Heading Into the Year 2020

As the world hurls to 2020, what are the significant impact matters that can churn the economy, cause social grief and affect key things in our life that we may have taken for granted so far?
History has always been an account of tensions and conflict between conservatives and progressives, between the haves and have nots and between those with superior technology and those without.
Wars have been fought in the name of religion, control of financial interests, ideological beliefs and the alliance of manipulative politics.
The greater movement of populations, the increased power of captured analytical information, more powerful military means and a shift in world power patterns have however changed the strategic game.
Yet our world is still divided into nations, a system perhaps outdated by commercial expansion, technology dominance and heightened means of mobility.
Cultural imperatives continue to complicate the progress of mankind to cooperate on a holistic platform instead of on the usual competitive tribal basis. Such cultural factors range across strongly held views on wealth dominance, political structures, racial silos and social order.
Some hotspots arise from historical dilemmas. Others are rooted in rising or changed expectations. Yet some issues arise because of significant wealth redistributions and therefore real shifts of power held. The hold of Western dominance has changed - but at the same time deep historical conflicts have not been resolved.
The world has not weaned off its insatiable appetite for petroleum.
Nations may not be fully prepared for the consequences of over utilising other Earthly resources in the quest for ever increasing economic and population growth. Decimation of non-human species continues relentlessly with deforestation, spread of falsity in communication and misuse of technology.
My list of suggested most risky features for the world include:
1. The inability to optimally manage aging societies in places like Europe, Japan, China, Australia, the USA and
Singapore.
2. The continuing denial and lack of sufficient action by the powers that be of mankind's significant negative impact on Mothership Earth.
3. The misuse of evolving new techology for greater control of and enhancing greater addiction by the masses.
4. Religious, cultural and tribal conflicts that continue to create havoc, economic slowdowns and lower quality of life for the people and lands inflicted by such malaise.
4. The pain of adjustments and changes to the current pattern of political systems and control.
5. The multiracial and diverse populations of several countries can pose both opportunity or conflict.
6. Nations that do not transform their economies in a brave new world are going to be left behind.
7. Conflicts can now be conducted between nations on many fronts. They can be far from just battling warships, aircraft and landed troops.
8. After a period of liberalisation, several nations increasingly begin to look inward for strengthened political, economic and cultural resilience.
Brexit, continuing corruption, political bullying, rising nationalism, carbon footprints left by increased air travel, racism, increased sea levels, rising impersonalisation, tariff wars, engineered elections and negative air pollution are just examples of the symptoms.
What is the world collectively doing about the causes of its major problems? What can you, as an individual, help to mitigate them?
#yongkevthoughts

Still Thankful For

The grass has obviously dried up.Lamb prices have shot up, perhaps more than the costs of commercial child care, aged care and vet services.  Retail is not selling as much as before, the roads are more traffic congested and inflation as usual bites more in reality than as reported.Loading speeds for the internet are uncompetitive. Near monopolies exist for key service providers on many fronts in Australia. Public infrastructure has to be renewed.So what is going right?
1. There are more choices in supermarket products and prices.
2. There is more activity after dark in city centres and specific suburbs across Australia.
3. The sky is still blue and the beaches clean all over this vast island nation.
4. The variety of cuisines available in a country of such diverse populations is so unmatched.
5. The wisdom of our town planners cannot be under appreciated when they ensured green space, outdoor venues and public transport for our communities.
6. Medicare has sustained the quality of public health care for common ailments.
7. The right to express one's opinions is still enough, although challenges and threats have arisen in this space.
8. Safety levels for individuals for the most part have been maintained, although we recognise indents made, especially in road driving conditions, after hours and in breaches of privacy.
9. It is so easy to communicate, only the unwillingness to do so is the barrier.
10. We have learned to be more cynical and not so trusting, but in a wise way. This has been a good outcome against scams, fake news, over the top marketing, double speak by politicians and the lack of regulation.
#yongkevthoughts

Da Orlando Italian, Wollongong NSW

The owner's name is Orlando.  The restaurant has a family like setting in a light industrial area along an extended Keira Street just maybe ten to 15 minutes stroll south of Wollongong City Centre and its main rail station.  Nearby are Delaney's , an institution of a cake shop for the region, a BP station and Europa, a reliable supplier of eastern European groceries that I use.


Is the cooking style from Rome?    The popular item is freshly fired pizza, with toppings from Margarita to veg to meat, attracting many take aways and delivery runs.  One can see the wood fired stove immediately in front of the entrance.  The venue provides some outdoor seating, but the internal tables are often packed at every meal time.  Da Orlando is open every day now, after a few years of operations.  Vehicle parking is street side, with the restaurant a hub of lit buzz on evenings when the neighbours only open for the day, due to the inherent nature of their businesses.

It is a pleasure to see another culinary outlet do well in a region with not more than perhaps 300,000 people, an area south of Sydney that attracts residential lifestyle whilst the money is made in the Big Smoke up north.  Parents may come home from Sydney side and find no time to cook for the family, so off they go to Da Orlando.  The menu has remained relatively unchanged all this time, and this can apply even to the black board items.   Diners sit snugly with tables of various sizes and the staff has also remained not much changed.

Italian culinary, I believe, is meant to be shared with mates and family.   The rich nature of its sauces, its creams and  its toppings make it more sensible and a pleasure to partake them communally.   You may not want to be stuck with just a huge size pizza unless you are hungry or still growing up fast.   Diners do take pizzas here as their mains but i prefer some variety in degustation.   I must say the pizzas at Da Orlando are consistently rewarding.


Often when we arrive, Remmie is there, busy with customers or behind the counter.     There is also Molly who used to work at uni and is now pursuing a wholesome degree.  There is the hard working young man with light hair who usually takes our orders and arranges the wine.   The walls of the dining hall are graced with posters and photographs suggesting of the old country. 

Favoured entrees are Arancini and Gnocchi.   The former offering, literally referring to "little oranges", are filled with a gratifying yummy risotto still warm inside, with the outer skin dark brown and almost crispy.  Three are served on a plate for starters.   The former are like dew droplets to tease the appetite  -  they are not my favourite but are served with a sauce that does get us going.


I am always happy with two particular mains at Da Orlando.  I have a soft spot for their Linguine Fruits of the Sea, presented with a heady mix of rich tomato sauce, and for a comparatively lighter option, their Penne with chicken pesto.
Both dishes could not be so different, and yet complete a delightful experience.

Wollongong is a town with several Italian restaurants of note.  
I like the Pecorino cheesewheel pasta at Cin Cin in Thirroul; 
look forward to the pizzas crafted at Pizzeria 50 in downtown Wollongong and Gambino's in Fairy Meadow; and love the scenery looking out from the North Beach Pavilion in North Wollongong Beach.  Servings are generous at the Costa Azzurra in Fairy Meadow and there is a community atmosphere at Cucinas along lower Crown Street in down town Wollongong.   


So there is much competition and choice for Wollongsiders as far as Italian fare is concerned.   Yet at most meal times, Da Orlando is packed with a happy buzz. The quality of their offerings is consistent, the service is quick and you do nicely bump into your mates at the place.My weakness here is for the Calzone packed tightly with Nutella choc spread, again best eaten to be shared with teenagers.  

There is a notable absence of meat dishes though, with the menu emphasising pizzas and pasta.   So what are my overall impressions of Da Orlando? 


Ambiance  8 out of ten
Taste  8 out of ten
Staff Engagement  8.5 out of ten
Culinary Variety 7.5 out of ten
X Factor   8 out of ten
Overall Score    8 out of ten


Da Orlando is located at 348 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW.

Vinh Phat Restaurant, Cantonese Yum Cha, Cabramatta NSW

Preceding my recent visit to Vinh Phat, I had my imagination and expectations already fired up for a few months  by now.


The restaurant, located in the heart of Cabramatta, south-west of Sydney CBD, had been recommended and occupies an upper floor, not far from the traditional Chinese gates of the nearby mall.  I had seen queues of more than hundred individuals line up patiently at lunch time on weekends, the eager customers spilling out definitely on to the outside 
pavement and then up the stairs.


So what was it that created this demand for the cooking here?


At this stage I have not had a dinner at this venue, but at one lunch time, I did flip through the menu, which emphasised on lots of seafood cooked Southern Chinese style and on duck, all icons of a sumptuous dinner.  Here I offer my reflections of this Yum Cha session with two mates, one who only restricts his consumption of exotic East Asian to prawns and chicken, while the other friend has a more eclectic taste.

The two types of dumplings served for us were of generous size.  They were freshly made and the quality showed when we bit into them, they had excellent texture and the skin was thin enough.  They reminded me of the Siew Mai at Sunny Harbour, Restaurant, Hurstville NSW.


The fried rice had aromas of sufficient wok heat, but to me lacked the eggy over lay that I prefer and find at Sha Kee Restaurant, Cronnula Sharks Club, Woollaware NSW.

