Greetings from the Galapagos!
June 15, 2025
The crisp morning sunrise of Santa Cruz kicked off a day of laughter, good memories, and fun. With the feeling of excitement of being on a new island, Tibbie, Zakir, and Mitchell seized the day with a morning run through the town that ended with an energizing wake-up for the group upon their return. This particular morning, we were greeted with a breakfast of over-easy eggs, croissants, and fruit. Once done, we loaded the bus and listened to music as we made our way to the highlands of the island to visit a tortoise sanctuary. Majestic, and massive, the tortoises welcomed us as we made our way through the sanctuary. In the middle of the property, we descended into an expansive lava tunnel which was a hit to the group. After eating an amazing meal among the tortoises, we quickly changed and loaded the bus to spend the afternoon at one of the best beaches on the island. With a 45-minute hike, the mangrove trees welcomed us to an expansive crystal-clear beach full of Iguanas. As the rain and clouds subsided, the group played games in the water which were spearheaded by Andrew, Smith, and Tommy. Finishing out the day, LOD’s Brady and Crawford curated a rooftop dinner at the hotel consisting of pizzas and sandwiches which concluded with a game of fishbowl.
Day 7 started with a bang with an early-morning wake-up and an exhilarating ferry to Isabela, one of the most biodiverse islands in the Galapagos. LOD’s Rian and Tommy rallied the group as we were whisked away to the island’s tortoise breeding center to see the magical creatures of all sizes. Sydney and Crawford particularly enjoyed seeing the multitude of newly born tortoises which curiously explored the center. We later filled our stomachs with seafood as the group has been catching onto Ceviche, particularly Emma and Rian. After lunch, and a quick afternoon siesta, we ventured to the nearby coastline to continue our snorkeling pursuits. We entered a dense forest of mangrove trees which opened up to a glistening area of sea turtles, fish, and even penguins! After a short and chilly swim, we made our way to a nearby beach where Jack rallied the group to build one of the largest sandcastles on the beach. In the midst of the sandcastle construction, Sydney and Lucy were taking part in some beach Yoga led by Crawford. With plantain chips in hand, we migrated to the nearby volleyball courts to have a competitive volleyball game between the guys and the girls. Dusk began to settle, and the group went for a dip in the ocean and enjoyed the beautiful Isabela sunset. After swimming and admiring the beautiful red and orange colors of the sky, we proceeded to eat burritos and tacos at a nearby Mexican food restaurant and enjoyed the fellowship and time spent with one another.
A full night of sleep prepared us for our volcano hike on Day 8. We quickly ate breakfast, which consisted of eggs, bread, and juice, and piled into a bus which took us to the trailhead of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the highest point in the Galapagos. Upon our arrival at the trailhead, we were greeted by one of the most majestic views of the island and sparkling coastline below. The landscape and vegetation changed from arid to lush as our LOD’s, Jack and Lucy, stayed close to our guide, Carlos, during the trek. We summited the active volcano which featured an expansive crater of igneous and volcanic rock formations. Happy that the volcano did not erupt today, the group descended to have lunch at a local rooftop restaurant. As many in the group, particularly the girls, came to the Galapagos hoping to catch a tan, we relaxed by the pool for the rest of the afternoon with a couple of ice cream stops and volleyball along the way. After our relaxing afternoon, we prepared for our soccer and basketball games against the local islanders. We started the soccer game against the 12-year old team, where Lucy and Zakir flexed their soccer skills to the local kids. The energy was high as Sydney and Crawford conducted field side interviews with Smith and Tommy. After playing against the 12-year-olds, the guys moved on to play the local basketball team. While Andrew and Brady showed off their dribbling skills, Madison, Emma, and Tibbie shot hoops at the nearby court with some younger locals. Hungry and tired, we ate dinner at a local grill ordering ceviche, shrimp, and Coca-Cola.
The excitement was in the air for Day 9 with surfing on the morning agenda. We quickly packed our bags for our afternoon ferry and rode to the nearby beach where we met our surfboards and sprinted into the ocean in excitement. Jack was the most determined to catch the best wave as he showed off his new skills. Brady, Tibbie, Andrew, and Zakir also found a new love for surfing while leaving the group in awe. Covered with seawater and sand, we went back to the hotel to shower before lunch around the block. We finished the afternoon with a bumpy ferry back to Santa Cruz where Lucy, Rian, and Madison fell asleep to classic rock. Upon our arrival at our final stop in the Galapagos, we had a farewell dinner with our guide, Carlos and explored the town one last time. As some souvenir shopped, Mitchell bought Tajín covered mangoes while Zakir and Brady found a bounce house to enjoy. Later in the evening, we surprised the group with tortoise shaped chocolate pieces as we enjoyed the rare ‘Strawberry moon’ for our last night.
