Fiji Airways and Matava Resort Join to Promote the Newly Branded Fiji Link

To celebrate the re-branding of Pacific Sun to Fiji Link, Fiji Airways is giving everyone the chance to win a fantastic prize:
Win a return trip for two to Kadavu Island staying at Matava, Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort.

Prize includes domestic flights, 2 nights Resort accommodation in an Oceanview Bure, all meals and return Kadavu Island Airport – Resort boat transfers.

To Enter, simply visit the Fiji Airways  Promotion Page

 

 

Vacation with a Green Conscience at Matava Fiji's Premier Eco Resort | Peachy Green

Matava Fiji's Premier Eco Resort is big fun on a small energy budget

Let’s be realistic. Travel usually leaves a big carbon footprint. Even among the most eco-sensitive of us, its hard to get away without wasting energy and using fuel.

But, you can vacation with a green conscience atMatava Fiji’s Premier Eco Resort. Located on Kadavu, south of the main Fiji island, Matava is a100% off-grid, solar powered resort that uses minimal electricity while providing maximum fun!

Only 22 guests at a time can be accommodated at Matava. All meals are prepared on site and served community style.

Matava offers diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, boating, ocean swimming, bird watching and more. It is nestled near the beach, surrounded by tropical rain forest. Because there are no roads that reach this area of the island, everything must be brought in or out by boat – or grown locally. When I visited last week, the main attraction for the other guests was the amazing scuba diving (something I will have to take up soon!)

Day dawning at Matava Fiji's Premier Eco Resort

Matava has its own organic gardens which provide fruits, vegetables and herbs for its menu. Extra seeds are provided to families in nearby villages, too. Several times a month, recyclable materials from Matava – including plastics and paper – are picked up and hauled out by boat. No pesticides or herbicides are used at the resort.

Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco Resort has been awarded a number of honors and accolades as a result of its green practices. These include:

• Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award, Marine Environment Category (World Travel Show 2010)
• Excellence in Tourism Award (Accommodation Budget 1999)
• Project Aware Marine Environmental Award
• Founder: Shark-Free Marina

Pristine, preserved environment at Matava on Kadavu, Fiji

Several important causes of Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco Resort are:

• Saving sharks
• Educating villagers about environmental preservation
• Minimizing energy use
• Working to establish and maintain marine reserves
• Coral reef education and preservation

Not only is Matava involved in education and raising awareness locally concerning environmental issues, but the resort also has resources for its guests to review.

Community outreach is a primary focus of Matava, as well. The owners believe that, by teaching young children the importance of sustainability and preservation at an early age, they will grow up with a deep understanding of and respect for natural resources.

Can you believe it – a resort that not only conserves energy and helps the environment as a result of its own practices, but also works to encourage others to do the same!

Yes, you can vacation with a green conscience at Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco Resort.

Vacation with a Green Conscience at Matava Fiji's Premier Eco Resort | Peachy Green

Renewable Energy Developing in Fiji | Peachy Green

I just returned from a week in the Fiji Islands, in the South Pacific.

The 333-island archipelago is located east of New Zealand and Australia and southwest of Hawaii, with only about 100 islands inhabited. The entire population is less than 900,000.

Renewable energy has been developing in Fiji for some time now. In fact, the Fiji government has adopted a Strategic Development Plan as part of its ambitious goal to become a 100% renewable energy power-reliant by 2011. There are several reasons why the government is promoting non-fossil fuel based resources:

• Less expensive
• More convenient
• Easier to install and maintain
• Infrastructure needs are usually minimal
• Smaller carbon footprint – i.e. more environmentally friendly

Solar panels at Matava Fiji's Premier Eco Resort

Diesel costs have dramatically soared to over 200% over the last 4 years, yet 50% of electricity demand in Fiji is met by diesel generators. No wonder there is increasing usage of solar panels and wind energy there.

On Kadavu, south of the main island of Fiji, solar power is just about the only resource for turning on lights or using electricity. All of the cell towers are solar powered. The island is off-grid, which means you can only communicate with cell phones (where there is service) and wireless internet and other electrical-based uses are quite limited.

At Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco-Resort, electricity needs are minimal, given ample skylights, wide and open areas, and louvered windows that allow breezes to naturally cool the rooms. Most of the time, all electricity requirements are covered by the solar panels at the resort.

Renewable Energy Developing in Fiji | Peachy Green