Maravu Plantation Resort on Taveuni

I'd read all sorts of things about the Maravu Plantation Resort, and whether it's closed, open, backpackery in style, upmarket again, and other such stuff. So, I decided to find out for myself and avoid even more confusing information.

I'm writing this from the open restaurant type area that overlooks the swimming pool. It's not a super large pool, but is adequate. It gets swept every day, but has some sort of cloudy tinge to it. That's probably because the pool needs to be drained and the brickwork cleaned. Appaprently, this place was closed for a few years and no maintenance was done.

There's no electricity here, but there is at least one generator, which seems to be on most of the day. It shuts down every now and then to be given a 2 hour or so "rest" and be filled with fuel.

There's no hot water available for the showers.

There are renovations still going on, and the revenue from the guests seems to be going towards those renovations. Many things still need to be fixed, but none of them are that major and shouldn't impact staying here on a major basis. If you're ultra fussy and all of that, then this isn't the place for you. However, most people readinf messages such as this one should be able to cope with the renvations going on here.

The ocean is visible from where I'm presently sitting and is just across the street. There are 3 buses day in either direction and they stop wherever you want them to. Matei airport is less than 1 mile noth of here. Taxis are about 18 Fijian dollars into town (Naqara). The bus is $1.70.

The ferry docks are about 14 or so iles south of here.

There are all sorts of activities avavilable from here. The staff seem to interact with the guests very well, and seem to try and remember all the guests first name. There's guitar playing most nights, and even some fire dancing sometimes.

There are mossies around. Dengue is around on Fiji and is transmitted by daytime mossies (the ones with striped legs). Feel free to correct that if I'm not entirely correct.

The dorms are either 25 of 35 FJD. The bures seem to be anywhere from 60 upwards. Singles seem to start at 60, and doubles at 90. However, I suspect that it depends on demand. Weekly stays seeem to attract a 10% discount. Breakfast is included in the price (tea, coffee, milo, milk, toast, fruit and cereal. The fruits seem to depend on whatever's on the local trees.

All in all, I think that this is a fine place to be. Most of the other local places seem to be almost empty anyway, and if you like to meet other travellers/tourists, then this is probably the only place to be on Taveuni right now.

There's also free w-fi, but no desktops.