Fijian Hideaway is a SoftCoral Lover's ParadiseMATANGI ISLAND RESORT

One ofMatangi's 11 guest bures.

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<T AND PHOTOGRAPHYBY JACK AND SUE DRAFAHL

S D M T R A V E L[ A T A G L A N C E

Matangi Island Resortis best known for:

• Small guest capacity• Special treehouse bure• Incredible soft coral

dives• A variety of topside

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'"• •". '•: ',••< •here is a new island paradise in northern Fiji. Well,it really isn't new, it's only changed its name. And,

it really didn't change its name, only the way it isspelled. Matangi Island Resort is a tropical island par-adise owned and operated by the Douglas family.They kept this little hideaway to themselves for yearsand then, in 1989, decided to share paradise with a

chosen few. Until recently,they used the Fijian spelling ofthe name, Matagi. They havenow changed it to the nauticalspelling of Matangi, which now makesit a lot easier for folks from English speak-ing countries to spell and say.

Matangi Island features 11 thatched bures (Fijiancottages) that offer queen sized beds, living room areaand private bathroom with shower. Each features ashaded outside patio with lounge chairs so you can re-

lax and enjoy the peaceful sea. The ultimate in privacy and lifetime experience :;'is the Domoni Treehouse bare. Domoni means "love house" in Fijian and offers .

aw

The waters off Matangi Island

Resort offer incredible soft coral

displays such as the one shownhere. The resort's guides know

exactly when the corals look theirbest and the currents are minimal.

108 SKIN DIVER SEPTEMBER 1997

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ResponsibleDivers Lead by

Example!

the ultimate romantic interlude in par-adise. The treehouse is 30 feet off theground in a large Pacific almond tree.The Swiss Family Robinson never had itthis good! Couples can relax on their pri-vate veranda and watch the fabulousFijian sun set into the blue Pacific. Youcan indulge yourself and schedule a ro-mantic picnic for two on desertedHorseshoe Beach or take a sunsetcruise through the straits. Matangi IslandResort offers it all.

Fiji's north is noted for its prolific softcorals. The waters off Matangi featuresome of the most pristine corals you willfind anywhere. The trick is correctly div-ing the tides. You want the soft corals tobe in full bloom—feeding—yet you don'twant to be swept away. No problem,sega lega (Fijian for no problem, pro-nounced senga lenga). Matangi's diveguides know just when the corals are still

Matangi Island Resort

open and the currents are minimal. Theywant you to have the dives of a lifetime sothey work hard to time them just right. Ifyou have never had the thrilling experi-ence of diving in a current, and are feelinga little unsure, these responsible guideswill help you every step of the way.Remember, sega /ega!

Matangi Island has two dive boats, the42 foot Lady Christene and the 32 footMarama Ni Matangi, each comfortablyaccommodating 10 divers. We dived fromthe Lady Christene and we have to say itwas one of the most comfortable diveboats we have had the pleasure of trying.

The package includes two morningdives. Afternoon and night dives can beadded to your package at any time. Justoffshore there is a thriving reef andMatangi offers unlimited shore diving,day or night. It even supplies all the nec-essary snorkeling and diving equipmentas part of your package if you want to re-ally travel light.

Most of the dive sites are close to theresort, within 20 to 30 minutes by boat.Some of the sites offer current diving withmagnificent soft corals while other sitesare current-free and feature pristine hardcorals and their inhabitants. There aresteep walls to explore and coral bom-mies teeming with life. So, you see,

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(For stays of 4 nights or more after Sept.)

4 night package from $345Includes three days of 2-tank boatdiving, tax, and complimentarybeach tanks.7 night package from $585Includes five days of 2-tank boatdiving, tax, and complimentarybeach tanks.

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800/346-6116Phone: 713/973-9300

Fax: 713/973-8585E-mail: info@islandream.com

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SKIN DIVER SEPTEMBER 1997 109

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Looking for some new Spots?Try the Carib Inn and Bonaire!

CARIB INNP.O. Box 68 • Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

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Reservations - Sam - 5pm daily. FAX 24 hoursE-mail: caribinn@bonairenet.com

FIJI'S MATANGIISLAND RESORT

Matangi has diving to please everyone.There are more than 30 dive sites near

Matangi Island Resort. Red Wall is aspectacular shallow dive featuring pinkand red soft corals, blooming when thecurrent is running. Often called Moriah'sCove, this 40 foot dive is must-see. ThePurple Wall, a deeper dive, is a sheerdrop-off that's covered with purple softcorals. The corals and seafans come in avariety of colors that challenge the Kodakand Fuji films of the world. Noel's Wall,discovered by Noel Douglas, offers a vari-ety of hard and soft corals as well as plen-tiful schools of fish. Sharks are oftensighted cruising the perimeter of the reef.Nukubalavu offers a mild current thatguides you along the edge of a wall ofQamea Island. There are crinoids wavingin the current as you quickly cruise by.Robert's Reef is like an underwater homof plenty because you can find just aboutanything you can imagine to photograph.Friendly clownfish, massive hard corals,patches of blooming soft corals andschools of circling Barracuda make this aphotographer's ultimate dream.

Besides the diving, there are plenty ofother activities at Matangi Island Resort.Hobie Cats provide a thrilling sailing ex-perience while paddleboats offer a morerelaxing cruise around the island. Water-skiing is available and you can try yourluck windsurfing. There are several bush-walks around Matangi that offer breath-taking postcard views of this tropical par-adise. Great snorkeling is available just

FIJI BOUND

Flights to Fiji are available throughAir Pacific and Qantas. The nonstop AirPacific flight from Los Angeles to Fiji'sInternational Airport in Nadi takes ap-proximately 10 hours. The outer islandsare reached via either Air Fiji or Sun-flower Airlines.

Air Pacific(800)227-4446Qantas Airlines(800)227-4500

Air Fiji(800) 677-4277 (U.S.)Sunflower Airlines(888) DIVE FIJI (U.S.)

off the beach. Of course, there is alwaysthe potential to relax, read a book andunwind far, far from the madding crowds.And, you can always take a day to hikeand visit Bouma Falls on the nearby is-land of Taveuni.

Matangi Island has no airstrip, so youmust first fly into Nadi International, thentransfer by smaller aircraft to Taveuni.There you will be met by a representative

110 SKIN DIVER SEPTEMBER 1997

of Matangi Island Resort and will transferby van to the boat landing, where you willboard a water taxi to Matangi. The trans-fer only takes about 20 minutes and youwill need to wade to and from the boat.

Fijian hospitality is something you haveto experience because no words can ad-equately describe the feeling. The peoplehere are so friendly you can't help but re-turn the smile and cheerful greeting. Youare immediately considered one of thefamily, not just a visitor, especially hereon Matangi. Come dive the warm watersthat are home to prolific hard corals andacres of soft corals. Come visit theDouglas family, experience true Fijianhospitality and just totally relax. Segalega, you are at Matangi Island Resort!

For more information or reservations,contact Matangi Island Resort in the U.S.at (888) MATANGI (628-2644). You cansend e-mail to info@matangiisland.comor visit the Web site at www.Matangiisland.com.

GAININGCUSTOMER TRUST(Continued from Page 48)

and all the various forms. Function, basedon each model's design and materials, iscovered, even brands that may never be

carried in your specific facility. For in-stance, students will learn how to explainthe differences between a fin with alonger, stiffer blade made of a specificpolymer and one made of a thermoplasticresin that is lighter and more flexible.

Being able to provide clientele withsuch up to date information enhancesthe employee's professional image. Thevalue of this level of knowledge is con-siderable. Clients feel more confidentwith their choices, the store makes aprofit and, more importantly, repeatbusiness is created.

WORKING THE PRODUCTOnce everyone has developed a

sense for the equipment, phase two ofthe Retail Training Program concen-trates on how to confidently market andsell the product. This includes the me-chanics of designing and strategicallypositioning displays in locations that caneffectively enhance a product's salabili-ty. As many good salespeople will af-firm, presentation is a key factor in mak-ing a successful sale. The creation of aneye-catching display that "sizzles" in-creases a product's appeal. A book orpiece of equipment will not sell itself. Ittakes a skilled, knowledgeable sales-person to shed light on its attributes!

According to DU Course Directors,once a shop employee is familiar with the

product and has displayed it properly,the next logical step is to know how totalk to customers. The Retail TrainingProgram teaches students how to ap-proach customers without being tacky ortoo aggressive. For example, using effec-tive listening skills, understanding whatthe customer is looking for and knowinghow to find the answers to difficult ques-tions can help a customer determinewhat is right for him or her.

This portion of the course also teachesinstructors and non-instructors to marketspecialty courses, add-ons and acces-sories. When it comes to these areas, ashop will benefit most from an employeewho is both knowledgeable and commit-ted. If a diver is interested in taking a cer-tain specialty course, a properly trainedsalesperson knows how to describewhat is involved.

HANDS-ONINSTRUCTION

Divers Unlimited's students take partin actual exercises in the retail center,with the course instructor as role model.How to approach a customer, initiateconversation and promote products aredemonstrated by the instructor and thestudent practices afterward.

A segment of the sales training is evendedicated to using good phone eti-quette, which is often where a large

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