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Learning an instrument can be slow, frustrating and occasionally soul-destroying but with smart apps and AI coaches, technology is making it easier (and cheaper) for you to hit the right notes. Andrew Spires reports PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels I often wander into the kitchen and wonder why I’m there, and of late it’s taking me slightly longer than normal to remember the answer. Usually, it’s chocolate biscuits. In a well-intentioned effort to make sure my brain doesn’t turn into a boiled cauliflower as I progress into later life, I’ve been trying to learn an instrument. If you’ve ever taken the time to learn an instrument, you’ll appreciate how soul-crushing the initial stage is. The first few months are akin to Sisyphus pushing his rock up that never-ending hill. It’s worth remembering that all this effort is not without reward. In a study by the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, it was noted that playing an instrument regularly was associated with a 35% lower dementia risk, and like all worthwhile endeavours, learning to play any musical instrument takes time and patience. Whilst there are no hacks or shortcuts to getting good at tickling the ivories or plucking the G-string, there are now some cool bits of tech to help you on your melodious journey; a journey that’s undergoing a tech revolution. Where previously you had a teacher and a shared physical space, now you have an app, meaning you can study anywhere you feel comfortable. From artificial intelligence that acts as a personal coach to platforms that transform practice into play, technology is making it easier and cheaper than ever to puck and plink your way to finally learning an instrument. Finding a great teacher can be tricky, and finding the time to visit a music coach can be even harder, not to mention the cost. Most teachers charge in excess of HK$300 per lesson, so you need to really want to learn to play Tears in Heaven to justify spending HK$1,200 a month on instruction. If you’re serious about lifelong learning, an in-person, real-life teacher is always going to win out. A friend of mine who has tried using music learning apps is now sending her eight-year-old daughter to in-person lessons. She said, “I think there's a lot you can learn through apps and online, but personally I think it's worth paying for face-to-face lessons if you can af ford it. The teacher will not only help you learn but hold you accountable to keep you learning.” But before you commit, why not try some cost-effective tech to see if you enjoy learning an instrument as much as you thought you would. First up for the piano or keyboard, I recommend Simply Piano. In much the same way kids are taught in schools by slowly building up the information, Simply Piano gently takes your hand and walks you, baby steps, into an actual song, rather than chromatic scales or arpeggios. The benefit of this is that you feel like you’re making progress with a recognisable tune. Whilst it sounds like a quick fix – it’s crucially important to get the foundations correct before taking an instrument to another level – Simply Piano does get you hooked on learning quickly. The app has an audio function that listens to you play, adjusts the pace accordingly and recognises any bum notes you hit. You can set different goals, ranging from reading sheet music to playing your favourite songs. You can also select how often you want to practise. I recommend being realistic at the outset so as not to fall at the first hurdle and become downhearted. The Simply Piano app costs HK$1,400 a year, so nowhere near as costly as a tutor, but progress does rely on you practising. For guitar, I already have the basics down from when I was a teenager trying to learn Smoke on the Water, so I didn’t want to pay for an app. I’ve been really impressed with Guitar Tuna by Yousican. I stumbled onto it when trying to find a way to tune my guitar quickly and accurately. Like Simply Piano, Guitar Tuna can hear the notes you play, meaning you can tune up – and it also provides songs for you to play along with whilst following your speed. If you want to get more technical, there are a range of lessons, such as learning chords and an ‘ear trainer’ which plays a chord sound and you have to match it. Maintaining motivation is one of the greatest challenges in learning an instrument. Music learning apps tackle this head-on through gamification, essentially applying video game concepts to learning an instrument. By tapping into the intrinsic motivation to keep levelling up, one becomes completely absorbed in the activity. Failing the game makes you want to start over to beat your high-score. This gamification element works especially well with kids. My two like to compete against each other to see who can get the longest clean run on the piano without errors. They also love to find their favourite tracks from piano instructional videos on YouTube. I always used to use YouTube videos to learn how to change door handles and drain engine oil, but the kids have found a series of instructional videos by using simple search terms like ‘How to Play Für Elise on Piano’. There are great videos showing ‘first person’ hands on the keys, and the notes flow down the screen in a similar fashion to the famous video game Guitar Hero. YouTube doesn’t provide the feedback and structured learning that apps offer, but the videos are great tools once you’ve got to grips with the basics. When riding the tech train to Nashville, it’s also well worth embracing AI. Moises.ai is a very cool application that allows budding musicians to upload any song and separate it into individual tracks. For