HELPING HAND FOR SOUTH LANTAU BUFFALO SOCIETY
Due to the destruction of the wetlands and the development of South Lantau villages, there is much less grazing for the water buffalo that roam freely around the island. South Lantau Buffalo Society is a small group of volunteers that support the feeding of the water buffalo and provide them with medical care. The group is funded solely by donations, and headed up by Jean Hui, who is well-known in the community as the “buffalo whisperer”.
Working alongside Jean and her team is six-year-old India Holt, a Tong Fuk resident, who has grown up with the water buffalo in her village. India has a strong connection with the buffalo and this year, she decided to find a way to raise money for them. She’s been watching her mum, local photographer Karen Holt, take photos of the local herd for years and decided this was her way in.
“On June 6, my birthday, I started raising money to help the South Lantau Buffalo Society care for these beautiful creatures,” India says. “My mum is a photographer, and she helped me photograph the buffalo. I’m selling the prints to help support Jean, our buffalo mother.” The two prints (12 x 9” or 24 x 18”) – Mama & Me and Nap Time – in the India and the Water Buffaloes series are available framed or unframed at www.urbanearthmama.co. India took the photos at golden hour (sunset) which gives them a lovely golden tone. Prices start at just HK$290, with all proceeds going to South Lantau Buffalo Society.
South Lantau Buffalo Society estimates that the annual cost for wound and tick-care medication and for feeding the water buffalo during the winter months is around HK$300,000. If you would like to make a donation towards the feeding programme, the banking details are HSBC South Lantau Buffalo Society 741-254-809-001. If you have an idea for a fundraising event – quiz night, music night, charity hike – or would like to join the South Lantau Buffalo Society committee, email slbuffalosociety@gmail.com. [PHOTO BY Karen Holt.]
ENJOY NEW DISHES AT BELLA CIAO LANTAU
CATCH DEBORAH AND FRIENDS PERFORMING LIVE
Singer/ songwriter Deborah Mannas returns to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center on August 18 with Deborah and Friends. You can expect a generous mix of well-loved jazz standards and inspirational originals from the long-time Tung Chung resident. Deborah is joined by guest vocalist Arvin Robles, plus Bhoyet Samonte on keys, Jon Benard on drums and backing vocals, Vinc Chan on bass, Daphne Villanueva on flute and Jojo Antinero on sax and backing vocals. To get your hands on a free pair of tickets, enter the giveaway here.
Since 2018, Deborah has released two albums Inspired (2018) and Magician (2019), and multiple singles. She has performed all over Hong Kong, and makes regular appearances on RTHK – The Works, Morning Brew, Afternoon Drive and Uncle Ray. Deborah is also a poet, an HR professional and the founder of IMTAC (I’m More Than a Cover) magazine, through which she aims to empower and inspire girls and young women.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF Deborah Mannas.]
ENROL FOR BUDDHA YOU RUN
Some 2,000 people are expected to take part in Buddha You Run on November 4, and if you’d like to be one of them you need to enrol by August 30. The race was first held in November 2015 and is organised by Po Lin Monastery, alongside Ngong Ping 360 and Kwun Chung Bus Holdings. Buddha You Run starts at Ngong Ping Piazza at 9am, with chartered buses provided to collect competitors from Tung Chung bus terminal. There are three distances – 3km, 8km and 13km – to choose from, and you can run solo or as a team. Parent and child categories in the 3km ensure that young athletes can take part, and there’s also the option to run as a three-generation family group.
Buddha You Run ends with an awards ceremony at Temple of Ditan, Ngong Ping. While all participants will be given a commemorative t-shirt, the top four finalists in each category will be awarded trophies and medals. To find out more and enrol, visit www.buddhayourun.org.hk.
[PHOTO BY Beatrix Malan – www.atscollective.com.]
LANTAU BEER DASH IS BACK!
The 11th Lantau Beer Dash is being held on September 16, and fancy dress is a must. Registration for each team of four is on a first-come-first-served basis, so you’re advised to book your spot now. The race was last held in March 2008, and is brought back this year by RaceBase, who are also planning to reprise 30km Lantau fun run Country of Origin this coming April. Sponsors for the Beer Dash are Escapade Sports, Treasure Island Group, Hammer Nutrition, Cancer Council of Australia… and San Miguel. Beer is provided free of charge on race day, with competitors asked to be mindful of their intake. The 8km course starts at China Bear in Mui Wo and follows the Lantau Trail to Treasure Island Beach Club in Pui O.
The entry fee for each team is HK$1,000, with 10% of ticket sales going towards the Hong Kong Bovid Conservation Association. To find out more and register, visit www.racebase.asia.
[PHOTO by Duey Tam.]
NEW AT DISCOVERY BAY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is hosting an open event for prospective Year 12 students and their parents on August 22 at its Sixth Form campus in DB North Plaza. The event, which starts at 6pm, coincides with the launch of the school’s new Sixth Form scholarship programme. Attendees will have the opportunity to chat with DBIS’ new Head of Year 12 and Assistant Head of Sixth Form Nick Moore. Registration is essential. To register, click here.
In other news, travelling to school in Discovery Bay will be easier for South Lantau-based children from this month, with DBIS introducing its new South Lantau bus service. Covering Mui Wo, Pui O, Cheung Sha and Tong Fuk, the new service is a welcome option for parents looking to avail of DBIS’ impressive facilities and British-based curriculum. To find out more, visit www.dbis.edu.hk.
[PHOTO BY Richard Gordon – www.richardgordonphotography.com.]
REGISTER TO RUN CBRE LANTAU 2 PEAKS
CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks is scheduled to be held on October 8, and registration is now open! Enrolment is on a first-come-first-served basis and runners are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot. Competitors choose to run either the 23km (two peaks) or 15km (half peak) course, solo or, for the 23km, as part of a team. The 23km course goes up and over both Lantau and Sunset peaks, with a total elevation gain of 1,889m. The 15km course is slightly less gruelling, with runners heading over Ngong Ping and experiencing an elevation gain of 854m. Both the 23km and 15km course start and end in Tung Chung.
Action Asia Events is offering a 10% discount to Life on Lantau readers, who enrol in the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks this month using the code VIPBAYMEDIA. To get involved, visit www.actionasiaevents.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Action Asia Events.]
