Pactravel
...And the little resort Mathias and Joyce Sake built
Maravagi is a place people can stay - and stay.
Jorrie and Marietjie Jordaan are from South Africa. They travelled to the Solomon Islands and stayed at Maravagi Resort. They loved it so much they decided to stay to shed their Western lifestyle for the island life, complete with sarong, loose open shirt and faded shorts.
Now the biggest decision for them, says Marietjie is "whether to face this way or that way in the hammock." That¹s the life at Maravagi Resort located on Mangalonga Island in Nggela, Central Province, about an hour and a half by boat from Honiara.
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Snorkel in clear waters or maybe go diving with the in-house Solomon Sports Diving team run by Frenchman Frank Boulay. Not far off is Tulaghi, where you can explore submerged World War Two relics like seaplanes, a minesweeper, an oil tanker and a destroyer.
The resort has been operational since 1996. Owners Mathias and Joyce Sake came to Mangalonga Island in 1992 from Tulaghi, where they had a trade store. They rented out their building and decided to head over to Mangalonga.
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Land was cleared with the help of family. The couple also planted root crops to supply the resort. Building commenced in 1994 with the first two leaf house accommodations.
With the help of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau the resort accommodated their first two guests from the United Kingdom.
Maravagi Resort, which also caters for backpackers, was developed from scratch.
"We don't have much money so building is done by family and the community," says Joyce.
"We decided not to loan from the bank because we¹d have to worry about paying back. And if business is down we would have problems repaying."
The couple and community helpers initially worked on an oral agreement, whereby the men worked for three weeks, and during the fourth week they used Mathias' outboard engine boat for fishing trips. The deal worked. The dining area is open with ocean view and set up on stilts edging beyond the land perimeter. Women custom dancers and pan pipers entertain on guests requests.
Mathias owns the land on which the resort stands. The couple are from Olevuga on Sandfly Island in Nggela (also known as the Florida Islands). Their friends in Australia had broached the subject of starting a resort, a suggestion Mathias and Joyce were determined to take up.
Progressive developments include a restaurant especially for backpackers on the far end of the island, shelters for laundry and showers.
Tents are pitched a walk away from the beach.