example, a guitarist can isolate the lead guitar part of Hotel California to learn it note-for-note, or remove it entirely to practise along with the professional backing track. The software can also slow down complex passages without changing pitch and detect chords automatically, making song analysis and practice far more efficient. Ear training (the technical word for recognising a chord or note) and theory, once reliant on workbooks, are now interactive through websites like ToneSavvy and Teoria, which of fer exercises cleverly disguised as games. The future of music education is not about technology replacing human teachers. Instead, it should become a partnership. Whilst the app can sort the analysis of a student’s playing, human teachers are liberated to focus on their irreplaceable role; that of offering passionate encouragement, nuanced and tailored guidance, and the inspirational encouragement a student needs when they feel they aren’t making any progress. Much like the invention of the washing machine made doing the laundry quicker and easier, music teaching apps offer another layer of support to those with dreams to one day play to an audience. Whilst these tools are breaking down traditional barriers of cost, scheduling and geography, you still need to have the dedication to learn, be able to commit the time and suffer the sore fingers to become a music maestro. Read more Insider articles here

DBGC coach and former golf pro Mimi Ho Miu-yee reflects on family, discipline and the unlikely joys of a game she loves playing far more than watching. Elizabeth Kerr reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires Mimi Ho Miu-yee is sipping a drink at Coffee Academics looking, for lack of a better word, very golf-y, albeit in bright pink. Perhaps to no one’s shock, she’s just finished a round of golf, and lunch, with her dad and she’s in between coaching sessions. The Discovery Bay Golf Club coach and former pro begins with greetings on behalf of her mum, artist and past Around DB profile Judyanna Li, before reflecting on what took her to golf, a sport some call ‘a good walk, ruined’. Mimi chuckles, not taking it personally, and admits she can see where all those golf jokes come from. “I don’t really watch golf movies. I don’t really watch that much golf,” she says, surprising herself. “On a list of sports I want to watch, golf would be last. When people say, ‘Oh, I love watching live golf,’ I say, ‘You’re joking right now.’ You’re literally fighting for a spot to see a sliver of a player 170 yards away. And then you bust your ass running to the next hole. If I do watch golf, it’s at home and I let the cameramen do their work.” Mimi is relatively new to the DBGC coaching gig, but she knows the course like the back of her hand. She’s the sporty one of the family, having tried everything from tennis to tag rugby, and when she discovered the competitive nature of golf, she was hooked. She’s happy to mention her best game at the DBGC par 72 course, but her worst? “Let’s not go there,” she chuckles. Mimi’s family (mum Li, older sister and construction entrepreneur dad Danny Ho), has been living in DB since its earliest days in the 1980s. Mimi started playing at seven when her parents took up the game, at the time when Tiger Woods was peaking and spurring broader interest in the sport. “Seven is late, by the way. Right now, I’m coaching some kids that are three. It’s amazing,” she says of golf’s appeal. “For us, golf became a family thing, and it has thankfully stayed that way. There’s actually a good sense of a community to golf; it’s very sociable. And as cheesy as it sounds, you do learn a lot from it. It keeps you humble; you meet a lot of different people in different stages of life.” Mimi, just shy of 30, was raised in DB, and after demonstrating a natural aptitude for golf, she attended Discovery College on a full scholarship ( Year 9 to 13). Though the Kowloon school she started at was a good one, the local school system couldn’t support her travel for golf tournaments when her career really started to take off. “I was actually falling behind in school. I’m not wired that way, to do the work in that manner. My sister did really well in that system but international school was the right path for me.” Mimi is almost wistful as she recalls her golf development days as a kid, journeying well over two hours to Hong Kong’s only public course, Kau Sai Chau in Sai Kung, to practise. Her dad would lug her golf bag through the MTR, and occasionally take her golf clothes to work with him and pick her up after school to hit at a driving range. “My dad made a lot of big sacrifices,” she says. Sacrifices that ultimately paid off when Mimi won a full golf scholarship from California State University, Fresno, where she also completed a master’s degree in Sports Administration and certifications in golf biomechanics, elite coaching and kinesiology. “We’re not football players,” she cracks. But Mimi credits her DB home town, where she still lives, as a critical factor in shaping her career. “The course at DBGC is a tricky one. It’s quite challenging. It’s slope-y, it’s mountainous. I think any golfers that come out of training there have a really good short game. There’s a saying, ‘You drive for show and you putt for dough.’ At the end of the day, you’ve got to get the ball into the hole and DB trains you to be a really good short game player. It was a perfect environment to get me where I am now.” Which is a former HKGA Junior Squad member (at age 10), a national team member (12), and an NCAA Division 1 athlete. Mimi had intended to stay in California and work at the collegiate level until Covid derailed her plans but returning to Hong Kong brought new opportunities. She got licensed by the Hong Kong PGA, coached at the American Club for 18 months and, in 2021, finally decided to go pro. “I still had that itch to play,” she recalls. “I played with friends that had turned pro and I was, like, 'Dude, I still have my game.’ So I just bit the bullet.” Mimi played on the women’s Thai, China and Taiwan tours until 2025. Currently Mimi coaches at the DBGC and teaches after-school programmes for kids from kindergarten age to 16, every day. She’s also an advisor at ChipChipGolfHK, which runs junior development programmes around the city that are open to all ages and all skill levels, designed especially to provide beginners with a feel for the game. “That’s how it should be,” states Mimi of making golf more accessible. She understands the perception of the game in Hong Kong as a pastime for the ultra-wealthy and would like to see that change. Mimi has scads of tips for anyone considering taking up golf. “First, I say do it. You can play it forever; you can play with knee pain. You can’t play basketball in your 60s. Well you could but it’s not going to be fun. You can make the game easier or harder; you can choose how athletic you want to be. And again, there’s that humility element. Most people are not humble enough.” Mimi encourages trying out driving ranges, skipping the coach to start, playing mini golf and buying second-hand gear. “In Australia, anybody can play; you can literally get off work and just go in your jeans. When I was in college in California, we’d go to some public courses in sandals. I get the negative impressions golf leaves, and in Hong Kong it’s a business thing. But it’s a game. Make some mistakes. Have fun.” When Mimi’s not at the gym or coaching, she’s probably firing up some horror or dystopian science fiction on her Kindle (current read: “crazy” splatter punk novel Blender Babies). And because golf is one of those games whose fans have robust bucket lists (think baseball fans coveting a game beside Boston’s ‘Green Monster’), Mimi has a couple of targets too… “Augusta,” she says immediately. “My teammate in college played its first collegiate women’s invitational, and the second year I was supposed to go with her as an assistant coach. Then Covid,” she laments. “And St Andrews. My dad is an official rules tester and he told me it’s pretty cool, but also really flat,” she finishes. “But really, in the end, the wind might be different and the ball might roll weirdly, so I could play DBGC one million more times. It’s never the same and I don’t think I’d get bored.” Read more Profiles here

HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL Hong Kong Arts Festival, now in its 54th year, delivers a month-long celebration of world-class performing arts through March 29. The festival is taking place across multiple venues including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, City Hall and Academy for Performing Arts, featuring music, dance, theatre, opera and mixed-media. For programme details and to book tickets, visit hk.artsfestival.org. HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL Running March 1 to 8, the Hong Kong International Literary Festival sees over 100 writers and artists gather at venues across the city for a series of talks, workshops, book launches and panel discussions. Now in its 25th edition, the festival highlights diverse voices across genres and themes, and covers everything from poetry to memoir, fiction to non-fiction. Book your tickets at eventbrite.com. HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW If you didn’t get your fill of flower power over CNY, head to the Hong Kong Flower Show from March 20 to 29 at Victoria Park. This year’s theme is ‘A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong’, and stocks are the featured flower. Expect vibrant floral displays, curated potted plants and stunning landscaping from over 200 local and international horticulturists. Admission is free. COMPLEXCON HONG KONG Premier pop and street culture festival ComplexCon Hong Kong is back at AsiaWorld-Expo from March 21 to 22 bringing live music, curated fashion, exclusive sneaker drops and art. The two-day concert is big on K-hip-hop with Jennie, Jay Park and Crush headlining, alongside groundbreaking American rage rap artist Yeat. Book your tickets at klook.com. HKWALLS STREET ART FESTIVAL HKwalls Street Art Festival returns for its 11th edition from March 21 to 29. The event sees international and local artists painting murals across Central and Western, with guided tours and workshops for the general public. In the weeks leading up to the event, property owners can ‘donate’ a wall to see it transformed into a work of art. To find out more, visit hkwalls.org.

The place to be on St Patrick’s Day ALTHOUGH NOT DEFINED BY A BORDER , the West Cork Coast lies to the west of Cork City and continues down to Ireland’s most southerly point at Mizen Head. Its breathtaking coastal views, historic sites and charming seaside towns are easily equal to those found in the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry, and they are relatively crowd free. THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY is a 2,500-kilometre driving route that delivers an unforgettable look at Ireland’s western coast: West Cork’s portion of the route runs from Kinsale to the Beara Peninsula. Marvel at the rugged cliffs and crashing waves; stop off at picturesque fishing villages, like Ballydehob, Skibbereen and Schull; and admire the golden sand beaches. BANTRY HOUSE IS A STRIKING EXAMPLE of Georgian architecture with glorious grounds to explore. Built by Richard White, the first Earl of Bantry, in the 18th-century, the estate has been passed down