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As the Horse canters to centre stage, Ray Au outlines what we can expect from 2026 ILLUSTRATION BY Sarin Ale You’re likely aware that, according to Chinese astrology, each year corresponds to one of 12 zodiac animals, in a cycle that repeats every 12 years. To complicate things a little, each year also corresponds to one of five elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood), in a cycle that repeats every five years. 2026 is the Year of the Horse (the last one was in 2014). More specifically, it is the Year of the Fire Horse (the last one was in 1966). So, what does that mean for you? In Eastern culture, the Horse represents action, freedom, speed and breakthrough. He reflects a stage of life that moves boldly forward without the fear of obstacles, placing emphasis on being in motion rather than standing still. In simple terms, think: rapid change, fresh opportunities, personal growth and a faster pace of life. The Year of the Fire Horse is not a quiet guest – it arrives with spark in its eyes and wind in its mane, calling each of us to rise, to move, to feel more alive. This is a year that asks us not to hold back – to take the leap, to speak with clarity, to act with courage, and to trust that our inner compass knows the way, even through unfamiliar terrain. 2026 is the year to stop waiting for the ‘right moment’ and start listening to the rhythm of our own steps. When it comes to major life decisions, it can be difficult to let go the reins and just go for it. But this year, the Horse’s optimistic and energetic disposition encourages us to do just that. 2026 is all about moving forward and embracing new chapters; it calls for transformation, innovation and decisive moves in career, love and lifestyle. For many, it will be a year of significant changes – steel yourself for some big shifts, particularly in relationships. A WILD RIDE In predicting what 2026 will bring, we need to take a good look at the Horse’s characteristics many of which are revealed by his showing at the Great Race. Folklore tells us that the race was held by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of the heavens, to decide the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac. The strong, fast Horse placed seventh, much lower down the leaderboard than most expected. So what went wrong? A crowd favourite, the Horse lingered at the starting line, soaking up the admiration and applause, and began the race too late. Though he made a powerful comeback and seemed destined for sixth place – just behind the super-powered Dragon – he fell victim to the Snake’s cunning. Unbeknownst to the Horse, the Snake had hitched a ride on his leg… the Snake uncoiled at the finish line, startling the Horse and sneaking ahead. Caught off guard and losing his footing, the Horse settled for seventh place, seconds after the Snake but still a good way before the Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Within this origin story lies the true message of a Horse Year – summon your speed and strength, get back in the race when faced by surprise setbacks, and acknowledge that your naivety can leave you vulnerable to trickery. So we know the Horse is strong and resilient, with an innate ability to overcome obstacles, but we also know him to be flighty, headstrong and easily distracted. When the Horse has a goal, he reaches his destination very quickly but if he is unfocused, he can just as easily run off a clif f. This year, it matters where you are headed. Set a goal and keep moving toward it, and you can accomplish a great deal. Horse years, like 2026, are all about action, ambition and achievement – they’re an opportunity to start new projects, act on long-held plans and step into new opportunities. Synonymous with yang energy — vitality, vision and vigour – the Horse is confident, agreeable and responsible; he’s fit and intelligent, which bodes well for success in the workplace and at home. Just be aware that the Horse is also easily swayed and impatient; he can be reckless and dislikes being reined in by others. In 2026, therefore, you are well advised to curb that untamed horse energy just a little, and focus on making balanced decisions. THE FIRE ELEMENT The Horse embodies freedom, energy and charm. He craves wide-open spaces and endless skies, never one to stay still for long. Lively and independent, the Horse chases new horizons with a natural confidence that pulls others along for the ride. Now, throw in the Fire element, and you’ve got a Horse that’s all passion and unstoppable momentum. Fire fuels his ambition, sparks his creativity and amps up his boldness but it can also make the Horse restless or prone to acting on impulse. It’s a brilliant, blazing force, burning bright and fast. The Year of the Fire Horse will carry this same electric vibe. It’s a year to trust your gut, let your emotions shine and express yourself fully. But a word of caution: too much fire can burn out as fast as it flares up. This is a time to take action but with intention. Move forward, but know where you’re headed. Staying grounded is key. Not every urge needs to be chased, and not every opportunity is the right one. Something else to consider: the fast-moving nature of a Horse Year can easily lead to burnout, so it’s impor tant to honour the need for movement, while prioritising recovery and self-care. Fire brings additional intensity, urgency and passion, which can feel motivating but also exhausting. Keep an eye on your body’s limits and energy reserves, on your emotions and expectations, especially when new possibilities keep popping up out of nowhere and decisions pile up fast. The Horse encourages you to move with heart, but Fire reminds you to tread carefully. This year calls for bravery, no doubt, but it also asks for wisdom. LUCK AND COMPATIBILITY How we will fare in the Year of the Horse also depends on the year we were born – on how well our ‘birth animal’ gets on with the Horse. The Chinese zodiac animals most compatible with the Horse are the Tiger, Dragon, Goat and Dog, which is fantastic news for all Tigers, Dragons, Goats and Dogs heading into 2026. In the Tiger and Dragon, the Horse finds a passionate and charismatic companion well able to keep up with his breakneck speed. Conversely, the calming influence of the Goat and Dog vibes well with the high-strung Horse, helping him to feel grounded, while placing him firmly in the alpha role. Likewise, Rabbits, Monkeys, Roosters and Pigs should do well in 2026, since they also have a lot to offer the Horse. The Rabbit’s plucky vulnerability appeals, as does the Monkey’s quick wit, the Rooster’s ambition and the Pig’s optimism. However, if you were born in the Year of the Rat, Ox or Snake, you should brace yourself for a dicey 2026, with some power struggles and financial challenges ahead. The Rat is too headstrong to appeal to the equally impetuous Horse, the Ox is too steady, and with the Snake there’s simply too much past history to overcome (remember what happened in the Great Race). Meanwhile, those born in a Horse Year are not in as powerful a position as you might think. According to Chinese astrology, we offend the Tai Sui gods in a year that is governed by our birth animal, meaning we can expect many challenges and unexpected changes. In 2026, Horses are advised to tread with caution, and to invest in some tried-and-tested feng shui remedies. Be sure to carry a lucky Tiger trinket… and wear red underwear. Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Founded back in 2020, One World Spirit Association has grown into a vibrant community force, connecting cultures, generations and neighbours through education, celebration and shared experience. Sam Agars reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of OWS Founded back in 2020, One World Spirit Association has grown into a vibrant community force, connecting cultures, generations and neighbours through education, celebration and shared experience. Sam Agars reports Started in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic as a way of “cheering up” Discovery Bay residents, One World Spirit Association (OWS) continues to go from strength to strength as it surges into its sixth full year in operation. Launched by Shirlee and Hans Dickert in August 2020, the non-profit, volunteer-run charity constantly finds new and improved ways to promote cultural diversity and exchange within the community and beyond. Specialising in cultural education, Shirlee, Hans and Co. cover a lot of ground – facilitating cultural immersion seminars in schools, kindergartens and public libraries; organising whole-community DB events and workshops; and offering corporate and institutional team building. YUM CHA ETIQUETTE SEMINAR, OCTOBER 2025 Upwards of 15 people can be seen joining Hans and Shirlee as volunteers on a regular basis, while OWS also works to raise funds for small, hands-on local charities, such as Love to the Moon Foundation. “We started as an NGO because of the tough times with the pandemic in Hong Kong but actually the East-meets-West cultural exchange idea had been in our minds for many years,” says Shirlee, who was born in Guangzhou, came to Hong Kong as a student and has lived in DB with German husband Hans for over 16 years. “We wanted to do something more positive to cheer up the people and we thought Covid was a good time to start the cultural programmes. Many residents couldn’t make it back to their home countries for Christmas so we started our St Nicholas visits.” While those initial visits of St Nicholas – the third-century Catholic saint who inspired the modern version of Santa Claus – were confined to WhatsApp video calls in year one, physical home visits have subsequently become an annual highpoint on the DB event calendar. “Our core mission is upstream: character building for youth through cultural education,” Shirlee says. “If we can help young people develop strong values – like the generosity embodied by St Nicholas – they will grow into adults who support the underprivileged. That’s sustainable, leveraged impact.” CNY HANFU CLOTHING WORKSHOP, JANUARY 2025 OWS’ Bridging Cultures, Building Character project, which brings Chinese and Western traditions to life for students aged 6 to 18, is a major focus. Seminars are provided by a dedicated team of DB volunteers and designed to “go beyond theory, offering practical understanding of history, culture and ethics that students can apply in their academic work and daily interactions”, with learning in both English and Chinese woven naturally throughout. Schools and kindergartens from across Hong Kong have engaged OWS to help children gain cultural understanding and learn about diversity. The most recent seminar in the series focused on Yam Cha Etiquette and was held at C.M.A. Secondary School, Shek Kip Mei in October. Last year also saw the launch of OWS’ Chinese Splendid Culture series at Tin Shui Wai Public Library, plus a school pairing project between Hong Kong and Germany. Working within DB, the team provides a vibrant series of multicultural events that bring the community together and also serve as a recruiting ground for new OWS volunteers. The offering has included those annual Xmas visits, numerous CNY parties and workshops, a flurry of bazaars, cookery workshops, even a small-scale Oktoberfest, and you can bet your bottom dollar there is always more to come. Right now, Hans and Shirlee are preparing for a CNY party at Midvale Village featuring Hanfu, throw pot, paper cut and calligraphy, which they hope will be as big a success as last month’s International Food & Beer Fest, also held at Midvale. The latter brought neighbours together to share homemade dishes representing their hometowns or cultures. There was a global beer tasting challenge and a best hometown cuisine award. “We believe that food has culture and history, so everyone can share the story behind their hometown food. It’s one of the easiest and most down-to-earth ways to promote diversified culture,” says Shirlee. “We want to do more cookery workshops and get more people, from more parts of the world involved.” CHINESE TEA SEMINAR, MAY 2025 “DB is one of Hong Kong’s most unique residential districts where East meets West naturally. OWS acts as a cultural bridge helping residents of all ages connect though language, tradition and shared cultural experiences,” adds Hans, who also organises regular Greater Bay Area Foodie Culture Tours for OWS’ core members and volunteers. OWS partners with the German Chamber of Commerce to deliver cultural team-building through dragon boating training, combining sports, tradition and teamwork, and further opportunities to work in the corporate space are welcomed. “Because we are an NGO, we also need some support and we try to target cultural and corporate partners,” says Hans, who works for a German industrial tech firm, while Shirlee is a financial adviser. “Our job is not in the NGO, the NGO is our hobby.” Shirlee and Hans have seen plenty of change in recent years, and have enjoyed watching the local community evolve. “DB now welcomes more Mainland Chinese families and residents from various international backgrounds, creating a richer, more diversified cultural landscape,” says Shirlee, who prides herself on her proficiency in Putonghua and the value that brings when promoting Chinese language and culture. “In turn, OWS has also become more experienced, structured and optimised in delivering its community programmes, school and kindergarten cultural education and cross-cultural activities for both children and adults.” “We have maintained a stable commitment to contributing meaningfully to DB and beyond,” Hans adds. “In spite of our busy lifestyles – our work and family responsibilities – we believe community contribution matters. Our work is driven by passion, consistency and local understanding.” CNY VILLAGE PARTY JANUARY 2025 Looking ahead, OWS will continue with more of the same – “We aim to deepen collaboration with DB schools and kindergartens, expand community-based cultural programmes and partner with city management offices, NGOs and institutions,” says Shirlee. “There is a lot coming up this year,” Hans concludes. “There are always a lot of newcomers to DB, so I’m considering taking small groups to explore Hong Kong and I can show them some interesting spots. There are some hidden gems in Hong Kong. Or we could go to China – the Greater Bay Area. We want to bring cultural understanding and community bonding.”

