Sunday 31 January 2010

Beyond Blue Issue 6

Beyond Blue Issue 6We kick off the new year with an issue of Beyond Blue dedicated soley to the polar regions of our planet, and the wildlife that call these dangerous places their home.

We also take a look at the recent discussions regarding climate change, and what the future may hold for the evolution of our planet.

To open the deep blue world of Beyond Blue all you have to do is register online at www.beyondbluemag.com and enjoy!


Beyond Blue Issue 6

Wednesday 27 January 2010

Manta Ray Magic, Kaduva, Fiji - Thanks to Matava Resort

Kelly Family Mantas, kadavu island, fiji

Saturday 23 January 2010

Wednesday 20 January 2010

Matava Resort- das Tor zum Great Astrolab Reef - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Im Im August 2009 besuchte ich das Matava-Resort auf Kadavu, der südlichsten der Fidschi-Inseln. Hauptprogramm meines Urlaubes war das Tauchen und dafür ist die Lage des Resorts ideal: auf der Südseite der Insel gelegen, bietet es mit Bootsfahrten von max. 40min Zugang zu insgesamt ca. 20 verschiedenen ausgewiesenen Tauch-Spots am Great Astrolab Reef, aber auch die Möglichkeit, das Riff an anderer Stelle zu erkunden. Die Philosophie des Resorts ist die Umweltverträglichkeit/ökologischen Nachhaltigkeit und die Kooperation mit den umliegenden Dörfern. Die Unterkünfte selbst liegen verstreut an einem kleinen Hügel, teils direkt am Strand, teils ein Stück bergauf. Doch jede der traditionell eingerichteten Hütten, von den Einheimischen Buré genannt, bietet einen einzigartigen Blick auf die vorliegende Lagune mit einer kleinen Insel sowie dem Riff. Die einzelnen Hütten sind für max. 3 Personen ausgelegt. Ausgestattet sind sie mit Doppelbett mit Moskitonetz, wenn nötig Einzelbett mit Moskitonetz, Schrank und Sitzgruppe. Das Bad ist über die Terrasse erreichbar und bietet WC, Waschbecken und Dusche mit Gaswassererhitzer. Licht gibt es nur über Solarenergie, Steckdosen sind in den Hütten keine vorhanden. Akkus etc. können aber in der Hauptburé geladen werden- vorausgesetzt, die Sonne scheint. Insgesamt sind die Hütten schlicht und einfach, aber dennoch gut ausgestattet. Der Service begeisert mit einer mir bis dahin unbekannten Offenheit und Freundlichkeit. Fragen, Wünsche oder Probleme wurden sofort in Angriff genommen und immer mit vollster Zufriedenheit erfüllt. Das Essen ist sehr abwechslungsreich und bietet eine große Fülle an unterschiedlichen Küchen (Indisch, Thai, Lokal u.vm.), eine vielseitige Auswahl von Früchten aus dem resorteigenen Obst- und Gemüsegarten sowie vielfältigste Variationen von fangfrischem Fisch, der teils von den Gästen selbst geangelt wurde. Angeln und Angelausflüge sind jedoch nur einer vielen möglichen Aktivitäten. Egal ob Schnorcheln oder Baden, Vogelbeobachtungen, Besuch von Dorf und Einheimischen, oder einem Spaziergang mit einem einheimischen Medizinmann- für jeden Geschmack ist was dabei. Eine große Rolle spielt im Matava auch das Tauchen. Der integrierte Tauch-Shop ist mit allem für einen erfolgreichen Tauchgang Nötigen ausgerüstet. Es ist ein großes Tauchboot vorhanden, aber bei größeren Gruppen werden auch mehrere Boote eingesetzt. Die Boote sind immer mit Sauerstoffkoffer und Notttelefon ausgerüstet und im Falle eines Notfalles existiert auch ein Notfallplan, der auch aushängt. Des Weiteren bietet der Tauch- Shop die Möglichkeit zur Aus- und Weiterbildung von Tauchern auf Basis des PADI-Ausbildungssystems.

Weiterhin als positiv zu nennen ist die familiäre Atmosphäre sowohl zwischen Gästen und Personal, als auch zwischen den Gästen untereinander. Aufgrund der geringen Anzahl von Gästen kommt man schnell miteinander ins Gespräch, egal ob bei den Mahlzeiten, bei der traditionellen Kava-Zeremonie oder den unterschiedlichsten Aktivitäten.

Zusammenfassend lässt sich also sagen, dass das Matava Resort durchaus ein Geheimtipp für all jene ist, die sich ausschließlich auf Sonne, Strand, sportliche und kulturelle Aktivitäten konzentrieren möchten und Abstand vom Alltag suchen. Und das alles in einer sehr freundlichen, offenherzigen und kommunikativen Atmosphäre!!!
Matava Resort- das Tor zum Great Astrolab Reef - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Mad Fish Dive Centre @ Matava Unveils New Dive Boat


New boat MV "DIVE ME" provides even more versatility for divers visiting Kadavu, Fiji


On December 27th 2009 Mad Fish Dive Centre's new boat, "DIVE ME", arrived at Matava's dock!

Both guests and staff were very excited tosee the first glimpse of the custom designed alloy dive boat on the horizon along The Great Astrolabe Reef next to Waya Island.

The new boat is completely innovative and new to the scuba diving industry in Kadavu, and indeed the Fiji Islands. This dive boat hasroom for 12 divers on a 2-tank dive,as well as 2 PADI Divemasters 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.

With this new boat Mad Fish Dive Centre @ Matava will be the first and only resort on Kadavu that is able to dive the entire length of the Great Astrolabe Reef. This opens up never before dived areas and divesites. We are excited about diving never before seen reefs and offshore pinnacles in the coming year!

In addition we are going to offer a 3-tank boat dive trip to the Northern Astrolabe Reefs north of Ono and as far as Solo Atoll. This will be combined with a BBQ lunch on the beach cooked by our very own chef, Kuki, before your 3rd dive!

DIVE ME was 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.

In keeping with Matava's policy of 'buying Fiji' and supporting local community capacity building, Mad Fish Dive Centre made the decision to build the vessel in country. This has allowed many of the tradesmen in the boat building industry once more gain advanced technological skills required to build a high end alloy vessel.

DIVE ME is fitted with the newest state-of-the-art twin 4 stroke SUZUKI 140hp Outboard Engines. 4-strokes are the cleanest outboard engines currently available. Suzuki 4-stroke outboards are noted for the low fuel consumption, low exhaust emission, low noise and outstanding reliability. When compared to conventional 2-stroke engines, 4 strokes:
  • Improve fuel efficiency (25-45 percent).
  • Reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 75-90 percent.
  • Reduce smoke smell.
  • Are quieter.
"With the addition of this new state-of-the-art dive boat we have placed Matava as the premier dive resort in Kadavu." said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar. "Adding a vessel of this advanced calibre to our other dive boats in our fleet solidifies Mad Fish Dive Centre as the only PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Kadavu".

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "We would like to thank all friends and clients of Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre past and present who have contributed to the success of our dive resort and we look forward to exciting times ahead diving the Great Astrolabe Reef from DIVE ME."

Friday 15 January 2010

Returning Soon - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

We have been to several places on Kadavu and find Matava the best. We would return just for the food but when you add the reef, the wonderful staff, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and the very nice beach facing the resort we will be there again in 2010 and that should be about 12 visits for us since we began traveling to Fiji in 1993-ps we did our rescue PADI Certification there.

Returning Soon - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Thursday 14 January 2010

As good as it gets!!! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Matava resort is a fantastic place to visit. Dont go there with preconcieved ideas of spa treatments or cocktails served to you by the pool, if your looking for that go else where. However if your looking for a lifetime of memories and experiences and a trip you wont forget then stop here and book immediately.

The resort is fantastically present for either diving, fishing or just pure relaxation with everything you need readily available. You are treated to a wonderful three course meal every night with fresh locally grown or caught food, cold drinks and the most friendly local people you could ever imagine. Instant friends.

The accomodation is a wonderful and extremely clean Bure's with ensuites, hot water for extra comfort and views from a deck people pay millions for. Everyone at the resort including Directors make you feel most welcome and help with every need, and enjoy a cold drink with guest in the evening which is always nice.

For Diving, its world class
For Fishing well World class
For pure relaxation world class and plenty of activites to keep you occupied

Visit Matava resort if your going to Fiji, dont waste your time anywhere else, seriously a great place.

When your there make sure you say hello to Maggie and remind him of Uncle Doug everyones friend.

Oh if you read this far then only negitives would be not a kid friendly place, which may not be a negitive after all and I could see it getting alittle sticky at night with no wind as there isnt any fans in the Bure's.

As good as it gets!!! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Top Scuba Dive Sites | Trails.com

Fiji

If you've ever been scuba diving in Fiji, then you'll understand why it is one of the top scuba diving sites in the world. The islands of Fiji have some of the most beautiful and famous coral reefs in the world. There are more than 400 species of coral in these waters.

Two of the most well-known reefs found here are the Great Astrolabe Reef and Rainbow Reef. While the reefs truly are a sight to see, divers also enjoy the marine life found here as well. While diving, you just might find yourself swimming with turtles, manta rays and reef sharks. You will most certainly encounter beautiful tropical fish during your dives. Another reason divers enjoy coming to Fiji is to explore the various caves and shipwrecks found here as well.


Top Scuba Dive Sites | Trails.com