July 25, 2024
We have been so busy the past few days, and we are having a blast!! This group is so much fun!! Our first day after trekking, we suited up in wetsuits, helmets, and harnesses for a day of canyoneering. We went down repels, jumps, and slides as we made our way down the canyon of freezing water! When we got back, Jenna and I hiked up to the trail to go for a run along the levadas. After dinner, we all ordered hot chocolate thanks to Ali’s suggestion and cozied up for a sweet Moonup where Laney put tinsel in everyone’s hair!
The wake up call came as a shock the next morning when our alarms went off at 5am to catch the ferry to Porto Santo. Sadie and Laney were convinced that we were pranking them because it was still dark outside. On the ferry, Jenna and Maria (our Leaders of the Day) got the group an insane spread of muffins and donuts. They also decided upon arrival that the group was hiked out and we should skip out on the optional hike. They opted in for a beach day and the group was immensely grateful. We took to the pier and all the girls jumped off into the crystal blue waters in Porto Santo. The day ended with some gnarly tan lines—with Francis’ sunglasses painted on her face and Eva’s swimsuit tie and tags being shockingly imprinted on her skin. We’re in much better shape now! On the way to dinner, the girls shopped around at jewelry stands and one child very generously shared her strawberry ice cream with Francis’ shirt leaving her some for later. We had a delicious pizza dinner and had a full moon for Moonup on the pier.
The next day was jam packed, but Jenna, Laney, and Betsy still got up to run. They are working hard to stay in shape over the trip and want all their parents and coaches to know it! We took to the sea for a morning of coasteering where we explored the tide pools, swimming and jumping. Perhaps the coolest part of our day was when Audrey G and Maria spotted an octopus on one of the rocks. We circled around and watched it for a while. Sarah E made a new friend as it let her hold it in her hand, wrapping its tentacles around her arm. We bussed from one beach to the next and hung out on the west coast of the island for a bit. Betsy, Sadie, Laney, and Jenna went snorkeling. The tide came up and kicked us off the beach just in time for sea kayaking. Eva paddled alongside our guide Antonio who entertained the group well to spare the details. Audrey G and Filipe paired as an elite team as well. We went into caves, cliff jumped along the beach, and raced back. We had a burger dinner and did our Moonup on the pier once again inviting Filipe along this time. We talked about everything we are grateful for and Filipe shared such a sweet message with the girls.
The next morning we rallied for a group run with Betsy, Audrey G, Jenna, Laney, and I. We had a pre-breakfast dip in the ocean as we jumped off the pier post-run! We hiked up from the beach into a natural slot canyon before snorkeling. The girls saw starfish, pufferfish, flounders, and all kinds of other things. Francis and I worked on our new two-person juggling talent for at least an hour if not more; we’re slowly improving! And Laney beat me at a game of tic tac toe that she’d drawn on her legs naturally. The afternoon was perfect. All the girls tried Lambecca’s—a famous Porto Santo yogurt stop. We shopped for swimsuits and almost everyone found some winners! Obviously we had to test them out so we took to the beach to kill some time before heading back to Madeira. On the ferry, Jenna and Sadie tested their luck drinking coke and eating mentos ending in a bit of discomfort. We also solved lots of global issues as Sadie took on the “what if” presidential candidate role, and we had a mock debate which was hilarious and so much fun.
The next day, we suited up again for yet another day of canyoneering. We repelled seven waterfalls and had a scenic KitKat stop thanks to Sadie carrying them down the canyon for us. We took a hilarious time lapse of Audrey W jumping into one of the natural pools at least 10 times if not more. Sarah E and Sadie raced down one of the rapels with Sadie taking the win—although her technique was questionable. After a roadside picnic, we drove back up to the mountain hotel and hung out on the deck for a while before dinner. With the help of the LODs, Ali and Audrey G, we put on an elaborate prank to the rest of the group which only resulted in the uncovering of the nug jug, but is a hilarious story to tell. We had the sweetest Moonup overlooking the mountain landscape outside of the hotel. We are having so much fun with this group, and I can’t believe it is coming to an end!! More updates to come soon! The girls wanted to share some thank you’s!
Sadie: Thanks Dad and Mom for letting me come on this trip. I am really lucky with the group I ended up in everyone is so fun and sweet. I am sad that I only have a few days left but I am excited to see y’all. Love you
Jenna: Thank you so much Mom and Dad for letting me come on this trip it has been amazing and I have met the best people. I’m so sad that we only have a couple days left but can’t wait to see y’all and hear all about what y’all have been up to. Love you, Jenna
Jesu: Hey mom and dad! Thanks so much for this whole trip it has been an amazing experience and I’ve learned a lot and have made awesome people! I’ve loved doing every activity and the views have been incredible! Also thanks so much for being the best parents ever I’m so grateful for everything that you guys do for me and the fam. This is the last update before I get my phone on the 27th so bye for now, I can’t wait to see both of you, emi, elena, augs, georgie and bru! love you so much and I’ll call as soon as I get my phone if you guys are awake ❤️
Ali: Hey mom and dad, I have only a couple days till I get my phone back and text you all about my adventures till I get home. Over the trip I have continuously become so grateful for the opportunity to not only go on this trip but have such a supportive family behind me. It’s been amazing to live in the moment and savor every day here on this beautiful island. Can’t wait to see you guys on the 27th!
Auds: Hey Fam! I am having the absolute best time here and I can’t wait to tell you all about it soon! Thank you so so much for giving me this opportunity!! It truly has been so awesome! I love all of the girls in my group and it has made this trip so special! I miss you guys like crazy and I must fill you in on every single detail! Also, to dad, I have a crazy story to tell you about me and an octopus. Straight out of my octopus teacher! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!
Betsy: Hello family. This trip has been truly life changing and I’m so excited to come home and share everything with y’all. I am so lucky to have y’all as parents to provide me with the opportunity to have this experience. Madeira is such a special place and I cannot wait to show y’all pictures. My favorite things have been hiking, climbing, and jumping off the pier. Thank you guys so much for everything y’all mean everything to me. And happy 22 harry love ya!!! I hope you and Evelyn r having a blast in chatt. Love y’all and miss y’all !!!!
Laney: Hey mom and dad I hope home is good. I have been having so much fun. My group is filled with the most amazing girls. Thank you both so much for giving me the opportunity to come to Madeira. It has truly been the best weeks of my life and I’m so excited to share it with y’all. Also we should stay in a house at the beach because we are camped out. Love you guys!!!
Francis: Hello Family! I have had so much fun in Madeira, and I can believe I only have a couple of days left. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip! My group is so great, and they have made this such a fun experience. I miss you guys and hope everything is well at home! See you on Saturday. Love y’all!
Audrey W: Hi mom and dad! I only have a few more days in Madeira and I’m sad to leave but excited to see you! Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip! I have had a blast and my group is so awesome. Miss you and I can’t wait to see you! Love you!
Eva: Hi family! I hope y’all are enjoying Statesvegas. I have had such an incredible time here and I fear I will be passing around the travel bug when I get home :). Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here! I am so grateful for all of the new things I have tried, fears I have overcome, and friends I have made. Big hugs I love you all so so much!! See you soon! (P.S a kale salad sounds fabulous Saturday night ;))