Matava Foundation and Hydroports Dive Centre partner to provide dental care to remote villagers in Kadavu

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KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 28 July 2010 – In June 2010, Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, through the Matava Foundation, partnered with HydroSports Dive & Travel to bring a Dental Mission from USA to provide dental treatment for the children and people of Kadavu Koro village.

The initial idea was Mark Fischer, owner of HydroSports Dive & Travel in Oregon, USA.

“Returning from a recent Fiji trip I decided to pioneer a Dental Mission. I partnered with Coach Ramey Stroud, a Mill City diver, and Stuart Gow, Director of the Matava Eco-Resort on the island of Kadavu. Together we identified dates for our trip, solicited the cooperation of Air Pacific, the national airline of Fiji, the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association and the Fiji Ministry of Health. Salem Hospital generously shared information about our trip with their staff.” Mark said.

“This project was an excellent opportunity to achieve long term goals of Matava in regards to assisting the children and people of Kadavu” said Matava Director, Mr Stuart Gow. “It was a natural fit for us, and we have found much common ground in our activities with those of Mark and Hydrosports”.

“Through the Matava Foundation we assist the people of Kadavu in many ways, and concentrate on community assistance .” he continued. “The Matava Foundation is driven by Matava Resort owner’s passion for the Fiji Islands and the communities which live here. The Foundation makes social investments that help the people of Fiji to have fuller lives by sharing the benefits of sustainable development, protecting the natural environment and supporting the local communities in which Matava’s customers, employees, investors and suppliers live”

Mr Fischer continued, “I traveled with Dr. Mike and Mrs. Carrie Litchfield and Dr. Sean Hanson of Salem and Jim and Gina Jepsen from Ione, Oregon. Dave Beard from Tasmania met us at Matava and joined our team. Air Pacific allowed us each to bring an extra 50 pounds of medical gear. Mike and Sean had received hundreds of toothbrushes, toothpaste samples and dental supplies from their suppliers. Mike brought a portable dental station as well.”

“During the week the Dental Mission had the opportunity to serve nearly 200 villagers from Kadavu Koro. Carrie taught 75 children how to brush their teeth. Numerous rotted, damaged and decayed teeth were removed, mostly from adults, a few from children.” continued Mr Gow.

For more information about the resort: Matava

Go Green Belize An Eco-Package for Responsible Travelers

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Travel, when conducted mindfully can be a powerful tool for positive change, inspiring awareness of environmental responsibility and social commitment.

By choosing responsible travel, you can have the fabulous vacation that you’ve dreamed of, while ensuring that the money you spend at your destination is benefiting the environment and the local people.

What is Responsible Travel?

Responsible travel is travel with a purpose. When choosing destinations, accommodations, and tour operators, consider which ones work to protect the environment and assist the local communities who inhabit it.

Who travels responsibly? Anyone can be a responsible traveler. You can get back to nature, or bathe in luxury… hike into the rainforest, or explore the city… stay close to home, or travel to the exotic location of your dreams.

Making informed choices before and during your trip is the single most important thing you can do to become a responsible traveler. With a little planning, you can improve the quality of your trip, while making a real difference to the people and places you visit.

Giving Back to Conservation & Communities

Through our new ? Go Green Belize? package The Lodge at Chaa Creek is continuing its longstanding commitment to the wise use and preservation of Belize?s magnificent natural resources and to the support and advancement of the Belizean people, their communities, and social projects.

