In Days of Yore

In days of yore, whenever huge problems like the spread of disease and weather changes swept over the land and the waters, it was deemed that the Heavens were angry and the rulers have not fulfilled their mandate to the people. Pestilence, floods, bush fires, prolonged drought and darkened skies, especially if they occurred one after another, were interpretated as sure signs of the displeasure of universal forces and the inability of the human powers that be in managing the best for society. In Australia, we have had it all except for the extent of Covid 19, which has thankfully not been a pandemic in this Antipodean federation of a nation. When you read the Old Testament, the final days of the Roman Empire, 19th century China, the decline of the Atzecs even before the Europeans arrived and the desertification of the Middle East, natural disasters, corruption, the weakening of moral fibre in society, lack of technological advantage and the delusion of men in power all seem to be common elements contributing to the decline of hitherto well run civilisations, empires or city states. Think of your own society or country where  you live. #yongkevthoughts

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aunty Gaik Lian's - Straits Chinese, Georgetown, Penang

Image
A simple but appetising egg omelette as starters. Gulai Ikan Tumis or sour and spicy fish curry. The previous long standing branch of jewellers B.P De Silva, almost at the corner of Bishop and Beach streets in the old quarter of Georgetown, has a few months ago been transformed into a hub of Straits Chinese cuisine. Straddling two shop lots, located in an evening quiet location but near to the banking district on  business days, Aunty Gaik Lian's provides a refreshing change to the Nyonya food landscape on Penang island.  I have always found that the best Straits Chinese food is found in homes in Penang, like what my Mum dishes out, and it has been exasperating to be really satisfied with commercial outlets in this cuisine.  The Penang variation of such Peranakan food tends to be more influenced by ingredients and cooking styles from Thailand and the Malayan peninsular , when compared to the Malacca version (with more of stronger Indonesian influences and the use of the
Read more

85 Degrees Bakery Cafe Hurstville NSW

Image
There are several outlets of this bakery cafe for several years now in Australia.  Did they coem from the USA? Each franchised outlet is in a busy area, often in suburbs so-called by a diverse Asian demographic.   The one in Hurstville is rather roomy and lots of baked stuff on its shelves.   The base of Sydney operations is in Chester Hill, a suburb south-west of the Sydney city centre. Some of the cake creations would be viewed as rather leaning on the East Asian dimension  - Strawberry Angel (with chocolate base and top) and Mango Cheese ( with yoghurt).   However, to counter this perspective, there are also Death by Chocolate, US Cheesecake, Coffee Brulee and Blueberry Marble options.     The pastries are definitely filled with ingredients more suited to perhaps  Anime loving fans and non-mainstream cultures - for example, garlic, pork, tuna, green tea, red bean, shallots, pork floss, coconut, Hokkaido butter cream and Boroh or pineapple buns.    Sung
Read more

Return to Eythrope

Image
Only Yesterday Eythrope Revisited Approach to Eythrope Sunrise Over Penang Hill Penang Hill Undergrowth Pathway to Eythrope Lillies on a Pond A Moment Colonial Cannon at Penang Hill Sign Board to Eythrope Image Credits: K H 18 January 2009
Read more