Laughter, Moonups + Lasting Friendships: Thank You, EGP 2B
July 4, 2025
EGP 2B is taking it easy over here on the mainland!
On Day 10, we traded in lava rocks and sea lions for luscious mountains and horses. With colorful (& warm) ponchos selected, we got paired up with our rides in Cotopaxi. AC, with her equestrian background, took on the challenge of Buchner — a particularly stubborn steed. Thomas’ horse, Patcho, gave him trouble turning around, but no trouble at all to gallop. In fact, slowing the duo down was the challenge. As we trotted one after the other, we took in the amazing 360-degree views. With the immense Cotopaxi volcano ahead, it was the perfect welcome activity to showcase mainland Ecuador and the landscape it has to offer. Before dismounting, Ava, Thomas, and Jack’s horses decided to have a race. Spoiler: Thomas won. Riding worked up an appetite, so to Super Pollo we went! Think of it as an Ecuadorian KFC. Once full, we finished out the longest leg of our bus ride to Baños. We were greeted by the darling town center and church, lined with yummy restaurants and ice cream parlors for us to indulge in. Absolutely exhausted, we hit the hay.
We were able to see all that Baños had to offer on Day 11. On our open-air party bus, the cold air hit our faces as we observed the surrounding waterfalls and mountains. Our first stop was a short hike to get a better appreciation of the waterworks around us. Due to heavy rainfall the night before, it was extra powerful and extra wet… Julia and Madison were grateful for rain pants that day. Next up, we loaded up on a cable car for a new POV of the river flowing beneath us. Per usual, Hadley documented it all. Lastly, we rode up the mountain to get to the “swing off the edge of the world.” Aside from an awesome photo op, the swing gave us another chance to see the beauty of our environment. We wouldn’t have been able to do so without Jack’s excellent pushing abilities.
To fill time in the afternoon — and escape the rain — we headed to the Magic Chocolate Factory. Immediately upon arrival, we were given chocolate drinks and samples, leading us to devour milkshakes, cake, and ice cream. It was as if Alice in Wonderland met Harry Potter met Willy Wonka inside… overstimulating in the most hilarious way. Julia helped spin Jack and Thomas in the spinning teacup table, while the rest of the girls had a photo shoot with the provided props. To get our sugar rush out, we headed to an evening salsa lesson under string lights. There, Mitchell and Madison showed everyone their “flavor” from last session, paving the way for the group to follow. In the end, Charlotte and Thomas were named our salsa queen and king for their effort and ability. Over a feast of local meats and sides, Jojo gave us her rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” to end the night under the Ecuador stars.
Day 12 provided plenty of adrenaline as we spent the morning at an adventure park nestled among the Baños cliff sides. With helmets and harnesses acquired, we headed up to our starting point. AC led the group on the zipline, hitting the perfect spread-wing pose as she zoomed down the canyon. Soon to follow was Thomas, who — despite being afraid of heights — conquered the circuit. LOD Jack went last, encouraging the group ahead of him. Despite the rainy conditions, everyone completed the challenge with a smile on their face.
To warm up, we headed to get hot chocolates, coffees, and pastries, where LOD Charlotte ordered her usual chai and Hadley got her iced vanilla latte. Jojo and Ava consumed Nutella-filled croissants while we reflected on the course we just completed. After a family-style lunch, we hit the bus back to Quito. Thanks to Ava’s queue and bracelet-making, the trip flew by and before we knew it, it was time for dinner and Moonup. As our heads hit the pillow, “Radioactive” drifted us to sleep, sung by Thomas and Jack.
We learned the art of pivoting on Day 13. Due to an unfortunate landslide, the hot springs were unreachable. However, our Plan B did not disappoint! We navigated through old Quito, starting by appreciating the Virgin of the Panecillo statue up close. In town, we went inside a church adorned with gold leaf, saw the Ecuadorian equivalent of the White House, and enjoyed ice cream in the skylight of the Bishop’s house. Then up to the equator we went! At 0° 0°, we learned about the Indigenous history of Ecuador, seeing preserved animals from the Amazon and ancient weapons. We also observed the physical effects of the middle of the earth, including the way water spins, Hadley’s headstand, and becoming egg masters. Ask your kids to see their certificates!
To end, we saw the process of chocolate being made and sampled some for ourselves. A scrumptious send-off indeed. After a bus ride filled with our favorite songs from the session, we shared stories and laughter for the final time in the Quito airport center. Between the tears and hugs, it was a bittersweet moment for us all.
Thank you, EGP 2B, for the most incredible memories made along the way, and thank you, parents, for sending your kids on this Moondance. We will treasure the moments we shared in Ecuador forever!
Until next time,
Mitchell and Madison
It's Island Time in The Galapagos!
July 1, 2025
¡Hola desde los Galápagos!
We started Day 6 with a breathtaking sunrise, an early-morning ferry, and a plethora of chocolate wafers. After a bumpy ride, and multiple naps, LOD’s Ava and Jameson rallied the group as we started our morning snorkel activity. The tide was low as the group descended into the water surrounded by mangroves on all sides. We spotted coral reefs, schools of colorful fish, Marine Iguanas and even sea turtles! At the end of the swim, Ben, Mitchell, and our guide, Pepo, swam through an enclosed underwater tunnel which was “the coolest thing ever!” -Ben.
After working up quite the appetite, the group ate lunch at a nearby grill topped with freshly pressed orange juice and passionfruit cake. With full stomachs, we visited the nearby tortoise breeding center, seeing tortoises of all sizes as well as wild flamingos, which Hadley particularly enjoyed! Afterwards, thanks to Sebastian, the guys all played soccer against locals while the rest bought fresh coconuts for everyone to drink as a heated game unfolded. Moving onto the beach across the street, we later played volleyball against another group of teens from North Carolina as we ended up winning thanks to Charlotte and Hadley’s impeccable skills. Afterwards, the guys swam in the ocean, we finished the day at a beachside seafood restaurant and had Moonup on the hotel roof looking over the town.
Day 7 was notable for its incredible views and time spent with locals. We started the day with a breathtaking bus ride with windows rolled down and reggae blasting as we soaked in the island life of Isabela. The bus pulled into the trailhead for the Sierra Negra volcano hike as we started the breathtaking ascent upwards. The clouds faded as we made our way to the lookout over the immense crater with the feeling of being almost on top of the island! After we admired the view, Pepo gave the group a brief geological lesson about the Galapagos and descended the volcano. To our surprise, we came across a wild horse, and even several giant tortoises! We loaded up the bus, rolled down the windows, and put on Fleetwood Mac as the morning was described as “the best day yet” -Charlie. After a shawarma wrap lunch, the group went out by the pool as Charlotte gave everyone pedicures while Teddy, Jack, and Jameson swung on the poolside hammocks. Later in the evening, we left for a soccer and basketball game against the locals! We started soccer by playing against the younger local team, which blew us away with their agile ball handling. Moving onto the older team, our fellow soccer players Ava, Sebastian, and Charlie put their skills to use as we narrowly beat the team. During the game, Julia and AC enjoyed meeting the younger locals and we finished the activity with a game of basketball. After the game, we were given handcrafted necklaces from the local players for us to remember our time on Isabela and ended the night with dinner at a nearby grill and Moonup led by Teddy.
Everyone sprung out of bed on Day 8 with our morning surf lesson! We all packed up our beds and ate breakfast in anticipation to rip some Galapagos waves. We headed over to the beach and the girls started their lesson. Jojo, Ava, and Hadley were quick to get up on the boards before the guys got in the water. Teddy and Jameson later brought their skills to the Galapagos and rode some of the biggest waves we saw! Jack and Thomas got up on their boards quickly, while many of the girls went for a long beach walk. We finished our time on Isabela with lunch nearby the hotel. The group loaded onto the ferry, took our anti-drowsiness medications, and fell asleep on our way back to Santa Cruz. We later had our final dinner with our guide in the Galapagos, Pepo, and had Moonup led by LOD’s Jack and Hadley on the hotel roof. 🙂
EGP 2B
Hi mom and dad! Thank y’all so much for giving me the opportunity to come on this trip. I’ve had so much fun and I don’t want to leave, but I am missing y’all a lot! You’re the best! Love, Charlotte
Hi mom and dad!!! Thank you so much for sending me on this amazing trip. I am having the best time and experiencing the most beautiful places. Can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! I love y’all so much -Hadley
I just bent straight on the highway 67. Thanks for sending me on this trip! Love y’all- Thomas
Hey mom and dad! Thank you so much for sending me Ecuador. The Galapagos were so gorgeous and we are going back to Quito today! Love, Jojo
Hey mom, dad! Thank y’all so much for giving me this opportunity to go on this amazing trip! It is so pretty here! Can’t wait to see y’all and tell y’all all about it! Love, AC
Hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and experience to be here in Ecuador! I miss y’all and tell Olivia I miss her and to have so much fun in Slovenia! -Ava
Thank you, mom and dad for allowing me to come on us. Amazing trip. The nature is very beautiful and relaxing! I can’t wait to get out to Utah and play some golf! – Jack
Hey mom and dad and Gaby, thank you for giving me this opportunity to travel to EGP! I’m having so much fun and I can’t wait to see y’all! – Julia
No Lost Luggage, Just Lost in the Moondance Moment
June 27, 2025
¡Hola from Ecuador! EGP 2B has been busy at play ever since the crew landed in Quito on Day 1. Nugs to no lost luggage and a successful first night on the equator together!
Day 2 (our first full day together) started with balloons at breakfast for AC’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we thought we might take a trip to somewhere a little more tropical. We loaded up the bus and after a short flight, we touched down in San Cristobal. Wasting no time at all, we masked up and hit Darwin’s Bay to snorkel. Sleeping sea lions and swimming iguanas welcomed us to the water. Even a ray said hi to the boys. Back on shore, we found a burger joint with some of the best burgers we had ever had. Still hungry, we listened to LODs Charlie and AC for an ice cream run. With Teddy’s help lighting the candles, and Ben’s voice leading, we sang “Happy Birthday” to AC by the pier.
Day 3 might have been our best day yet! Back in the crystal blue water, a family of four sea turtles swam around us while fish friends cleaned their shells. Other wildlife, like eels and pufferfish, pointed out by Thomas, fascinated us. The wildlife didn’t stop there. In the afternoon, we saw blue-footed boobies galore diving for lunch, as well as the red-puffed frigate birds building nests. We anchored and swam to a private beach where Ben and Sebastian launched Teddy time and time again. Reggae serenaded us all the way to our cooking class. Charleston boys Jameson and Teddy handled the tuna, as well as Jack with his perfect dicing skills. Ava and Sebastian also helped with the ceviche, while Jojo and Hadley smashed plantains, Charlotte and AC tackled the rice, and Thomas and Julia made fresh-squeezed juice. It was a 10/10 meal that filled us up for MoonUp. We ended the night under the stars playing Duck, Duck, Goose as suggested by LODs Ben and Hadley.
Up we went to the highlands of San Cristobal on the fourth day. Despite some rain and mud, Charlie mastered catching chickens more so than some mastered catching papayas. Jameson scooped the most cow poop while Jack ate the most peppers- a bite of one makes most cry. After our tour of the wonderful ecological ranch, we caught some z’s on the ferry to Santa Cruz Island. To immediately wash off the dirt from earlier, Ava, Jojo, Hadley, and I enjoyed the rooftop pool, bonding beneath the sunset. The boys joined quickly, playing a game of baseball before we headed to hit the town. Numerous blue-footed boobies souvenirs later, Teddy spotted a volleyball game across the street. Thankful to his observation, we sat in the bleachers, watching locals set and spike the ball under the moon.
Day 5 welcomed a new guest to the mix…giant tortoises! With their impressive shells and calm manner, we admired their ability/need to do very little to be content. While most of them were timid, one tortoise came towards the group, getting only a few feet from Charlotte and Mitchell. They had a “moment” as she says. Following the ranch, we hit the white sand beach for fun under the sun. Hadley impressed with her headstand abilities while Ava attempted a flip in the water. Julia kept me company on the long walk back to the exit— well worth it when we saw the ice cream man was still there. After a short afternoon siesta, we swapped riddles and stories at the dinner table, surrounded by traditional dishes. To end the night, and our time in Santa Cruz, Ben popped into a local barber for a buzz— his Moondance tradition. We MoonUp-ed per usual, where LODs Julia and Sebastion passed the torch to Jameson and Ava. Circled up on the roof, we were so thankful to be together at that moment.
We have already made so many amazing memories on this trip and are ecstatic for what the rest of the trip holds for us! Until next time…
¡Adiós!
EGP 2B
Shoutouts:
Ava- Hi mom, dad, Riley, violet, Lila, and sloane, I’m having so much fun and I miss y’all so much! I love my group so much and also happy birthday violet!!!! Hope y’all have so much fun in sea island and I can’t wait to see y’all🩷🩷
Julia- Hola mom, dad, Gaby, and Parker, I am having soooo much fun in the Galapagos right now and my group is the best one yet!! I miss y’all so much and cannot wait to tell y’all everything when I get back!! Adios👋🇪🇨
Hadley-Hi mom, dad, Helen, Conor,and Monty, I am having the best time in the Galapagos!!! My group is so so good😁I’ve been eating lots of chicken and rice, plantains, and some amazing bananas. I have been taking a bunch of super good pictures.. I cannot wait to show y’all when I get back👌You would all love it here! Hope Raleigh isnt 2000 degrees☀️ Byeeee💕✌️
AC- Hey mom and dad! Having the best time ever! Can’t wait to see y’all when I get back!
Charlotte- Hi mom and dad! I am having so much fun and y’all would LOVE Ecuador and Galapagos! I hope y’all have/are having fun in New York! Tell everyone I say hi! Love you
Jojo- hey mom, dad, and Jack! I am having a GREAT time in Ecuador and the Galapagos! You guys would love it here! Can’t wait to see y’all!
Teddy- hey mom and dad we are on Isabela island and are doing a lot of snorkeling! See y’all in a couple of days time is flying bye. Can’t wait to see the family.
Jack- Hey mom and Dad I hope y’all are having fun where ever you are we are in Galapagos right now and time is flying by we are truly in one of the most unique and diverse places in the world and the culture is great I’m having a blast I miss you guys and see y’all soon.
Charlie- Hey mom and dad I’m having a lot of fun so far here. it’s super cool and the animals are crazy, you guys would like it a lot. Can’t wait to see you guys soon, tell Anna and Henry I said hi. Love you!
Ben- Hey Mom and Dad I’m having a great time!! My group is amazing!! I can’t wait to see you guys
Thomas: hi mom dad and abbey. I am having so much fun and I can’t wait to see you all!
Sebastian: Hola ma, pa, Jannette, Kaki, y Christian la estoy gosando una bola y mi grupo es muy chevere. Estamos en la playa casi todo los Dias y no estoy quemado.. Los Amo y extrano.
Jameson: Hey mom, dad, Finley, Preston, coco, Luna, and willow. Having a great time in Ecuador lucky I got here before the rest of y’all but still would be a great family trip. Everything we have done has been great and the place is just an experience all around. Got a great group and am lucky to be here. Love y’all can’t wait to see y’all in a week and a few days.
Safe Arrival in Ecuador!
June 23, 2025
Hello Ecuador + the Galapagos Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has arrived safely in Ecuador! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear all about it soon!
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