LUMINOUS NEON - THROUGH MARCH 31 Showing at The Gallery in Sham Shui Po through March 31, the Luminous Neon exhibition explores the craft, culture and creativity of Hong Kong’s iconic neon signage. View legendary signs such as those previously in place at Golden Phoenix Grill Restaurant and Nam Cheong Pawn Shop, plus bold new creations by contemporary neon artisans. Entrance is free. DREAM CONCERT WORLD TOUR - FEBRUARY 6 TO 7 Dream Concert, South Korea’s biggest and longest- running annual K-pop festival, has morphed into a world tour, and the first stop is Kai Tak Stadium. The lineup for February 6 and 7 includes EXO vocalists CBX (Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin) and The Boyz, plus solo sensations Taemin of SHINee, Hwasa of Mamamoo, and BamBam of GOT7. Tickets, priced from HK$788 to HK$2,488, went on sale in January at HK Ticketing. CHINESE NEW YEAR NIGHT PARADE  - FEBRUARY 17 The annual Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade returns to Tsim Sha Tsui on February 17, with the main event setting off from Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza at 8pm. Expect huge floats, lion and dragon dances, drummers, acrobats and performers from all around the world. You can enjoy the event from street level or from designated viewing stands, with tickets available at Klook. MARGARITA MILE  - FEBRUARY 17 TO 23 Sip your way down Hollywood Road during Margarita Mile, a tequila and cocktail celebration running from February 17 to 23. Punters can pick up a Margarita Mile passport and visit 10 of the city’s top bars (Call Me Al, The Hollywell’s, COA, Dead Poets, The Globe, Courtroom, Socio, The Pontiac, Green Door and Lockdown) collecting stamps to unlock rewards such as free shots and prize draw entries. To find out more, visit drinks99.com. CHINESE NEW YEAR RACE DAY - FEBRUARY 19  Chinese New Year Race Day invites you to enjoy a blend of traditional festivities and live horse racing as part of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year celebration. The annually anticipated event is scheduled for February 19 at Sha Tin Racecourse, with world-class races, lion dance performances, floral displays and live music. Admission: HK$10.

Looking to make the most of your precious annual leave in 2026? Ray Au has this year’s vacations all worked out for you PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels As I write, I’m imagining you happy and raring to go, and just back from a fabulous Christmas break somewhere sunny and relaxing, or snowy and action-packed. Either way, I hope you enjoyed a full 12-day escape (December 24 to January 4) by cashing in four days of your 2025 annual leave (December 24, 29, 30, 31) and just one day of your leave for 2026 (January 2). Safe to assume that moving into 2026, you’re looking to establish a fulfilling work-play balance: nailing your job, while making time for leisure and personal wellbeing, minibreaks and long vacations. Here’s your guide to doing just that in 2026. The good news is that Hong Kongers enjoy 17 ‘general’ holidays, aka ‘public’ holidays, a year: these are statutory holidays for banks, schools, government offices and most businesses. Added to which many of us work a five-day week, Monday to Friday, leaving our weekends free. The bad news is that Hong Kong bosses are obliged to give staff just 14 days paid leave per year, and that only kicks in once we’ve been with the same company, on a continuous contract, for nine years. Of course, many employers have a more enlightened attitude to our need for downtime (and you need to be savvy about this when negotiating your employment contract) but still, it’s a good idea to maximise the leave you get by planning it around those 17 government-given holidays. CNY ON TOUR: FEBRUARY If you’re on the ball, you’ll have already booked a full nine-day Chinese New Year holiday, using just two days of your annual leave. February 17 to 19 (Tuesday to Thursday) are public holidays, so by taking February 16 and 20 off work, you’ll have a generous amount of time to welcome in the Year of the Horse. A nine-day trip in February? Think Rajasthan: the weather is ideal (warm days, cool nights) and a series of kaleidoscopic festivals are in full swing. Book a private car and you’re looking at a few short, scenic drives (five hours max) between each of the big-ticket destinations – Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Medieval for ts and palaces, camel rides to dusty desert outposts and safaris through tiger-stalked national parks: that’s Rajasthan. SPRING BREAK: APRIL There are no public holidays in March, so by April you’re going to be ready for a vacation. The Easter and Ching Ming Festivals come together in 2026 – April 3 to 7 – so by taking time off work from April 8 to 10, you can grab yourself a tasty 10-day break for the price of three. How about ticking the Seychelles off your bucket list this year? Base yourself on Mahé, the main island, home to over 60 white-sand beaches backed by lush jungle. Water temperatures rarely dip below 27ºC in the Seychelles, and scuba divers can expect up to 30 metres of visibility in the crystal-clear Indian Ocean. Every watersport imaginable is on offer – if you can summon the willpower to leave your idly swinging hammock, that is. SUMMER ESCAPES: MAY, JUNE AND JULY We’re not blessed by many public holidays midyear (if you want a traditional summer holiday, or to spend time with your kids over the long vac, you’re going to have to dip heavily into your annual leave) but there are a couple on which to hang some lovely long weekends. Labour Day, May 1, is a Monday; the day following the Buddha’s Birthday, May 25, is a Monday; Tuen Ng Festival, June 19, is a Friday; and HK SAR Establishment Day, July 1, is a Wednesday. A minibreak in South East Asia… Let’s see: Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap, Hanoi. Been there, done that? Well, how about Seoul? The South Korean capital is an unexpected delight – in addition to the futuristic skyline and buzzing nightlife, you’ll find culture-rich temples, palaces, teahouses, parks and lakes. Be sure to visit Gyeongbokgung, a palace complex reminiscent of Beijing’s Forbidden City, complete with a picturesque pavilion in the centre of an artificial lake. And for a glimpse of ‘new Seoul,’ head to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). This popular cultural centre – DDP stands for Dream- Design-Play – is filled with galleries, event spaces and shops. Designed by the late, great Zaha Hadid, it’s a futuristic sight to behold in undulating aluminium and concrete, with lawns that rise up to its roof. AUTUMN GETAWAY: OCTOBER Two more opportunities for a long weekend away present themselves in October, since National Day falls on October 1, a Thursday, and the Day following the Chung Yeung Festival on October 19, a Monday. Macau is always a great option for a couple of nights, whether you’re chasing glitz and gaming on the Cotai Strip, or Coloane’s leafy trails and quiet beaches… but how about a quick trip to Tokyo? The mesmerising Japanese capital is easy to get around and wacky as they come. With three or four days in hand, you can mingle with the manga crowd on Harajuku Bridge; catch a kabuki show, ‘bathe’ in the lucky incense at Sensoji Temple and – on a clear day – get a glimpse of Mount Fuji. WINTER VACATION: DECEMBER Having worked hard all year, you may well decide to secure yourself an ‘out of office’ experience at Christmas and/ or New Year. The public holidays fall on December 25, 26, and January 1. Taking two days off (December 24 and 28) will give you five days to unplug, or you could jingle all the way through to the New Year by also booking leave from December 29 to 31. Should you choose the latter option, grabbing an 11-day break for the price of five, you’ll want to make the most of your time off. So how about treating yourself to a big-ticket, white Christmas? If you’re a fan of romantic comedies – like Miracle on 34th Street (1947), When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Serendipity (2001) – you already know that a New York Christmas is hard to beat. There’s skating at the Rockefeller Center, the annual Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, and, of course, shopping on Fifth Avenue. Enjoy!

AT THE TEAM FEAR JUNIOR CHALLENGE Some 600 youngsters aged 8 to 17 ran, coasteered, kayaked and rockscrambled around DB on November 30 as they took part in the annually anticipated Team Fear Junior Challenge. The HK$140,000 raised through sponsorship funds will be split between Youth Outreach and the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. An additional HK$5,000 was collected on the day to support those affected by the Tai Po tragedy. [PHOTOS BY James Branch, Oliver Decker, Darren Donnelly, Olivier Durand, Jenelle Johansson, Wayne Knowles, Sharon MacEneff, Diana Marlan, Olyvia Postaccini, Thomas Robinson, Chloe Sim, Col Sim & Ganesh Vijayan.] AT THE WORLD PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Discovery Bay Recreation Club hosted the World Pickleball Championship, Hong Kong, China from December 5 to 7, for the third consecutive year. Open to various skill levels and all ages, the tournament was organised by TLP and Bay Pickle, and endorsed by Pickleball Global. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.] AT THE HITSWAVE PRELUDE The Hitswave Prelude was a blast on December 14 at DB North Plaza with top local artists performing their 2025 hits in the lead-up to the Metro Radio Hits Music Awards. Standouts of the afternoon were Honey Punch, Andy Lai and Vincy Chan. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]

Mervyn Black sits down with four DB-based wellbeing practitioners to shine a light on different ways to slow down, reconnect and live your best life in 2026. Each expert shares a time-tested approach to nurturing body, mind and spirit PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires At a time when switching off from technology and the pressures of daily life is becoming increasingly difficult, Discovery Bay offers a range of wellness experiences to help you slow down, rebalance and reconnect. From meditation and forest bathing to aromatherapy and expressive arts therapy, four local practitioners – Sherry Yasay, Amanda Yik, Paula Lepore and Rachelle Conradie – share the methods they use to nurture wellbeing. SHERRY: MEDITATION Sherry Yasay, a mindfulness and meditation facilitator, and mindset coach, calls her DB studio “a space to slow down, connect and remember what is truly important. “For me, wellness is about reconnecting to self, remembering to slow down, prioritising rest and remembering who we are as humans – we’re not machines. Life can be do, do, do but it’s important to take time out just to be in the human experience through the five senses,” opens Sherry. Sherry works both locally and throughout Hong Kong, drawing on decades of experience in the mindfulness space (www.sherryyasay.com). “The overarching thing for me is connection to self and connection to others,” she says. “Community is a huge thing for me – that’s what motivates me to continue doing what I do. “With meditation there is this space and silence where you start to become aware of yourself – what you’re feeling, your body, your emotions, your thoughts. When facilitating meditation, I find that people have these insights independently; my role is not to offer anything back but just to sit and listen.” One of Sherry’s specialties, sound healing, uses the soothing tones of Himalayan singing bowls to quiet the mind and guide it into a meditative state. “The mind is meant to continually think – that’s its job, just like the heart is meant to beat. So how sound works is it gives the mind something to do: listen to the sound,” Sherry explains. “There’s a moment where you slip into a deep meditative state: your mind is not fighting for attention, and you float in and out. This allows for relaxation and healing because when you allow the body to rest, the body does what it needs to do to rebalance.” AMANDA: FOREST BATHING For Amanda Yik, founder of Shinrin Yoku Hong Kong and a certified nature and forest therapy guide (email: amanda@shinrinyokuhk.com), the road to wellness is reconnecting with nature, or more specifically forest bathing. “It’s really about giving your nervous system a break,” Amanda opens. “I think right now most of us are glued to the screen one way or another: we’re constantly stimulated in a way that is not very conducive to wellbeing. We live in a world where negative news stories dominate, so we are always on high alert and our nervous system is always tense. What we need is a space where we feel safe, connected and restored. For me, that space is in nature – and happily here in DB, that’s all around us.” While it may sound to some like a glorified way of describing a nature walk, Amanda is quick to point out the benefits of an expert-led experience. “If you go into the hills and just sit there and enjoy the forest, you are forest bathing but when it’s a guided process it’s more therapeutic. We bring a group together and take them on a journey – the aim is for everyone to drop their daily hustle-and-bustle and come into a place of stillness and quietness, where they can reconnect with themselves.” Amanda references worldwide studies that support the benefits of forest bathing. “Our blood pressure is regulated when we go into nature, our mood is lifted and our stress hormones come down. What’s more, phytoncides, the amazing chemicals trees emit, are proven to have anti-cancer properties and immune-boosting properties. “Connecting with nature is allowing ourselves to return to who we actually are. Most of us wouldn’t consider ourselves sick or unwell, but we have deviated from how we are meant to live as human beings. Holistic practices, like forest bathing, bring us back to default settings and allow us to reset and achieve balance.” PAULA: AROMATHERAPY Paula Lepore is a wellness coach and aromatherapist, currently celebrating 10 years at Young Living Essential Oils (email: hooplaessentials@gmail.com). She describes her route to wellness as a “spiritual walk, based on knowing who God is and an everdeepening relationship with him”. Paula first got on the path, and into aromatherapy, 12 years ago when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. “I started to explore natural options for healing and as I saw my mother heal through nonconventional treatments, I realised that people always trust the first things their doctors tell them instead of exploring other options.” The experience led to Paula quitting teaching (science, math, technology and PE). “I felt very passionate about helping people who wanted to actually heal, not just cover up their illness or medicate themselves to get through pain.” Paula’s journey has seen her study the science behind aromatherapy and she works through a holistic process with her clients. “Usually, they come to me with a specific situation, so we’ll deal with that right away, and then I’ll ask a series of questions that uncover what’s going on with them emotionally,” she says. “Often, those emotions are what’s driving the physical issues. “I love using essential oils because they work on a physical level, regenerating cell tissues, but they also work on an emotional level. The limbic system is triggered by aroma and it controls your emotions, hormones and metabolism. They call aromatherapy an alternative route but it was never that – if you look back in history, it was always the way we would heal.” These days, Paula focuses increasingly on the spiritual: “I’ve realised a lot of people are not in tune with themselves and that consequently they feel conflicted inside,” she says. “Until we understand we’re not just physical beings – we’re emotional and spiritual too – we’re never going to feel whole.” RACHELLE: THE ARTS Licensed mental health professional Rachelle Conradie blends her lifelong holistic wellness experience with the transformative power of the arts at her private practice, Ar ts for Health (www.rachelleconradie.com). She offers community arts experiences (singing circles, yoga and sounding, gatherings for life transitions and conscious dance) and expressive arts therapy – tailored individual or group therapy sessions for adults and children, supporting sensory regulation, emotional processing, creative expression and digital-life balance. “The arts were always integral to my family’s way of life,” Rachelle opens. “Arts aren’t just meant for a talented few; creating is a way of being and expressing ourselves. Living creatively, we invite aliveness and connection into a more holistic, conscious way of life.” Rachelle’s passion is palpable when she espouses the profound therapeutic impact of arts creating: “Arts engagement activates more neurological pathways than talking alone to foster new perspectives to find solutions. Clients often find insight and deeper ease after creating or moving together. Evolutionarily, movement, singing and mark-making precede language, explaining why non-verbal creation deeply impacts our sense of belonging. “One of my main motivations is to highlight creativity as a mental health necessity, not just a ‘nice-to-have’. It’s a really vital component of who we are, how we express ourselves and how we create connection – not only to each other, but also to the natural world and to the mystery of life. “In community arts we embrace art like our ancestors did in their daily lives, singing, dancing, creating together – not for performance, commerce or perfecting technique but for connection with community and our environment. Arts therapy provides a safe space where we can develop capacity for uncertainty, process emotions, regulate nervous systems and welcome vitality, playfulness and beauty. Magic happens when we co-create; our nervous systems co-regulate, moving us beyond our normal way of thinking into a place of deeper wisdom.”

Martijn Ros is shaking up the city’s recycling game – linking farms, festivals and food waste to build one of Hong Kong’s only truly circular systems. Turns out, garbage might be the smartest idea he’s ever had. Elizabeth Kerr reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires Actually, that's a good idea, Elizabeth. I hadn’t thought about that,” says Mar tijn Ros via Google from his home in Discovery Bay. Our conversation revolves around his almost two-year-old garbage company, Waste Wise, and how he can make the most of its connection with Hong Kong’s small independent farms – of which there are hundreds – and hosting a farmer’s market. Martijn never thought in a million years he’d be making a career out of waste, so why not host a Sunday market? He’s got more than just those three dozen farmers keen to collect Waste Wise’s free compost and he has plans to spread the gospel of urban farming through partnerships with workshop providers. To say Martijn runs a garbage business is reductive, considering the 30-year-old Netherlands native and his company co-founder Ivan Tai are actively working towards not just recycling, but also circularity in Hong Kong. Waste Wise (www.wastewisehk.com) was established in response to the 2024 plastic tableware ban, and its facility specialises in compostable tableware. The ban nobly aimed at reducing plastic to landfill, but there was no management facility able to