Jul 29, 2011

Building The Bamboo Spa

Building The Bamboo Spa

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Jul 26, 2011

My new favorite place on the planet! - TripAdvisor

My husband and I spent a week at Matava and were immediately working on ways to stay longer or at least return next year. This is definitely a place to get away from it all and enjoy the real Fiji. Don't expect wireless internet (or even power outlets) in your room, a swimming pool, or white sandy beaches. But if you want to meet great people (staff, locals, and fellow travelers), experience awesome diving, snorkeling, fishing (all deep sea, you can't fish within the reef), kayaking, and hiking, and enjoy some of the freshest, tastiest food around, this is the place to go.

We spent one day fishing, two days diving, one day solo kayaking and snorkeling, and one fabulous day on a guided kayak/snorkel trip that included lunch in a local village and a hike to a waterfall through the rain forest. We also had a nice romantic dinner in our bure one night, and a lovo feast and kava party another.

This is truly the real Fiji, there are very few roads and cars on the island, most of which are located near the airport. Access to the resort is by a 45 minute boat ride over some of the most beautiful waters you've ever seen.

We can't thank Maggie, Cherie, Ta, Cita, Adrian, Glen, Lisa, Tay, Tox, and the whole gang at Matava enough. This was a truly amazing experience that gave a whole new perspective and hopefully lifelong friends.

My new favorite place on the planet! - TripAdvisor
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My new favorite place on the planet

My husband and I spent a week at Matava and were immediately working on ways to stay longer or at least return next year. This is definitely a place to get away from it all and enjoy the real Fiji. Don't expect wireless internet (or even power outlets) in your room, a swimming pool, or white sandy beaches. But if you want to meet great people (staff, locals, and fellow travelers), experience awesome diving, snorkeling, fishing (all deep sea, you can't fish within the reef), kayaking, and hiking, and enjoy some of the freshest, tastiest food around, this is the place to go.

We spent one day fishing, two days diving, one day solo kayaking and snorkeling, and one fabulous day on a guided kayak/snorkel trip that included lunch in a local village and a hike to a waterfall through the rain forest. We also had a nice romantic dinner in our bure one night, and a lovo feast and kava party another.

This is truly the real Fiji, there are very few roads and cars on the island, most of which are located near the airport. Access to the resort is by a 45 minute boat ride over some of the most beautiful waters you've ever seen.

We can't thank Maggie, Cherie, Ta, Cita, Adrian, Glen, Lisa, Tay, Tox, and the whole gang at Matava enough. This was a truly amazing experience that gave a whole new perspective and hopefully lifelong friends.

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Jul 23, 2011

Fiji feels like paradise - The Boston Globe

To travel 7,500 miles for a five-star, air-conditioned villa on the beach would have been to miss the heart of Fiji. That was not what I had in mind as I traveled with a 50-pound suitcase of medical supplies from the East Coast to Fiji’s Nadi International Airport and on to Kadavu.

Rising from the sea in a wall of densely forested mountains, Kadavu, the fourth largest of Fiji’s 333 islands, is surrounded by Great Astrolabe, the world’s fourth largest barrier reef. Eight years ago, after sailing through Fiji’s Yasawa archipelago, I came here on a whim and ended up pledging to provide medical supplies for one of the villages. Now I was returning to fulfill that promise and explore the closest place to paradise I had ever been.

Kadavu’s seduction is twofold: the seclusion of an almost uninhabited island and a culture so embracing that you do not feel alone. Divers come here to drift down the five Great Astrolabe reef passages. Snorkelers like me find opportunities to wriggle through soft coral gardens fringing bay after deeply indented bay.

For my 10-day stay the thunderous reef breaks and empty gold and white beaches seemed to belong to only a few visitors. Of course, they do not. Kadavu is home to 75 small villages where smartphones and tradition coexist to a surprising degree. Seemingly poor, they are rich with natural resources that still sustain them. A growing number of eco-resorts help preserve their environment and way of life.

When I met Adrian Watt, Richard Akhtar, and Jeanie Mailliard on my first trip, they had just left high-powered jobs to become the owners of Matava Resort on Kadavu’s southeast coast. Recently joined by co-owner Stuart Gow, they set a gold standard on the island for blending with the local ethos while building a full-service adventure outfit.

Almost invisible from the water, nine grass-and-wood “bures,’’ or bungalows, keep alive a natural construction method that Fijians are forsaking for concrete. Solar-powered hot showers and ocean breezes for air conditioning make guests feel virtuously green. One of Akhtar’s first acts on arriving was to negotiate a no-take agreement with his Kadavu Koro village neighbors who own the fishing rights in the area. The result is a flourishing marine preserve around little Waya Island, a short swim from the resort’s dock.

Mailliard’s first project was an organic garden that supplies her gourmet menu, considered the island’s best. Dinners under the tall, open-air “bure-levu,’’ communal meeting space, bring guests together at lantern-lighted tables where the highlight could be a coconut-infused curry, or Fijian “kakoda,’’ citrus-cooked raw fish, made with your own deep sea catch of the day.

As Matava’s guests, we were welcomed not only to Kadavu Koro’s waterfall, at 80 feet the island’s tallest, but also to the village.

Continued...

