Exodus Scoop Major Travel Award

23rd April 2010

The oracle of Travel Magazines, Wanderlust, has just awarded a major honour to Exodus. Obviously we are thrilled to be recognised by such a publication and think it reflects admirably on the company as a whole:

Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010 Storm in a Teacup special award
By Wanderlust team
Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010 Storm in a Teacup special special award, wholly undemocratically selected by the Wanderlust team.

In 2010, we've introduced the Storm in a Teacup special award, wholly undemocratically selected by the Wanderlust team.

Exodus & the 'stranded' Kapitan Khlebnikov icebreaker

Recognising the travel news story that most exceeded its real importance, generating reams of coverage (yes, we’re guilty) despite the fact that, at heart, the winner involved a shipload of Antarctic passengers getting a few extra days’ holiday for free. Their ‘plight’ even made the BBC lunchtime news.

Exodus Comments!

Obviously this is perhaps tongue in cheek but like publicity, any award is a good one. On a serious note however this was a remarkable episode and one that confirms (perhaps in a slightly extreme manner) that Exodus holidays do not adhere to stringent guidelines. Those who want sterile itineraries are best to look elsewhere. But don't take it from us, here are some quotes from passengers on board:

"This has been one of the most amazing adventures in Antarctica. We've seen things I've never dreamed of. In a word - spectacular! I've made half a dozen journeys down here with Exodus and Paul and I'll be dining out this one for years. We waited, and we waited, and we waited in the ice and how we were rewarded for our patience and good humour. This had something for everyone and more. Antarctica - in all its beguiling majesty." Jonathan Scott, BBC Wildlife Presenter

Paul Goldstein's ship log [18/11/2009]:
"If every trip delay is like this one, sign me up' Pavina McKenzie, Hong Kong

There is movement, slow agonizing movement but movement all the same. The re-enforced bow worries the ice sheet relentlessly, sending jagged fissures hemorrhaging to infinity. It may only be a couple of nautical miles but it is progress and as my fingers fuse with the keyboard, the ship's heartbeat throbs and our neighbourly berg of the last few days slips quietly into another postal district. Milk may turn quicker than this lusty leviathan but frankly who cares. As the world now reads and listens to our progress with envious verdant glances there is a triumphant feeling pervading all decks. Triumph is a dish best taken cold, on ice, but the most triumphant a la carte meal is one taken after an hors d'oeuvre of adversity.

The maritime portcullis has opened its grille to welcome the great exploratory vessel the Kapitan Khlebnikov. It is now docking alongside fabled ships like the Caird, Aurora and the Terra Nova. The emperors delivered again magnificently, three days in a row and memory cards are all currently in convalescence. The bar is full crackling with polar pilgrims eager to tell of their own champagne penguin moments. We are moving, as discussed, albeit slowly, but we must keep some polar powder dry as we may be bisecting the ice, but we have not crossed the Rubicon yet. I started with a client quote, I will end with one:

"Our greatest wish for the next passengers on the KK is they meet the same fate we did." Richard Weiss, Canada

Ian Duffy, veteran of many Exodus trips climbed off one of the last choppers out of the rookery yesterday, his face burnished and his eyes ablaze. As I handed him his rucksack he remarked that 'this was the best day I can ever remember' - let's leave it there.

Read the news page of the ship's log as it happened from the stranded vessel!