through the Hare family for generations. Take a guided tour to admire the grand reception rooms and a marvellous collection of artwork and antiques. FASTNET LIGHTHOUSE PROTECTS AGAINST SHIPWRECKS in the surrounding waters, and is affectionately known as the Teardrop of Ireland. Perched on a rock, it’s not open to the public but you can take a ferry ride out to see it up close. These tours also take you to Cape Clear Island, a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area, which homes a bird observatory. THE DRUID’S ALTAR AT GLANDORE dates back to the Bronze Age. The 9.3-metre stone circle originally consisted of 17 closely spaced stones of which 13 survive. Two taller stones mark the entrance to the circle, and face a recumbent altar stone. This arrangement creates a south-west axis, and orients the monument in the direction of the setting sun during the midwinter solstice. MIZEN HEAD TOWERS ABOVE THE ATLANTIC at Ireland’s southern tip. From the Maritime Museum, you can climb down 99 steps to cross Mizen Head Footbridge. This dramatic suspension bridge stretches across a gorge that separates the mainland from the Mizen Peninsula. As you take in the waves crashing 45 metres below, you may spot the resident colony of seals. SAINT PATRICK’S DAY , March 17 this year, is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Ireland, and arguably the place to be is Clonakilty – De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty, to be exact. Grab a locally brewed Guinness, craft beer or whiskey and settle back as musicians gather to play traditional fiddles, flutes and bodhráns. Read more Escapes articles here

For anyone who ever wanted to join a band DAISY JONES & THE SIX: TAYLOR JENKINS REID (2019) A Fleetwood Mac-inspired story about a fictional 1970s rock band’s meteoric rise, legendary album Aurora, and mysterious breakup after a final, iconic show. Reid focuses on the volatile, creative and romantic tension between fiery singer-songwriter Daisy Jones and brooding bandleader Billy Dunne, exploring themes of fame, addiction, love and artistry. LIVING WITH THE DEAD: ROCK SCULLY (1996) In the first memoir ever published by a member of the Grateful Dead family, one-time band manager Scully provides the full story of rock’s longest-running road show. He brings to life two decades of ceaseless touring, wild antics and musical experimentation, in which the Dead transformed from a folksy revivalist quintet to one of the most enduring legends in music history N&N’S INFINITE PLAYLIST: RACHEL COHN (2006) Two music-loving New York teens embark on a chaotic, all-night adventure as they search for a secret show being put on by a legendary band. Told in alternating chapters, the story unfolds over a single night as they navigate band drama, drunken friends and their own insecurities, culminating in an unexpected first date that’s fuelled by their shared passion for music. THE COMMITMENTS, RODDY DOYLE (1987) Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed Dubliner, forms The Commitments to bring Motown-style R&B to Ireland. The novel, the first in Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy, chronicles the band’s raw talent, energetic rise, internal clashes and sudden collapse. The authentic, colloquial dialogue captures the spirit of 1980s Dublin and the transformative power of music. THE GROUND BENEATH HER FEET: SALMAN RUSHDIE (1999) An epic rock ‘n’ roll love story about the tumultuous relationship between Indian rock stars Vina Apsara and Ormus Cama, narrated by their childhood friend, photographer Rai Merchant, as they rise from postcolonial Bombay to global fame. Rushdie explores themes of love, loss, celebrity and alternate realities through a reimagining of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth. 31 SONGS: NICK HORNBY (2003) A funny, relatable and heartwarming collection of essays in which Hornby discusses his 31 favourite pop/ rock anthems, and what they mean to him. He explores the profound emotional impact of music, and how it serves as a soundtrack to life, delving into why specific tracks resonate, ranging from nostalgic connections to deep lyrical appreciation. Find more Good Reads articles here

Harvey Law Group reveals how easy it can be to claim French citizenship through lineage Many people are surprised to discover that you don’t need to be born in Europe – or have ever lived there – to qualify for European Union (EU) citizenship. For those with European roots, this opportunity often comes through Citizenship by Ancestry programs. Among these, France stands out today as one of the most generous and accessible options within the EU. Nestled in Western Europe, France is a country celebrated for its diverse landscapes, historic cities and vibrant cultural life. Its capital, Paris, sits along the Seine River and is renowned as a global centre of art, fashion and gastronomy. With its excellent rail and air connections, Paris links seamlessly to major European destinations such as Brussels, London and Geneva, making France both a cultural beacon and a well-connected European hub. CLAIMING CITIZENSHIP THROUGH ANCESTRY In France, citizenship can be granted through jus sanguinis, or the right of blood. This means eligibility may be established based on ancestry, regardless of where you were born, the language you speak, your health status, or your familiarity with French culture. If you have a parent who was a French citizen – either by birth or naturalisation – at the time of your birth, you may qualify to apply for French citizenship by ancestry. What’s remarkable about this pathway is that this opportunity isn’t limited to biological children; it extends to fully adopted children, provided the adoption took