuals, schools and businesses – to give of our time to ensure that DB helpers feel the love and have some well-deserved fun. A series of informative and empowering free events were held in May.

HONG KONG LOTUS FESTIVAL Hong Kong Lotus Festival kicks off on June 1 at Po Lin Monastery with peak blooming anticipated from late June through early July. This is your chance to see thousands of potted lotuses (symbolising rebirth, resilience and spiritual awakening), and enjoy themed art, music and mindfulness activities. Sign up for tea ceremonies, incense-making workshops and sutra copying led by the Lantau monks. Entrance is free. TUEN NG FESTIVAL Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Tuen Ng Festival falls on June 19 this year bringing dragon boat races and cultural celebrations across Hong Kong. While the Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races is scheduled for June 27 to 28 at Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade, and the DB Dragon Boat Gala happens in October, June 19 sees hotly contested community races off Stanley Main Beach, Aberdeen Promenade, Sai Kung Waterfront Promenade, Shing Mun River Promenade and Tai Po Waterfront Park. SAKE JUMP Headed our way from Japan, Sake Jump is making its Hong Kong debut from June 6 to 8 at 1881 FWD House, with over 20 breweries from 13 prefectures, including Fukushima’s Otokoyama and Iwate’s Kikunoji, showcasing their premium brews. You can also enjoy sake cocktails crafted by Tokyo’s acclaimed mixologists, participate in masterclasses, and engage in meet-the-brewer sessions. Look for tickets at FWD MAX. WESTK CABARET FESTIVAL The inaugural WestK Cabaret Festival runs through June 7 at West Kowloon Art Park’s Xiqu Centre, delivering a mix of local and international performances, including cabaret, dance and musical comedy. With Patti LuPone headlining on June 3, further highlights include Spanish cabaret HisPanic – Copla (June 2 to 3), drag artist Jens Radda’s Skank Sinatra (June 4 to 5), and Parisian cabaret Paradis Latin – Mon Premier Cabaret (June 6 to 7). Purchase tickets at Cityline and Art-mate. DANIEL CAESAR ON TOUR Grammy-winning R&B artist Daniel Caesar is bringing his Son of Spergy Tour to AsiaWorld-Expo on June 2. This all-standing, arena-scale concert features chart-topping hits like Best Part and Peaches, and is described as a “reimagined” experience of his past work, leaning into a more experimental, still soulful sound. Fans can also look forward to hearing plenty of new material from Son of Spergy, Caesar’s fourth album. Find tickets at Live Nation HK. LADY WHITE SNAKE Hong Kong’s Chinese Culture Festival runs through September, with over 280 stage events, exhibitions and workshops. The festival is themed ‘Legends’ and highlights Chinese folklore, poetry and arts from the Sui and Tang dynasties. Be sure to catch Lady White Snake at Hong Kong Cultural Centre from June 12 to 13 – produced by the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the dance-drama merges ballet and Chinese dance to present a contemporary reimagining of the (terrifying) classic legend. Purchase tickets at Viagogo. SOCK IT 2 ME TBC Improv HK is bringing unfiltered puppet chaos to Fringe Dairy at the Fringe Club on June 5 with Sock it to Me, a fully improvised show strictly for adults. Expect outrageous felt-faced characters, unscripted scenes, wild songs and humour that pushes the boundaries. With no script and no censors, every performance is unpredictable as the puppets take over for a night of hilarious mayhem. The show may include strong language and mature themes, and children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Look for tickets at Eventbrite. SHAHZIA SIKANDER AT THE M+ Last chance to be wowed by the work of Pakistani American artist Shahzia Sikander showing at M+, West Kowloon Art Park, through June 21. Sikander is known for reworking the tradition of Central and South Asian miniature painting in bold and contemporary ways. Her art spans painting, animation, mosaic, and sculpture, often exploring themes such as gender, migration, empire and colonial history through layered, surreal imagery. Entrance is free. HK ICH CENTRE FUN DAY The 10th anniversary Fun Day being held at Sam Tung Uk Museum’s HK ICH Centre is a must for culture vultures of all ages. From June 13 to 14, you get to enjoy Hakka folk songs, Indian festival workshops, shadow puppet shows, craft workshops, tea culture demonstrations and guided heritage tours, all inside the restored 18th-century Hakka walled village. The event is interactive, cultural and especially good for children who like hands-on activities. Entrance is free. TAI O DRAGON BOAT WATER PARADE At Tai O on June 19, the annual Dragon Boat Water Parade blends spiritual tradition with festive competition. Statues from local temples are placed on sacred sampans by members of three fishermen’s associations and escorted through the waterways by dragon boats. Crowds gather along the canals to witness the colourful procession. Following the parade, the associations stage a friendly race before the dragon boat competitions begin, accompanied by drumming, cheering and celebrations throughout the village.

The Land of Honey REPORTING BY Elena M. Zepeda A VIBRANT ISLAND NATION in the central Mediterranean Sea, Malta lies 80km south of Sicily and 284km east of Tunisia. It offers a unique blend of 7,000 years of history and 300 days of annual sunshine. You’ll find sandy beaches, fossil-studded cliffs, hidden coves, diverse cuisine and a surprisingly lively party scene, plus countless must-see historical attractions. BASE YOURSELF IN VALLETTA, the European Union’s smallest and southernmost capital city. Nestled on a rocky peninsula overlooking grand natural harbours, the entire walled fortress town is UNESCO-listed. Founded in the late 1500s by the Knights of St John (check out the 16th-century Grandmaster’s Palace), it’s now a walkable and vibrant ‘open-air museum’. STEP BACK IN TIME in golden-hued Mdina, an 18-minute drive inland from Valletta. Malta’s capital in medieval times, it’s now known as the ‘silent city’ thanks to its cloistered atmosphere and narrow, virtually car-free streets. Drop by Fontanella Tea Garden, a popular spot on the ramparts famous for its chocolate cake and panoramic island views. WALK TO RABAT, just outside Mdina’s walls, for a more bustling and everyday Maltese experience, plus Roman ruins, crypts and catacombs. Malta is known as the ‘Mediterranean’s Hollywood’, having served as a filming location for Gladiator and Troy – Game of Thrones fans will recognise Rabat’s St Dominic’s Priory as a filming location for several scenes in the first season. MARVEL AT THE MEGALITHIC Temple of Ħaġar Qim in southern Malta: dating from 3700 to 3200 BCE, it’s one of the oldest temple complexes in the world – older than the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge. The facade, with its trilithon entrance (two upright stones with a third across the top as a lintel) has been restored, and gives an idea of what the site may once have looked like. CATCH A FISHING BOAT at Marsaxlokk harbour, also in southern Malta, to see the Blue Grotto, a string of seven, sea-sculpted coastal caverns. The brightly painted tour boats (luzzus) make the trip all the prettier – traditional craft, dating back to Phoenician times (500 to 300 BC), they feature an eye (the Eye of Horus) on the bow, an ancient symbol of protection. HOP ON A FERRY to explore Gozo and Comino, two smaller islands in the Maltese archipelago. On Comino, head to the Blue Lagoon, a picturesque cove surrounded by rugged cliffs and rock formations. On Gozo, visit the windswept Marsalforn salt pans: cut into the coastal limestone by hand, they date back to Roman times and are still used to harvest salt between May and September.

Harvey Law Group introduces Australia's National Innovation Visa: a fast-track pathway to permanent residency Australia’s National Innovation Visa (NIV) offers a direct permanent residency pathway for highly talented individuals from across the world. Structured as an invitation-only program, it is designed to be selective, yet accessible to experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators. This is a testament to Australia’s business-friendly ecosystem and demonstrates a clear intention to attract top-tier global talents and their families to settle in Australia. The NIV program provides investors with flexibility and certainty in one of the world’s most stable, innovation-driven economies. WHO CAN APPLY? In general, principal applicants should be between 18 and 54 years old. However, applicants outside this age bracket may still qualify if they can demonstrate that their presence has the potential to deliver exceptional benefit to the Australian community. The principal applicant should hold at least a university degree and have at least five years of experience in the sector related to their degree. A functional level of English proficiency is generally required for adult applicants included in the application; however, this requirement can be waived upon payment of a prescribed surcharge. All applicants, including dependents, must meet Australia’s standard health requirements. This typically requires the completion of medical examinations, conducted by an approved panel physician, to ensure that applicants do not have any condition that would pose a risk to public health or result in undue cost to the Australian healthcare system. Applicants are also required to satisfy good character requirements by providing police certificates from countries where they have spent in aggregate at least 12 months over the past 10 years since turning 16. KEY BENEFITS OF THE NIV There is no nationality restriction, no cumbersome points system, no job-offer requirement and no need to demonstrate business performance for NIV grant or renewal. Through this program, the applicant obtains benefits of a first-class immigration pathway, as well as support to set up a new business in Australia. Applicants are supported throughout the process – from initial profile assessment and identification of suitable project opportunities, to securing nomination from a reputable national body, lodging the application for the principal applicant and dependants, coordinating with an incubator for research and development guidance, and establishing an Australian company upon visa approval. Successful applicants and their dependants are granted immediate permanent residency, enabling them to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. Australia recognises same-sex marriages and de facto (commonlaw) par tnerships, ensur ing that diverse family structures receive equal recognition. A broad range of dependents can be included as part of the main applicant’s family unit, including spouse or partner, minor children and even financially dependent adult children up to 23 years. Older adult children can be included without any age restriction if dependent due to a physical disability. In addition, grandchildren can also be included if they are the dependent child of an included child, enabling multigenerational relocation under a single application. Beyond dynamic business-oriented opportunities, applicants and their families are also attracted to this program because it permits access to an excellent education system and quality healthcare through Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system). Importantly, the NIV does not impose any minimum physical stay requirement, permitting investors and their families to relocate to Australia immediately, or progressively to allow for a smoother personal and professional transition. Af ter four year s of lawf ul residence, including at least one year as a permanent resident (and subject to prescribed conditions, including basic English language proficiency, minimum residency and good character), each member of the family unit can become eligible for Australian citizenship. FAST TRACK TO THE NIV The NIV program uses four priority categories to rank applicants, and for those uncertain about their eligibility or optimal pathway, professional legal guidance is invaluable. Har vey Law Group, with over 30 years of experience in global residency and citizenship programs, offers a tailored approach aligned with clients’ individual profiles. We assess each client’s background against available opportunities and determine eligibility under the highly competitive Priority 2 category. The NIV Priority 2 Category offers an efficient processing time that typically ranges from eight to 15 months, depending on case complexity. From initial due diligence and eligibility assessment (around two weeks), through signing the incubation term sheet, securing nomination and submitting your Expression of Interest (around four weeks), to finalising and lodging your visa application within 60 days of invitation, the process is designed to be structured and predictable. Following submission, decisions typically take six to 12 months, af ter which you travel to Australia to activate your permanent resident visa, establish your company, monitor research and pursue commercialisation. Successful applicants hold 100% ownership of the new business in Australia, and benefit from an incubation period of approximately two years to facilitate project scoping, the negotiation of research and development agreements, and team formation. While the program offers strong institutional and commercial support, it is not passive. The principal applicant is expected to remain actively involved during the incubation period, particularly in guiding the strategic direction of the project. The minimum start-up investment is typically US$250,000. So, if you're interested in securing the NIV, we recommend taking the first step by reaching out to us at contact@harveylawcorporation.com. Our seasoned team specialises in guiding individuals through the complexities of the application process, ensuring that you get personalised support, expert advice and clarity at every stage of your journey toward obtaining Australian citizenship.

Content creation shouldn’t be just about trends, views, or going viral… it’s about building something that reflects you. The key, says Elena M. Zepeda is to start, and then to stay PHOTOS COURTESY OF Elena M. Zepeda & Magnific The year 2020 marked a turning point in the world of content creation. Suddenly, you no longer needed to spend hundreds of dollars on a full YouTube setup or commit to producing 15-minute videos every week. Platforms like TikTok shifted the landscape entirely, while the pandemic gave people something they hadn’t had in a long time: time. And with that, the world began to create… constantly. Creators started to rise quickly. Views climbed, engagement grew and, for some, the money rolled in. At least at the beginning, it seemed easy. Everyone was doing it. As ‘influencing’ became more visible, more people wanted in. Picture it. Working from home? Earning from posting a single Instagram story? Getting invited to restaurants just to film a one-minute video? It sounded like a dream! And, in many ways, it still does. But while content creation can be glamorous, and yes, at times, it really is – the reality is slightly more complicated, especially when you’re just starting out. Content creation is equal parts creativity, consistency and patience. It can be exciting, frustrating and often unpredictable. One video might reach 1,000 views, while the next suddenly skyrockets to 500,000 for no clear reason at all. But if you approach it with the right mindset, the journey can be incredibly rewarding. Here’s how to get started and, more importantly, how to keep going. The biggest mistake most people make is waiting… Waiting until they have the perfect setup, better editing skills, or a clear plan of what they want to achieve. Some people know exactly what they want to create the moment they pick up their phone; whether it’s to focus on styling, makeup, comedy, or a hobby they genuinely enjoy. Others start by recreating content they’ve seen or by sharing more personal thoughts and experiences. All of these are valid starting points. Whether you choose to focus on one, or explore a mix of everything, that decision is entirely yours. Over time, it will naturally shape what your niche becomes. Your niche is simply what people will expect from your content, but if by any chance you aren’t so sure, don’t worry, it is also a niche to have a ‘little bit of everything’. So, although having direction does help, don’t feel pressured to box yourself in. Let your content reflect your interests, and allow it to evolve naturally over time. Know that if you’re planning on starting content creating simply for fame and freebies, it will be harder to stay consistent. You need to find passion in what you create, even if it is not perfect. The good thing is, it doesn’t have to be! Posting consistently matters more than a per fectly recorded video, with perfect lighting, that took you two hours to edit. Your viewers will be able to tell if you’re trying too hard or if you’re enjoying yourself. Consistency does not mean you have to post every single day, although it could make the process faster. You just need to show up regularly. Whether that is a few times a week or even once a week, what matters is that you maintain a certain rhythm you can sustain. Growth tends to come from repetition. Keep trying, learning and improving. You don’t need to wait until everything is flawless. Once you step into the world of content creation, scrolling becomes part of the job. You will find yourself constantly searching for inspiration; keeping up with trends, sounds, formats and ideas you can adapt into your own content. Over time, though, that constant exposure can start to blur the line between inspiration and comparison. It is easy to go from thinking “I like how they did that, I could do something similar,” to “Why doesn’t my content perform like theirs?” That’s where you need to be careful. Use other creators as a source of ideas, not as a measure of your worth. Pay attention to what works, but more importantly, pay attention to what works for you. Content creation is creative, yes, but it is also strategic. While trends can bring attention, you have to think beyond going viral. A single viral video might bring in views and likes, but it doesn’t guarantee a loyal audience. Instead, focus on your brand. What do you want people to associate you with? What makes your content recognisable? Why should someone follow you and not someone else? At the end of the day, you are the brand. You are the reason people stay. You are the star. So make yourself known! Not through one viral moment, but through a consistent presence people can return to. Engage with your audience, enjoy interacting with them and build something that feels genuine. Here’s the part no one really talks about: growth is unpredictable. Some videos will perform well and others won’t. And most of the time, it has very little to do with you. The algorithm has a mind of its own, and it can be quite difficult trying to understand it. Growth in content creation is rarely a straight line. It comes in waves. There will be moments where everything feels slow, and others where things suddenly take off. The key is to keep going anyway. Because often, the difference between those who succeed and those who stop is simply persistence. Post didn’t do well? You can always delete and repost. (But don’t do this all the time because the platform might decide you’re a Bot, and it could even confuse the algorithm a little.) As you continue creating, you will inevitably come across other creators. Some might seem to grow faster, gain followers quicker and reach milestones you haven’t yet hit. So, yes, it is easy to feel left behind. But every creator you see started somewhere. Their growth has nothing to do with yours. Everyone moves at their own pace, and comparison simply won’t get you anywhere. When I first started, I questioned myself constantly. I watched other creators grow within weeks, while I was still sitting at 100 followers. My videos were performing well, but no one seemed interested enough in actually following me. Then one night, right before going to bed, I thought, “Oh well, let me just post this silly video.” That video became my first viral post. It reached 45 million views and over a million likes. And all overnight! I gained 5,000 followers just like that. It felt unreal, but in that moment, I finally understood why people say, ‘one video is all it takes’. Now, I’m working even harder to gain another 5,000 to reach my second milestone, 10,000 followers. Moments like that don’t happen every day, but as you can see, they can happen. And more importantly, they only happen if you keep going. Focus on your own progress. Bit by bit, people will begin to notice your content. They’ll start engaging more, returning to your page and recognising your style. Be confident in what you create. Be confident in your voice, your ideas and your perspectives. Because in a space where everyone is creating and it seems like you’re all doing the same, the one thing that will always make you stand out, is yourself.

Not all DB trails lead to Mui Wo but two of the most interesting do. George Pitsakis takes us walkabout To say that the hikes I’m about to introduce you to never get old is understatement. I first hiked to Mui Wo via the Trappist Monastery in 2000 with my family when I was four years old, and I still love it. As for the hike to Mui Wo via Tiger’s Head, I did it almost every weekend in my late teens; I must have done it 70 times or more. Again, I still love the challenge – and the views. I hope you get as much out of these hikes as I have. VIA THE TRAPPIST MONASTERY No sweat. 4 kilometres: Starting at Nim Shue Wan, you follow the path that hugs the coast for the whole of the first section of this hike. As you walk through the village up a steep hill, you’re immediately surrounded by Banyan Trees and garden plots – it’s funny how quickly you ‘leave’ Discovery Bay and get out into the countryside. Dogs hang around the village but keep walking and they won’t harm you; they’re used to hikers passing through. After a stretch, you skirt a rocky little bay (where my brother and I used to catch crabs) and head up some winding stairs. Continue walking and you come across one of my favourite things about this hike – a 1950s jeep now totally overgrown and laced with tree roots. I’ve no idea why it’s there or how it got there. It looks like it’s been there forever. After a sharp descent, you enter a clearing and see a wide road leading up to the Roman Catholic Our Lady of Joy Abbey, better known as the Trappist Monastery. This section of the hike is steep so take your time. You pass 14 Stations of the Cross on the way to the monastery, a series of 14 markers portraying events in the Passion of Christ, from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his entombment. At the monastery, there’s a beautiful Shrine to Mary, a well-kept garden and a pretty stream that runs beneath a wooden bridge, all of which justify the monastery’s original name – Trappist Haven. The chapel itself is a plain place of worship nestled in the hills, quiet and remote. Back on the trail, you’re looking at a fairly long climb up to a pagoda at around 300 metres above sea level. It’s all uphill for a while, so mind your pace. While there is a trail that skirts the pagoda, it’s worth taking the stairs up to it (on your left) for the great views. On your way down, you see Discovery Bay Golf Club on your left, Peng Chau ahead, and Hong Kong Island and a sliver of Hei Ling Chau to your right. You’re now on the homestretch – a casual 1,000-stair descent to Mui Wo. It’s best to take the steps sideways on at the end because they’re pretty narrow. Here you look down on Mui Wo in the shadow of 869-metre Tai Tung Shan (Sunset Peak) and, as often as not, you find yourself surrounded by butterflies. At the bottom of the stairs, follow the path to the right until you wind down to Silvermine Bay. Here you can hang out at Silvermine Beach Resort, China Bear, or the Mui Wo Cooked Food Market before ferry-, bus- or taxi-ing it back to DB. VIA TIGER’S HEAD Challenging. 11 kilometres: This hike really kicks into gear at the Discovery Bay Lookout (already 200 metres above sea level). From the lookout, you can see the skyscrapers of Central just a few kilometres across Victoria Harbour. Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau sit in the foreground, with Lamma and Cheung Chau forming the backdrop. Take the paved road out from behind the lookout, and you see Lo Fu Tau (Tiger’s Head) towering above you. Follow the path as it turns left, and you come across a switch back on your right. This dirt path inclines steeply all the way up to Tiger’s Head, 465 metres above sea level. Be warned, there’s no shade the whole way up – if you’re hiking in summer, make it early in the morning, and carry plenty of water even in winter. The trail is eroded in places too, so watch out for loose rocks and dirt. Take your time and enjoy the incredible views. The path snaking up Tiger’s Head looks a lot shorter than it actually is, but it flattens out for 10 metres every now and then, providing you with a good place to take a break. Just before you reach the summit, there’s a harsh 40º incline – you might need to do this bit on all fours. Bear in mind that you’re on the final stretch. Tell yourself that once you’re at the summit, it will be beautiful. It is. From here you turn right to continue on the trail but, before you do, take a left – a short climb takes you right up to the proverbial tiger’s head, a giant stone on the top of the hill shaped like the head of a tiger. The views are incredible here; you can see