 The Har Cheong or steamed prawn rolls showed finesse, was tasty and provided a slurping satisfaction.  Asian uncles and aunties would of approved.


Interesting enough, Vinh Phat oferred chicken spring rolls  - I prefer those from veg or pork.     The chicken was snugly packed within the deep fried rolls and turned out to be all right after all.


Best of all was the serving of mango pancake, two on the small plate  - the egg white mixture enveloped the mango in a sophisticated style and was the fitting end to a session of Dim Sum, a touch of the heart.  This may possibly be the best mango pancakes I have tasted in the greater Sydney region.

This was a Yum Cha or drink tea session as well  - and we had chosen the well smoked but still smooth Pu'Er blend, which was a good change from what you get in most Chinese lunch time gatherings.   The venue was almost full house by 1pm, with a solid Asian demographic, emphasised by elderly couples, family groups and Millennials.   People were walking up the stairs seemingly every minute.


As expected, the tables were placed tightly against each other in such an establishment.  The washrooms were clean and the lighting just right.  The audio level of chatter corresponded with the size of the lunching crowd.   The trolley ladies were friendly, spoke both Cantonese and English and moved about their offerings with a purpose.


For those customers not willing to venture outside their Aussified tastes, the selections can be limited, but there was enough variety if you are keen on braised chicken feet, fish maw, steamed yam cakes and the like.   What was disappointing to me and a fellow luncher was the absence of roast pork cuts.   There was a belly pork dish at dinner time, but this may echo the lack of varied meats at Vinh Phat when compared with seafood.


Would I return for the dinner menu?  Most probably yes.  
My impressions of lunch here are as follows.

Ambiance  7 out of 10
Taste  8 out of 10
Staff Engagement  8 out of 10
Culinary Variety  7 out of 10
X Factor  7 out of 10
OVERALL    7.5 out of 10


Vin Phat Restaurant is at level One of 10-12 Hughes Street,
Cabramatta NSW.   Best to go there by train on weekends, vehicle parking can be a challenge nearby.

Europe Through The Centuries

Europe has always been a hotbed of conflict, opportunity and new ideas in history.

Feudal age saw the conflict within Christianity itself, amongst Catholics, Orthodoxy and Protestants and involving royalty, the military and Machiavellian politicians.

After that, the rise of the Ottoman Empire threatened Christian Europe with territorial and cultural conquests - but this interface also brought new learning and influences in science and mathematics from the Arabs and Persians to the continent.

Discovery of the compass and how to harness winds for long distance sailing offered several European powers the opportunity to enhance trade, discover cultures not hitherto known to them and exploit the economies of other lands through colonisation.

The relatively stronger technology, military capability and political strategies of these European colonials made them eventually control and subjugate other populations, except in old Siam.

The negatives and positives of European rule is etched across the globe from Africa, India, The Americas, Oceania, south east Asia and East Asia.

There was no such thing like today's political correctness in the period from the 16th to the early 20th centuries, when the advent of economic competition and the spread of missionary religion from Europe were first imperatives. There was an urgent race to "discover" non- European lands for resource exploitation and strategic ports.

In the process, various Euro languages, cultural practices and DNA were disseminated throughout the colonies in what was an Euro carve up of the world at large.

It can be strange to reflect now that the descendants of colonial powers take an overwhelming approach in the 21st century, being careful not to discriminate on various fronts like disability age, gender, race and religion. Is this a new age of enlightenment with liberal democracy?

A diverse variety of migrants coming to settle in Western societies in the past 50 years appreciate enjoying the relative freedoms and high level of human rights experienced in their new countries of adoption.

Questions do arise if some groups of migrants do exploit such liberal options for their own purposes in these Western countries. Is it better for migrants to integrate with the mainstream, or do we encourage such migrants, many from former colonies, to strike out their different way of life arising from their source cultures?

This matter can come to a head when globalisation forces in trade, finance and economics displace the jobs in the heartland and disenfranchise mainstream Caucasians of their past lifestyle and standard of living.

So in reaction, populist governments have taken control in Europe and the USA, changing past assumptions of the political landscape for the future.

Is this anything new, or is the world going through a recycling from royalty and dictatorships to liberal democracy to manipulated electoral systems and hardened right wing conservatism?

Political governance can always be an evolving matter as it cannot remain static. Like evolution according to Nature's laws, politics and social interaction must make society viable enough to be sustained and to grow.

The house has to be rebuilt, gradually or with a sudden change.

The so called Old World of Europe must continue to reinvigorate itself on all fronts.