Chachanat Woodland, Isan hotels Thailand on khaolak-resorts.com

The villagers of Pu Rua, Loei Province, sharing the common practice of the Esarn or Northeastern region of Thailand, go about their farming by tilling the land, then waiting for the rain to arrive before planting their seeds. Unlike the low lying areas, however, Pu Rua is nestled amongst a sea of mountains and farming is done on the slopes of these mountains, which allow the tilled top soil to be washed away easily and rapidly by the rain, leaving a barren slope devoid of nutrients after only a few years. The villagers then move on to find new fertile ground by encroaching on forest land. This cycle has seen continuous acceleration since Thailand started exporting farm commodities such as corn and cassava, to the international market, causing the gradual disappearance of the lush tropical forests of Pu Rua. This land is located in sub-district Ta Sala, and can be accessed from the Loei-Pu Rua main road at the 36 km milestone, which is a T-junction with a dirt road (now a proper paved road) leading off en route to the Pu Luang National Park and passing the Woodland at about 1 km from the junction. The area around this 36 km location is the famous sub-district San Tom, which, as children 50-60 years ago we were taught in school that the coldest place in Thailand is the sub-district San Tom, in Pu Rua district, Loei province. Revered monks who meditated in the forests in those days have told us that in the winter time they would suffer cuts on their shoeless feet from the ice sheets on the ground at San Tom. The air at Pu Rua is something quite unique in Thailand. Being 700 meters above sea level and surrounded by mountains, the air is cool and breezy in the summer or hot season, and vey cold (for Thais) in the winter. Mae Ka-ning is the local word for icicles or frost and we see in the news that it is quite a common although unwelcomed phenomenon because for villagers it means sleepless nights and frost-burnt crops. Some years we even get sheets of ice on the wooden patios in the mornings. But for visitors, all these are the charm and the fascination of Pu Rua.

Accommodations

The rustic cottages at Chachanat Woodland allow visitors to enjoy nature in the raw without sacrificing comfort. All cottages, except for one, have two bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. They are ideal hideaways for long stay visitors such as writers and artists who seek peace and quiet, beauty and tranquility, to stir their creative instincts. They also offer a wonderful experience for short 1-2 night visitors who will be enticed to return for longer stays.

Cottages''1'' and ''2'' are on the water front where visitors can just sit and enjoy the scenic beauty of surrounding mountains, the fresh smell of the forest, and the enchantment of blooming orchids.

Cottage ''3'' is most picturesque, sitting on the pond with its full reflection in the water and enthusing all the charms of Chachanat Woodland.

Cottages ''4'' and ''5'' are Siamese Twins, joined together by a wooden patio, and are ideal for a larger group of visitors, giving the feeling of "togetherness'' while retaining privacy.

Cottages ''6'' and ''7'' are higher up on the slope and offer the genuine open feeling of the Phu Rua hills.

The ''Master Cottage'' is a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom cottage whose spacious dining area and outdoor patio can easily seat 20-30 people. The cottage has its own exclusive ground complete with a shady bamboo grove and a small boat pier.

Master Cottage

The Pond Cottage

Water Front Cottage

Facilities and Services
Internet Living in harmony with nature today does not mean that you are cut off from the outside world, and visitors to Chachanat Woodland have access to wireless internet service at all times. Traditional Thai Massage After a full day of activities what can be more relaxing than a traditional Thai massage in a peaceful setting among bamboo groves beside a gentle stream to sooth your body and invigorate your mind. Kampa Kitchen Equipped with outdoor exercise equipments the park is ideal for light workouts or simply for refilling your oxygen supply by deep breathing in the fresh air. Private Parties Private parties are welcome at Chachanat Woodland. We would be pleased to organize parties for your special day such as birthdays or even weddings. The Woodland can cater for up to 50 people.

Activities
Woodland Walks A winding path through the forest has been mapped out by Professor Yod to show visitors around Chachanat Woodland. Points of interest are marked with wooden posters carrying commentary on local wisdom and his own experiences during the almost two decades of reforestation. Mountain Biking Bicycling at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level through shady woods of tall pine trees and teak trees is an exhilarating and rejuvenating experience for both body and soul. Strawberry Picking A great favourite with children is the strawberry field in front of the club house where you can pick your own strawberries to make your fresh strawberry juice, put in your dessert, or simply to take home for family and friends. Firefly Festival ho says one must go to Samut Songkram mangrove to see fireflies? Every year during the months of March- April Chachanat Woodland greets the arrival of fireflies. At night time the forest is lit up with hundreds of twinkling lights like a midsummer night festival of fireflies. These fascinating insects respond to sound waves, and if we turn the lights out and turn the music on the twinkling lights will actually come floating right into the house....so let the party begin!. Wild Orchids Another activity that Professor Yod and Kampoo love is growing wild orchids. As a result, the forest at Chachanat Woodland is full of wild orchids that have started to propagate themselves ....we see little springs of orchids appearing on the branches of trees, both low and high. Most wild species bloom during the hot season from late February to early April, at which time the Woodland is transformed into a wonderland with amazing flowers and fragrance and showers of colors and forms. For wine lovers Because Thailand is a hot country the opportunity for Thais to drink wine at its optimal temperature exists in closed and may be stuffy air-conditioned rooms. For wine lovers what would be more pleasing, or more tempting, than to drink wine outdoor, at ambient temperature, in the romantic setting of Chachanat Woodland.

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