Hi from Madeira!!!!
July 1, 2025
We’re so excited to finally send our first full update. We seriously love this group so much!! These girls are sweet, hilarious, thoughtful, and just so much fun to be around. Everyone is all in, loving every second, and making each day feel special. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. It has already been such a joy!
Our first full day started with a beautiful flight over the ocean and a smooth landing. We went straight to the cutest café for sandwiches, then spent the afternoon exploring Funchal. A very funny round of a game called Big Booty broke out in the town square, and then we did some shopping before grabbing pizza for dinner. We wrapped up the day with our first Moonup on the boardwalk. It has already become the favorite part of each day and the girls have been so passionate and amazing at leading it. Moonup is when we get to slow down, give shoutouts to the little moments, and share more about ourselves through both fun and deeper questions. This group jumped right in and made it so so special already.
The next morning we caught the ferry to Porto Santo and started the day with fun coffee drinks that everyone loved. We met our new friend Tiago (TiTi), who quickly became a favorite as well. That afternoon we went sea kayaking in the clearest water. The girls were laughing and soaking it all in. We had pizza again for dinner and finished the night with Moonup led by Lila and Mae Mae. Both of them have done Moondance before and they brought such an inspiring and welcoming energy. They made everyone feel safe and open to share.
The next day was full of sunshine and adventure. We started with a gorgeous hike across the island and saw beautiful landscapes and a really cool cave. During the hike, Anne Hardy showed us how awesome she is. She killed it! JJ is so calm and helpful, and Anna was right there too, being so sweet and making the group feel welcome. It was such a good reminder of how much these girls care about each other already. On our way down from the hike we got to a special surprise!!! MINI GOLF!!! Abby and Cooper were all in and took their mini golf game seriously while having the best time. Afterward we stopped for the most delicious soft serve before heading to the beach. Abby, Cooper, Annabel, Charlotte and Mae Mae all jumped off the pier and were smiling nonstop. Annabel especially was glowing as she ran into the waves and made the most of it. We walked to dinner along the water and stopped for more ice cream on the way back. Charlotte had been working with TiTi on practicing her Portuguese and is so confident even though it is so hilariously far from correct. That night’s Moonup was led by Annabel and Anne Hardy, who both brought such a thoughtful vibe and helped everyone settle in for the night.
The next day we had our coastal adventure and climbed along the shoreline, stopping to explore little pools and look for sea life. We made sandwiches for lunch and had a picnic on a rock beach. We squeezed in some quick shopping and ice cream before hopping back on the ferry to Madeira. Lila made the sweetest friendship bracelets for Tiago, Andrea, and Ansley, which totally made our day. Cooper and JJ led Moonup that night and did such a great job making everyone feel heard and supported.
Then came canyoning, which was an absolute blast! The weather was sunny and warm, and the girls were brave and so excited. They moved through the canyon with confidence and had the best energy. Katherine made everyone laugh when she had prior asked what spray-on shoes would feel like, which became the quote of the day. After canyoning, we went to the natural salt pools where everyone jumped off the diving board into the water. The joy was contagious. That night was our first cook crew dinner, and they crushed it. Annabel was our team captain and kept things running smoothly. Charlotte, Cooper, and Abby helped make a delicious Mexican dinner with wraps, pico, beans, and guac. We are now settled into our cozy hostel, and it already feels like home. Being under one small roof has been such a gift, giving us more time to hang out, laugh, and keep getting to know each other.
This group is full of heart and so much fun. They are already lifting each other up, being vulnerable, and making every little moment count. We can’t wait for what’s next and feel so lucky to be here with them!!!! More soon!!
Lots of love,Ansley and Andrea
SHOUTOUTS
Lila – LOve you all and having so much fun! Tell Ellie and Sadie I miss them. Add money to my Wells Fargo card. Portugal does in fact not take American money….
Annabel – Hi guys!! I’m having so much fun in Portugal! Everyone is so nice and all the activities are great. I miss everyone, tell Batya I’m home soon. I hope there is a kitten waiting at home for me.
Abby – Hey fam!! I’m having a lit time here! Everyone is so seeet and we’ve done some awesome activities (canyoneering yesterday and we start trecking tomorrow). It’s so beautiful, I know you guys would love it here. Miss ya, say hey to Cody and Bo for me.
Charlotte – Hi family! I am having a great time in Madeira! We have done some amazing activities. We start trecking tomorrow. Miss you so much. Love you!
Anne Hardy – Hey yall! I’m having the best time ever and have made so many sweet friends. Thank you so much for this opportunity and helping me see the world. I’ve been so happy and at peace here and hope that all is well at home and you don’t miss me too much 😉 I miss yall and Mae so so much and can’t wait to tell you about all of my amazing adventures! Tell all of my friends I miss and love them. Love ya bye!
Anna – Hey guys! I’m having such a great time and I have been doing some really cool things here. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to get to explore and find life long friends. Say hi to Louie for me! See you soon!
Mae Mae – Hiiii fam!! I’m having so much fun and loveeee my group & leaders! I’ve had a pb & j almost everyday so I am rlly happy anywho I hope yall are having a lit time in Alaska and I miss yall so much!!! Hi Marge I rlly hope you remember to read my trip updates but I see you in 10 days and I’m actually so excited 🕺🏼💃🏼 hi to anyone from ww2 I miss yall all sm and cannot wait to dabble in pickle ball/ a love island watch party when I get back!!! See yall all soon!!!! Love yall most~ Mae Mae ❤️❤️
Cooper – Hi guys! Love you guys so much and thank you for letting me go on this trip I have learned a lot and been doing so much. Been thinking about you guys and missing you guys so much. Can’t wait to hug you guys! Love you guys so much and see you soon!! Tell the whole fam/cinnamon bun I miss them and love them so much!!!💗💗💗
JJ – Tell kitty hi and swing him around for me, Don’t let cha steal my clothes I love yall so much and miss you too. Send me a pic of Chas chin
Katherine – Hi guys! I’m having the best time in Madeira, it’s so amazing we get to be somewhere most people have never heard of. I miss you all a lot, but I lowkey don’t want to go back home. Tell Steven that I say hi and that he can’t touch my stuff. Can’t wait to go trekking tomorrow, looking forward to seeing you!
Safe Arrival!
June 25, 2025
Hello Madeira Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely on Madeira! The group is so excited to start their adventure 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
