Jul 20, 2010

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Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Jul 18, 2010

Dentists & Matava Foundation in Kadavu, 2010

Dentists & Matava Foundation in Kadavu, 2010
Originally uploaded by Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Divers and Medical Professionals Combine Work and Passion for Scuba Diving Through Fiji Project
www.hydrosports.com/MatavaMemories.html
www.Matava.com

Jul 17, 2010

It’s important to keep oneself protected against mosquitoes

Mosquito season is in full swing and, as a non-fan of bad smelling and potentially toxic commercial skeeter-repelling products, I’ve found myself, along with my family, hiding indoors at dusk. Peak feasting hours. We live in a heavily wooded neighborhood with streams and ponds. A mosquito’s dream world. When we first moved here, my husband and I swore aliens were in our midst—an eery, other-worldly baritone hum accompanied by a slow-flashing light around 1 or 2AM, disturbing our sleep just enough to make us think we were dreaming. “Did you hear that weird sound last night?” Craig asked one morning. “You heard it, too?” Eventually, we found out that it was a mosquito-control spraying truck.

While it’s important to keep oneself protected against mosquitoes, which can transmit serious disease such as West Nile virus, malaria, and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), I can’t help but wonder… How safe are these products that we spray on our children from head-to-toe? Are there natural measures one can take to reduce mosquito population, deter them from gnawing on your arm, and possibly even keep their annoying buzz at a distance? And one question that has been nagging at my 8-year old: “Why does the world need mosquitoes?” These are just some of the questions I will address in this series about mosquitoes, which will also include my family’s first-hand experience with natural solutions. Hopefully the information will help you to navigate through the rest of your summer with fewer mosquito bites and less reliance on chemical-ridden repellents.

Full article here: Warning: Fending Off Mosquitoes May be Harmful to Your Health « I Count for myEARTH

Jul 5, 2010

HydroSports : Dental Mission Impressions Part 1

I was so looking forward to our trip to Fiji. I was as excited about being able to help people as I was to be diving. I couldn't hardly wait!

I was a little nervous as I looked at the Matava web-site...very remote. Wasn't quite sure about being so remote. I was wondering what I was getting into when we got to the "dock" and loaded up in the boat to get to the resort. Oh boy! But I found myself being truly amazed and awe struck. What a beautiful Resort, wonderful people, and the remoteness, being off the grid, was actually quite great. I couldn't have imagined the peace and wonder before going as being real. But it is real! I felt so welcome. I know I didn't want to leave!!

Still find myself thinking about being there. I want to do more for the people. Just knowing that our helping them saved them so much time and their hard earned money and long term pain warmed my heart. The people were so very appreciative of the help and anything we did. They did not expect it! Just appreciated. So different from what I see here in the US. I want to experience the freedom from possessions, freedom from technology, and the peace some more. I think everyone should be able to experience what I did at least once in their life. Just an amazing experience.

I loved the diving. Oh my, how beautiful it was under the water. Warm, so full of life, clean and seeing the way our divemasters care. The sparkle in their eyes. It was a lot of work, no laying in the sun, no pina coladas on the beach, but in my book and heart it was the best!! Definitely a life changing experience, puts things into perspective and made me look deeper at myself and what is truly important to me . Yes, I would love to go again. I think it would be a good place for other diver's (and medical personnel) to consider.

No, it isn't for everyone, but they really would be missing out on "heaven on earth" in my opinion!!

HydroSports http://www.hydrosports.com/

Jun 14, 2010

Matava moments

Hello all at Matava,

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our week with you recently. The diving of course was spectacular and the atmosphere at the resort was wonderful. It is a credit to you all.

Thank you so much for your generosity in giving the week as a prize package, I can see why people would come half way round the world for such an experience. Now we are home and back into the routine of everyday life, but still find ourselves having "Matava moments" where our thoughts drift back to the manta rays, the food, the peace and remoteness, and the wonderful people we met.

Hopefully will come back some day, but in the meantime are spreading the word about such a paradise. All the best...

Paul and Sophie (Australia)

Jun 13, 2010

Mt. Nabukelevu, also known as Mt. Washington, is Kadavu’s highest mountain and has the largest area of montane forest on the island

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti was invited by Birdlife International Fiji Programme to present at a two day workshop at Daviqele Village, Kadavu on the” Mount Nabukelevu Important Bird Area (IBA) Management Planning Workshop”. The site was declared an IBA as it holds four bird species endemic to Kadavu Island, and may also hold nesting colonies of threatened sea birds. BL-I initially began conservation activities in Kadavu in 2005, leading to the establishment of a Site Support Group (SSG) with representatives from the four villagers around Mt. Nabukelevu which are, Lomati, Nabukelevuira, Daviqele and Kabariki.

Nabukelevu (Mt Washington) dominates west Kadavu and contains some of the last montane forest on the island

NFMV conservation officer Kelera Macedru attended the two day workshop (13^th- 14^th April 2010) presenting to the forty participants at the workshop, on endangered species that NFMV was and is currently working on. Other facilitators at the workshop were from the Dept. of Agriculture (Epeli Dugucagi and Seremaia Namanuloa ), Land Use section (Solomone Nagaunavou), Dept. of Forestry (Jone Rawasoi), Dept. of Fisheries ( Seru Batibasaga) led by Birdlife International (Tuvere Tuamoto and Mere Valu). Each topic presented at the meeting by the facilitators was designed to help the participants with the concept of ‘Connectivity’ of the natural ecosystem, of which the communities are now a part, stressing the responsibility of the people in caring for their environment. At the end of the two day workshop, leaders of land owning units, marked out boundaries of their land that are part of Mt. Nabukelevu, on a map, agreeing to protect the site for 20 years with a periodic review of every 5 years. The community-declared protected area on the top most part of Mt. Nabukelevu now includes 10 mataqali (clan) lands plus a native reserve.

Participants off the Daviqele Workshop in Kadavu

As the workshop was held during the one week celebration of “Plant a million trees campaign”, 20 young Vesi Intsia bijuga trees were planted on the last day of workshop, commemorating the signing of the MOU by landowning leaders for Mt. Nabukelevu IBA and in support of the campaign. The numbers of trees planted have been recorded by the Department of Forestry as part of the one million trees target. Tui Nabukelevu was the first to plant a tree near the shores of Daviqele village, followed by village elders, SSG representatives and workshop participants.

Work on drafting a Management plan for the community declared Protected Area will be an ongoing event, for SSG Members, relevant members of the community and Birdlife International.

Tui Nabukelevu planting a vesi tree to close the workshop

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti

Jun 12, 2010

Pacific Sun flights priorotised to Kadavu and Taveuni - Fiji Times Online

Even better news for Taveuni and Kadavu local domestic flights:

"With the Mamanuca Group serviced through ferry service as well as boat and air charter operations, Pacific Sun will be able to prioritise its flying on other key tourism destinations including Kadavu, Savusavu and Taveuni," Mr Samson said. "Pacific Sun will focus its operations on more distant points that link thousands of international tourists each year."

Charter flights replace routes - Fiji Times Online

May 4, 2010

Continental and United Announce Agreement to Merge

Monday, May 3, 2010

We are proud to share some exciting news with you.

This morning, Continental announced that we have signed a definitive merger agreement with United Airlines. We plan to create a world-class airline with tremendous and enduring strengths.

Combined, Continental and United will offer the industry’s leading loyalty program, providing vast opportunities for members to earn and redeem miles with us and on our Star Alliance partners. Should you achieve Elite status, you will enjoy even more benefits such as upgrades and priority airport services. We will continue to provide you with the excellent and consistent service you value and have come to expect from us, across a much broader network with an unparalleled global reach.

Since our transition to Star Alliance last year, we’ve worked closely with United and are confident this combination will build upon the partnership we already have in place.

We’ll keep you informed throughout the planned integration process and also encourage you to visit unitedcontinentalmerger.com, our dedicated joint merger website, for detailed information as well as ongoing updates.