Chaa Creek is now offering our guests the opportunity to get involved and help make a difference. We are encouraging our guests to enrich their travel experience by giving back to the well-being of the local communities that they visit.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is inviting all responsible travelers to take advantage of our new responsible tourism ?Go Green Belize? package. The All Inclusive Green Vacation package offers discerning guests itineraries that focus on local culture, environmental conservation, sustainable development, traditional healing, the ancient Maya, and social and environmental stewardship.
3 Nights lodging in beautifully appointed luxury cottage accommodations traditionally constructed by local artisans utilizing indigenous hardwoods.
All meals with daily special recipes featuring the seven Belizean ethnic groups, Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese and Mennonite.
A guided tour of our organic Maya farm where freshly harvested fruits and vegetables are grown for our varied regional and European menu.
Hiking on well maintained trails along our Ruta Maya Trail System where our professionally trained naturalist guides will offer environmental interpretation of the surrounding tropical forest and its plants and animals.
A guided tour of the Chaa Creek Natural History Centre where visitors receive a comprehensive introduction to the natural history, geography and cultures of Belize.
A guided tour of the Chaa Creek Butterfly Farm focuses on the life cycle and miraculous transformation of the magnificent Blue Morpho butterfly.
A guided interpretive tour of our Rainforest Medicine Trail which showcases traditional Maya folk remedies that are extracted from the plants of the surrounding tropical forest.
Early Morning Bird Walk with one of our Naturalist Guides within Chaa Creek?s 365 acre nature reserve where over 308 species of birds have been documented.
Guided horseback riding within our Ruta Maya Trail System where your naturalist guide will highlight the various unique plants and wildlife species native to the reserve.
Canoeing along the Macal River that is home to numerous species of tropical birds as well as giant Green Iguanas.
Presentation on responsible and sustainable tourism that outlines Chaa Creek’s commitment to the fundamental principles of ecotourism.

Optional:

Share a Pound Program. We encourage our guests to share one pound of their luggage space for materials (pens, pencils, etc.) to be donated to a local school or pet care supplies to be donated to the Humane Society. Guests can also financially sponsor school books for a school child.

We also encourage guests to take advantage of our Carbon Offset program on our website to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling.

Sustainable tourism must be firmly rooted within the local community and must provide true and lasting benefit to all. This is the fundamental philosophy behind Chaa Creeks commitment to community development and sustainable tourism since its inception as Belize’s first jungle lodge in 1981. We recognize full well that it is the local hard working Belizeans who breathe the life into our tourism product and form the heart of the Chaa Creek experience.

Book now at The Lodge at Chaa Creek for dates between April 13-16, April 26-30, May 1-30 and June 1-30 and get 15% Discount on this Belize Ecotourism Package.

Balamku Inn on the Beach receives Award for Green Hotel

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Balamku Inn on the Beach in Mexico in has been nominated for a Leading Green Hotel award. They received the below from World Travel Awards:

It is a pleasure to inform you of your company’s nomination in the 17th Annual World Travel Awards, in the following category (categories):
Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel: Balamku Inn on the Beach, Mexico
Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s”, the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards programme in the global travel industry. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. With thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 183,000 travel agencies in over 160 countries across the globe, winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can receive.
All the nominations can now be viewed on our website at www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees

For more information about Balamku go to: Balamku Inn on the Beach

Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges is proud to announce the latest addition to the Red Mangrove team, the LP Marie Anne

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Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges is proud to announce the latest addition to the Red Mangrove team, the LP Marie Anne.
The LP Marie Anne is an 11 meter deep V fast boat powered by twin ecologically friendly 225 horsepower Suzuki 4 stroke outboards to whisk our guests in comfort from island to island as part of the now famous Red Mangrove Lodge to Lodge Island hopping tours.
With a well appointed galley and bathroom the lucky Red Mangrove guests will cruise Santa Cruise, Floreana, Isabela and San Cristobal in comfort and style. To go to Red Mangroves site: Red
Mangrove Galapagos

BELIZE HONEYMOON VACATION SWEEPSTAKES

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The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize’s award-winning luxury eco-lodge in the jungles of Central America, is offering free 5 day all inclusive Honeymoon Vacation Packages to the lucky winners of our Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes.

Wedged between Mexico and Guatemala on the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast, English speaking Belize is a melting pot of cultures creating a unique blend of vibrant people living in a land of endless beauty. This tiny country, steeped in Maya history and surrounded by nature’s bounty, is only a few hours’ flight away from most major North American cities.

Chaa Creek is offering the opportunity to explore the best that Belize has to offer by celebrating your honeymoon in one of our luxurious suites and villas surrounded by lush tropical gardens in the foothills of ancient Maya Mountains. Enjoy a bottle of fine champagne in your private Jacuzzi, share a candlelit dinner under the huge thatched canopy of our well appointed dining room, engage in numerous adventurous activities within our 365-acre private reserve , and relax with a personalized assortment of professional treatments in our hill top Spa.

Whether you are dreaming of a romantic honeymoon vacation getaway, renewing your vows, or celebrating your anniversary, this unique honeymoon vacation package is guaranteed to create memories of something rich and timeless!

To enter the Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes, an essay (minimum of 300 words) must be written explaining why you would want to celebrate your honeymoon in Belize and at The Lodge at Chaa Creek. The essay must be submitted via email to marketing@chaacreek.com and will be published anonymously on the Chaa Creek Travel Blog.

The Chaa Creek Team will then send you a link upon receiving your essay to access a short list of questions about Belize and Chaa Creek. All of the answers to the questions can be found on the Chaa Creek website at www.chaacreek.com. You must score a minimum of 85% in order to be entered into the final sweepstake drawing.

The Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes closes on May 1st 2010. All qualified entries will be placed in the drawing barrel and the winning tickets for the five prizes will be drawn by the children of St Andrews Primary School and monitored by the Board of Directors of Chaa Creek Limited in the Cayo District of Belize.

Winning vacation packages accommodate two persons and are inclusive of cottage accommodation, food, transfers, tours and activities, and spa treatments.

Belize Honeymoon Vacation Package or Maya Wellness Rainforest Vacation Package
A Four Night/Five day package for two
A 50% discounted Four Night package for two
A 40% discounted Four Night package for two
A 30% discounted Four Night package for two

For more information about the Belize Honeymoon Vacation, contact the property at 877-709-8708, marketing@chaacreek.com or visit the web site at The
Lodge at Chaa Creek .

Disclaimer: Please note that vacation prizes are good for one year, non-transferrable, and cannot be used for existing reservations.

Mad Fish Dive Centre at Matava, in Fiji, Unveils New Dive Boat

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New 10m boat MV “DIVE ME” provides even more verstaility for divers visiting Kadavu, Fiji

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 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 to see 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 has room 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 dive sites. 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.”
Mad Fish Dive Centre is Matava’s on site PADI 5 Star Dive Centre. We dive the The Great Astrolabe Reef extensively and cater for all levels of diver from beginner to experienced. Mad Fish Dive Centre will take you to sites varying in depths, currents and visibility ranging from 20 – 50m where you can expect a kaleidoscope of colourful corals and wonderful marine life – we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Combined with simple access to The Manta Dive, Fiji’s only year round manta dive site, Mad Fish Dive Centre truly offers divers easy and comfortable access to some of the best diving Fiji can offer.

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 Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. 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.
Matava

Matava Resort in Fiji survives Cyclone

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Matava is fully operational after Cyclone MICK
Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort is 100% fully open
after the cyclone passed on Monday 14th December 2009

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS – 17 December 2009 – On Monday 14th December 2009 Fiji was hit by a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone, TC Mick. The cyclone passed straight over the main island and just to the East of Kadavu Island.

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.

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. Richard at the resort has said that the biggest thing he is upset about is that most of the mangoes came down out the big mango tree! No mango jam this year!

By Tuesday 15th December we were once again fishing, diving and trekking as normal, in glorious sunshine albeit with a stiff breeze!

The cyclone passed quickly and was over in less than a day, however Kadavu Island, like the main island, did experiences high winds. Kadavu’s main Telecom Fiji tower in Vunisea sustained damage and at the moment, all communication (including mobile services) are down on Kadavu.

Unfortunately this means that we are currently unable to communicate directly with our reservations system at the resort. A communications issue such as this would normally be repaired quickly however with the other wind damage to many systems on the main island, it may be a few days before normal communications with the resort is re-established. Please bear with us.

Furthermore, Airports Fiji Ltd was also engaged in an upgrade to Kadavu Airport last week. Although no interruptions to services were expected, the works (now delayed by the cyclone) have now caused short term interruptions to flight services. All flights to and from Kadavu from Nadi International Airport and Suva Airport are currently suspended and we have been advised that the airport will re-open on the 18th December 2009.

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.

May we take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the best for this festive season

Richard, Adrian, Jeanie & The Team @ Matava

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 Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. 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. For more information about Matava: Matava

Chaa Creek, One of the Best Environmentally Friendly Hotels in the World

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Cayo District, Belize, November 27th 2009 – The Lodge at Chaa Creek has been selected as one of the best environmentally friendly hotels in the world by CNN Traveler Magazine. According to the CNN press release, Chaa Creek was listed 2nd amongst 6 other internationally recognized hotels.

