The following activities are offered to guests staying at the village:
The
Matacawalevu village tour:
Image right: The spot where the famous missionary Thomas Baker preached to the villagers (who were then cannibals)
On your arrival at Matacawalevu Setoki, who speaks good English, will take
you to the Chief's House where you will be the guests of honour at a traditional
"sevu sevu" welcoming ceremony. We suggest
homestay guests to Matacawalevu get one kilo of kava (costing about F$20
to F$30) before arrival - although
kava can be bought at Matacawalevu. This kava is presented
to the village Chief at the sevu sevu - the Chief then gives you the "keys"
to the village. In effect you have the Chief's blessing and have the honour
of becoming a member of the village. After the sevu sevu Ben will introduce
you to villagers, show you the school, the community hall and the village
green. You will also be able to see Dolphin Beach central to the famous 1979
film "Blue Lagoon" featuring Brooke Shields.
You will be able to sit under the tree where Brooke Shields sat back then (yes, she often visited the island) and look at some of the old photos that the villagers still have of this beautiful woman. Many of the villagers appear in the film - more about this later.
Image left: Activities manager "Tui" sitting where Brooke Shields sat in 1979
Time: about 1.5 hours
Free to guests.
The
Island Walks:
Unlike Malevu where the island walks are for the fit the Island walks on Matacawalevu are for people of all ages and fitness. One of Setoki's children will take you on long walks around Matacawalevu. These walks can take up to three hours and include some beautiful beaches and views.
Cost F$15 per person - free if you take a walk by yourself (don't get lost!)
An evening with "Cannibals" (Meet the Fijians who acted in the "Blue Lagoon" film)
Get to meet the Fijians who appeared in the film "Blue Lagoon" with Brooke Shields during your holidays in Fiji. They will tell you some funny stories about their experiences at that time and you will get to meet the large cannibal Verami who was killed by Eramasi, assisted by a group of eight men in the film (see their photos below). Joe, who is a great entertainer, boasts of dancing with the (then) 14 year old Brooke Shields every night! This is a fantastic evening of reflection spent around the kava bowl. Your host Setoki was the Fijian foreman in the film and played the lali (or Fijian drums) in the film.
Give Setoki 24 hours notice to arrange the evening.
There is no cost for this activity.
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Your host Setoki who |
Verami Nandriva |
Eramasi Tui |
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Joe Nasali |
Snorkeling
and Blue Lagoon Adventure:
Tui, the son of your host Sitoki, can take on a boat ride past the beautiful Dolphin Beach where the film the "Blue Lagoon" was filmed. There are twelve bures on Turtle Island (freehold) which cost US$1200 per night - at Matacawalevu you pay only F$60 per night and share the view! The snorkeling and Blue Lagoon Adventure takes you past the Dolphin Beach where the Beatles' Ringo Starr, Fawlty Towers comedian John Cleese and many other famous stars have stayed.You never know who you might spot on this exclusive beach!
The most beautiful snorkeling points in the Yasawa Islands can be found here - the large number of ocean going boats that spend time here are the best pointer to this.
The boat and snorkeling guided adventure is optional - as there is a small fee per person for several hours with your guide.
You might just like to go exploring by yourself - there is no end of reef
to explore and its free.
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At US$2390 per night for |
Close up of Dolphin |
Could that couple be |
Please bring your own snorkeling gear!
The costs are F$15 per person - ONLY if you require a guide.
Traditional
Octopus Catching
Eroni, Sitoki's brother-in-law, is an accomplished octopus hunter. On this adventure hunting octopi you will lose all those unwarranted fears you once had of octopus. Octopus hide in small caves in shallow rocky reefs off Matacawalevu - Eroni, who has been catching octopi since childhood knows all the best spots.
Image right: An octopus caught and killed in traditional fashion
There is no snorkelling or swimming required - simply walk out on the reef at low tide with Eroni and watch as he, first, prods small caves in the rock. When there is an octopus in that cave it rushes out and Eroni immediately goes into action catching the octopus behind the head and literally squeezing his hand into the hollow and turning its head inside out - immediately killing the octopus. He catches quite big octopus in this manner.
The octopi hunt with Eroni, who speaks good English, is
a fantastic experience and one that you will never forget - don't forget
to take your camera!
Cost F$15 per person.
Island Hopping on a kayak:
The village has one kayak which can hold one person can be hired for the day. The kayak will allow you to travel the narrow stretch of water between Matacawalevu village and Turtle Island (for a close up of the "Blue Lagoon") or to kick up the sand at Columbia Beach (named after the film company who produced the film.
Cost F$15 for the day
Sunset Picnic:
Just
before sunset you take a short walk with your Fijian guide to a small,
isolated beach (Sunset Cove) just five minutes walk from the village.
Here you get served traditional Fijian foods and Coconuts with milk (as well
as water) while the sun sets over the ocean. It is an amazing experience
and the home page of this village's web site
features Sunset Cove and the type of sunset that you can expect on a clear
day....
You can have your photograph taken by your guide on the naturally carved Sunset Seat just yards from where you have dinner - this seat is ideal for a couple who want to watch the sunset while holding hands. What a perfect way to end a day!
This activity comes free when you take our packaged tour
The costs are F$15 per person.
