Taking a ferry across the Chao Praya River to a traditional Thai house is a grand way to arrive for lunch, yet stepping into the Supatra River House I found the personal touches of heart and home. The calm and classy interior was decorated with the unique furniture and antique family portraits you’d expect to see in an old family home.

Drawn to this beguiling photo, I later learned this benevolent lady (the namesake of the restaurant which was her family home) was an important player in Thailand’s history. Khunying Supatra served in the royal court as a young girl in the 1920’s, later going on to receive a master’s degree in law in 1939. A successful business woman running the family’s ferry boat business, Khunying Supatra helped champion the amendment of the women’s rights portions of Thailand’s Civil Code. In her lifetime, she earned international recognition for her humanitarian work for the welfare of Thai people. Some even thought this dynamic woman would become Thailand’s first female Prime Minister.

Tucked along the river, in a quiet pocket amidst the chaos of Bangkok, I enjoyed a sublime lunch of traditional Thai food. A watermelon shake broke my summertime sweat, and delectable spring rolls primed my appetite for my favorite cuisine. Preceeded by a simple fresh fish and mushroom soup, the main course – gang khiaw wan pak (a green vegetable curry) – filled my nose with the bouquet of those famous Thai herbs and spices we’ve all come to recognize. Sweet, salty, spicy and smooth, it was the first of many times on this trip that I lamented not being able to take the final spoonfuls home with me to savor again later.

Situated near Bangkok’s Grand Palace, Supatra River House serves lunch and dinner. In addition to the cool interior dining room, you can also take your meal al fresco on their riverside terrace or on one of their Chao Praya dinner cruises.

Remember, there’s a feast for the eyes over at WanderFood Wednesday!

I was hosted on this trip by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and though the restaurant selection may have been theirs, my enthusiasm for this eating experience was all my own.

I’m wrapping up a fantastic adventure in Siam as a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The trip has been filled with many high points, one of which was a stay at the top of the city at the Lebua State Tower.

From my suite on the 52nd floor, the ancient city of Bangkok sprawled out like an animated map below. Though the view was a bit vertigo-inducing, I was surprised to clearly hear the shrieks of schoolkids playing soccer, Buddhist monks engaged in their evening chants, and smell the salt and spice of street vendors’ wares wafting to my nose up at this high perch. It was exhilarating to step out onto the balcony, which I eagerly did first thing each morning and every time I returned to my room.

There will be many more stories from Thailand to come – including more about my stay at the Lebua – in the coming weeks. For now, enjoy the view with me!

If you haven’t already, be sure to take in some more travel photos over at Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday!

Milwaukie, Oregon is by no stretch of the imagination an exotic weekend destination. But I welcomed summer there with friends a few weeks back and was reminded of all the little joys that a small town visit can offer.

The Main Street Antique Mall was a fun and funky trip down memory lane. We browsed the matchbox cars and taxidermied critters and bellied up for ice cream floats at its historic soda fountain.

For being a small town, Milwaukie’s Farmer’s Market offered an impressive bounty. I brought home a beautiful bouquet of beets for a chilled summer borscht.

A short walk brought us to Elk Island, a sweet little oasis on the Willamette River. Mother ducks paraded by us with a lines of goslings paddling to keep up behind them.

Back at the house, my friend Tim whipped up the perfect Bloody Mary for us to enjoy in the garden. Now this is summer!

What’s your favorite small town for a lazy summer weekend?

I took these photos on my iPhone and ran then through a cool app called Polarize, which I learned about from the uber-cool photos I saw posted on Nerd’s Eye View. Be sure to take in more visual delights over at Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday!