Ken and Penny

Trip # 1 - July 2009 - Sermilik Fjord.

All in all it was a fab trip.

I was pretty anxious initially -

a) would I hold the group back and not be the required standard or particularly quick and

B) what on earth was I doing going on holiday woith a bunch of strangers!

On both counts it was OK. The group dynamics were very good and everyone pulled together very well. My paddling was OK.

The trip allowed a large degree of flexibity - obviously weather and ice dictated some of the decisions as did access to water supplies and possible "campsites". but Martin was always quick to consult the group at various points of the "journey" and the group preferences were taken into account.. Some good "calls " were made when the ice thickened up quite a lot and we had to turn back one day - we subsequently discovered some hunters boats had got damaged by the ice further down the fjord.

We didnt do huge mileage which I had thought we might do (Ken and I had previously paddled some of the BC coast and covered a lot of distance) but it made for a relaxed holiday and allowed time to walk and explore.

The group was very friendly - We had gone on the trip as an "exploratory" trip and I think that was probably the same for many of the group, although for 2 it was their second time out with Martin. No one seemed to be at loggerheads so I guess that must mean quite alot.

The kayak kit was good. We took our own paddles - (his were fine but prefer my own) and buoncy aids although Martins looked fine. Ken and I took our own dry bags as well.

It is difficult to say how much extra we spent. This is an expensive trip because of the very nature of the place that you are going to but when I did look previously at trips to this part of the world Martins seemed very reasonable.

The flights to Iceland were about £450 for the pair of us and the youth hostel in Iceland on the way out was very cheap - we camped.

We took alot of food with us and probably spent around an extra £50-100 for the two of us but apart from food and a pizza on the last night there wasnt much to spend our money on.I suppose at a rough guess the whole thing was about £2100 each - but this included several days in Iceland. It does seem a lot of money but I have no regrets.

I DEFINTELY WOULD DO THIS TRIP AGAIN.

Martins leadership style is not "in your face" the trip was superb. My one disappointment is not seeing narwahl!!! - the scenery is absolutely stunning though and more than made up for this.

I hadn't done any organised trips prior to this as we have organised our own previously - we had done 2 expeditions in Canada - one 16 day trip. So have nothing to compare Martins with but without a doubt I have no hesitancy in recommending his trip.

  Penny .