the whole of DB and appreciate just how far you’ve climbed. The shape of the tiger is best seen as you continue on a brief incline and you look back towards DB. Two protrusions on either side of the main rock buttress resemble ears, and you can imagine you’re looking down the nape of a tiger, as he surveys the scene below. Here, you’re rewarded with a 360° panorama. To appreciate it all, clamber on top of the trigonometrical point. These fixed surveying stations are found on many hills in Hong Kong, ask a friend to help you get up it! From here you see the airport, along with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge veining into the Pearl River Delta, as well as Castle Peak in the New Territories. Back on the trail as it heads to the left, you are now officially on the Lo Fu Tau Country Trail. You get your first glimpse of what can only be described as a landscape that is totally alien to Hong Kong. This stretch of the walk is sublime, a relatively gentle descent through a craggy, treeless moonscape surrounded by hills. The valley opens up behind in splendid and cavernous style; skirt around a hill and you see Sunset Peak towering up a few kilometres away. As you meander down you encounter several interesting rock formations that seem too well-balanced to have been haphazardly thrown together by nature. After you take some stairs leading down, you find yourself back below the tree line. The path continues on its downward journey, clipping the edge of Discovery Bay Golf Club, and you can spot golfers on the putting green. It’s a nice easy descent to a wooden pagoda, which marks one end of Lo Fu Tau Country Trail. Here you turn left to join the Olympic Trail. The winding path of stairs, slopes and straights makes up for the fact that you’re back on concrete. From the clearings, you start to glimpse the Mui Wo villages and Silvermine Bay. A couple of the stairs at this point are pretty steep. Round a bend and you come across a pretty little pool of water overhung by trees. In the summer, these trees are full of massive Golden Silk Orb Weaver Spiders. The spiders are not in your way but don’t get too close as they do bite. Cross a recently built bridge and follow the path left past an old house; then turn right to Silvermine Cave, which is actually the mouth of an old silver mine. Just below it is Silvermine Waterfall – to see it at full pelt, time your hike for just after it’s rained. There are benches by the waterfall where you can grab a snack and hang out. Back on the path, you end up in the back end of Mui Wo. Follow the main road and head away from the hills toward Silvermine Bay.

For travel writer, photographer and advocate for the little guys Alyssa Campanella the world is her classroom. Elizabeth Kerr reports "I don’t vacation. I travel,” opens Alyssa Campanella. “When we’re away, we’re up at six and out the door by seven. We’re going to go and do something.” No surprise there. Composed as she looks, Alyssa is clearly a barely contained ball of energy: a woman with a style-and-travel blog to maintain and a photography business to nurture, as well as two dogs, two cats, a three-year-old and a husband to keep in check. “It is a lot of feet.” Alyssa is just back from a photo shoot on Tai Pak Beach – one of the rare occasions when the former Miss USA is in front of the camera – and a Putonghua lesson in DB North. She hopes to get some practice during a jaunt to Hangzhou for her blog as much as just because. “I have always been a world traveller. I recently wrote on my social media that I’ve known since I was a little girl that I was meant to see the world,” she begins by way of explaining what brought her to Hong Kong. Taking the Miss USA title in 2011 allowed her to act on that compulsion to travel, while giving her four years in New York and almost 10 in Los Angeles. Before raising an eyebrow, Alyssa credits her pageant career as helping her get a foot in the travel door – or on the plane. She understands the stigma attached to the pageant industry, but her experience was positive. “I first entered the pageant scene when I was 15 years old, competing in Miss Teen USA. I was used to my name being called and used to my name not being called. I would daydream about what my reign would be like – living in the Miss Universe apartment in New York and travelling the world representing the Miss Universe Organisation and countless charities. It was a job and responsibility I really wanted for myself – and I’m a girly girl; I wanted an excuse to wear a gown,” she says with a chuckle. Around the time Alyssa was in the spotlight and starting to see the world, Instagram was emerging as a legitimate media platform, and she found she had an audience, albeit for fashion. “That’s how my blog became what it is,” she explains. “I thought, why can’t I do ‘travelling in style’? I can marry the two. I can merge them into one website. “ Alyssa had a little incentive on the relocation front thanks to a pilot she started dating, one who grew up in Hong Kong and had no intention of leaving. “It just felt like it made sense; I was ready to try something new,” she states. “And I love that Hong Kong is such a great gateway to all of these different places that I want to see.” The stars aligned for the Manalapan, New Jersey native, who felt at home in Discovery Bay almost immediately. “I had never visited Asia before, and when I got here, I guess because I grew up just outside of New York, I liked that Hong Kong had that kind of city vibe. But DB also had nature and the mountains. It was just the best of both worlds.” The couple made it official in November 2019 when Alyssa relocated, and started making all kinds of plans for an elaborate wedding – which went right out the window with the pandemic. One postponement led to another, until finally they opted for City Hall. “We kept it simple; just his parents as our witnesses, and me and him at the Rosewood for dinner.” They welcomed a daughter in 2022. Like many of us, Alyssa felt isolated during the pandemic years as a relatively new arrival who couldn’t see family and whose primary job demanded travelling. She focused on Hong Kong in order to keep her site active, and she never truly considered leaving. Alyssa, now 36, was confident life would bounce back, and she was vindicated when it did – and everyone started travelling with a vengeance. That so - called revenge travel was good for Alyssa’s blog and the tourism bodies it works with, but it’s also one of several new challenges writers and influencers (for the record Alyssa bristles at that word) are contending with. Another is artificial intelligence. “Personally I’m not worried about AI,” she says with a dismissive wave. “It’s not always correct, it sounds like a robot, and I want my writing to sound like a human being. AI can’t immerse you in an author’s words and world. Even the captions are terrible.” Over tourism, however, is very real and very valid. Just ask Tokyoites, Italians and Peruvians. And Alyssa could be considered part of the problem. “Post-covid people just went hard,” Alyssa agrees, noting, however, that plenty of places can benefit from tourism dollars, and “could really use our love and attention. That’s why lately I’ve been focusing a lot on places that maybe people hadn’t considered.” Alyssa has recently been stumping for Cambodia beyond Angkor Wat, and the parts of mainland China beyond Shanghai and Beijing. A self-described history nerd who reads Jane Austen on road trips, Alyssa wants her readers to remember there’s more than just “touristy” stuff to see on any trip, and she wants her content creation to be about more than “a pretty picture on Instagram”. At the core, Alyssa says she does her work because she loves learning – as evidenced by teaching herself Danish (her grandfather emigrated to the US from Denmark), Turkish and photography, which gave rise to her recent DB-based photography venture. “Through my blog, I’ve had the honour to be hired by big-name brands, tourism boards, airlines and hotels around the world to photograph for them. I’ve even had the privilege of seeing my travel photography featured in Vogue UK and Harper’s Bazaar UK. But I also love capturing family moments. I love making coffee table books of our photos and I want to be able to give that to other families,” she explains. “I’d love it if a memory I captured of someone’s family having a good afternoon on the beach is displayed in their home, and they have that to look back on all the time. So that’s why I’m broadening from just travel photography and writing to taking photos of families as well.” So the million-dollar question: does Alyssa have a bucket list, and what tops her personal favourites’ pile? As for the bucket list, it’s a deep one, it changes regularly and until recently included a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai with her daughter, the Philippines and more of Vietnam than she’s managed so far. It doesn’t include cruises or boats. As for favourites, Alyssa will admit her go-to dream spot is Iceland – with Cambodia a close second. “I love what I do for a living,” she concludes. “I love writing about places. I’ll never stop dressing up and I’ll never stop getting on a plane.”