Fiji feels like paradise - The Boston Globe
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Jun 28, 2011

Matava Resort June 2011

Spent a wonderful 9 days at the Matava Eco Resort http://www.matava.com on Kadavu island in Fiji http://matava.com/kadavu-island/ diving some spectacular reefs. Kadavu is the 4th largest island in Fiji and it refreshingly remains basically undeveloped with few roads and not much besides villages connected by paths. Much of the island is surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef the 4th largest fringing reef in the world. http://scuba-diving-fiji.com/fiji-scuba-dive-centre/great-astrolabe-reef .

Spent a wonderful 9 days at the Matava Eco Resort http://www.matava.com on Kadavu island in Fiji http://matava.com/kadavu-island/ diving some spectacular reefs. Kadavu is the 4th largest island in Fiji and it refreshingly remains basically undeveloped with few roads and not much besides villages connected by paths. Much of the island is surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef the 4th largest fringing reef in the world. http://scuba-diving-fiji.com/fiji-scuba-dive-centre/great-astrolabe-reef .

The resort itself is nestled along the southeast side of the island and can barely been seen from the water blending in so well with the lush natural beauty of the island. The owners have carefully built the resort to have as little impact on the land and sea as possible. Most of the electricity is created by the abundant solar energy of the tropics, which also provides the hot water for showers in your private and very comfortable bure. With no roads to the resort EVERYTHING is brought in by boat. That in itself would be a challenge, but additionally everything needs to be timed by the tides because of the shallowness of the inside areas of the reef where it connects to the island. At low tide boats are sitting in the sand and us divers are walking to or from the transfer boats across sand and sea grass flats.

Don’t think for a minute this is a “rustic” basic resort. Far from it. Despite the logistics of supplying the resort, the staff goes beyond being friendly and caring and don’t ask me how such amazing and varied meals came out of that kitchen. A large garden supplies the majority of veggies served at the resort with the rest coming from the local village. What a treat that was.

The beautifully landscaped grounds are filled with flowers that are used fresh daily all over the resort. The individual buries are comfortable with nice beds and linens and cooling provided by the tropical breezes. A ceiling fan would have been nice as well, however with limited electricity I understand why they did not have them in each bure. There are mosquitos about in the evenings so if you are bothered by them come prepared with long sleeves and pants and some bug repellent. I did not have a problem but my traveling companion did. You sleep under a mosquito net so once in bed it is not an issue.

Because that area of Fiji is also world renowned for its deep sea fishing, the resort has a sports fishing operation as well and about a third of the guests were serious fishermen. This resulted in fresh wahoo and other deep sea fish on the menu multiple days along with amazing plates of sashimi two nights in a row.

Although we did not do much besides diving, read through the Matava website for some of the other activities you can do there. Coming soon yoga retreats! As it was they provided mats, straps and blocks upon request and doing yoga every morning at sunrise became the norm. A yoga retreat with diving now that gets my attention! Or maybe the order is wrong there, great diving with inspiring yoga also included.

Enjoy the galleries that tell the rest of the story including the wedding! Yep a wedding. That was an unexpected surprise and a wonderful way to wrap up our trip, with a big part the last night.

Galleries

Getting There : Getting there was not for the weak hearted. Graham flew in the day before our departure....from Scotland thus he had already done 18 or so hours of travel across time zones. Our 10 hour flight from Los Angeles to Nandi Fiji left at 12:30am. Upon arrival in Nandi we had....8 hours to wait for our 40 minute puddle jumper flight to Kadavu Island then a 45 minute boat ride in a skift to finally reach the resort. Graham fell asleep anywhere he could.

Getting There

Getting there was not for the weak hearted. Graham flew in the day bef ...

Resort : Spent a wonderful 9 days at the Matava Eco Resort www.matava.com on Kadavu island in Fiji http://matava.com/kadavu-island/ diving some spectacular reefs. Kadavu is the 4th largest island in Fiji and it refreshingly remains basically undeveloped with few roads and not much besides villages connected by paths. Much of the island is surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef the 4th largest fringing reef in the world. http://scuba-diving-fiji.com/fiji-scuba-dive-centre/great-astrolabe-reef . The resort itself is nestled along the southeast side of the island and can barely been seen from the water blending in so well with the lush natural beauty of the island. The owners have carefully built the resort to have as little impact on the land and sea as possible. Most of the electricity is created by the abundant solar energy of the tropics, which also provides the hot water for showers in your private and very confortable bure. With no roads to the resort EVERYTHING is brought in by boat. That in itself would be a challenge, but additionally everything needs to be timed by the tides because of the shallowness of the inside areas of the reef where it connects to the island. At low tide boats are sitting in the sand and us divers are walking to or from the transfer boats across sand and sea grass flats. Don’t think for a minute this is a “rustic” basic resort. Far from it. Despite the logistics of supplying the resort, the staff goes beyond being friendly and caring and don’t ask me how such amazing and varied meals came out of that kitchen. A large garden supplies the majority of veggies served at the resort with the rest coming from the local village. What a treat that was. The beautifully landscaped grounds are filled with flowers that are used fresh daily all over the resort. The individual buries are comfortable with nice beds and linens and cooling provided by the tropical breezes. A ceiling fan would have been nice as well, however with limited electricity I understand why they did not have them in each bure. There are mosquitos about in the evenings so if you are bothered by them come prepared with long sleeves and pants and some bug repellent. I did not have a problem but my traveling companion did. You sleep under a mosquito net so once in bed it is not an issue. Because that area of Fiji is also world renowned for its deep sea fishing, the resort has a sports fishing operation as well and about a third of the guests were serious fishermen. This resulted in fresh wahoo and other deep sea fish on the menu multiple days along with amazing plates of sashimi two nights in a row. Although we did not do much besides diving, read through the Matava website for some of the other activities you can do there. Coming soon yoga retreats! As it was they provided mats, straps and blocks upon request and doing yoga every morning at sunrise became the norm. A yoga retreat with diving now that gets my attention! Or maybe the order is wrong there, great diving with inspiring yoga also included. For details on the diving and photos go here; http://gvanleer.smugmug.com/Travel/11-June-Fiji-Matava-Eco-Resort/Underwater-Astrolabe-Reef/17755102_PJd8ZN#1356076248_nNDrjxj

Resort

Spent a wonderful 9 days at the Matava Eco Resort www.matava.com on Ka ...

Underwater Astrolabe Reef : Spent a wonderful 9 days at the Matava Eco Resort www.matava.com on Kadavu island in Fiji. Kadavu island is the 4th largest island in Fiji and it refreshingly remains basically undeveloped with few roads and not much besides villages connected by paths. Much of the island is surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef the 4th largest fringing reef in the world. The accommodations and the resort itself are just fabulous. See the link at the bottom for more resort details. We did 3 dives most days with 4 dives on two of the days for a total of 24 dives that included one night dive and one dusk dive on the house reef. Unlimited shore diving is offered, however because of the extreme tides (we were there for a full moon), if you don’t dive on high tide, you will have a very long hike back to the resort with all your gear on which even with La Jolla Shores practice, ok that was just way too far! At another time of year you might get to dive the house reef more. It was worth the one dive we did get on it. Between the outside and inside of the reef we had quite a variety of dive sites to choose from. Although Fiji is better known for its soft corals, this area of Fiji consists of mostly hard corals. We just had tastes of soft corals here and there. The hard corals are varied and for the most part incredibly pristine and healthy which was refreshing to see. There were not a lot of large schooling fish for the most part, but we did see sharks on about a quarter of the dives which was not expected. We had mantas on two dives along with larger tuna types making passes at us on the outside reefs. There were plenty of other critters to entertain us although for a nudi file like me, did not find that many but suspect that was because we did not dive appealing to nudi type sites extensively. My best nudi finds were on the Korolevu Passage dives. The visibility varied depending if you were on the outside or inside of the reef with outside being maybe as good as 150’+ and the inside being more like 30’- 40’ depending on the tides and time of day. We had sheer walls, sloping reefs, patch reefs and sandy areas. One of my favorite sites was just a small rock in the middle of sand that we did twice. An entire eco system in miniature complete with three types of eels, scorpion leaf fish, schools of glass fish and cardinal fish, groupers, various shrimp, clown fish, the list goes on and on. Some of my best photos were taken at that rock discovered by one of the resort owners and appropriately named “Richard’s Rock” Our diving was done from either “panga” like skiffs when there is less than 4 divers or their very well designed aluminum “Dive Me”. A new smaller aluminum boat was to be delivered to the resort the week after we left to replace the skiffs entirely. If it is as well designed as “Dive Me” it will be top notch to dive from. The boat rides to the dive sites were as long as 45 minutes not necessarily because they were real far away, but because the extreme low tides while we were there made for creeping along through gaps in the reef very slowly an absolute must. The scenery was spectacular so no one minded. The normal is for a two tank morning dive with your surface interval done on the boat or a nearby beach. Tea and snacks served. You then are back to the resort for lunch and a single tank afternoon dive. I think in the summer they do two tank afternoon dives however not enough daylight for that at this time of the year down there. The dive crew and boat operators are top notch and leave you alone to dive pretty much your own profile once they are comfortable with your skills. The dives are mostly limited to an hour with some exceptions like Richards Rock where 90 minutes just seemed to fly by. Divers are sent up as they run low on air and picked up by the boat. Our guides pointed out things as they found them, but did not aggressively seek out things which worked fine for me given that we were basically diving our own profiles anyway. In 8 days of diving we only ever saw one other dive boat and it only had two divers on it, so basically we had miles of reef to ourselves. For the first 5 days the two of us were the only divers at the resort so it was truly a personal experience. Getting there is unfortunately one of the down sides. From San Diego we drove a rental car to catch our 10 ½ hour Air Pacific flight out of Los Angeles that did not depart until 12:45 am. We arrived in Nadi at 5:30am and then waited around for 9 hours for our 45 minute puddle jumper flight to Kadavu island. From there it was a 45 minute skiff ride to the resort. Fortunately it was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we soaked in the views and the warm air, but on a stormy day that would not have been a very pleasant ride. If you are flying tourist class on Air Pacific you are only allowed 50lbs per person and 12lbs in one carryon. You and your carry on will be weighed for the puddle jumper fight. These weight limits are totally impossible for divers. We packed little more than our dive gear with my gear all being “travel friendly” very lightweight equipment and still were hopelessly overweight. We paid $80 in overweight fees in LA which got us all the way to Kadavu island. On the way back it was a different story. We were charged just under $40 for the overweight to Nadi then charged another whopping $100 at check in back to LA. We had less luggage on the way back so were especially upset with the airline for this lack of consistency in their charges and felt we were double charged using that system. They showed no understanding whatsoever making us feel robbed. With regular weight gear, large camera housings and strobes, the baggage overweight charges would be double what we paid. This diver unfriendly baggage allowance and excessive overweight charges will give me cause for pause in my future travel decisions and I especially can’t recommend Air Pacific as a traveling diver because of it. Airlines like Continental are much more diver friendly allowing you one extra bag as long as it contains dive gear only. Hopefully after their merger with United that policy will remain in place. Our flight was a code share with Air New Zealand and Quantas so it will be tough to duck Air Pacific’s regulations by flying another airline. Overall a wonderful trip and I would love to go back there again. Probably go at a different time of year just for the variety and longer daylight hours so we can dive more! Photo links: Weaving boats through corals; http://gvanleer.smugmug.com/Travel/11-June-Fiji-Matava-Eco-Resort/Topside-on-the-Water/17752455_JdCZrx#1355465773_Dt6PtRf The resort: http://gvanleer.smugmug.com/Travel/11-June-Fiji-Matava-Eco-Resort/Resort/17752506_DT2DvG#1355444894_N6C4GTF About the reef http://scuba-diving-fiji.com/fiji-scuba-dive-centre/great-astrolabe-reef .