cater to those materials. “We already had a composting facility and technology that collected food waste, yard waste, animal waste… and donated the compost to local farms,” Martijn explains. “[We] want to grow Waste Wise to have a positive impact instead of being focused on the negatives of manufacturing, and work towards improving the overall recycling situation in Hong Kong.” Recycling is a constant source of debate, as are most subjects related to waste management. Martijn can go on at length about the wisdom behind the now scrapped waste charging scheme, a carrot-and-stick rewards-based approach that works in Germany, Taiwan and Korea among others, and the endless argument over infinitely recyclable glass or lightweight petroleum-based plastic – which admittedly extends food life and reduces food waste and shipping costs. “Life cycle analysis is what counts,” Mar tijn explains. Which doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recycle our plastics. It’s just a complex challenge that Martijn is trying to help overcome. And calling Martijn a Netherlands native is only half the story. Martijn relocated to Hong Kong with his family in 1999 at four years old, thanks to his father’s work with Dutch multinational Philips, which was expanding its health technology manufacturing in China. He completed kindergarten, primary and high school (at Discovery Bay International School) before heading back to the Netherlands to study hospitality at university. It was in Amsterdam for his first extended stay that he realised how unique Hong Kong’s cosmopolitanism actually is, as well as finding himself in the strange position of being neither truly Dutch nor truly a Hongkonger. He hung out mostly with international students, and when he graduated, he made the unconventional choice to come back. Many would ask why, when an EU passport was right there, but Martijn’s answer is simple. “Because Hong Kong is my home,” he states, without hesitation, adding his parents are still here, and that his older sister (working in Amsterdam) and younger brother (studying there) are probably moving back too. He’ll admit the city has changed over the years, but thinks it’s turned a corner, and remains dynamic. “Everyone is here because they understand it’s extremely special.” Martijn’s not leaving Discovery Bay either. “I’ve lived in DB for most of my life. I don’t like to go to the city too often. My Kwai Chung office is actually two MTR stations and a bus away; it’s not too bad.” He raises his voice a bit in order to be heard over the blaring car horn coming through my window. “Someone’s angry outside your house, huh? That's another reason,” he adds with a chuckle. “I’ve definitely thought about living in town, but in DB I can walk three minutes and I’m at my gym, at the supermarket or at different restaurants. Ten minutes and I’m at the start of a beautiful hike that ends in Mui Wo, where I can get a taste of the local Chinese cuisine from the seafood restaurants. I can go to Tung Chung and experience a subdued city life, where I’m not suffocating in crowds. I’m extremely happy in DB, and I make concessions in convenience to live here.” So considering Martijn plans on living here for the foreseeable future, he’s vowed to do his part and make it better. In many ways, Waste Wise is the result of living with a father whose work involved innovating with regard to waste generation and management, and to manufacturing processes and operations. He credits his father’s support with helping Waste Wise collect 80,000 kilogrammes of waste so far in a tricky recycling environment. Many consumers take a dim view of recycling, assuming the worst, but Martijn argues that despite a lack of crucial industrial space, Hong Kong has put considerable investment into recycling infrastructure over the last decade – that’s actually being used and is having an impact, particularly on the plastic bottle front. And anyone who doesn’t believe it is welcome to follow his trucks to see for themselves. “That's actually where Waste Wise comes in,” he says. “The reason people are resonating with our mission is because we offer a tracking mechanism for the waste that we actually collect.” In fairness, plastic recycling is only part of Waste Wise’s mandate, a sector it naturally segued into alongside other materials. “We started with hoping that the impact itself would be enough to get people interested in the programme, because we’re one of the only fully circular systems in Hong Kong,” says Martijn. “Everything we collect from our waste categories that we compost is donated to Hong Kong farms. So it does go straight back to the ear th, and it’s 100% durable.” A huge chunk of Waste Wise’s energy goes into education at all levels. The company regularly hosts in-person and online presentations for students, teachers, parents and its corporate and F&B clients and their employees to boost engagement and awareness. In schools, the Zero Waste Olympics offers some friendly competition, complete with a leaderboard, monthly contests and a year-end school champion. Waste Wise’s most high-profile corporate client could be Clockenflap, which shifted to compostable solutions for its food vendors in 2024. Waste Wise collected 3,500 kilogrammes of waste over three days with just a 5% contamination rate. Even though his unique plug-in solution has gotten attention from cities in the Philippines and Australia, and Mar tijn is happy to share the wisdom, it’s slow going given complex regulatory issues and consumer behaviour that changes from place to place. Martijn is keeping his focus on Hong Kong for now, and is planning to scale up from composting 500 kilogrammes per day to 10,000, to accommodate some local clients that need more capacity. “I grew up in Hong Kong and my partner is a local. We’re similar in age, but we grew up on different parallel paths. He went through the public school system and I went through international, and that kind of juxtaposition has been essential in us creating our services and our overall messaging.” The next year is shaping up to be a big one for Waste Wise, between new, bigger clients and that farmer’s market (fingers crossed). Martijn will carve out some time to keep fit and decompress in his favourite getaway spots in southeast Asia, but ask him where he is when he’s not in a truck or at the office and the answer is no surprise. “When I’m not collecting garbage, I’m thinking about new ways we can collect garbage.”