A happy Father’s Day to all,
EGP 1B + Mitchell + Madison
Here are some shout outs and thank you’s from the kids!
Hi guys!! Mom and dad, thank you so much for the opportunity for me to come on Moondance. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to make life-long friends like I have. Tell Lilly Kate I said happy late birthday and tell Davis Happy Birthday!! Will you also please tell Anna, Kate and Eve I miss them so much and can’t wait to see them on the 4th at Topsail!! 💕 Dad, Happy Father’s Day!! Thank you for everything you do for our family, and I hope you enjoy your day!! I love you so much and can’t wait to see y’all! ❤️❤️ Emma Bird
Hey mom and dad, how are you guys? I can’t believe the trip is almost over because it has gone in a flash. Thank you again for letting me go on this trip and Happy Father’s Day, dad! I love you guys and can’t wait to tell you all about the trip. Love, Jack
Happy Father’s Day, dad! I love you so much and appreciate everything you do for Harris and I. I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments this year! You have been able to start a business and take care of a family simultaneously, and I love you so much for that. I can’t wait to tell y’all about this amazing trip! ❤️ Tibbie
Hi!! Thank you so much mom and dad for letting me go on this trip! We just went surfing and it was the best thing so far! Also, Happy Father’s Day, dad! I love you so much and I am so proud of your independence and how much it has grown. Love y’all! Lucy 🥾
Hi!! I am having the best time ever in the Galapagos. We are heading back to the mainland now and I can’t wait to tell y’all about all of the cool things we saw. Thank you so much for sending me on this trip and supporting me seeing all of the different things in this world. Also, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!! Dad, thank you for all the fun experiences and adventures we have. Jay, thank you for always being there to help my dreams come to life. Love y’all so much, Rian
Hi mom and dad, I have been loving my time in the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador. We just finished our activities in the Galapagos and are heading back to Quito. I really enjoyed surfing and the food is great. I hope things at home are going well. I hope you have a great Father’s Day and I’m sorry I don’t get to spend it with you. Love, Zakir
Hi mom and dad, Happy Father’s Day, dad! I love and miss you so much. I am so thankful for how hard you work for our family and how much you put the family before yourself in every situation. I am very sad this trip is coming to an end. I have made friends that I hope to have for the rest of my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go on this trip so thank you and love y’all! Mom, please book me a hair cut before we leave and new pearl earrings. ❤️ Sydney
Hey guys!!! Dad, Happy Father’s Day! I am sad not to be able to spend this day with you and I can’t wait to see you! You are a huge role model in my life and have made me become the person I am today. I love all of y’all so much and I’m having a blast! Y’all would love it here! Tell Hunter I miss him. ❤️ Crawford
Hi Mom and Dad! Happy Father’s Day! I hope that you’re having a good one. Thank you so much for sending me on Moondance. I am having a great time. The trip has gone by so fast, and I’m very excited to see you soon. Tell Ryan and Patrick I say hi, and Grandma and Papa too. I’m excited to tell you all about it! See you soon! Love, Thomas
Greetings familia, Happy Father’s Day, dad! Love you! I am excited to see you guys but am having a splendid time and do not want to go home. I will tell you all about it. Love, Brady P.S. do not brush your teeth with the water 😏
Hola amigos! This trip is amazing! Happy Father’s Day to the best dad in the whole world! I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to see you! I’m ready for the Camino Willy. See y’all soon! – Andy P.S. As Brady said, don’t brush your teeth with the water 😉
Hey mom and dad, Happy Father’s Day! I love you so much dad! Thank you for everything you guys do to allow me to come on these fun trips. I am having a great time. I miss you and love you so much. Love you, Smith P.S. As Brady and Andrew said, don’t brush your teeth with the sink water 😂
Excitement in Ecuador
June 11, 2025
An hour or so after the Quito sunset, the sliding doors opened in the international welcome area, giving way to Patagonia duffel galore. Despite the long travel day, the group welcomed me and Mitchell with hugs, smiles, and energy that started our trip out on the right foot. After munching on some pizza, we met our driver and headed to the hotel where we were greeted by their pet dog, Guillermo, and cat, Mitchell (we took this as a good omen). Soon, we were circled up under the Ecuadorian stars for our first MoonUp where we revealed our weird food combos and Sydney and Andrew were elected the first Leaders of the Day (LODs). The sound of laughter serenaded us off to a much-needed sleep.