Underwater Astrolabe Reef

Spent a wonderful 9 days at the Matava Eco Resort www.matava.com on Ka ...

Topside on the Water : The boat rides to the dive sites were as long as 45 minutes not necessarily because they were real far away, but because the extreme low tides while we were there made for creeping along through gaps in the reef very slowly an absolute must. The scenery was spectacular so no one minded.

Topside on the Water

The boat rides to the dive sites were as long as 45 minutes not necess ...

Camera Fun : Handed off the camera to Graham for what I thought was going to be one or two shots. He went crazy! Then I started taking pictures of him taking pictures of me. Suggest you just quickly click through them. As you can see we laughed and laughed! And then there is Graham's new diving costume he is showing off at the end....

Camera Fun

Handed off the camera to Graham for what I thought was going to be one ...

Wedding : And then there was a wedding. Yep a wedding. A wonderful couple from the UK, Giles and Marcelle decided to elope rather than have a big family ceremony. By chance another delightful couple they know happened to be “in the area” in their world travels. Colin and Peggi who will celebrate their 40th anniversary next year, changed their plans and became the “wedding party”. All of us became their supporting cast of new friends, videographers and photographers. The resort did and unbelievable job in making this the most romantic wedding you can ever believe. Marcelle’s infectious laugh and broad smile says it all. Graham shot most of the stills here with me doing the video. Congratulations you two! Best wishes for many many years of happiness! It was a unexpected delight to be part of your wedding and a great party to end our trip on.

Wedding

And then there was a wedding. Yep a wedding. A wonderful couple from t ...

Gayle - Fiji, Kadavu Island, Matava Resort June 2011
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Jun 22, 2011

Heaven on earth - can't wait to go back...

My husband and I just spend 7 nights at Matava, and we are already planning our next trip there. We loved the place, and especially the staff sooooo much we have totally fallen in love with Matava.

The staff were wonderful, couldn't do enough for you day and night, always quick with a smile and a joke. The food was fantastic as was the diving.

Matava would not be for everyone, but if you don't mind rustic charm (no air con or fan, and limited electricity - tropical breeze, gas lanterns and mozzie nets instead) and want a true romantic adventure far, far from the maddening crowds then I would highly recommend this place to you.

Heaven on earth - can't wait to go back - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
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May 14, 2011

Matava' amazing staff!

Matava' amazing staff!
How many can you name?
www.Matava.com

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May 4, 2011

Matava: Earth Day April 2011

Matava: Earth Day April 2011 by Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort

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Apr 21, 2011

Exotic remote paradise - TripAdvisor

The best vacation adventure I have ever had! I daydream about Matava all the time.

Fishing on the Bite Me for blue marlin was quite a thrill!!! First time I fought a fish that I thought might just win!

The water was amazing every shade of turquois and blue you could imagine.

Wonderful people great food and the kava tasted pretty darn good to me.

Have never seen such beautiful fish and coral!

Cant wait to return to Kadavu!

Exotic remote paradise - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
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Apr 12, 2011

Diving in Fiji: Winner of Dive Boat Name Announced!

Winner of Dive Boat Name Announced!

Michael Caro of Michigan, USA won the competition!


We are pleased to announce that we have the name of our new dive boat:


"BELOW ME"

The winner is Michael Caro from Michigan, USA, sent in through his dive travel agent Scuba Planners!.

He's won himself a Scuba Dive Kadavu Package :
  • 5 day of 2 tanks diving (10 dives) at Mad Fish Dive Centre
  • All day free access to shore diving at The Critter Junction
  • 7 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
  • Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava ceremony
  • Airport and boat transfers to/from Kadavu airport
  • All taxes
Congratulations Michael!

Thanks to everyone who sent in names, we were overwhelmed by the number of emails and suggestions.

Follow along the construction on our blogs and the photos on Flickr.

View our photos on flickr


We hope you all had some fun, we certainly did judging the entries.

Winner of Dive Boat Name Announced
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Apr 11, 2011

Pack For A Purpose

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Mar 19, 2011

Absolutely Brilliant Adventure - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

"Everything was just perfect & the experience exactly what we were after. The eco-retreat is definitely in a wilderness part of Fiji. The accommodation very comfortable with unbelievable views over an Island. Definitely pay a little more for the Honeymoon Burres. All the staff are brilliant, friendly, warm & helpful. I can’t praise Maggie high enough for looking after us so well & being so entertaining. Food was excellent every day/night, tasty & abundant.

Most guests were divers but we scheduled an activity every day. Medicine man walk, village visit, snorkel trips, remote picnic on deserted beach & an exciting adventure kayaking from Ono Island across the channel back to Matava. In fact the adventure starts as soon as you leave Nadi. Small plane flight, truck across Island & then 1 hr open boat trip to the retreat.

Thank you so much guys for everything. We will definitely be returning & have such fond happy memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. "

Absolutely Brilliant Adventure - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
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Mar 4, 2011

Fantastic location & adventure options, and the people were terrific! - TripAdvisor

I've traveled extensively and for the overall value this was one of the best remote eco-resorts I've ever visited.

The owners and staff treated me like a long-lost friend. Meals were made with local food, prepared very well, served family style, and there was always enough to go around. The guests were from around the world and were fun and friendly.

The staff were helpful, accommodating, friendly and professional. As a diver, I really appreciated how well the dive operation was handled -- gear, boat, dive masters, safety, etc. were all PADI 5-star.

If you open your mind and heart to the local Fijian people, especially if you visit one of their villages, they will be friends for life...
Fantastic location & adventure options, and the people were terrific! - TripAdvisor:
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Feb 26, 2011

Matava wins Environment/Local Sustainability Award at AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010 | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava wins AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award 2011

Matava has been awarded the Environment/Local Sustainability Award at the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 26th February 2011 – Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to be announced as the winner of the Environment/Local Sustainability Award at the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010 for its policies on environmental sustainability and the environment.

The annual Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards night sponsored by AON was held at the The Warwick Resort and Spa on the Coral Coast on Friday 26th February 2011, and attended by Matava Director, Stuart Gow. Many local tourism operators and business people attended the evening presentations. This year there were over a thousand nominees in the 12 categories. This glamourous event was Red Sea Rig & Cocktail theme, welcoming guests with a 3 course dinner, an awards ceremony & fantastic live entertainment with a turn out of over 400 guests.

The Environment/Local Sustainability Award recognises efforts to preserve the environment & local communities for the benefits of locals & visitors alike in developing & fostering both environmental & national conservation. It also assesses efforts to support cultural initiatives and promote public awareness and education in support of “Fiji Made” products by reducing their carbon footprint.

Matava was proud to be nominated in 3 categories, and was chosen as a finalist in all nominated categories at this year’s AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards. Bite Me Gamefishing Charters and Mad Fish Dive Centre were recognised as finalist in the Fiji Experience Award, and Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort was a finalist in the Quality Accommodation Award as well as winning the Environment/Local Sustainability Award.

“We are extremely proud to win this award. We have been lucky to win overseas and global awards for our environmental policy in the past year, but it is especially gratifying to be recognised at home by our colleagues in Fiji.” said Mr Stuart Gow, one of Matava’s Directors.

Richard Akhtar, Managing Director of Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort said “At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive this prestigious award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding environmental efforts, choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important continuing signal to the community which at the same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji’s leading role and efforts in this regard especially.”

About Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort:

Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava – Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 14 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian ‘bures’ with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.

About AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards:

The awards which have been in existence for 14 years, honour those who have made a significant input to Fiji’s most important industry. The prestigious awards are given to individuals, groups and companies in a broad range of categories; covering accommodation, restaurant and dining, tours and transportation, environmental and local sustainability. Winners were chosen as part of a nomination process which began late last year and closed in January. Recipients of the various awards have proven dedication, active participation and innovation in their fields of speciality, and have thus merited the esteem of the industry. Over the years, the AON Excellence in Tourism Awards has grown in prestige and now not only bestows recognition but serves as an incentive for individuals and companies to aspire to greatness in the sector.

AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010

www.Matava.com

# # #


Matava wins Environment/Local Sustainability Award at AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010
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Feb 20, 2011

Name our new dive boat to win a Dive Trip!

What will we call her?
Name our new dive boat to win a Dive Trip!
We have happy news to share with you, we have a new BABY BOAT due for delivery at the end of March 2011!

It is currently on the blocks being built in the Fiji Islands.

NOW WE NEED A
NAME FOR OUR NEW BABY!

That's where you come in!

We are offering a prize of a free 7 day package at Matava for 1 (one) person as a prize for the winning NAME!

Send all entries to Richard@Matava.com, Subject : New Dive Boat Name...

The Boat so far....

The vessel you are naming is an 8.5m/28ft custom designed Dive Boat. This dive boat has room for an exclusive 8 divers on a 2-tank dive,as well as a PADI Divemaster and a captain.

It has everything on board that a diver needs like rinse buckets, a camera table, a shaded area, and easy entry twin platforms for both going in and out of the water.

This vessel is custom designed for the specific diving done in Kadavu, Fiji Islands. Based on a proven hull design by NAIAD Designs from New Zealand, the boat was further developed by Bluewatercraft in Navua, Fiji Islands to allow a dry, safe ride, while allowing easy access to the water from the back twin dive platforms.



Naming Nomenclature and some guidelines:

A couple of 'rules' and guidelines that need to be adhered to...

#1. All our boats end are named as "Something" Me
  • Bite Me: our 31ft offshore gamefishing boat
  • Tease Me: our 8m GT Popping inshore fishing boat
  • Take Me: our 8m guest transfer boat
  • Carry Me: our 8m workboat
  • Dive Me: our 10m dive boat
Therefore the name must be "???? Me"

#2 For those of you who have met us, we like our humour... We're looking for something with a good measure of wit!

#3 A good double entendre would be PERFECT!

#4 It has to be acceptable by the maritime Safety Board (sorry, no F words etc...). You'll have to be more clever than that!

Send all entries to Richard@Matava.com, Subject : New Dive Boat Name...

So get your thinking caps on and you could win yourself a free trip back to Matava to dive off the boat that you named!

Send all entries to Richard@Matava.com, Subject : New Dive Boat Name...

All the best, and good luck,

Richard Akhtar
Matava
"Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort"
www.Matava.com
Prize Rules
  • As many entries as possible per person is permitted (!)
  • The winning prize voucher cannot be used in conjuction with any other offer.
  • The closing date for the competition is Fri 25th Februrary 2011
  • There is no cash alternative.
  • The winner will be notified by email on the Mon 28 February 2011 and will receive the Matava Trip voucher
  • The winner's name will be posted on this website as soon as the winner has been notified
  • False information entered on the competition form will invalidate the entry
  • The competition is open to any past guest of Matava
  • The judges decision is final
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Feb 18, 2011

Unexpected paradise!! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

My boyfriend and I, admitted city slickers, were looking for an off the beaten path experience when you stopped in FIji for a week last summer on our way to Australia. A friend recommended Matava and we couldn't be happier with our experience.

Unlike most people who visit Matava, we arrived as non-divers. We were thrilled with all the non-dive options, like the waterfall hike, beach picnic, kayaking and just general relaxing! We did decide to try our hand at diving one day and had expert instruction and a fantastic time.

The staff at Matava is so genuine, friendly and competent. While the activities offered at Matava are a great draw, by far our favorite take-away from the experience was the people. We loved to gather with the other guests each evening and talk and laugh about the day by candle/lantern light.

We can't wait to come back!!
  • Date of stay: June 2010
  • Visit was for: Leisure
  • Traveled with: With Spouse/Partner
  • Member since: February 15, 2011
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes!
Unexpected paradise!! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
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Feb 15, 2011

Waterfall adventure on Kadavu, Fiji Islands

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Feb 13, 2011

How children benefit from an ecotourism experience

Just because you are going on a family vacation doesn’t mean that learning should take a break too. Ecotourism is full of what educators call teachable moments or, more definitively, unplanned opportunities to explain a concept that has unintentionally captured a child’s interest.


Photo: Greenloons

Whether it is touring the rainforests of the Amazon, observing blue footed boobies throughout the Galapagos Islands, or understanding the water issues that surround the Okavango Delta in Botswana, ecotourism is a vacation experience that provides boundless opportunities to teach younger generations about the fragility of ecosystems and the significance of heritage.

Who among us has not witnessed the common occurrence while visiting the local zoo, going hiking through the wilderness, or even watching a local artistic exhibit of younger children looking with absolute wonder and amazement at the spectacle of music, art, flora or fauna? There is delight followed by an onslaught of illuminating questions about people and the natural world.


Photo: Greenloons

These teachable moments mark milestones for a child’s personal growth and development. And, the value system that is at the core of ecotourism can be a positive influence on all age groups, not just the very young.

Specifically, children can benefit from an ecotourism vacation because the experience offers an opportunity for:

  • Instruction about indigenous wildlife – ecotours are not only small group tours that allow for up-close-and-personal views of nature, but ones that are generally led by a naturalist that have been trained to understand plants, birds, insects and animals of the region and their relationships to ecosystems, thereby bringing education alive.
  • Increased awareness about environmental degradation – an important component of ecotourism is to inform tourists about ways to minimize waste, soil erosion, air and water pollution so as not to disturb the environment – lessons that no doubt will stay with children.
  • Involvement with conservation efforts – whether it’s helping to record sea turtle activity in Greece or understand the destructive role of invasive plant species in the wilderness, ecotourism allows for deep knowledge of the fragility of the natural world.
  • Focus on the depletion of natural resources – whether its learning about how an eco-lodge harnessed solar or wind power for their operations or how countries are implementing renewable bio-energy to power engines, ecotourism teaches how the impact of tourism is affecting sustainable land development, public transportation choices, and how other countries are using low-carbon technologies today.
  • Exposure to cultural experiences – from tasting new foods to learning phrases in a foreign language, ecotourism interprets cultural traditions and experiences that provide long-lasting impressions about the world.
  • Inspiration for a life’s passion – while snorkeling through a coral reef or observing animals in their natural habitat in Africa, ecotourism sparks the imagination to dream about a career or even find a solution to an environmental problem

Ecotourism even offers opportunities to incorporate your family vacation with your child’s science, social studies, foreign language, even art and music lesson plans. One of the most helpful and free resources available now is on the Rainforest Alliance site, which offers a Kindergarten – 8th Grade curriculum guide.

One example lesson plan for a Kindergarten student is entitled Biodiversity which challenges children to think about the diversity of local flora and fauna in local forests versus tropical forests as they classify insect and tree species, while the 8th Grade lesson plan entitled Guatemala’s Changing Forest has children learning about the Maya Biosphere Reserve by analyzing maps and determining recent changes in forest cover.

Dedication to the cause of the environment and its preservation can have a long-lasting impact on the way our younger generations feel more connected to ecosystems as well as view social involvement and economic success. Not only will children establish a deeper, longer-lasting connection with the region they are visiting during an ecotour, they will learn more about how they can make a more positive impact on the world.

Irene Lane is the founder & president of Greenloons, a company dedicated to providing nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists worldwide with trusted information about responsible, sustainable, and certified ecotourism travel vacations and volunteer conservation efforts both in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, see: Greenloons.com.



How children benefit from an ecotourism experience | Your Travel Choice Blog
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Feb 9, 2011

It’s NOT just about us……

As scuba divers, we all have an extraordinary opportunity to see parts of the world that many aren’t able to experience. Certainly the opportunity to visit diverse countries around the globe is a major part of what drives divers and professionals alike. A growing number of industry members are choosing to combine their dive trips with service projects and opportunities to give something back to local communities.

Last year, Mark Fischer of HyrdoSports Dive and Travel in Keizer, Oregon led a group of seven to Kadavu, Matava in Fiji. While there, the group did some great diving but the main thrust of the trip was to visit Koro Village. The community has limited access to medical, dental or standard eye care services. Fischer’s group, that included two dentists, a school librarian, an accountant and a heavy equipment operator, did what they could to serve local residents and put a smile on their face. Many of the smiles weren’t just the locals, but also the “visitors”.

“Everyone knew that they would be doing some type of service on the trip. It was extremely rewarding and I know that we made a difference,” Fischer points out. He’s already making plans for a second trip later this Spring.

Fischer correctly observes that it’s important for dive travelers to give back to the local communities and places they visit – and he’s not the only one.

Steve Weaver of Weaver’s Dive and Travel regularly encourages his clients to plan on bringing small things with them on trips. “School supplies including crayons, pens, paper, pencils and picture books are always welcome,” he points out. But he made another interesting observation - “Sometimes TIME can be even more valuable than money – just sitting down and talking with kids and locals makes a big difference.

It’s not just dive centers involved in making a difference. Last year, Deep Blue Adventures launched its “Good Will Diving” initiative. During the DEMA Show, officials from Deep Blue Adventures promoted “Eyes for Fiji”. The team collected nearly 200 pairs of reading glasses to send to Fiji to help meet a need for the local populations.

“The response has been overwhelming. People in the dive industry and divers in general are very generous,” says Cheryl Patterson of Deep Blue Adventures. “Everyone wants to take part – it’s incredible.”

Both Patterson and Fischer were quick to praise Air Pacific for providing assistance with baggage fees – at no charge.

Members of the industry have been “giving back” for years but the efforts are now gaining more momentum - and attention! Susan Shaw of Divegear has been raising funds to purchase wheelchairs for the people of Fiji. To date, she’s purchased and shipped more than 3,250 units to a population in need.

There’s certainly more to talk about (last month, the Ralph Erickson Educational Foundation sponsored the training of 10 new instructors in the Bahamas for example) and every effort is a worthy one.

In the end, it doesn’t matter WHAT you do as long as you DO something. There’s a world of opportunity out there and we encourage everyone to find a way to give back. Remember, it’s NOT about us!


DiveNewswire: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
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Jan 27, 2011

Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children in Fiji | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava has committed to being part of the Pack For A Purpose initiative. Click here to find our exact requests…

Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children around the world. Use available space in your luggage to provide supplies to the communities you visit. If just 500 individuals pack 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) each, we can provide 1.25 tons of Supplies!

Pack For A Purpose

The genesis of the idea:

During our first trip to Africa, my husband Scott and I learned that while we were limited to 40 pounds (18.14 kgs) of luggage on safari, the airline had an allowance of 100 pounds (45 kgs) of checked luggage plus a 40 pound (18.14 kg) carry-on. In making plans for a second trip, we looked into visiting a school near the lodge we would visit in Botswana. We contacted our safari company, Wilderness Safaris, to see if we could determine any specific needs of that school. Armed with that information, we were able to deliver 140 pounds (64 kgs) of school supplies, including soccer balls, to the school. It was enormously rewarding to be able to help the people in the community that had given us such a life-changing experience. Since then, we and a few of our fellow-travelers have made several trips to other countries in Africa and have been able to deliver an estimated 1,000 pounds (453 kgs) in donations of clothing, school and medical supplies. I asked a travel agent why other travelers did not use their luggage allowances this way. “Because nobody thinks about it,” he said. That was our “aha” moment.

Scott and I knew from our experiences that taking large amounts of supplies required a great deal of time and close logistical cooperation with the touring company. We felt we needed to come up with a simpler and more direct way for travelers to take supplies where they were going.

By asking travelers to pack 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) of supplies, we felt we would be able to involve everyone who wanted to add value to his or her trip by participating. By delivering the supplies directly to the traveler’s accommodation, it would be possible for every traveler to contribute and require no logistical support. That amount would take only a small space, require little effort and still make a big impact.

I realized that to make my idea a reality, I would need the assistance and skills of many other talented people. It is with gratitude that I would like to acknowledge and thank the people below as well as those who have agreed to serve on our Board. They have given generously and freely of their time and expertise.

Pack for a Purpose logoAnn Cramer, Keith Dokho, Dinda Elliot, Jenny Knott Gilbert, Debbie Goldberg, Eric Goldberg, Sharon Goldberg, Hazel Gooding, Mona Hall, Marcia Harris, Angela Bendorf Jamison, Rob Karn, Kilara Little, Robert Mungo, Bert Du Plessis, Michelle Pudu, Benji Rabhan, Sid Strauss, Laura Thompson, Dianna Upton, Michael Vidal and Cindy Wittmer.

