June 17, 2024
It’s hard to have any complaints over here other than missing all of our dads today! Exhausted from all the trekking we recharged our batteries–slept in, did some much needed laundry, and ate well. Thursday morning we suited up and looked super cool in our wetsuits for an afternoon of canyoneering in some of the coldest water we have ever been in. Emily and Ava helped to insist a mandatory plunge for everyone after they repelled down the waterfall.
The next day was our first real day in the sun. We went canyoneering once again–this time in much warmer water. We repelled down seven waterfalls and it was beautiful! Eliza wants her mom to know that we had a yoga session on the deck outside the hotel after canyoneering. We wrote letters, Maela played some ukulele for us and we all made friendship bracelets before dinner. We had Moonup overlooking the most beautiful mountain landscape, enjoying our last night in the mountains before going to Porto Santo.
Saturday morning was quite the wake up call when our alarms went off at 5 am to catch the ferry to Porto Santo. We had a glamorous morning drinking coffee on the deck of the ship and exploring all the cool features of the ferry. Agnes started the day with a 7 am pick me up of Ben and Jerry’s, and the group shockingly learned that Margaret does in fact sleep with her eyes open. Upon arrival, we walked to our hotel and explored the island, but alas, the rain came. We sought shelter in some local boutiques but soon decided to embrace the wet and go for a swim. Ferrell led the charge straight to the Porto Santo Pier with Margaret and Edie quickly jumping on board. The three decided they were definitely jumping from the pier and soon got Maela, Layla, and Ava in the water with them. It is so awesome to see them making the most of the day amidst the weather. Once the weather cleared, we spent the afternoon with Joao, our snorkel guide. The girls saw an octopus, some rays, starfish, puffer fish, and all kinds of other things!
This morning we went for a coastal hike with Filipe and Goncalo to the top of Porto Santo and all the way down to the ocean. We swam in tide pools and watched the waves crash for hours. The group has taken to a reading streak and are now trading books around, so we spent some time on the beach relaxing and reading. We shopped around, drank Brisa (a Madeiran soda), and took to the pier once again for Sienna and Agnes to give the jump another go! We had burgers for dinner at a beach side restaurant and walked around the village center. Emily has decided to sponsor a local stray dog and bought him a bacon and cheese crepe. During Moonup we talked about all of our dads and what we love about them. This group seems to have some good ones!
Happy Fathers Day from Madeira; we love you all so much!
A few messages from the girls:
Hi mom and dad! Portugal is so fun and I’m so grateful you guys let me go on this trip! Also happy father’s day and happy birthday to my dad, I miss you so much and can’t wait to see you again. Love you guys so much!! Say hi to Charlie for me! -Maela
Hey Mom and Dad! Portugal is so fun thanks for letting me go! I can’t wait to tell you about it when I get back. Love you! Happy late Fathers Day! -Sienna
Mom! Dad! Thank you so so much for sending me on this trip. It’s easily the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I love and miss you both!! Happy Father’s Day!-Edie
Hey Mom and Dad and Reeves! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I’m having so much fun and this is the best experience ever! I can’t wait to tell you all about it! I love y’all!-Eliza
Hey family, hope y’all are having a good summer so far! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to come here, I am having a great time. As much as I love this trip, I’m so excited to come home and tell you all about what we have been doing! Happy late Fathers’ Day!!!! I love you guys so much!! -Emily
Hi Mom, Dad, and Alex, thank you for letting me come on this trip. I am so grateful for the opportunity. I hope y’all have been able to go to the beach a lot while I’m gone. Alex, I hope you had a great dance recital and I am sure that you did great. Happy Father’s Day!! Thank you for everything you do Dad. I love and miss y’all so much. I can’t wait to see y’all soon. -Agnes
Hey mama and dad!! I miss you guys!! We’ve been having so much fun here. Right now we are in Porto Santo! Also, happy Father’s Day dad! 4 more days until I get to see you! I love you all very much! Tell Mase I love him! -Ava
Hi Mom and Dad! Portugal is so much fun and I’m so grateful you guys let me come! Miss and love you so guys so much! Happy Father’s Day dad love you! See you so soon! – Layla Esquivel
Hi mom and dad! I miss you guys and I am so excited to see you. Happy Father’s Day to you dad, we’re now running on 11 years of me missing it but I love you! I hope Papa and Harley are doing well. See you at the airport! -Ferrell Wilson
Hi!! I am having so much fun here and so exited to see y’all in a few days!! Happy Father’s Day!!Love y’all!! -Margaret