Day 2 called for an early wake up call made easier with fresh fruit, eggs, and juice (and some cafe con leche). Once done, we were greeted by our amazing guide Chris who helped load us up to Papallacta. On the bus ride, filled with country music per Emma’s request, we were able to see Cotopaxi— the world’s largest active volcano— and numerous waterfalls nestled among the lush and glorious mountain sides. Although we did not see any local speckled bears, we saw something arguably cuter…llamas! We hopped off the bus to snap some quick pictures before finishing the journey to the hot springs and hike. Along the short loop we were able to see cows, local flowers in bloom, and get a closer look at some waterfalls. To reward ourselves for completing the mile stroll, we hopped right into the hot springs. These naturally warmed waters provide many benefits including circulation and improved sleep; however they also had some cold plunge options. Brady was the first to dive all the way under, followed by myself and Tibbie. Once dried, we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant that served us a delicious meal of warm soup, rice, fries, and meat. Back at the hotel, we decided to get right back in water and took full advantage of the pool, hot tub, and slide. Eventually, the hacky sak and soccer balls made appearances insinuating a match between EGP B and EGP A. Smith was a killer keeper, while Emma, Crawford, and Lucy dominated our offense. Thomas was nicknamed “brick wall Tommy” after his amazing defense performance. Lucy scored 2 goals while Andrew made the game-winning kick; after all, B stands for best. After a yummy victory dinner, we MoonUp-ed and ended the night swapping funny pet stories, excited for our upcoming adventures in the Galapagos!
The roosters woke us up on Day 3, where LODs Emma and Zakir ensured everyone got to breakfast on time. With fuel for the day, we said our goodbyes to Guillermo and Mitchell (the cat), buzzing with anticipation for our next journey. After a seamless travel day, we touched down at sea level, welcomed by crystal waters and our new guides. Immediately we were trying on fins and masks, flopping our way to the beach of La Loberia. As we waddled into the water, we were warmly greeted by various fish species that seemed “straight out of Finding Nemo.” Some were helping out their friend sea turtles, cleaning their shells in exchange for a yummy snack. Back on shore, colors of pink, purple, and orange painted the sky, creating the perfect sunset for the sleepy sea lions. There in the Galapagos, we were content, surrounded by mesmerizing sea life, ecstatic for our leg of the adventure here. Hungry from snorkeling, we strolled to dinner saying hi to the local animals along the way. Rian and Mitchell helped the table order heapings of local dishes. While waiting, Thomas, Tibbie, and Andrew introduced us to riddles, which Zakir knew instantly. Over a table of pollo and queso empanadas and plantains, we laughed until our bellies hurt and said goodnight to San Cristobal.
Day 4 was extra special because…Lucy is now 15! No more unaccompanied minor! To celebrate, LODs Lucy and Smith helped us seize the day. We picked up our fins and masks again, starting with a quick hike to a beautiful viewpoint. This platform gave us a bird’s eye view of our morning snorkeling spot, nestled in-between lava rocks and filled with bright blue water. We scurried down to get in on the action, welcomed with sea lions sunbathing on the platform. Under the water was where the real magic happened, though. Sea lions bolted from person to person, getting just close enough to bop us with their whiskered noses. They quite literally danced under and around us…as well as pooped on me and Brady. Conditions were perfect, allowing us to also swim alongside some sea turtles and iguanas— the only iguana species to do so. After tanning alongside the chunky sea lions, we headed to a viewpoint, this one adorned with a statue of Charles Darwin, as the snorkeling spot was believed to be around where he first landed in the islands. Our midday pick-me-up was burgers and sushi, the moment us tuna fanatics (shoutout Rian, Emma, and Jack) were waiting for. We were all part of the clean plate club that afternoon. Soon after, we headed back to the water to snorkel farther out, but also, to see some infamous bird species. Out among an isolated island scattered with local flora, infamous blue feet made an appearance. One after another, the blue footed booby, protecting their eggs, lined the white sand path. Jack, Brady, and Zakir captured the species with their photography skills, as well as the red-puffed Frigate birds nesting above. In such a short span of time, we were able to see numerous bucket list animals, making us take a moment to be grateful for this amazing opportunity. After another snorkel, where Crawford mastered the graceful entrance into the water, a private beach littered with sea turtle nests was awaiting us. Rather than taking the boat to shore, Jack dove right in, practicing his freestyle skills. Among the shells, a 50 yard dash broke out, resulting in Andrew and Crawford’s victory. Additionally, a game of hot-potato and stunts occupied us until a sunset cruise took us back home. After washing off the salt from our skin, we headed to one of our guide’s mother’s house for a traditional cooking class. Zakir, Jack, Rian, and Lucy tackled the ceviché, dicing peppers and onions, squeezing fresh limes, and handling some more tuna. Emma, Mitchell, and Tibbie made fresh juice, while Brady, Smith, Sydney, Thomas, Andrew, and Crawford were in the kitchen frying empanadas and plantains. To top it all off, a homemade carrot cake was made the morning of, and was brought out as we sang “Feliz Cumpleaños.” We ended the night stuffed and stargazing in the park across the street, thankful to San Cristobal for its hospitality.
We got our hands a bit dirty on Day 5. After a plate of juice, eggs, and fruit, the group loaded up into pick up trucks and hit the dirt roads. As we drifted from the town, the lush plants expanded across the coastline. Once at the eco farm, the owner Carlos, and his mother, welcomed us with homemade cheese and traditional tea made from flowers on their land. The caffeine hit us just in time to pick berries and feed the chickens, goats, and ducks. We had a chicken-catching competition which had everyone in hysterics. Emma caught quite a few, as well as the boys who were seeking after the roosters. Brady got pooped on by another animal, this time a chicken. Poop seemed to be a theme of the day because after feeding the animals, we observed how the farm converts cow manure into gas and electricity. To help them out, we broke out into teams and saw who could scoop the most. Afterwards, we played with baby chicks who yes, you guessed it, pooped on us. LODs Tibbie and Jack helped the group maintain positive attitudes all day, even when things got a bit messy. To thank us, Carlos and his mother prepared chicken, rice, and plantains from the farm. It was “the best meal we’ve had so far”- Crawford. Following the farm, we created Patagonia duffel jenga on a water taxi and headed to our ferry to Santa Cruz. The two-hour cruise rocked most of us to sleep, giving us a much needed nap. Immediately docked, we were welcomed with two baby sharks circling the pier as well as our hotel’s rooftop pool. A quick dip and a sunset later, we hit the town for burgers where we were occupied by many locals sporting their yellow football jerseys. The city beamed with energy as the entire town came together to cheer for their team in the World Cup qualifiers, and we were lucky to witness it. To end the night, we went back to the dock to say goodnight to the sharks feeding, and MoonUp-ed under the island constellations.
Sun kissed and thriving,
EGP 1B
Crawford– Hi!! Thanks so much for sending me on this trip! I am having a blast! Tell Pierson I love and miss him. ❤️
Sydney– Hi! I miss y’all so much! I’m having the best time ever! I have made a lot of good friends. Tell the boys to have fun at camp & Rosie and Ruthie that I miss them. ❤️
Rian– Hey!! I hope all is well at home! I’m having the best time over here! Thank you so much and I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! Tell Shea and Jack I miss them and Ollie and Finn! Love yall so so much. ❤️
Lucy– Hi! I’m having so much fun! I love and miss y’all so much! Tell Sugar and Reesee I miss them! (Not Sutton)
Emma– Hi mom and dad and Jack. I am having so much fun here!! It is so beautiful! We swam with sea lions and turtles, it was very cool! Dad, you would love the sushi here, it is amazing. I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to see you guys!
Tibbie– Hi mom, Dad, and Harris! This place is amazing! I have seen so many cool animals and plants. I know you all would love everything here. I miss y’all so so much, and hope Monteague is great.
Tommy– Hi! I love and miss you so much! It’s such a beautiful place and I’m having so much fun! Hopefully Ryan and Patrick haven’t torn down the house yet. Tell them I love them, and Marble as well! You guys would love it here. See you soon!
Jack– Dear mom and dad, thank you so much for getting me here. I am having one of the best times of my life. My group and leaders are great! I can’t wait to see you soon.
Brady– Mom and Dad (and other family reading), I miss y’all and I am having a splendid time down here! I’ve been wearing sunscreen and met some exquisite people. The animals are plentiful. Hope all is good in Charlotte and Avery is having fun at camp. Have fun in California! Love y’all
Smith– Hey mom and dad, right now we are on a boat heading to our second island in the Galapagos. So far we have visited Hot Springs, done hiking, and snorkeled. I miss you guys and I love you so much!
Andy– Mom, Dad, and Willa, this trip is fire! I’m having an awesome time! Health update: throat still hurts but a lot less and less snot. I am getting much better! I would say I miss you guys a ton but these places and people are just too fun! See y’all in a week! I love you guys!
Zakir – Hi mom and dad. The trip is super fun so far and I’m really enjoying it. The people are great and the activities are fun. We’re in the Galapagos right now and I have really loved it so far! Love, Zakir
The Adventure Begins!
June 7, 2025
Hello Ecuador + the Galapagos Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Ecuador! The group is so excited to start their journey together!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