Best train journeys in Asia PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels THE BEIJING-TO-LHASA EXPRESS covers 3,757km in 40 hours, gliding from the neon-lit capital across the near-deserted Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. At the Tanggula Pass (the highest rail pass in the world, at 5,072m), the views become truly sensational: think snow-capped peaks, Gobi-like desert, remote Tibetan villages, grazing yaks, fluttering prayer flags and boundless blue skies. THE HOKKAIDŌ SHINKANSEN starts in Tokyo and ends in Hakodate, the southern port of Hokkaidō, covering 824km in just four hours. One of Japan’s iconic bullet trains, with an average operating speed of 260 km/h, it zooms past picturesque rural landscapes (mountains, forests, farmland) and through the Seikan Tunnel, one of the longest subsea rail links in the world. THE ARGO WILIS journeys 696km across Java, connecting Bandung and Surabaya in just under 10 hours. In the train’s ‘panoramic’ car, giant side and ceiling windows provide glorious 360 views – crossing the Parahyangan Highlands is a highpoint, showcasing rolling hills, volcanic vistas, traditional Sundanese villages and well-preserved Dutch-era estates. THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS rolls in high style from Bangkok through central (and coastal) Malaysia to Singapore, covering 1,900km in three nights and four unforgettable days. Large picture windows in the luxurious, wood-panelled observation cars provide an excellent view of the passing scenery. There is also an open-air observation deck at the rear of the train. THE REUNIFICATION EXPRESS , starts in Ho Chi Minh City and ends in Hanoi, covering 1,726km over two days. One of Southeast Asia’s best-loved railways – and one of the most epic overnight train journeys in the world – it runs the full length of Vietnam, rattling through inviting colonial-era towns and alongside spectacular coastlines. THE DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY , known as the Toy Train, covers 88km in seven hours connecting New Jalpaiguri with Darjeeling in West Bengal. An impressive feat of engineering, the line winds along extremely narrow tracks with sharp turns, steep climbs and precarious-feeling loops that offer stunning views of the Bengal plains and Eastern Himalayas. THE COLOMBO-TO-BADULLA TRAIN covers 292km in 10 leisurely hours, rising from Colombo’s leafy, sea-level boulevards into mist-wrapped hill country. Jungle and forest give way to paddy fields and palms, then soaring ridgelines and plunging valleys. Approaching Ella, the train crosses Nine Arch Bridge, a striking example of colonial-era engineering set amid lush tea plantations.

Vegan Winter Warmer Serves 4 1tbsp sesame oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 red chilli, finely chopped Fresh ginger, finely chopped 1½tsp ground turmeric 1½tsp ground cumin 400g sweet potatoes 250g red split lentils 600ml vegetable stock 80g spinach Heat the sesame oil in a wide-based pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the red onion and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes. Add the garlic, chilli and thumb-sized piece of ginger and cook for 1 minute, then add the turmeric and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Turn up the heat to medium, add the sweet potatoes, cut into even chunks, and stir everything together so the potato is coated in the spice mixture. Tip in the lentils and vegetable stock. Bring the liquid to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes until the lentils are tender. Season to taste, then stir in the spinach. Once the spinach is wilted, serve the dhal topped with finely chopped spring onions.

From Discovery College to Oxford Uni: Jae Won Park's journey and advice for aspiring students “It is so much more than you see in the university prospectus,” opens Jae Won Park, who attended Discovery College from Year 1 to Year 13, and has just completed his first term at Oxford, one of the most prestigious universities in the UK. “History is all around you,” he adds. “There are carvings in desks made centuries ago. And the names associated with each College, remind you that thi s is a place that has been attended by world leaders and captains of industry that have shaped society. It is pretty amazing!” Jae Won is now embarking on a three-year undergraduate Computer Science course, having earned an incredible 44 points in his International Baccalaureate Diploma. DC recognised his potential early: he was awarded an academic scholarship, a programme which included a reduction in his school fees, and a mentorship from a Senior Teacher. With this support, he went on to engage in a variety of elective and extension courses, inside and outside of the school. So how is Jae Won settling into his new home and what advice does he have for students who are looking to follow in his footsteps? Why did you choose Oxford? “It was the nature of the Computer Science course that really stood out for me. I had some brilliant guidance from the Higher Education Team at DC who suggested that this was really important. To look for the detail and nuance in what you are studying and to make sure it aligns with your passions. “I love the theory of computer science, and the course here is rooted in this, which has meant that my lectures and seminars have been a joy so far.” What’s it like, living in a new country? “Living abroad is a huge shift, even greater than I had expected. There are lots of small things that are different from Hong Kong. There are no high-rise buildings here, and the rooms are far more spacious than I am used to, which is an adjustment and really liberating. Cooking for myself has been fun, though I don’t enjoy the washing and laundry as much!” How did your school experience prepare you for all this? “DC gave me a place, a community, to grow in confidence. I joined the school in Year 1 and I felt part of a tight group of friends, and of teachers, who knew me and encouraged me. I was shy in many ways, but the school helped me to find passions in Mathematics and in Programming, through the curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.” What advice do you have for someone applying to a prestige university like Oxford? “Oxford values your passion, knowledge and interest in your chosen course. So being able to draw upon the experiences that DC of fered me, such as entering informatics programming competitions was invaluable. “The interview itself is about the subject and the critical way in which you can think about this to solve problems. DC provided me with multiple mock interviews and constructive feedback on my answers each time, which gave me both the confidence and skills to perform when I needed.” What does the future hold? “I think I will move back to Hong Kong when I graduate, as that has been such a happy place for me. Right now, I’m enjoying the subject so much that a career in academia and computer science research is where I see a future. This is where my passion lies, and following this has been a good approach so far, so – whilst I’m enjoying the moment – I’m already very excited about what may come next!”

