Feb 18, 2008

Matava Astrolabe Hideaway Matava Astrolabe Hideaway

Matava Astrolabe Hideaway is located in the lush tropical surroundings of Kadavu Island by the Great Astrolabe Reef. Matava is a small and intimate getaway that was designed to blend with its natural environment and offer comfortable and economical accommodations, world-class scuba diving and superb meals. There are no roads, towns or power lines—this true hideaway is reached only by boat!

There are nine traditional Fijian bures nestled in the rainforest. All bures have polished timber floors, four-poster beds and private decks. Solar power lighting and gas-heated water make your stay comfortable. The Oceanview Bures offer spectacular panoramas of the Great Astrolabe Reef and surrounding islands, and the Waterfront Bures are by the shore, enclosed in beautiful tropical gardens.

© copyright Matava Astrolabe Hideaway
Meals at Matava are an imaginative blend of local and international cuisines. The menu takes advantage of local seasonal delicacies and the day`s fresh produce, incorporating locally grown organic tropical fruit and vegetables, home-style freshly baked breads and reef-caught seafood like coral trout, trevally, lobster and walu. Also, enjoy scrumptious lovo feasts, the traditional Fijian meals cooked over hot stones. Matava features a fully-stocked bar with selection of local and imported beers, wines and spirits.

© copyright Matava Astrolabe Hideaway
If you are into fishing, you can catch your own dinner and maybe even enough to share with others. Regular catches include yellow fin and skipjack tuna, walu, barracuda, trevally and sometimes even sailfish.

Scuba diving the Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji’s largest living structure and one of the world`s premier dive locations, is the focus here. The reef offers great diversity of both soft and hard corals, and abundance of marine life. The resident dive shop will take you the best sites around the reef and dazzle even the most experienced and well-traveled diver! All levels of diving is offered, including beginner courses.

© copyright Matava Astrolabe Hideaway
Apart from fabulous diving, Matava offers an extensive list of fun activities. Snorkeling here is excellent, surfers will love the five passages on the reef producing long barreling waves from two to ten feet tall, and guided half day to three-day kayaking trips around the islands are a magnificent way to see the real Fiji. Matava has also established a portfolio of treks and guided walks to take advantage of the stunning scenery. And you can, of course, just relax and take in the tranquil atmosphere of the islands—stargazing is particularly good here!




Technorati Profile

Fiji Adventure Travel - National Geographic Adventure Magazine

Sailing Fiji's Outer Islands
Adventure-approved excursions for right now. By Costas Christ
Photo: Fiji



"South Pacific: Mothership Outer Islands, Fiji
The A/S Tui Tai already had a corner on the South Pacific's adventure cruise market—packed with top-of-the-line mountain bikes, kayaks, surfboards, and scuba gear, it's been plying Fiji's waters for 25 years, ferrying passengers from one unspoiled island to the next. But this spring, life onboard gets even sweeter: when the ship leaves dry dock with half a million dollars' worth of renovations, including eight new expedition cabins, four staterooms, a spa, and five daybeds for lounging on deck. The ship's relaunch is timed to coincide with the arrival of calm seas, when the season really gets going for what owner Tige Young calls
'extremely remote island expeditions.' Each day, the Tui Tai arrives at a new island or dive site in one of the richest regions of marine life on Earth. When not exploring the underwater marvels, you'll hike, bike, and unwind on empty islands, taxing yourself now and again with the task of seeking out secret jungle swimming holes.

Before shipping out, grab an extra day for beach time near Fiji's capital, Suva, and allow yourself to recuperate from 15 hours of flying and International Date Line-induced jet lag.

Days: 7

Outfitter: A/S Tui Tai www.tuitai.com

Cost: $3,000

Fiji Adventure Travel - National Geographic Adventure Magazine

Feb 9, 2008

Fiji Special Photo-Site by Don

"I am glad to have a chance to have experienced a memorable trip to Matava. Also, you guys there have done a fabulous job contributing lots to the education of our fragile environment and needs to conserving them for the future generations, cultural as well as Improving the social status of the locals. Hope the “Fiji Special” will contribute towards your goal."


Vinaka

Don, Hin Lim



Hin Lim Photography
274, Victoria Street
Richmond 3121 Victoria,Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9421 1548 (available on Thursday and Friday)
HP: 0401 012 374

Feb 2, 2008

I holidayed at beautiful Matava,

coverd in tress ( as opposed to lava),

I learnt to dive & emerged alive,

And finished the day with Kava”

That all said I've had a wicked holiday here! A massive thank you to evryone for everything, Chris and I had the best time. The food was beautiful, the nature stunning, the laughter salutorious, the service fablulous & welcoming, the atmosphere magical. We have been transmorgrified from uptight city kids to chilled mer-people. We are for Scuba! You are champions. Vinaka you legends!”

Chris & Caitlin,
UK