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16 September 2008

Batiluva Beach Resort - SURF Frigates!

Yanuca Island - Pacific Harbour, Fiji Islands.
SURF FRIGATES PASSAGE

Boasting a maximum of 16 guests, Batiluva Beach Resort, located on Yanuca Island, home to Fiji's world famous Beqa Lagoon, and only a short boatride from Pacific Harbour is the perfect get-away retreat for holiday makers, surfers and ocean enthusiasts who want their own private beach!
There is plenty to keep surfers and non surfers happy and comfortable.

Surf Frigate Pass, a world class left hander - Fiji's most consistent reef break, Frigate Pass
(good all year, all tides).

Dive and snorkel in the crystal clear reefs
Fish to and from the reef
Relax on the private white sand beaches surrounded by lush jungle
Snorkel or kayak out front and around the island of Yanuca
Enjoy every sunset with gourmet appetizers
(raved about by every person who has stayed on the island)

Batiluva Beach Resort is one of the most restful places on the planet, with lanterns and torches to light your evenings, and serenades from the birds and tropical ocean gently lapping your beach.

If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact Batiluva Beach Resort.

Visitors bureau eyes US visitors - Fiji Times Online

Visitors bureau eyes US visitors - Fiji Times Online:

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Fiji Visitors Bureau expects its US tourists list to exceed 60,000 this year

THE Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau is optimistic of hosting 65,800 visitors from the United States this year.

Regional Director of FVB, Americas, Ili Matatolu made the announcement at a lunch hosted for US journalists at the California Yacht Club last week.

'Out of the 1.2million visitors, who came to the South Pacific in 2006, 44 per cent came to Fiji,' she said.

'It is so critical for a small country like Fiji to raise its voice in this huge market. We are cautiously optimistic that we will exceed our target of hosting around 65,800 US residents this calendar year.'

A media release from the bureau said journalists came to learn about the South Pacific destinations latest resorts, attractions and news.

They included Samantha Bonar of the New York Times, Mark Stuplin of the Comcast Entertainment Group, Jenny Peters of Brentwood Magazine and Jim Calio of CNN Traveller Magazine.

Ms Matatolu said the bureau worked with stakeholders to ensure that ecotourism was practiced.

'At the end of the day, tourism for us means making a difference the lives of so many families in Fiji who depend on the tourism industry for their livelihood," she said.

"Our partners are taking action to ensure our fragile island ecosystems are not compromised in this pursuit of growth."

Air Pacific, and representatives from Qamea Resort and Spa, Castaway Fiji Island Resort, Outrigger on the Lagoon, Vomo Island Resort, Namale Resort and Spa, Royal Duvui Island Resort, Plantation Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort, Koro Sun Resort and Spa and World Resorts of Distinction were at the lunch.

Journalists mingled, dined on fine cuisine and enjoyed traditional Fijian song and dance."

Managing coral reefs important

Managing coral reefs important: Academic - Fiji Times Online:
"Managing coral reefs important: Academic

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Coral reefs and marine organisms need to be properly managed in our ecosystem says Associate Professor, School of Marine Studies Dr Joeli Veitayaki.Justify Full

Dr Veitayaki was speaking at the Coral Reef Ecology Survey Methods workshop at the faculty of Islands and Oceans yesterday.

Funded by the Coral Reef Initiative in the South Pacific (CRISP), the seminar provides a knowledge base of marine organisms such as coral, crustacean, algae and fish.

Participants also learn about survey methods for fisheries, implementation and management of marine protected areas where training will be conducted at Muaivuso village, Lami.

'The USP region and the French Institute covered a significant part of the Pacific for this research. Most of the people here are doing different aspects of project work and make presentations,' he said.

'If you're using different methods and you come up with different information this makes the comparison very difficult. We don't know a lot about coral reefs and they are being threatened. The aim is to try and ensure that coral reefs are better managed.'"

New species of Pacific Iguana

Hello, it's a new species of Pacific iguana
Tuesday, 16 September 2008 Dani CooperABC

Hello, hello: a new species of iguana has been found in the Fijian archipelago (Source: Paddy Ryan)

A new species of Pacific iguana has been uncovered by Australian and US researchers, but already its future is looking grim.
In a paper published online in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, the team shows there are three living species of Brachylophus iguanas, not two as indicated in current taxonomy.
The new species is named Brachylophus bulabula after the Fijian word for hello.
"In the reptile world the Fijian iguanas are iconic," says lead author Associate Professor Scott Keogh, of the Australian National University's School of Botany and Zoology.
"To discover a new species of them is very exciting."
But he says the new species and its cousins are under threat from habitat loss and attacks by feral cats and mongooses.
Already extinct
Two species of the iguana are already extinct, having been eaten out of existence about 2800 years ago by the earliest arrivals on the island, Keogh says.
He says of the surviving three species, the B. vitiensis,, or Fiji crested iguana, is listed as critically endangered and the other two as status unknown, due to lack of information about their numbers.
The new species was uncovered after analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of 61 iguanas from 13 islands.


For the rest of this story go to News and Science on ABC.net

15 September 2008

Million Dollar Home - Vava'u Islands, Tonga


Tonga is the only remaining Kingdom in the South Pacific.


This is where you can float in the calm, quiet waters of a turquoise lagoon at sunset or walk alone through lush pristine landscapes. It is where the sun shines almost every day and when it does rain, people rush outside for a rain bath in the warm, brief downpour of a tropical shower, which ends as quickly as it began.
This is nowhere more apparent than in the magnificent Vava'u Islands.
Vava'u is arguably one of the Worlds most scenic and unspoiled group of islands, blessed with consistent sunny weather, crystalline unpolluted waters teeming with life, protected waterways allowing for year-round safe and pleasant boating and boasting one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful harbors in the whole of the South Pacific.
This million dollar waterfront property is on Vava'u, and is unequivocally the most beautiful home in Tonga.
Built in 2005, the house has been occupied by the owner and is in pristine condition.
This luxurious and eco-friendly waterfront property combines spectacular panoramic views over the South Pacific with a level of technology and comfort hitherto unmatched in this rapidly developing Polynesian island paradise. It is offered furnished or unfurnished.
Situated on the main island of Vava’u, this exceptional home is perched on a 30 meter high waterfront cliff at 18 degrees 40’ 37.38” S and 173 degrees 58’ 41.73” overlooking and providing for breathtaking panoramic vistas over the adjacent reefs and ocean.
Together with the elevation, a chain of low islands and reefs on the horizon offers excellent protection against storm waves and any ocean upwelling. Even the Humpback Whales have recognized the safety of these waters and frequently visit during the season.
This is the windward side of the island featuring gentle ocean breezes even during the torrid summer months, when the self-ventilating building will remain pleasantly cool due to its Polynesian-inspired, fully insulated and unusually high roofline. This is enhanced by its general orientation whereby all of the major windows remain in the shade from mid-morning onwards. During winter, several strategically placed majestic Casuarina trees and ornamental bushes help to cut down the southeasterly Trades.
Nested within one acre of beautifully landscaped gardens teeming with rare tropical multihued ornamentals, fruit and hardwood trees and even a small vegetable and spice garden, this unique home has been specifically designed for this site, capturing the beauty and spectacular views whilst ensuring complete privacy for its tenants. The waterfront side consists of an uninterrupted succession of panoramic windows whereas all other frontages have been decorated with colorful ornamental bushes and trees, thus offering absolute protection not only from prying eyes, but also from the scorching afternoon heat.
The exceptional main building spans an area of over 250 sq m and consists of two wings that are separated by a spectacular, one-of-kind glass partition spanning a full two storeys.
From the moment you enter the double front doors, you will be impressed.
The naturally ventilated Living Quarters consist of a very large sitting room allowing for picturesque vistas through a stunning semi-octagonal panoramic window front, a large and fully appointed kitchen and pantry, a guest toilet and wardrobe and a generous dining room leading to a large shaded verandah, the current owner’s favorite lookout. From here, you can enjoy awe-inspiring views of the ever changing tropical skies and ocean and observe a multitude of resident sea birds.