From playground disputes to everyday choices, the small ‘no’s’ we teach our children build the foundation of self-respect, confidence and empathy. Joanne Li reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires Your four-year-old is at the playground. Another child runs up, grabs her yellow sunglasses and laughs as she reaches for them. Your daughter looks at you with big, confused eyes, tears welling up. In that single moment lies a choice – do you rush in and fix the situation for her, or do you kneel down, hold her hand, and help her find the words: “Please give my yellow sunglasses back. They’re mine.” That small sentence, spoken aloud, is not just about a pair of sunglasses. It is the first brick in a fortress of self-worth that will protect your child for the rest of her life. Sounds crazy, right? Read on... Healthy boundaries are the gentle rules we teach children (and adults) so that they can keep themselves emotionally and physically safe. Boundaries are not walls; they are bridges to help people connect in healthy and respectful ways. Picture these boundaries as glittery lines that indicate: here is my space and here is yours. When a child learns to draw these glittery lines early in life, something magical happens – they grow up knowing they are allowed to take up space, to feel what they feel, to disagree even when all their friends agree, and to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ from a place of self-w or th instead of fear. Setting boundaries is a form of self-love. Every time a child says: “I don’t want a hug right now” and instead of telling them to stop being dif ficult, to give Uncle Jimmy a hug, we answer: “Ok sweetie,” we are telling them – your body belongs to you, your feelings are real and valid and you are wor thy of being heard and respected. Every time a child says: “I need a little bit of space” or “I need quiet time” and we honour that, we are watering the deepest root of confidence. Many parents worry that when their child says ‘no’, it makes them rude, difficult or selfish. This is far from the truth! Children who feel safe in their own skin become the most empathetic humans on earth. When a child knows how it feels to have their voice respected, they naturally learn to respect someone else’s ‘no’. They notice when a friend looks uncomfortable; they stop tickling or teasing when asked; they share toys because they want to, not because they are afraid to lose a friendship, to lose love, if they don’t. Imagine living in a world where you are in a playground and when your child bravely says: “Please give my yellow sunglasses back. They’re mine”, the other child actually respects this and gives them back. In actuality, this scenario doesn’t often happen but the truth is, it needs to start with us. As parents, we have a responsibility to demonstrate healthy boundaries so our children can learn from our example. Boundaries and empathy stem from the understanding that every person has their own space and their own opinion, and we need to respect it even if we disagree. Why is this so important? Well think of it this way, a child who is always forced to hug Uncle Jimmy learns that their body is not fully theirs. Later, when a classmate touches them in a way that feels wrong or a teenager pressures them to do something they don’t want to do, the old lesson shows up – my ‘no’ doesn’t matter. Alternatively, a child who has been encouraged to set small, healthy boundaries since they were very young, hears a different voice – my opinion matters, I am allowed to choose and I am worthy no matter what. This will be the lesson that shows up when later in life, that classmate touches them in a way that feels wrong or that teenager pressures them to do something they don’t want to do. They will stand their ground and draw that glittery line without feeling guilty about upsetting someone or scared of being disliked. So now it doesn’t sound so crazy, right? We must help our children set healthy boundaries when they are young. At three, let them decide if they want to share their toys in the playground. At four, teach them to say: “No more hugs today, thank you”. At five, help them tell a friend: “Stop calling me stupid, it is not nice and I will not play with you if you keep doing it.” As a mother, life-skills coach and author, this is what I tell people – make sure when you say ‘yes’ to others, you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself. Setting boundaries can bring discomfor t and that’s okay. Why? Because even though most people mean well, saying no is sometimes necessary. We need to teach our children to distinguish between the discomfort of doing the right thing and the discomfort of not being liked. Uncle Jimmy will be sad when he doesn’t get his hug, the other child in the playground will probably cry if you don’t share your toys and guess what, that’s okay! As parents, we might feel the urge to smooth things over – let’s just give that hug, let’s just share that toy one last time. But we need to pause and reflect, am I doing this in service of myself or am I doing this in service of my child? Am I trying to be the ‘good’ parent who doesn’t upset other people or am I teaching my child that their needs don’t matter? Remember, you are not responsible for other people’s happiness – no one is. Having said that, when a situation arises, you can gently explain that you are teaching your child about boundaries – teaching them that their body and feelings belong to them. Over time, the people who truly love your child will celebrate their growing sense of self-worth instead of being angered or discomforted by it. As children get older, boundaries help them walk away from gossip that feels unkind, leave a party when everyone else is still drinking, and end relationships that make them feel small. The little ‘no’ you taught your three-year-old becomes the quiet courage that keeps them safe at thirteen, twenty-three and beyond. Children with healthy boundaries become parents who raise a generation that understands: love does not demand self-betrayal; love makes room. So tonight, when you watch your child brush their teeth, sing off-key and talk a lovely lot of nonsense, make a promise to both of you that you will help them guard the magic inside them, one glittery line at a time. Let your child learn this – you are allowed to be fully, beautifully and unapologetically you! That is the quiet power of boundaries. And that is the loudest way we can teach our children to please, be you.

DREAM ROOMS Celebrating seven decades of visionary work, Dream Rooms: Environments by Women Artists 1950s–Now is showing at M+, West Kowloon Art Park through January 18. The exhibition invites visitors to navigate 12 immersive, multisensory installations – there are mirror-lined rooms, feather-filled rooms, and pillow-filled rooms you can reshape with your own hands. Purchase tickets at Klook. AIA CARNIVAL This year’s AIA Carnival is now in full swing running through March 1 at Central Harbourfront Event Space. Enjoy 30+ rides and attractions, with a focus on traditional rides like chair swings, giant slides, bouncy castles and a carousel, plus an outdoor ice rink. There’s also Gandeys Circus back for the event’s 11th edition, that brings together top performers from around the globe. Purchase tickets at Klook. HONG KONG MUSICALCON A major new musical convention, Hong Kong MusicalCon is running from January 11 to February 8 at the Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District. Highlights include Café I Do – The Musical, a tribute to Canto-pop icon Leslie Cheung; The Addams Family Musical, a Broadway favourite; and Ephemere the Little Witch, a musical for the whole family originally from France. Purchase tickets at Art-mate. KIDSFEST! An exciting festival for the whole family, led by A BA Productions, KidsFest! sees well-loved children’s books brought to life and presented vividly on stage. The fun starts on January 14 with five world-class productions running consecutively at Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, HKAPA through February 15: The 91-Storey Treehouse, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Koala Who Could, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Charlie Cook's Favourite Book. Purchase tickets at Cityline. To save 15%, quote ‘STAGE15’ when booking – applies to all weekday performances. HONG KONG MARATHON EXPO The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Expo, being held at Kai Tak Sports Park from January 14 to 18, provides an excellent pre-race and race-day experience for both local and international runners, as well as their friends and families. This year’s newly added Youth Run on January 17 is a highlight aimed at fostering the next generation of runners. Crowds of over 100,000 people are expected over the four days, entrance is free.