Anurak Lodge

Travelling today, after breakfast  hotel transfer to the airport Traffic is very Light so it only takes 20 mins. At Chiang Mai airport we discovered the first security scanners are at the entrance, resulting in long queues outside. Oh dear the Duke needs to pay a visit. Security told him go to entrance 3. Where he was permitted to go inside. Then through the scanners, when we reached departures through security again. Very thorough, The flight to Surat Thani was just under two hours and a very full flight. Our inflight meal consisted of a very small tray of stir fried rice and small cup of water. At Surat Thani we collected our luggage and headed outside to find a taxi. A man at the entrance asked “where are you going” we told  him, Anurak Community Lodge and agreed the fare. “So wait here and I will get taxi” are we doing the right thing. Another man arrived and took our suitcases, we followed still unsure but across the road in the car park was a very nice Toyota with airport limousines written on the side. We set off after a short while we asked  him to  stop at a service area for food. He pulled into a seven eleven, so we stocked up. As our next stay is fairly remote. The road to the Lodge is very good mostly a dual carriage way. As we got nearer the Limestone mountain range this area is known for came into view, stunning. At the car park a guy appeared with a hand cart and took our bags. At check-in a welcome drink and cold towel. Then we follow the cart to our jungle hut. In the Lodge the only WiFi is at the restaurant area, the Lodges are basic but comfortable with air con or a huge ceiling fan.
Ours has a nice balcony with seating and of course a view of the mountains. After a siesta we sat on the balcony and caught up with some reading. Down for dinner, the Dame had a pre-dinner cocktail and the Duke a beer. We ordered three dishes for dinner to share Pad tai with prawns, pumpkin with tofu river spinach with oyster sauce, all delicious. After dinner we sat in the community hut for some internet time and of course a night cap. No going out or live music here time to chill, listening to the night music of the jungle.