place at birth or during childhood. In fact, eligibility under this path can flow through generations, making it possible for those with a French grandparent to claim citizenship. For example, if your grandparent was born in France to French citizen parents, your parent can secure French nationality through descent, allowing you to do the same. This ancestry connection opens the door for many to reconnect with their heritage and embrace the French way of life. One critical aspect of this citizenship pathway is that your French ancestor must have retained their nationality to pass it on. Specifically, this means that French parents, settled outside France, must not have lost their connection to France for 50 years prior to submission of their children’s French citizenship by ancestry applications. This requirement ensures that the right to French citizenship can be transmitted seamlessly through generations. WHY FRENCH CITIZENSHIP MATTERS The advantages of acquiring French citizenship are substantial. With a French passport, you can live, work, or study anywhere within the EU without the need for a visa or strict residency regulations. It also opens doors to visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 174 countries worldwide. Plus, since France permits dual citizenship, you can retain your current nationality while enjoying the freedoms that accompany being an EU citizen. According to the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, by the end of 2024, over 1.7 million French citizens and their descendants living abroad were registered in the French civil status registry. The estimated total, including those not registered, is around 2.5 million. This statistic highlights the vast reach of the French diaspora worldwide, with many individuals unaware of their potential eligibility for citizenship through ancestral ties. PROVIDING PROOF OF LINEAGE Navigating the journey to French citizenship through ancestry begins with gathering the essential documentation that establishes the applicant’s connection to a French parent. For those lacking sufficient proof of this lineage, a thorough search for relevant records might be necessary before diving into the citizenship application. Once the required papers are in place, attention turns to preparing the certificate of French nationality application for submission. Applicants living outside of France often find it beneficial to work with a knowledgeable French lawyer to guide them through the application process, which includes submitting the application to the Paris Court. If everything checks out, a positive decision will be granted, opening the door to applying for a French passport, along with the rights and privileges of being an EU citizen. Although processing timeline can vary by case, French authorities typically take about one to two years to process applications. Thankfully, there’s no need to travel to France during this process, making the path to French citizenship both accessible and manageable. DISCOVERING YOUR PATHWAY For individuals unsure of where to start or how to navigate the application process, professional legal guidance can be invaluable. Harvey Law Group, with over 30 years of experience in global residency and citizenship programs, is here to assist you in confirming your eligibility, preparing the necessary paperwork, and guiding you through each step toward obtaining French citizenship. What makes Harvey Law Group stand out in a sea of legal advisors? It’s their unique alliances with genealogy companies specialising in uncovering historical documents across more than 100 countries. This partnership is particularly invaluable for those who may not have clear lineage documentation, allowing you to find essential evidence that could strengthen your application. The Harvey Law Group team also collaborates with apostille companies and government-approved translators in France, ensuring your documents meet all application standards and are accurately translated. This meticulous attention to detail means you can submit your application with confidence, knowing that every requirement is expertly handled. So, if you're interested in securing French citizenship by ancestry, 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 French citizenship. Read more Client Talk articles here

How much do you know about Hong Kong cinema? 01. Which film, directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, is the inspiration behind Martin Scorsese’s The Departed? A. Hardboiled B. Infernal Affairs C. PTU 02. In Wong Kar-wai’s Chunking Express , what food does Cop 223 obsess over after his break-up? A. Canned pineapples B. Strawberry ice cream C. Instant noodles 03. In Infernal Affairs , why does Lau Kin-ming panic when a phone rings during a police meeting? A. He could be exposed as a police mole B. He could be exposed as a triad mole C. A bomb might be about to go off 04. In Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love , why does Mr Chow move to Singapore? A. To start a new life as a journalist B. To start a new life with Mrs Chan C. To care for his ageing parents 05. Which stunt sequence in Police Story is one of Jackie Chan’s most iconic? A. He slides down a pole covered in Christmas lights B. He falls from a clock tower C. He jumps onto a moving hovercraft 06. In Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer , what makes the brothers so good on the field? A. They were trained in the UK B. They are superheroes C. They use kung-fu techniques 07. What does Ip Man refuse to do during the Japanese occupation? A. Join the Japanese army B. Teach martial arts for money C. Beg for food 08. In John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow , why is Ho sent to prison? A. He is framed by his brother B. He is betrayed during a counterfeiting deal C. He steals money from his boss 09. What secret do the landlords of Pigsty Alley hide in Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle ? A. They are wanted criminals B. They have zero fighting ability C. They are retired kung-fu masters 10. In Stanley Kwan’s Rouge , why does Fleur’s ghost return to Hong Kong? A. To find out why her lover broke their suicide pact B. To relive her childhood C. To relive her happiest night with her lover 11. In Peter Chan’s Comrades : Almost a Love Story , where do Li Xiang-Jun and Li Qiao meet years later? A. London B. Shanghai C. New York City 12. In Johnnie To’s Election , what tradition determines who becomes the next chairman of the Wo Shing Society? A. A fight between the two strongest candidates B. Possession of a wooden dragon-head baton C. The elder triads cast a vote 13. In Stanley Tong’s Rumble in the Bronx , why does Keung get into a conflict with the local gang? A. The gang kidnaps one of his family members B. The gang vandalises his uncle’s fiancée’s supermarket C. He refuses to join the gang 14. In Ann Hui’s A Simple Life , what happens to Ah Tao after she has a stroke? A. She goes back to work as a full-time maid B. She returns to her village in mainland China C. Her former employer becomes her primary caregiver 15. What challenge does Wong Fei-hung face when he falls for the ‘13th Aunt’ in Tsui Hark’s Once Upon a Time in China ? A. She belongs to a rival martial arts school B. She is his relative (by naming convention, not by blood) C. She is already engaged to another master 16. In Ching Siu-tung’s: A Chinese Ghost Story , why does Ning Caichen fall in love with Nie Xiaoqian? A. She shows him genuine ‘human’ kindness B. She is a reincarnation of his best friend C. She transforms physically as one of his past lovers 17. In Herman Yau’s The Untold Story , who is Wong Chi-hang’s first victim? A. Mr Tsui B. Mrs Tsui C. The Tsui’s eldest son 18. In Mabel Cheung’s An Autumn Tale , what is Cher shocked to discover about her boyfriend Vincent? A. He’s been cheating on her B. He’s joined the triads C. He’s her half-brother 19. What medical condition does Bing’s mother suffer from in Jessey Tsang’s Big Blue Lake ? A. Diabetes B. Atrial fibrillation C. Dementia 20. In Fruit Chan’s The Midnight After where do the minibus passengers wake up? A. Kowloon B. Central C. Macau Answers: B A B A A C B B C A C C B C B A A A C A Take more of our quizzes here

SPOT CHILDREN’S THERAPY CENTRE www.spot.com.hk SPOT Summer Camps, in Central and Wong Chuk Hang, are focused on social skills, emotional regulation, fine motor skills and literacy. Each venue features a purpose-built, sensory- motor therapy gym that allow kids, aged 3 to 11, to engage in enriching sensory experiences and group activities. Fun-filled sessions run from June 30 to August 15, helping kids thrive in a supportive environment. Tel: 2807 2992 Email: contact@spot.com.hk IGYM GYMNASTICS www.igymhk.com The iGym Gymnastics and Ninja Camp runs from June 30 to August 22 at iGym’s newly launched Gymnastics Academy in DB North Plaza. Morning, afternoon and full-day sessions are on offer Monday to Saturday. Fun, age-appropriate activities in both gymnastics and ninja zones give kids, aged 3 to 10, the opportunity to develop their skills, make new friends and have a blast. WhatsApp: 6077 2758 Email: igymhk@icloud.com MANDARIN TIME www.mandarintimeschool.com The Mandarin Time DB Camp runs from July 7 to August 15 in DB North and provides children, aged 10 to 15, with a 100% Mandarin-speaking environment. Courses are available Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm: kids, aged 13 to 15, focus on IGCSE Chinese preparation, and there are three levels of tuition (upper elementary, intermediate and native) for kids aged 10 to 13. WhatsApp: 6153 7108 Email: info@mandarintimeschool.com YIFAN MANDARIN www.yifancamps.com The Yifan Mandarin Summer Camp at DB North Plaza is fully immersive and activity based. The week-long camps run from July 7 to August 8, Monday to Friday, 9.10am to 10.40am (ages 3 to 5) and 10.45am to 12.15pm (ages 6 to 9). Multi-week discounts are available until June 30. 一帆中文夏令營在愉景灣開展超過十六年;助 孩子們快樂學中文,語言能力大提升! WhatsApp: 9208 7611 Email: admin@yifanmandarin.com GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI www.guidepost.hk Guidepost Montessori’s Cosmic Adventure Summer Camp runs weekly from July 2 to July 25 at the DB North Plaza campus. Children, aged 2 to 6, get to explore life on Earth and beyond through hands-on activities, storytelling, creative crafts, science discoveries and sensory experience, fostering curiosity and empathy about the universe. WhatsApp: 9126 6211 Email: admissions@guidepost.hk ARK EDEN www.arkedenonlantau.org Ark Eden is a magical space nestled on a hillside in Mui Wo where children, aged 5 to 11, can explore the great outdoors, make new friends and build confidence through engaging, nature-based play. Choose from eight weeks of camps running June 30 to August 22. Camp leaders are skilled in Experiential Education, Forest School principles, Social Emotional Wellness and Wilderness First Aid. Tel: 2988 5355 Email: angus@arkedenonlantau.org TREASURE ISLAND GROUP www.treasureislandhk.com Treasure Island Group’s Summer Camps – Surf, Adventure, Explorers, eXtreme and Little Kids Club – run from June 16 to August 22 at Pui O Beach and are bookable by the week or day. From surfing and kayaking to wetland tours and waterfall hiking, kids, aged 4 to 14, get to experience a wide range of outdoor activities, whilst making new friends and developing eco-awareness and life skills. Tel: 5236 7016 Email: inquiries@treasureislandhk.com HONG KONG SURFING LESSON www.hongkongsurfinglesson.com Hong Kong Surfing Lesson’s one- or three- day, non-overnight camps run from June 16 to August 27 at Lower Cheung Sha Beach. Children, aged 5 to 14, get their own surfboard to maximise their surfing time. Camps are run by professional ISA-qualified instructors, who help kids progress by making surfing fun and safe. Lessons are also available daily for beginner to intermediate surfers of all ages. WhatsApp: 6199 0904 Email: info@hongkongsurfinglesson.com FAUST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE www.faustworld.com Faust’s HK-wide summer programme runs from June 23 to August 22, with week-long courses in Summer Theatre for 3- to 18-year-olds, Musical Theatre for 8- to 18-year-olds, and Creative Writing for 6- to 14-year-olds. In any given week, children experience a fun- filled learning environment in which to develop leadership and teamwork skills, individual expression and confidence. Tel: 2547 9114 Email: info@faustworld.com

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Did you know there are not one but two ways to recycle ‘real’ Christmas trees in DB? You can take them to the Green@ Islands recycling spot, which is open every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Green Icon, or you can schedule a home pick-up by calling Winson Cleaning Services at 3176 3188 (a service fee applies). In both cases, the collected trees are further handled by the EPD and are either converted into compost or upcycled at Y·PARK, the government-operated yard-waste recycling centre in Tuen Mun. DB OPEN FS CHALLENGE The 2nd DB Open FS Challenge is taking place from January 2 to 4 at DB Ice Rink. Endorsed by ISIAsia, the event gives skaters from different regions a chance to every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and compete under a shared standard. There are opportunities for young skaters and beginners to gain competitive experience, and for advanced skaters to showcase fully choreographed freestyle routines. To find out more, visit www.dbicerink.com. TOSCANA: DB NORTH MID-LEVELS Toscana, the Italian-style oceanfront residential complex in DB North, is already creating a buzz, with HKR International expected to launch first-phase sales (320 units) early this year. The development will cover over 650,000 square feet, with around 1,400 units (one- to four-bed) providing 1,300,000 square feet of living space. Whether or not you are looking to take up residence, the property is well worth a visit. For a start, there’s the onsite sales centre with garden and rooftop terrace, which showcases Toscana’s signature design style – modern Italian luxe meets DB resort living. You can also explore Park Toscana, a meticulously landscaped green space spanning over 160,000 square feet. The views across the bay are unparalleled and there are 13 carefully crafted, Italian-themed zones encouraging visitors (and soon homeowners) to immerse in nature, sports and art. A central part of HKRI’s MP7 expansion/ master plan for the DB North area, Toscana integrates housing with recreational and lifestyle facilities. Art is a major focus with a Toscana-themed Italian Art Festival already under way. To kick off the festival, Italian artist Francesco Lietti and teachers and students from Discovery Bay International School were invited to collaborate on Never So Close – an exhibition of oversized, Italian style masquerade and carnival masks. Four works, themed Waterfront Living, Green Living, Luxury Living and Happy Living, are on display through January 25. More activities promoting Italian culture and art are in the offing. To find out more and track listings, visit www.toscana.com.hk. VIUTV SOUND BEAR FAMILY RUN Postponed in November out of respect for all those who lost loved ones in the Tai Po fire, the ViuTV Sound Bear Family Run has been rescheduled for January 31 at DB South Plaza, from 8am to 3pm. The participation quota is a whopping 4,000+ people and there’s something for everyone: a 10km (16 years and above); two 3km races (10 to 15 years, 16 years and above); and two parent-child beach obstacle races, one with a 1km run and one without. To find out more and enrol, visit www.viutvfamilyrun2025.com SANDAE BEACH Sandae Sand Art, headed up by DB resident Gary Melsom, continues to evolve with exciting new sand-sculpting activities. Their newly launched team building programme – Sandae Golf! – challenges groups to design and construct their own miniature golf courses entirely from sand. Teams work together to create playable holes complete with obstacles and bunkers, then enjoy a friendly tournament on their handcrafted course. To book a corporate retreat, visit www.sandae.online. THE SNOW QUEEN DB’s The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company – a semi-professional troupe of 30+ child actors led by director-producer Emma Tielus-Ward – is staging Paul Boyd’s The Snow Queen from February 2 to 7 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Shouson Theatre. A modern interpretation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the show brings catchy songs, fastpaced choreography and larger-than-life characters. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.theperformersstudio.com. WELLNESS SCENE Arts for Health founder Rachelle Conradie is hosting three wellnessfocused events in DB this month: a women’s singing circle at Beach Village on January 14; a community dance fundraiser at YogaUp in DB North Plaza on January 17 and an art journalling workshop at Mountain View on January 20. To find out more and enrol, visit https://linktr.ee/artsforhealth.hk. For more on the DB wellness scene, turn to page 18. THURSDAY MANDARIN SCHOOL Yifan Mandarin is launching Thursday Mandarin School at DB North Plaza on January 15. Designed for children aged 4 to 10 (K2 to P4), the systematic classes build Chinese literacy in a 100% Mandarin environment, making them perfect for bilingual families. And Yifan has an exclusive offer for Around DB readers: enjoy a free trial class plus 10% off full-term fees when you enrol with the code 2026YF@ADB. To find out more, WhatsApp 9208 7611 or visit www.yifanmandarin.com. CINDERELLA ADVENTURE Fans of Cinderella Adventure get ready to be happy! We have confirmation that the ‘popup’ will be in place at the former EpicLand in DB North Plaza for the next six months at least. Guests get to enjoy all the playcentre facilities plus handcrafting activities. Cinderella Adventure is open from 10am to 6pm daily; children must be accompanied by an adult – entry is HK$288 for two, HK$100 for each additional visitor. To find out more or make a booking, call 6315 0611. INTERNATIONAL FOOD & BEER FESTIVAL Make your way to Midvale playground on January 24 to take part in One World Spirit’s International Food and Beer Festival. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a popular dish from their hometown to share with friends and neighbours. Capacity is limited with priority given to OWS members; find out more at www.facebook.com/1worldspirit. Dates For Your Diary JAN 03 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4.30pm. Visit FB @db.community.hk. JAN 17 | SHOP THE DB MARKET in DB South Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com. JAN 17 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue Wan gate at 2.10pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org. ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit FB @dbmf.collection. Clean Up Your Act! Commit to embracing the 3 R’s in 2026 REDUCING IS THE BEST SOLUTION We all know the mantra of REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, but did you know that reducing is the key solution to solving our waste and plastic pollution problem? Here are some tweaks to your daily routine that you can make to ensure you’re part of that solution. Carry your own water bottle every day, and a coffee cup, food container and cutlery for takeaways Reduce how often you ‘order in’ meals and shop online to avoid single-use packaging Bring your own bag when shopping, and choose products with no or minimal packaging Be conscious of the food you buy to avoid food waste and make a point of using your leftovers Choose bar soaps, shampoos and cleaning products. If you prefer liquids, bring your bottles to a shop for a refill Sell or give away good-condition unwanted items like toys, clothes, gadgets and homeware See if you can buy the things you need second-hand, before buying new WASTE REDUCTION IN DB Make sure all recyclables are clean. Only plastic bottles go into DB’s plastic recycling bins. Keep the cap on. Drink boxes must be clean and dry, with the plastic spout, cap and straw removed. Don’t put plastic bags in the food waste bins – only food waste. Don’t put paper cups or food containers in DB’s paper recycling bins. Recycling is important but reducing is the best solution! START SMALL! MAKE A BIG IMPACT! Together, our choices create a cleaner, greener future for everyone! Find more from DB’s homegrown environmental charities at FB @DB Green and www.plasticfreeseas.org .

How much do you know about January? BY Kayli Liebenberg 1. Which Hong Kong holiday starts on January 29 this year? A. Chinese Lunar New Year B. Ching Ming C. Easter 2. What does the garnet, January’s birthstone, provide? A. Mental clarity B. Healing C. Protection 3. January is a collaborative studio album by Page McConnell and Trey Anastasio: which band are they members of? A. Phish B. Gov’t Mule C. Hot Tuna 4. What are January’s zodiac signs? A. Gemini and Cancer B. Capricorn and Aquarius C. Aries and Leo 5. Which famous US singer was born on January 8, 1935? A. Elvis Presley B. Bruno Mars C. Steven Tyler 6. In Six Feet Under, which of the Fisher siblings was born in January? A. Michael B. Nate C. Lauren 7. According to folklore, what should we do on January 6? A. Take down our Christmas decorations B. Eat together as a family C. Leave a plate of mince pies out for Santa 8. January 20 is dedicated to which animal? A. Tiger B. Penguin C. Lion 9. What are January’s birth flowers? A. Rose and aster B. Carnation and snowdrop C. Dandelion and marigold 10. Popeye made his first appearance in a New York Times comic strip on January 17, 1929. What was his first line? A. D’ja think I’m a cowboy B. I yam what I yam C. I’m Popeye the sailor man, toot toot11. We celebrate Burns Night on January 25 to honour the national poet of which country? A. England B. Wales C. Scotland 12. Which Hong Kong theme park opened its doors on January 10, 1977? A. Disneyland B. Ocean Park C. Noah’s Ark 13. On January 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympics debuted in which country? A. Japan B. Italy C. France 14. On what date in 1841 did Hong Kong’s colonial period begin? A. January 3 B. January 17 C. January 20 15. Which iconic US writer was born on January 13, 1955? A. Jay McInerney B. Bret Easton Ellis C. Donna Tartt 16. On January 1, 1993, which tragic event occurred in Hong Kong? A. Lan Kwai Fong stampede B. SARS outbreak C. MTR firebomb 17. What is January’s full moon called? A. Rabbit Moon B. Wolf Moon C. Wale Moon 18. According to numerology, people born in January are ruled by which number? A. 1 B. 3 C. 7 19. Which popular Apple product was unveiled on January 9, 2007? A. iPhone B. iPad C. iPod 20. Which January-born country music icon wrote the song I Will Always Love You? A. Whitney Houston B. Dolly Parton C. Billy Ray Cyrus