Another Great Meal at Vie Ha Long

As mentioned in a previous post, one of our favorite Vietnamese restaurants in Bangkok is Vie Ha Long.  Last night I tried the Bánh Mi chicken sandwich.  Here are my recommended steps for enjoying this culinary delight:

Step 1:
Admire the layering of this masterpiece and anticipate the combination of delicious flavors (chicken, egg, lettuce, tomato, sriracha and possibly nuoc cham) as you prepare to take the first bite.

Step 2:
Pose for a quick photo with the Bánh Mi sandwich to post on your blog later that night.

Step 3:
Take a sizable bite and enjoy the slightly toasted baguette as you work your way to the sauce-soaked center.

Step 4:
Enjoy the sense of satisfaction as your tastebuds are drenched in the perfect mix of ingredients.
(Repeat steps 3 and 4 until finished!)

Loy Krathong in Bangkok

Loy Krathong is a special time of year in Bangkok.  It takes place on the evening of the 12th lunar month and represents sending away bad luck and hoping for good luck in the new year.

This year we went to Benjasiri Park to float a krathong on the lake there.  Krathongs are sold on every street corner and in front of every body of water, but this year I made one with my own two hands.

Krathongs are traditionally made with a thick slice of a banana tree trunk, leaves, orange flowers, orchids, a candle and three sticks of incense.

I'm not the only one with krathong-making skills.

Here you can see krathongs being put into the lake. 

The lake was beautifully framed with flickering candles and floating flower baskets,  all carrying away a year's worth of bad luck.

Jim Thompson House

We spent last Saturday afternoon visiting the famous Jim Thompson House in Bangkok.  We've been there once before, but we learned a bit more about Mr. Thompson's history and success this time around.

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the house, but the gardens outside give you a flavor of the style of his home.

The grounds are beautiful and peaceful.  It feels like the house is in the middle of the jungle.  

There are priceless works of art throughout Jim Thompson's home.

Jim Thompson was an American who is credited with bringing Thai silk to the western world.

Don't forget to look up every now and then. 

Intricate drawings are displayed in glass cases depicting various scenes of Hindu tales, providing inspiration for prints on silk textiles.

Our guide explained that this little house was made for the spirits so that they would not be angry that the home was built on their land.

This is the largest room in the house.  It is an indoor/outdoor living area.  You will have to visit yourself to see how it looks inside!