Jan 10, 2011
Dec 14, 2010
FREE HONEYMOON UPGRADE ON ALL 10 DAY PACKAGES AT MATAVA!
Buddy dives for FREE in January 2011 at Matava, Fiji
Don’t miss your chance to have your buddy dive for free at Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort during the whole month of January 2011 and see the mantas on the Great Astrolabe Reef.Dec 11, 2010
Deep Blue Adventures Announces New Charity Program
Deep Blue Adventures will utilize Good Will Diving to highlight one specific cause for a set time each year to maximize the opportunities to help while also taking part in other charities. Right now Good Will Diving is putting a call out to all charities and foundations to suggest their own causes for the program as well as any individuals or dive stores. Cheryl Patterson of Deep Blue Adventures says that the program was created to serve. "Divers are a very community-oriented group of people and we often have many clients asking what they can do to help," says Patterson. "Sometimes it is the form of taking school supplies or other much needed items to a place they are visiting, other times it is looking to offer aid during a disaster or making a financial contribution. We have always provided this information whenever it has been requested, but we wanted more people to know they have a reliable contact point."
November is the official beginning of Good Will Diving. This first cause they are tackling is the need for eye glasses for Fijian Villagers. Patterson says that it is a way of giving back to some of the places that divers enjoy so much. "As divers and travelers we experience many wonderful aspects of the countries we visit," Patterson explains. "We often fall in love with the surroundings, the food, the culture and, of course, what we find there beneath the surface. More often than not, the people are what touches us the most and deepens our experiences. We felt that highlighting a need of some of the warmest people we have ever met in one of our top-selling destinations would be an appropriate place to start." Good Will Diving is not requesting money for this effort but instead– used or old reading eye glasses. "Kids and teens can be just as involved as adults and no one has to dig deep in their pockets – that's part of what Good Will Diving is all about," says Patterson. Patterson goes on to point out that while foundations often need financial support, and they won't turn that down, folks can also often make a huge difference in someone's lives without any cost.
One of the reasons Deep Blue Adventures chose the Fiji effort was because one of the team members had a personal connection. Terri Huber, Senior Sales Representative with Deep Blue Adventures felt a connection with the Fijian people. "One night, during a recent trip to Fiji, I was chatting after dinner with another guest and Matava resort owner, Richard Akhtar," says Huber. "During our conversation, the subject of the needs of the Fijian Villagers came up and Richard immediately responded without hesitation, eye glasses. Having traveled to many remote diving destinations around the world and being welcomed and treated graciously by the locals we have thought of a small gesture to say "thank you". We as divers visit and enjoy these far off countries and return home with long lasting memories, photos, and souvenirs. So, why not give back a little to help out the remote villages of Fiji?"
The glasses will be distributed to various villages in need across the country. Matava Resort on Kadavu who operates the Matava Foundation has agreed to assist Deep Blue Adventures in their first Good Will Diving venture in getting the glasses to those that need it most.
At DEMA this year Deep Blue Adventures collected glasses to send. Anyone who didn't attend DEMA can still contribute to this effort by mailing in reading glasses, and Deep Blue Adventures is willing to absorb the postage costs involved if a donor emails
GoodWillDiving@deepblueadventures.com or calls 888-266-2209 and requests a self-addressed, postage paid envelope. DBA is encouraging dive stores, clubs, schools, scouts, business and other organizations to consider becoming a collection point for Eyes for Fiji and engaging their local community in an effort on a larger scale. Once the glasses are received any interested donors will be issued a $50 travel voucher as a thank you for their donation. Glasses collected will be sent on a regular and ongoing basis to the islands through the company's various contacts. All vouchers will be distributed electronically due to conservation efforts also being made by the company.
As of today, they have already collected 115 pairs of glasses! For more info visit Deep Blue Adventures' website at www.deepblueadventures.com
Deep Blue Adventures Announces New Charity Program
Dec 3, 2010
Recognition for Matava at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010
Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010
Matava has won in the Best in the Marine Environment category at this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010 organised by responsibletravel.com.
"This year I have been heartened by the depth of commitment and connection our winners have shown to the local communities in their destinations. Their successes and pioneering spirits are remarkable and the very real and authentic experiences they have created, set responsible tourism apart. They also remind us that holidays can be both luxurious for visitor and enhancing for local people - helping build schools, water pumps, clinics and conserving cultural and natural heritage.”
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| Lorna Young accepting Matava's Award at WTM 2010 |
“I’m once again humbled by the commitment, drive and ingenuity of today’s winners. They have shown us all what can be achieved by the people and places seeking to benefit from tourism, even when the economic climate continues to challenge us all. Their’s is truly an example for the rest of the industry to follow, and I’m delighted that Virgin Holidays is again able to be a part of this celebration.”
Launched in 2004, the Awards are run in association with partners World Travel Market, Metro Newspaper and Geographical Magazine.
In 2010 Simon Reeve, best-selling author, presenter and broadcaster launched the Awards with an exclusive interview in Metro Newspaper:
"The Responsible Tourism Awards focus attention on travel firms that are providing us all with amazing trips that make a difference to a local community while still protecting the environment and our planet. And they remind us that responsible travel is not only better for our world, it’s also more interesting and memorable. Responsible tourism is the future of travel."
About The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards
responsibletravel.com is the world’s leading travel agent for responsible holidays. The site offers over 3,500 richer, deeper and more locally distinctive travel experiences that are better for destinations and local communities.
Nov 22, 2010
Get Away from it All at Matava Fiji's Premier Eco-Resort | Peachy Green
Matava Fiji's Premier Eco-Resort
So, I posted several days ago about my trip to Fiji. Where did I go, you might be wondering!
I was staying at the remotely located Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco-Resort. Here, you can experience “real Fiji,” according to one of its owners, Adrian Weeks.
Matava is located on Kadavu, about a 1-hour plane ride south of Nadi on the main island of Fiji. Once you disembark the plane, you’ll travel about 1 mile over the only roads on the island to a very small marina. Hop on an exposed fishing boat and get ready to travel over fringe and barrier coral reefs to a vacation spot that will really take you away from it all!
Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco-Resort is 100% off-grid, running primarily on solar power. The property is nestled among the mangroves and palm trees in a secluded bay. Forget about making cell phone calls or logging into Facebook. All this means is that I’ve been delayed in writing posts for Peachy Green about my experiences.
But, after all, isn’t that what vacation is all about?
Matava Fiji runs on solar power, with a generator back-up
Matava is a wonderful place to stay in Fiji, but be prepared for a truly off-grid vacation, in every sense of the phrase. For eco-conscious travelers, this is the place to go. Aside from being able to enjoy the natural, unspoiled beauty, consider:
- Sustainably grown, organic crops used to prepare every meal
- Natural setting without unnecessary clearing
- Native plants
- No use of chemicals or pesticides
- Minimal electricity usage and demands: kerosene lamps at night, no electrical outlets in rooms, no wireless internet, no air conditioning
- Louvre windows to allow sea breezes in at night
- Amazingly friendly staff to help you with any need
What can you do at Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco-Resort? Plenty! The resort can accommodate about 20 guests at a time. Individual bures (rooms) allow for your own private get-away, but meals are served community style at the same time, with the same offerings – just let the resort know in advance of any dietary restrictions.
Matava Fiji's Premier Eco-Resort from low tide
People who enjoy Matava come for:
- Fishing
- Diving
- Relaxing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Adventure
- Weddings and reunions
When you are at Matava Fiji’s Premier Eco-Resort, you really feel like you are a world away.
Relax and enjoy the environment. Get to know a few of the other guests without the interruptions and distractions of cell phones and computers.
Perhaps finally, you’ll see what you’ve been missing!
Nov 1, 2010
Perfect escape - TripAdvisor
The staff are fabulous (especially Maggie!) and the accommodation is very comfortable - the views from the Honeymoon Bures are definitely worth the extra few dollars.
If you want cocktails by the pool and large crowds of people stay on the big island - Matava is about getting away from the rat race.
Snorkelling off the beach, awesome diving on the Astrolabe Reef (Naigoro Passage is one of the best dives I've done), and relaxing afternoons on the deck of your bure.
Overall, very highly recommended, and the sort of place we would definitely return to.
perfect escape - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
Oct 30, 2010
Eyes for Fiji - A Good Will Diving Featured Cause
November 2010 marks the official beginning of Good Will Diving, and for this Deep Blue Adventures is highlighting the need for eye glasses for Fijian Villagers.
