Tourism Association Boosts ‘Come Overseas to Savusavu’
Savusavu has launched an exciting array of special offers for the months of August and September, with a choice of activities both in and out of the water. These are the unique reef conservation course, a Stillness Retreat, a special PADI dive certification week, a chocolate fiesta, a special offer to discover freediving, and a painting workshop – all of them at local prices.
Savusavu Tourism Association (STA) has been running a campaign encouraging locals to “Come Overseas to Savusavu” and this is a new collection of special activities. STA Deputy Chair Monica Laurence says: “Savusavu is a beautiful destination with abundant natural features, welcoming boutique resorts and distinctive experiences.
“STA members are delighted to share our island home, and have put together exciting adventures and packages to appeal to independent travellers, couples and families.”
Coral Reef Ecology
■The first offer is a Coral Reef Ecology course form August 7 – 10 with Ocean Ventures Fiji – owners Matthew Norman and Sara Carlson. They have developed a world-first online ecology course looking at South Pacific reefs.
■They are giving people the opportunity to complement the course with up-close snorkeling and / or diving with the reefs and their marine life.
■The two other water-based offers are from Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving, who have come up with some very good prices for groups from August 15 -16.
■A●so on offer Liquidstate Freediving who are offering a Discover Free-diving day on September 1 when most of the time will be spent in the water to get comfortable.
“And then we slip effortlessly under the surface and enjoying the sensations that come with freediving,” says Neelam Rattan, dive instructor.
Stillness Retreat
Back on dry land, there’s a Stillness Retreat at Tavola Villa, a chocolate fiesta at KokoMana and a painting course at Daku Resort – a mix of very different and rewarding activities.
The Stillness Retreat at Tavola Villa from August 12 – 14 is based on a philosophy of taking time out to re-evaluate and re-energise, and incorporates star-gazing during the Perseids meteor shower, tips on welcoming more luck into your life, and laughter around the table at nightly dinner parties.
Chocolate fiesta
■The chocolate fiesta, on August 29, takes place at KokoMana cocoa farm and chocolate factory. Visitors will be able to join in chocolate tastings, watch demonstrations, and find out everything they’ve ever wanted to know about chocolate.
“We’ll have lots of KokoMana goodies to try, including KokoMana chocolate chip cookies, chocolate sorbet, chocolate fudge and chocolate olive oil cake,” says KokoMana chocolate maker Anne Moorhead.
■A■d the painting course at Daku Resort is a four-day course from September 3 – 8, taught by local artist Katrina Brown, whose relaxed and inclusive style makes her a delight to learn with.