The preferred environmentally friendly hotels were located in Kenya, Australia, Philippines, Ecuador, Switzerland and of course Belize. The Lodge at Chaa Creek was the only Central American hotel to be included in this distinguished directory.

CNN Traveler is published in two editions, one for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA edition) and the other for Asia Pacific (AP edition) to ensure greater relevance to readers.

The Magazine has a readership of approximately 308,000 per issue and has received many accolades for its award-winning writing and world renowned photography.

Belize’s first Green Globe certified resort, the Lodge at Chaa Creek caters to eco-adventure families , friends & honeymooners and hosts an internationally recognized Natural History Museum, Butterfly Farm, Rainforest Medicine Trail and full service spa.

The lodge’s 365 acre private reserve also accommodates the Macal River Camp and provides miles of trails for walking, birding, mountain biking, horseback riding, a fleet of canoes, and a new eco-friendly swimming pool. The on-site organic farm supplies farm fresh food daily for delicious regional fare while elegant accommodations create an ambiance of peace and serenity.

Staffed by 130 professional individuals and with only 23 distinctive spaces, this romantic little lodge blessed with understated Belizean charm and a spectacular jungle setting guarantees a unique and truly intimate experience.

Reef and Rainforest combination packages are also offered with Chaa Creek’s Caribbean partners.

For more information about The Lodge at Chaa Creek, toll free USA 877-709-8708, UK 0-207-096-0329, Belize 501-824-2037 reservations[at]chaacreek.com or visit the web site: The Lodge at Chaa Creek.

Eco Family Vacation Sweepstakes

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The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize’s award-winning family vacation destination in the jungles of Central America, is offering free all inclusive holidays to the lucky winners of our Family Vacation Sweepstakes

These fun-filled holidays of a life-time are being provided to eco families who would like to enjoy a truly special Belize adventure free of charge. Chaa Creek has been family friendly since its inception in 1981 providing culture based environmental programs that introduce families to the tropical rainforests of western Belize.

To enter the Family Vacation Sweepstakes, all you have to do is write an essay (maximum of 300 words) explaining why your family has chosen Belize and The Lodge at Chaa Creek as your best family vacation destination. The essay must be submitted via email to marketing@chaacreek.com and will be published anonymously on the Chaa Creek Travel Blog.

The Chaa Creek Team will then send you a link upon receiving your essay to access a short list of questions about Chaa Creek. All of the answers to the questions can be found on the Chaa Creek website at www.chaacreek.com. You must score a minimum of 85% in order to be entered into the final sweepstake drawing.

The Family Vacation Sweepstakes closes on February 1st 2010. All qualified entries will be placed in the drawing barrel and the winning tickets for the five prizes will be drawn and monitored by the Board of Directors of Chaa Creek Limited in the Cayo District of Belize.

Winning vacation packages accommodate a family of four and are inclusive of cottage accommodation, food, transfers, tours and activities for all the family.
A Four Night/Five Day Eco Rainforest Package for four
A Four Night/Five Day Inland Expedition Package for four
A 50% discount on a Four Night Inland Expeditions Package or Eco Rainforest Package for four
A 40% discount on Four Night Inland Expeditions Package or Eco Rainforest Package for four
A 30% discount on Four Night Inland Expeditions Package or Eco Rainforest Package four

For more information about the Family Vacation Sweepstake, contact the property at 877-709-8708, marketing@chaacreek.com or visit the web site at The Lodge at Chaa Creek.

Disclaimer: Please note that vacation prizes are non-transferrable, and cannot be used for existing reservations.

Kosrae Village News from Micronesia

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We have always known about the Japanese freighter that was sunk during World War II, the PBM that crashed on takeoff following the war and the 1800’s wooden whaling ship.

Last week we spent a day and a half with Bob Swanson, a guest from Kwajalein, exploring Lelu Harbor with his side scan sonar. We got images of the wrecks we know about and quite a few others. We only had time to check a few of them and we hit the jackpot! One turns out to be a plane wreck that does not seem to be documented.

I’ve posted (really bad) photos, sonar images and details on this page http://kosraevillage.com/wrecks.shtml.

I’ve also added a few more (better) photos to my underwater gallery.

One of our coral monitoring volunteers has had to drop out due to illness, so if you are thinking about it – we really need you!

If you have questions or comments please use my personal address, katrina@kosraevillage.com.
To go to our hotel site: Kosrae Village