Amazing Memories In Madeira!
July 24, 2025
Hi from Madeira!!
We’ve had such an incredible past few days, so here’s a little sneak peak into our island life!
Day 8 we enjoyed a slower morning to rest and recharge after camping the night before! We were absolutely thriving in our new accommodations with real beds, bathrooms, and a chance to catch up on journaling. Mary Moulton went full laundromat mode in the bathtub, literally stomping on laundry in the hot water. We had a rooftop lunch with good music and good vibes before heading out for our first surfing lesson! We drove to Porto da Cruz, blasting Moana in the car to get pumped and really in character. After a warm-up that turned into more of a vinyasa flow, we hit the waves. Kyla and Annabelle crushed it!!! Everyone was having a great time racing each other on the waves!! Ansley and Weston cheered everyone on from above, enjoying ice cream and capturing the moment with our cameras! The girls quickly took a liking to our instructors especially one of them named Diogo!! The surf team said they always get excited when the all girls’ group come because we bring the most fun. LET’S GOOO! After quick showers and dinner at the hotel, we celebrated with delicious gelato and met a new friend named Peter by the pier, where a spontaneous dance-off had us all laughing until we cramped. We ended the night with Moonup on the rooftop and a game of poison dart frog!
The next day took us to Ponta de São Lourenço for rock climbing. While waiting, we watched what looked like a prepping for a movie shoot featuring a model in detective gear. No clue what it was, but it was definitely cool. Weston made an epic comeback by doing the hardest climb after recovering from her head injury. She’s a rockstar no pun intended!!! Layla also tackled the same climb and crushed it as well! After our arms were feeling tired from climbing, we had egg sandwiches on bolo do caco, mini chicken empanadas, and brownies before jumping into the ocean. Annabelle had a double whammy moment when she discovered ants in her sandwiches because she left the boxes on the ground and then accidentally hurt her toe by legitimately kicking rocks. Nonetheless, her sweet smile is always beaming across her face!! The water was absolutely beautiful for a little dip and hangout on the rocky beach! Once we got back to Machico, some girls grabbed açaí bowls with Ansley by the beach, topped with Nutella, granola, fruit, and coconut, while others opted for ice cream with Andrea. Yummmm!! How can we ever choose!! A few of us watched a volleyball tournament and soaked up the sun at the beach, while others journaled and relaxed on the hotel roof. After a full day in the sun, we showered and rallied for the best surprise… bumper cars!!!! We’d spotted it the night before and couldn’t wait to go back. The place was decked out with jelly bean, dollar bill, and banana-themed carts, fun colored lights, and bumping music right by the water. We raced until we were out of breath, dying laughing, and maybe a little whiplashed. Definitely one for the memory books.
Next up: ferry to Porto Santo!!! Tom, one our outfitters, and his wife Jane joined us! The girls have loved spending time with them!! Most of us had chocolate and strawberry crepes before the boat even left the marina, then some of the girls checked out the cinema and rooftop. Eventually, everyone ended up taking a big group nap together on fancy couches. Laine has generously let everyone borrow her clothes and of course every day is a Free People movement and Lululemon fashion show!! I’m sure some of these girls, if not all, could get sponsored by them with their pictures from this trip. Once we arrived, we made sandwiches by the hotel pool with the freshest bakery bread and all the fixings, then headed out to the beach. The water was literally perfect. We snorkeled, tanned, and were extra proud of Janey, who faced her fear of sharks and joined the snorkeling. Annabelle is always getting the best content on her GoPro, and we’re all excited to go through everyone’s camera photos on the plane ride home. Then it was time to sea kayak!!! The ocean was the clearest turquoise, and we paddled through sea caves filled with Sally Lightfoot crabs. We stopped at a cliff-jumping rock where Grace jumped four times, and our guide Antonio showed us some of his diving tricks! One of outfitters, Gonçalo is always taking the best footage with his awesome camera gear! After kayaking, we laid on the hot rocks like lizards, drying off and feeling like we were at a spa. (Fun fact from Tom: Porto Santo is known for its sand spa therapy! The sand is rich in minerals that release with heat and can help with joint and skin health!) I don’t know about y’all but I would love to come back and see what that’s about one day!! We paddled back in our kayaks quickly with the wind in our favor. Jane Ellen and Elise were our rockstar caboose team. After a quick shower, we got ready for a dinner out at a bistro in the square. Some girls tried traditional Portuguese dishes while others enjoyed burgers (with a Portuguese twist, of course). For dessert, we stopped by an iconic local soft serve stand that rotates flavors throughout the day, the night’s options were chocolate and banana, or cream and lime. Back at the hotel, we had Moonup on the deck by the pool. Layla and Laine led a sweet reflection where the girls opened up about their families and the things they sometimes take for granted. It was such a special moment with a really thoughtful group. These girls have such big hearts!