On behalf of Jeff Smisek and the entire Continental team, we look forward to welcoming you aboard your next flight.

Sincerely,

Mark Bergsrud
Senior Vice President
Marketing Programs and Distribution

Apr 27, 2010

RE-OPENING OF PACIFIC SUN FLIGHTS 14 MAY – 18 JUNE 2010

26^th April 2010

RE-OPENING OF PACIFIC SUN FLIGHTS 14 MAY – 18 JUNE 2010

Pacific Sun advises as of today, Monday 26^th April, all flights for the period 14^th May – 18^th June is now opened for sale.

All Pacific Sun passengers already holding Confirmed bookings on withdrawn flights FJ 105/106/111/112 during this period will be uplifted at no additional cost to and from Labasa.

Please note that Pacific Sun will be happy to assist those passengers already holding confirmed bookings on the above re-scheduled services with ground transfers between Labasa Airport and Savusavu only. Details on the Ground Transfer will be forthcoming.

All passengers holding International connections with Air Pacific that may be affected by this adjusted schedule are asked to please contact Air Pacific who will assist with changes at no additional cost to minimise inconvenience.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and assure you that we intend to keep all disruptions to an absolute minimum. Please see attached for notable changes to the schedule.

Schedule Changes Effective 14 May 2010 – 18 June 2010

WITHDRAWN SERVICES

*FJ 105 Ex Nadi 1000 Arrive Savusavu 1100

*FJ 106 Ex Savusavu 1400 Arrive Nadi 1500

All pax holding confirmed bookings on FJ 105 transfer to FJ 81 ex Nadi 1120

All pax holding confirmed bookings on FJ 106 transfer to FJ 80 ex Labasa 1230

*FJ112 Ex Savusavu 1130 Arrive Suva 1215

*FJ111 Ex Suva 1245 Arrive Savusavu 1330

All pax holding confirmed bookings on FJ 112 transfer to FJ 32

All pax holding confirmed bookings on FJ 106 transfer to FJ 31

TIME CHANGE / RE-SCHEDULED SERVICES

*FJ121 Ex Nadi to Taveuni Rescheduled departure to 1000 from 0700

*FJ120 Ex Taveuni to Nadi Rescheduled departure to 1150 from 0900

*FJ191 Ex Suva to Levuka Rescheduled departure to 0700 from 0830

*FJ190 Ex Levuka to Suva Rescheduled departure to 0730 from 0900

*FJ193 Ex Suva to Levuka Rescheduled departure to 1130 from 0930

*FJ192 Ex Levuka to Suva Rescheduled departure to 1200 from 0900

For further clarification on existing or future reservations please contact your nearest Air Pacific Reservations Centre or your IATA Travel Agent. Pacific Sun reserves the right to adjust schedules as necessary to facilitate passenger demand.

PO BOX 9270 NADI AIRPORT, FIJI Reservations:(679) 6720888/ (679) 3304388

Email: reservations@airpacific.com.fj

Apr 26, 2010

The Matava Foundation Supports Local Primary School through Fundrainsing Efforts at Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

The Matava Foundation Supports Local Primary School through Fundrainsing Efforts at Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Kadavu, Fiji, 26 April 2010: Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort has helped a local primary school fund the year ahead through events organised by its Matava Foundation.

George, Barman at Matava, gets down dancing!

Matava Guests enjoy a dance at Meke

Ratu Varani Memorial School (The Kadavu Primary School) in Kadavu has been fundraising over the last couple of weeks to make up the shortfall between budgets and government funding. This is normal at this time of year when parents and freinds of the school join together to support education in the islands.

There are 2 houses in the school. The Blue House went fishing and the Yellow House invited Matava to help.

Through The Matava Foundation, 2 evenings were organised over 2 weeks to run fundrasing events at the resort. Over the course of these events the Matava Foundation and resort guests contributed F$2,000 dollars to the School Fund.

As a thank you by the parents, a thank you meke was held in celebration. This cultural, fun evening for us held at the resort was warmly greeted by staff and guests alike.