Extra special thanks go to Erik Macenas who designed our Logo and our Website with unending patience and an amazing ability to work with a team.

Rebecca Rothney

Who We Are

The Members of the Board are experienced travelers and active members of their communities. Collectively they have travelled to all 7 continents and have a cumulative life experience of 346 years. The Members of the Board are actively involved with many other non-profits and committed to enhancing the global community in which they live. Additionally, the Board Members are entrepreneurs and work in corporate America.

Click here to find Matava’s requests for the villages in Kadavu…

Pack for a Purpose


Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children in Fiji | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort
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Jan 24, 2011

Viagem para Fiji, Matava Resort ( 2ª Parte )

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Welcome to Paradise! - Review of Matava - TripAdvisor

We researched the Matava resort extensively and communicated with the staff many times before our trip. They were always happy to answer any questions. It made our decision easier to come to Kadavu.

Our Fiji trip felt like a dream. There is so many things to do around the resort. Perfect for a couple to experience in such a beautiful destination. We came to Fiji interested in doing some Fishing, Trekking, and snorkeling during our stay. Every activity was amazing. We stayed in the Honeymoon Bure during our vacation and it was quite comfortable and had the most amazing views. The dining options were steller too. Lots of dishes with different touches of different cultures. I also became fond of the coconut ice cream and fresh Pinapple. The staff was was very welcoming it all started with Maggie. He was very helpful in so many aspects.

When we did our Trek, Sami was our tour guide and he also did a spectacular job. He brought us to a few waterfalls and guided us through a few local villages. All along the way we had incredible views and took a ton of great pictures.

We also did a day on a remote island. Maggie dropped us of on a beautiful remote island after starting a fire for us to cook food on from the resort. We spent the day relaxing, snorkeling, and trekking around the island while taking photos.

We did 4 days fishing and that went great as well. I brought my own Jigging and Popping tackle as this is a hobby of mine. Adrian recommended several Poppers and Stickbaits in which I brought too. We were really impressed with how Adrian and Joe worked together to make sure you have the best experience possible. Fishing with Joe was also a blast. He is absolutely hilarious! These guys really work well together. We ended up catching Giant Trevally up to about 35kg, Dogtooth Tuna, Bluefin Trevally, and Redbass. The conditions weren't perfect weather wise for fishing but we were certainly happy with the action. One day I was able to boat 11 GT's, Bluefin Trevally, and some Redbass. That's certainly not a bad day fishing anywhere! Adrian tells me it can get even better!

I strongly recommend Matava to anyone that wants to experience Fiji away from the bigger cities and see more of the remote beautiful areas that Fiji is known for. We are already thinking of another trip back!

Read Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort Reviews

Kadavu Fiji

Welcome to Paradise! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
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Jan 12, 2011

Refer a Friend to Fiji on Air Pacific and Companion Rate is $625

Don't let your friends be jealous of your Fiji vacation - bring them along! Book your flight for $1050 and your friend flies for $625. Bring along two more friends, and you fly FREE!
Air Pacific, Fiji’s International Airline, is offering reduced airfares to travelers who take a friend along to Fiji on Air Pacific.

THE OFFER: Fly roundtrip from Los Angeles to the South Pacific on Air Pacific from only $1,050* and travelers can take a companion for an additional $625*

OR get three of your friends to travel to the South Pacific with you and you will travel for free**.


The South Pacific includes the following destinations: Nadi, Fiji Islands; Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia; Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand; Tongatapu in Tonga; Port Vila in Vanuatu; Apia in Western Samoa; Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

If traveling to any of the destinations beyond Fiji, the stopover in Fiji is Free.
This offer is available for sale from January 8, 2011 until May 31, 2011. Travel is valid from January 15, 2011 until May 31, 2011, and all travel must be completed by June 14, 2011.

*Prices include fuel surcharge. Government taxes and other fees are additional from $115.
** Government taxes and other fees apply from $315.

Air Pacific, 800-227-4446, www.airpacific.com

Refer a Friend to Fiji on Air Pacific and Companion Rate is $625
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Tags: ,
Location: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

Fiji Kadavu Matava video from guest


Fiji - 22 Dec 2010 flight to Kadavu Island then boat to Matava eco-retreat
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Jan 10, 2011

Diving with Manta Rays in Fiji

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Dec 14, 2010

FREE HONEYMOON UPGRADE ON ALL 10 DAY PACKAGES AT MATAVA!

DEAL #2 from Matava for January 2011:
 
Book any of our packages to go fishing, diving, bird watching, or indeed just hanging out at Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort during the whole month of January and get upgraded to our exclusive Honeymoon Bure free!
 
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Location: Kadavu Island, Fiji

Buddy dives for FREE in January 2011 at Matava, Fiji

2 great deals in January 2011 from Matava!
DEAL #1
Your buddy dives fir FREE!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.
Use this great deal to get your one of you diving for free to get in even more diving this year.
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Location: Kadavu Island, Fiji

Dec 11, 2010

Deep Blue Adventures Announces New Charity Program

Charity begins at home and with that in mind Deep Blue Adventures is announcing the creation of Good Will Diving, a new branch of Deep Blue Adventures that will be dedicated to bringing together divers with organizations or people in need. Good Will Diving will organize and participate in various benefits, fundraisers and educational programs while providing a place where anyone interested in assisting or contributing to a need can find information on a cause and participate.

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.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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
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