Except for the kitchen, main entrance and verandah, which are tiled in Italian terracotta, all living quarters feature exquisite massive hardwood flooring and are provided with convenient ceiling fans.
The furniture and the decoration are an exquisite and tasteful unique fusion of antique English and contemporary high-end Italian with a sprinkle of rare artifacts collected in Europe and across the South Pacific.
The fully insulated Working and Private Quarters feature an oversized, fully air-conditioned private office with lovely views into the garden and over the ocean, an oversized storage room and a fully appointed laundry at ground level.
The first floor, which is accessed over a beautiful hardwood staircase, features a large air-conditioned master bedroom offering
breathtaking panoramic vistas over the ocean and into the skies, a large bathroom with separate toilet, a spare bedroom and a huge walk-in wardrobe, along with a generous and fully private sun deck.
Once again, with the exception of the tiled bathroom, toilet and laundry, all living and working quarters feature the same striking massive hardwood flooring.
Notable major appliances include two large fridge-freezers, a large chest freezer and a spare fridge, also a dishwasher, a rarity in this country. Professional gas stove and electrical oven. Washing machine and dryer together with a spare washing machine.
Cyclone-proofing has been achieved by incorporating oversized beams and trusses, by anchoring all walls to the foundation via countless anchoring points, by the tilt, anchoring and make of the roof, and by reinforcing all major windows with lamination that doubles as tinting.
Furthermore, an ingenious system of easily deployed netting will prevent any sizeable debris from reaching the windowpanes that are set at various angles to deflect any substantial wind loads.
Further living quarters could be easily added due to the convenient timber frame construction, e.g. by walling in the wardrobe or by partitioning the storage room to create a guest room and toilet.
Due to the large ocean frontage, there is a possibility of constructing one, or possibly two further smaller dwellings (be it guests quarters or rental units), to the right and to the left of the manicured frontal lawn, this without any substantial drop in privacy. In fact, the owners have already provided for a separate access to the left hand side and cleared an adequate spectacular cliff-top building location.
If so wished, direct reef access can be easily obtained by clearing a path along a pre-existing gully. A boat would be best kept in the town’s protected main harbor where the owners have already installed two cyclone moorings.
Although this property is completely secluded at the very end of a private road it is only a 10- minute ride to the main center. The airport is at a 30-minute ride and the closest swimming beach, at 15 minutes.
This property is ideally suited to a small, affluent family wanting to trade the hustle of modern day living for a more serene, eco-friendly yet comfortable way of life along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Awake to birdsong and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the surf.
The owner currently employs one reliable and, above all, trustworthy house cleaner and two gardeners who shall be happy to assist any purchaser in making his life as pleasant and care-free as possible.
There is also a reputable, foreign-owned Property Management company to guard, or even rent out the house should the new owners wish to merely use it as a secondary habitation.
The property comes with a private land Lease Agreement expiring on April 1st, 2046.
The owner is also willing to sell the house fully furnished, appointed and decorated.
This is a nature lover's delight, offering an unspoiled, unique environment of extreme beauty and tranquility.

5 September 2008

Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge

More take up challenge - Fiji Times Online: "More take up challenge

Friday, September 05, 2008

THE Pearl, Pacific Harbour: It's not often a fleet of hobies is seen in the middle of Suva Harbour, but yesterday's start of the fourth leg of the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge did just that.

Three more teams joined the fourth and fifth legs of the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge, wanting to give the inaugural course a test run.

Race controller Bruce Southwick said several sailors who were sick during the first three legs of the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge decided to test the course yesterday.

The fourth leg of the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge started from Suva Harbour at 10.30am, with sailors taking about two-and-a-half-hours to reach the Royal Davui resort just off Beqa.

Southwick said the fourth leg started out with 10 knot winds as sailors left Suva Harbour and built to about 12 knots by the time they reached the southern end of Beqa.

After an hour's break at Royal Davui resort, the fifth leg of the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge began with a run through to The Pearl Resort at Pacific Harbour, which took about 90 minutes."

It was pretty good. The weather started off at about 10 knots and built to 12 knots by the time they got to the island then went to 15 knots, then by the time they got to Pacific Harbour it was blowing 18 knots," he said.

Southwick confirmed the race committee was heading into a meeting late yesterday to discuss several issues that arose after the fifth leg of the race.

He said these included weight restrictions and issues to do with crewing procedure.

He said an update and a summary of the winners of yesterday's legs would be provided as soon as the meeting in the evening.

The Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge is spread over five days taking in waters outside and inside the reef from Suva to Leleuvia to Ovalau back to Suva then to Beqa and back to Suva again.

On average sailors are expected to be pitting their skills against the elements for about five or six hours every day in what is seen as a marathon-type event from one point to another.

This will take in about 50 miles of racing a day with some days going up to as much as 70 to 100 miles a day.

Southwick said earlier that a key focus during the Suzuki Fiji Hobie Challenge was safety.

"We have good contingencies with safety boats, Vodafone have given us 36 mobile phones so the skippers and the safety boats will be in contact and for emergency use, so all crews will have mobile phones.

"We will have safety boats in front of the fleet, following the fleet and moving markers and identifying any problems along the way."

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