CEO & Founder of Deep Blue Adventures explains “We chose this cause for a number of reasons. As divers and travelers we experience many wonderful aspects of the countries we visit. We often fall in love with the surroundings, the food, the culture and of course what we find there beneath the surface. More often than not, the people are what touches us the most and deepens our experiences. We felt that highlighting a need of some of the warmest people we have ever met in one of our top-selling destinations would be an appropriate place to start. This is also something everyone can be involved in – we are not asking for money, we are asking for something very simple that many people are able to give – used or old reading eye glasses. Kids and teens can be just as involved as adults and no one has to dig deep in their pockets – that’s part of what Good Will Diving is all about. While foundations often desperately need financial support, and we will always encourage and be part of that, many of us are not aware that we can often make a huge difference in someone’s lives without it costing a penny. Finally, another reason we selected this program is it struck a very personal chord with one of our team members”.
Terri Huber, Senior Sales Representative with Deep Blue Adventures explains.
“One night, during my recent trip to Fiji, I was chatting after dinner with another guest and Matava resort owner, Richard Akhtar. During our conversation, the subject of the needs of the Fijian Villagers came up and Richard immediately responded without hesitation, eye glasses. Having traveled to many remote diving destinations around the world and being welcomed and treated graciously by the locals we have thought of a small gesture to say "thank you". We as divers visit and enjoy these far off countries and return home with long lasting memories, photos, and souvenirs. So, why not give back a little to help out the remote villages of Fiji?”
While the glasses will be distributed to various villages in need across the country, Matava Resort on Kadavu who operates the Matava Foundation has agreed to assist Deep Blue Adventures in their first Good Will Diving venture by providing a contact point in Fiji and facilitating in getting the glasses to those that need it most. Organizations such as clubs or schools that participate in the Eyes For Fiji Program and elect to take a group to the resort will receive a Meke from the village, with an official handing over ceremony to the elders of the village as part of their week at Matava, a truly memorable experience.
If you are interested in contributing to this effort, you can do so simply by mailing in reading glasses, but Deep Blue Adventures is willing to absorb the postage costs involved on your behalf if you email GoodWillDiving@deepblueadventures.com or call 888-266-2209 and request a self-addressed, postage paid envelope.
We are also encouraging dive stores, clubs, schools, scouts, business and other organizations to consider becoming a collection point for Eyes for Fiji and engaging their local community in an effort on a larger scale. Once the glasses are received any interested donors may request a $50 travel voucher as a thank you for their donation. Glasses collected will be sent on a regular and ongoing basis to the islands through the company’s various contacts. All vouchers will be distributed electronically due to conservation efforts also being made by the company.
On behalf of the people of Fiji, and all of our team members here at Deep Blue Adventures, we thank you in advance for your interest and support.
Deep Blue Adventures the best dive travel vacations worldwide - Eyes for Fiji - A Good Will Diving Featured Cause
Oct 25, 2010
Fabulous & Friendly Service & Awesome Diving! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
Beautiful food (& heaps of it!) gorgeous views from our tropical bungalow & awesome diving.
Dive staff really look after you & take you to all the best spots. Great knowledge of the area and surrounding reefs. Highlights of diving were turtles, manta rays (up close) and lots of sharks! Not to mention colorful corals.
Will definitely go back there.
Anj & Rob (Victoria)
Fabulous & Friendly Service & Awesome Diving! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
Sep 16, 2010
Super Resort - das richtige - TripAdvisor
In Matava haben wir mit das beste Essen unserer 5-wöchigen Reise gehabt! Z.B. super frischen Fisch, den zwei australische Fischer jeden Abend an Land brachten, sehr phantasiereich gekocht. Mit den anderen Besuchern und Eigentümer Richard hatten wir sehr nette Abende. Wir haben auch viel über Fiji gelernt.
Die gute Seele Matavas ist, wie schon von anderen erwähnt, Maggie, die alles im Griff hat und immer nett und freundlich ist.
Wir haben eine sehr interessante Birdwatchingtour gemacht, mit Besuch im "Dorf." Ausserdem waren wir schnorcheln. Auch die Tauchausrüstung ist auf neuestem Stand.
Wir würden jederzeit wieder nach Matava gehen!
Super Resort - das richtige Fiji - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor