Lunch at the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. The food was excellent, the beer icy, but the prices were eye-watering: soup, chicken stir-fry, a beer and a glass of white wine = $62 ... USD! About $100AUD at the then exchange rate.
Inside Fort Cornwallis, Penang. Our cruise ship, 'Sun Princess', is in the background. It was blisteringly hot.
The church, Fort Cornwallis, Penang
The church, Fort Cornwallis, Penang. The walls were nearly 100 cm thick, no doubt as insulation against the heat.
The Seri Rambai Cannon, Fort Cornwallis, Penang. Cast in 1603.
Fort Corwallis, Penang. Statue of Captain Francis Light; the founder of the British colony of Penang and its capital, George Town, in 1786.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon); the Central Post Office. The French influence is evident.
Street scene, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. The tree-lined 'boulevards' are indicative of French colonisation — as are the patisseries, gourmet food and excellent espresso.
Rooftop bar and restaurant, Hotel Rex, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). During the Vietnam War, a daily press briefing was held in the Rex Hotel, quickly dubbed the “Five o’clock Follies" .
The view from the garden deck at the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Ho Chi Minh Square. The fountains are activated by people stepping on certain unmarked pavers. The locals know which ones to avoid ... others get wet!
The fountains, Ho Chi Minh Square.
Uncle Ho still keeps a watchful eye over the city that bears his name.
A shopping centre food court, Veitnam-style. We didn't have a clue what to order.
Tourist transport, outside the markets, Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
The central markets, Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Once inside, the heat and the smell became overpowering.
Close-up of the tourist transport, outside the markets, Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The Chinese motorbike is all of 150cc and with rider, four tourists and their shopping aboard, plus the weight of the wagon itself, struggles along manfully.
Longer view, central markets, Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
"The red one goes here, and the black one goes ... no, hang on, red is positive and black is ... oh, to hell with it." Creative wiring, Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
