Friday, 26 March 2010

Matava wins Major Environmental Award at the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 for 2nd Year in a Row!

Main bure at Matava, Kadavu, FijiMatava has again won the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the category Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 16th February 2010 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is an official 2009 recipient of The Project AWARE Marine Environmental Achievement Award for the 3rd year in row.
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 25th March 2010 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it has again been announced as the official 2009 winner of PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the in the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009.

Main bure at Matava, Kadavu, Fiji

The PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards were developed to better recognise the achievements of those PADI Dive Centres and Resorts who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of diving.
In competition with more than a thousand dive centres throughout the region, Matava was awarded the great honor of this award as a token of appreciation for all the efforts and initiatives put forward by the company in the last few years.

"At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to again receive this prestigious award. We find it even more important that the industry, by rewarding similar 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." said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar.
Mr Ian Cumming, PADI Regional Director for the Fiji Islands, said "I'd just like to send my congratulations to the Team at Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort who have again taken out the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award for 2009 for the second year running."

"Having visited the resort I know firsthand the mighty efforts everyone there have gone to to ensure the resort is very much the 'Eco Adventure' resort that has guests coming back time and again. Given the location of the resort, which adds greatly to its charm, it is a wonderful achievement that everyone involved in the resort should be very proud of!" Mr Cumming continued.

Main bure at Matava, Kadavu, FijiProject AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "This Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.

"Our Marine Environmental awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator.

Joanne Marston, Manager of Project AWARE, said "Project AWARE Foundation is delighted that Matava's positive continuing environmental actions have been recognized by PADI Asia Pacific.  As a Project AWARE Go ECO Operator Matava show a dedication and commitment to conservation that goes above and beyond.  Congratulations again Matava."
PADI

Adopting a fresh new format that provides a system in which all PADI Members can participate, the PADI Member Awards programme was based on a system that ensured PADI Members compete with other PADI Members within their own geographical region for one of the five Awards. All PADI Dive Centres and Resorts were considered for nomination by a specially convened selection panel, who selected up to three finalists for each of the Awards.

A panel of PADI judges then considered all of the finalists and Matava is very pleased to be announced as the winner of the PADI Member Award 2009 in the category: Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009.

Mr Akhtar went on to say that "This PADI Member Award gives us special recognition within the entire tourism industry and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business. After 7 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognised again and this time by the world's largest international scuba certification agency, PADI.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort "Our continuing resort upgrades in 2009, and the addition of further high-tech solar power plant solutions for the Main Bure and each individual bure, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has again proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment. To win this for 2 years running is indeed an honour and is an indication of the dedication of all the Matava staff."


Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.   To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org
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

Mad Fish Dive Centre and Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters are our on-site diving and fishing specialists offering the best of both under and on the water activities.
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Thursday, 18 March 2010

Matava is fully operational after Cyclone TOMAS

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort is 100% fully open after the cyclone passed Fiji on Tuesday 16th March 2010
 
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 17 December 2009 - On Monday 15th March 2010 Fiji was hit by a Category 4 Tropical Cyclone, TC TOMAS. The cyclone passed over the northern islands and well to the East of Kadavu Island.
Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure  Resort Although the resort experienced high winds and heavy rain, no damage was done to the resort at all, apart from the loss of some thatch from the corner of the roof of the dive centre.

Extreme shore diving by Linda G!The guests and staff spent the whole day playing cards, board games and reading books safely in the Main Bure while Maggie served breakfast, lunch and dinner as normal. We even had some divers toughen up and go shore diving in the 'teeth' of the bad weather on Monday and Tuesday and get some great pics of critters on The Critter Junction dive site!

By Tuesday 16th March we were once again fishing, diving and trekking as normal, in glorious sunshine with not even a slight breeze!

The cyclone passed well east of Kadavu and was over in a couple of days of strong winds and grey weather.

Due to flight safety reasons, Pacific Sun did postpone its flights for a couple of days, but have now fully resumed services to Kadavu from Nadi.  All flights to and from Kadavu from Nadi International Airport are currently fully resumed and we have have had clients fly in and out of Kadavu today (Wednesday 18th March 2010).

We appreciate your patience in these matters, and rest assured that we are all fine and 100% fully operational at Matava - Fiji's premier Eco Adventure Resort.Wednesday morning at Matava

Here is a pic taken by Adrian this morning from the deck of Mango, one of our Honeymoon Bures:


Richard, Adrian, Jeanie, Stuart & The Team @ Matava

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Great Expeditions Travel: Discovering Confucius

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Confucius

As we sat drinking our tea and enjoying the company of visitors who traveled half way across the planet to find themselves in Hygiene, Colorado, we discussed the excitement of experiencing something new and different when traveling. For our guests from Fiji and South Africa, it was the snow that covered the ground and capped the mountain peaks just outside our office windows that excited them. To see the beauty of home through their eyes rejuvenated our appreciation for a landscape that we see every day—an appropriate moment to share with guests who truly understand the power of travel as a way to connect and learn.

Richard and Stuart—originally from England and Scotland—came from Matava Eco Lodge on Fiji's island of Kadavu while Warren and Jan—both natives to South Africa—represented Sabi Sabi in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve of South Africa. As distant and different as these two properties are, they share a similar message of environmental ethics, connecting with the locals, and slowing the pace to truly experience the destination. Both Matava and Sabi Sabi have begun new cultural travel tours that not only give guests the opportunity to meet and interact with the local village but offer activities that allow a slower pace to absorb the beauty of the surrounding environment.

Matava's sea kayaking adventure begins with a guided kayak trip from the resort to one of the island villages, pausing along the way for some snorkeling and packed lunch on a secluded sandy beach. Sea kayaking is a perfect way to explore the road-less island, and with no motor the kayakers can fill their ears with the sounds of waves slapping the shores and birds in the trees. Upon arrival at the village, visitors present their “sevu sevu,” a gift of a bundle of Kava root and receive a traditional welcome from the village chief and elders. An afternoon exploring the hills with a local guide introduces sights of historic interest as well as hidden waterfalls to cool off before heading to the village for dinner and kava ceremony for storytelling from the village elders. Spending the night with a local family solidifies the bond as an extended member of the community, and after a good night's sleep and hearty breakfast guests return to Matava with memories to last a lifetime.

By our friend, Darcy

Great Expeditions Travel: Discovering Confucius

Divers don't stop for TC Tomas at Matava!

As TC Tomas passes East of Kadavu Island and Matava Eco-Adventure Resort, our diving guests clearly demonstrate an adventurous streak.....by going for a shore dive....


Well.....we are an Eco-Adventure Resort !

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Kadavu - a Pacific marine reserve

Kadavu, an island in the south of the Fijian islands, may become the site of the first true marine reserve in the Pacific.

Marine reserves could be the answer to the ocean's dwindling fish stocks.

Learn more:
http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/news-and-events/news/overfishing/oceans-in-deep-peril

Kadavu - a Pacific marine reserve

Kadavu, an island in the south of the Fijian islands, may become the site of the first true marine reserve in the Pacific.

Monday, 8 March 2010

Mad Fish's New Youtube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/MadFishDiveFiji

Thursday, 4 March 2010

Fish translator

You want to give the name of a fish to a buddy, friend or student in his/her own language? Use the fish name translator (7 languages and picture function).

Fish database and translation


Select a fish in one language to have the translation in other languages:
German:
English:
French:
Dutch:
Italian:
Spanish:
Latin:
Search in all languages:
enter name: