F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 7 E D IT I O N
FEBRUARY 2017 EDITION
Captain Lep’s
at the Sydney 7’s
Travelling for the first time to Australia, Lepani was all smiles. Captain Leps was staff of the year 2016 and was awarded this trip to watch the HSBC Sydney 7s tournament. Captain Leps was guided by our Managing Director Jay Whyte. During his stay, he visited many places which included the Westfield Skytower, Sydney Opera House and he also got to do a bit of ice skating & bowling. The highlight of the trip was being able to watch a rugby tournament live and meeting some famous rugby players. “Australia will always be my favourite place to visit, cause the food is just so yummy and there is a lot of choices & I loved the shopping. Vinaka Vakalevu Safari for this opportunity” Captain Leps
Clare Ann’s Aussie Sales Trip Clare geared up for three weeks away from home, to participate in an initiative organised through Tourism Fiji. Sigatoka River Safari and many other industry partners like Outrigger ,Warwick, Naviti , Plantation Island , were given the opportunity to market their products in three of Australia’s biggest cities through the Flight Centre Expos. The expos were held over three weekends in the month of February and allowed us to personally promote our products to the Australian public. Flight Centre being one of the world’s largest retailers promotes this yearly event thus seeing travellers from Asia, Europe & the US partake in such connetions. Her first stop was Flight Centre Sydney Expo, day one was very busy for Clare handing out brochures, presenting on our products to potential customers and most of all identifying Fiji on the map for mainly the European and Asian travellers. Sydney had a lot of interested travellers, those in the process of planning their holiday, those who have not made any plans , wedding couples looking for their group adventure etc . Apart from her busy experience at the expo , she made time to catch Fiji’s rugby action at the Sydney 7’s. Melbourne was a lot different she mentioned. The consumers knew about Fiji & the different locations . I had consumers queuing up wanting to know more about the product, bookings and story of the company and the different villages we visit, Clare mentioned. This was great as the consumers were very involved. Brisbane was my last stop & I loved it. I had a great time meeting flight centre product staffs that were at the convention along with other industry partners. Overall the experience was amazing, Australia being one of Tourism Fiji’s biggest market being able to promote our Sigatoka River Safari products and promote Fiji as a destination was impeccable.
#TourismFiji #MustDoInFiji
#SigatokaRiverSafari #SimplyUnforgettable
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PROFILE “Must do!”
...Our Captain Freddy (his 2nd day at the job hahada) was amazing. A local guy who knows exactly what he's talking about because he lived his whole live in one of the villages. He stops a couple of times during the trip to explain about his culture....... Name: Alivereti Vasutaukei Mudunavere AKA Capt Freddy What is your role in the company? Jet Boat Driver Describe one of your best memories at work? Saving a villager from drowning. On one of my daily trips I was on board my boat waiting to pick up my passengers from Tubairata village when I heard far cries of a local trapped amongst debris in the river, with a quick response I was able to free him from the debris and get him to villagers for first aid assistance. This was one of the best memories at work plus a story for my passengers on our trip back to the base. If you could switch your job with anyone else within the company for the day, whose job would you want? Tim Cruickshank, Engineer & Workshop Manager. Because his so talented he fixes damaged goods, very creative with his projects and his so smart. Describe the company in 3 words? Helpful, Fijian & Original. What is the one thing, you cannot live without? Woodstock If you had to choose one super power, what would it be? To fly, so I can travel anywhere, whenever I want too. If given the opportunity to travel to anyone in the world, where would you choose to go & why? Israel, Because it’s a holy place
“Lifelong memories ” …….. Our captain Freddy introduced us to his country with wit and humour. The village experience was engaging with a traditional kava ceremony, lunch and dance. The ride back had us all in stitches due to the many fabulous 360 turns. All in all a very enjoyable and fun tour for those who would like to experience the more authentic Fiji (and definitely an eye opener for our kids!)………
“Very organised very well worth the money highly recommend” Everything you're so organised from buying the ticket to being picked up in front of your resort the tour everything..The jet boat ride was super fast Freddie I called him period he made sure everybody was safe and had a great time period he was very informative giving talks along the way about the way of life in the villages …...
PROFILE Name:
Melania Taliadrodro AKA Mella Bella
Role in the company Tour Consultant
Describe one of your best memories at work? It was around the time I started my journey with Sigatoka River Safari in 2008. I met a family after the tour that was completely moved by their experience on the safari. This was a life changing involvement for the family who has been back every 2 years ever since and continues to spread the word about Sigatoka River Safari. It’s through stories and experiences like this that makes me proud of my job. If you could switch your job with anyone else within the company for the day, whose job would you want? Josephine Traill, Come on you don’t see that every day in a small country like Fiji. A female jet boat captain, yeah switch job with her any day. Describe the company in 3 words? Fun, Local & #1 What is the one thing, you cannot live without apart from your basic needs? My Kids If you had to choose one super power, what would it be? To read peoples mind. If given the opportunity to travel to anyone in the world, where would you choose to go & why? France. To visit the city of love Paris & find my prince charming. I can’t find him in Fiji.
“Natural Cave Adventure” It was a toss-up between doing the jet boating or the cave safari, and as we had done jet boating in New Zealand we decided to do something different, and different it was. After being picked up from the hotel, we signed into our tour. Bella was our tour guide on the bus and was great fun telling us a lot of "Bula Crap". Once at the river we were transported across to our 4WD truck and our guides Tia and Ace. “Beautiful scenery!!”……They then took us on a bus tour, Spongebob & Bella are great and have a very good sense of humour! We boarded our jet boat which was beautiful for about 20minutes, and then we got absolutely drenched with rain haha. …..
REVIEWS
SRS & Febr ORC uary S 2017
Maureen A
“Sigatoka river safari”
This is a must tour the crew is great the village trip was very informing of life in the village they welcome with open heart and smiles captain Freddy was great with the jet boat don't miss doing it
NicolaBT
“A great day away from the resorts”
This tour was everything I was wanting! I had been to Fiji before but never ventured from the coast so this time I wanted to get a feel for the rest of the island.this tour offered that. Our captain 'magic mike' was awesome and even rescued a baby goat from the banks of the river when it got stuck. The village tour was amazing too! Highly recommmed this tour
Barbara B
“Unforgettable enlightening”
Starting with lady Gaga &Sponge Bob learning the history &culture in an upbeat fun sort of way.On arriving at River for Jet Boat ,warmly greeted & assisted into life jackets.The adventure begins Captain Jack,directed us to correct seats .The rain came down fun began Captain Jack is very knowledgeable happy to share.We arrived at bank & we slipped & slid our way to the top.Much laughter walked to village approx 2kms, given rain coats (more fun without)welcomed to community hall removing our shoes & hats also have your legs covered (ladies).Kava ceremony performed welcomed then guided around village by village member explaining culture &other running of village .Headed back to hall Served lunch by ladies of village,whilst the men entertain with music.enjoyable meal.Dancing afterwards ladies stayed in the background.Lots of fun &merriment .Gifts given for school.Time to head back to the boat,very heavy rain .Picked up by bus for a short trip to boat.Muddy & slippery but helped to slide right back into the boat Fun fun fun.In for a treat with Captain Jack doing about 8spins in boat.very aware of safety.Excellent a must visit .I was very impressed with Aussie owner also that 100% of photo sales goes back to village.. A wonderful experience.
REVIEWS Dania B Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
“Cultural experience with a thrill! - No Bula Crap!”
awesome safe jet boat ride up the beautiful Sigatoka river - Capt. Jack is Hilarious! we loved the cultural experience of trekking up the native jungle into the village - it was a rainy day so most of the kids were inside or at school I guess.. The kava ceremony and traditional lunch is fantastic. All topped off with a few 360s in the boat. Can opt to buy photos at the end - cost $50 for 5 photos with digital download option. we were a group of 10 ranging from age 18 months to 67 - all had a great time. Vinaka!!
Debra L
“Natural Cave Adventure”
It was a toss up between doing the jet boating or the cave safari, and as we had done jet boating in New Zealand we decided to do something different, and different it was. After being picked up from the hotel, we signed into our tour. Bella was our tour guide on the bus and was great fun telling us a lot of "Bula Crap". Once at the river we were transported across to our 4WD truck and our guides Tia and Ace. They were fantastic and a lot of fun. It was great driving through the villages and seeing all the little kids coming out for hi-fives and huge "Bula's" from all the villagers. When we got to the caves we had a "kava ceremony" at the priests house before entering the cave. To see a cave that is still in its natural form without the tourist trappings and hear the history behind it was fascinating. After we finished Ace had cooked us a BBQ which was really tasty. It had started to rain quite heavily by then so we had to head back. Even with all the rain the kids still came out for their hi-fives. The cave safari was absolutely fantastic and we had a great time seeing Fiji in its natural state and just how friendly all the locals were. If your looking for something without all the touristy stuff this is definitely it..
Jacqui F Perth, Australia
“Great day out!”
We went on the morning cave safari tour and were really impressed with the professionalism and organization. Our transfer from the hotel was early (no sign of the usual 'Fiji time') and check-in was quick and easy at the depot/shop. The bus ride to the river was comfortable and entertaining Bella had great stories and local information to share. Once at the river we were quickly ferried to the other side and loaded into the 4wd's. The cars seat 8 comfortably and tiered seats means everyone gets a great view. The actual drive takes about 45 mins through villages and forrest, is quite smooth going not much actual 4wd. After stopping in thr Priests house for the Kava ceremony we were provided with head lamps and insect repellent and headed off to the cave. It's a short and easy walk to the cave and the actual cave walk isn't difficult at all. Easily manageable for all ages and fitness levels, there is one spot of approx 2-3m where you need to crouch low to get through so may not be ideal for anyone with claustrophobia or chronic back issues. The BBQ lunch provided was fresh and tasty and everything ran to time, I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone traveling to Fiji, even for families with school age children. Just a tip, take a change of clothes and reef shoes for wearing in the cave.
REVIEWS “Amazeballs with a Fijian Bobo! :D� I booked this tour based on these overwhelming reviews & was overly excited whilst waiting to be picked up enroute into Sigatoka to be check-in at their desk inside Tappoos shop. Then whisked away to their base by the river with a fun filled insight into the Sigatoka valley + Bula crap. Hahahaha, never short of laughs with Lesley aka. Lady Gaga & SpongeBob. Met Tia, our guide & Ace, our ATV driver with new friends. Let's go family ~ the scenic drive into the unknown to the priest's village by the cave was fascinating passing villages & villagers going about doing their daily farm work with lotsa Bula's along the way. Livestock doing their own thing too & not fazed upon our approach passing alongside them. After the formalities & presentation of the kava to the priest for his permission to enter the Naihehe cave....be ready to down some kava (high tide!) as we had to finish it ;) If you are scared of the dark, this ain't a tour for you! Hahahaha. Crouching to enter the mouth of the cave & pitch dark it was. The history about this cave during the cannibalism days was very interesting indeed. Then there's the pregnancy gap o.0 LOL. Anyone to test the theory? Do update us! After spending approx. 45 minutes inside it was time to exit to a yummy BBQ lunch before "taking the road less traveled" back to base. This is the sort of trip that I can surely recommend anyone as it was a lot of fun & learning the history as well as experiencing a kava ceremony in the village. Great stuff & well done to the team that make it all happen!
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