We started the next morning with croissants, coffee, cereal, and fresh fruit before heading out on a short hike around the island. We played Disney soundtracks almost the entire way and fully committed to the performances. That’s the magic of an all-girls group. Everyone got really into it and it made the hike even more fun. Hattie is a hiking machine and keeps such great conversations going the whole time. The hike ended at a little hidden beach tucked between big rocks where we had lunch. Sandwiches, cookies, peach rings or peach donuts, (depending on who you ask) and Madeira chips in flavors like ketchup and mustard, which are actually really good. Andrea, Grace, and Layla swam and jumped through the waves while talking about how much they appreciated the people in their lives back home. The rest of us took naps, read our books, and relaxed by the water. That afternoon we went shopping in town, and the girls found the prettiest pieces of jewelry, little hidden gems that felt so special to take home from such a unique place. Parker was especially excited about a pearl bracelet she found. Since the girls have started calling themselves the “Pearl Girls,” they all picked out different jewelry with a pearl on it to remember each other by. It was so sweet. Meanwhile, Grace and Mary Moulton could not stop laughing over this one souvenir they found. It was just some random seashells hot-glued together with a printed label that said “Shell Concert.” They thought it was the funniest thing ever and made sure everyone else needed to see it too. We came back to the hotel, sat by the pool, and shared our little hauls before getting ready for dinner. Jane Ellen is always keeping everyone smiling and bringing so much good energy. Dinner was at a beautiful restaurant right on the beach!Such a great spot, and the food was delicious. And of course… more soft serve afterward. Then things took a turn into the kind of night we’ll all be talking about for the rest of our lives. Andrea started a game of “What Are the Odds” with Ansley. It started with a dare to get in a fountain in the middle of the square. After a few rounds, the game escalated into “What are the odds you’ll jump off the pier into the ocean?” It was 9 p.m. at this point and pretty chilly outside, but a few girls, with or without the dare, decided they actually just wanted to go for it. YOLO. So we all ran down the pier, and before we knew it, half the group was getting ready to jump. A crowd of tourists and locals had gathered and started filming us. The first round jumped in, and then another wave of girls followed. Elise and Hattie stayed dry and became our photographers for the night, which we’re very grateful for. The water may have smelled like fish but it was so fun. We ran back to the hotel soaking wet and laughing so much. It was chaotic, spontaneous, maybe a little peer-pressurey, but in the best way. Again, after all, one of the Moondance rules is: if you see a body of water, you have to get in it. We warmed up, showered, and then did Moonup led by Weston and Janey, followed by a (now much better understood) game of Mafia. We tried it the night before but got too confused by the rules. This time, it was still chaotic but also hilarious. Janey hyped the girls up with a speech about how positivity is contagious. What a great thing to witness as a leader!! Some of the girls stopped by the pool bar after to get candy, chips, and chocolate milk before heading to bed. Kids will be kids.
We’re soaking up every last moment on this little island before heading back to the mainland for a few final adventures. We love each other so much and are having the best time, but we miss you all too. Thank you for sharing your girls with us! We know how hard it must be to let go of them for a weeks. They’re all such beautiful humans and we have loved every second of watching them grow and become family. TIME SLOW DOWN!!! More soon!!
Lots of love,Ansley and Andrea
Update from Madeira!
July 20, 2025
Hello from Madeira!
We have had such a incredible time over these last seven days getting to know your girls!! They are such a fun, loving, and silly group, we could not be more thankful to be spending 17 days with them!!
The adventures hit the ground running after we landed in Madeira. We got picked up from the airport and headed straight to Porto Moniz, a small and peaceful town we called home for two nights. We quickly settled into our hostel and then walked down to the natural salt pools. We were so happy to see that the diving board was open and every single person jumped off and got to swim in Atlantic Ocean for the first time on the trip! We quickly realized we were actually supposed to be mermaids so we started giving each other our proper nicknames. Everyone’s name is something about them and ends with pearl. For example, Layla is Bubble Pearl because she is bubbly. So, together we are the pearl girls!! We basked in the sun for a little before making our way back home to have homemade pizza. One of the locals from the town came to our hostel with his pizza oven, fresh dough, lots of toppings, and we got right to work. Layla and Kyla were so cute and made a heart shaped pizza!! And it was so good!! Our bellies were full and our hearts were happy. We finished the night with Moonup which is something so special that every single Moondance trip does at the end of the day! Your girls will be so excited to share this part of their experience with you as it quickly becomes everyone’s favorite part about the trip. Our first day on the island was so perfect and we can’t wait for the many adventures to come!!!
The next morning started with a delicious breakfast and then the girls got ready for our first day of trekking. Today’s trek was a hike up and around the town. It was a pretty intense uphill at the beginning but then it flattened out and we got to enjoy some of the best views we have ever seen. The girls handled it so well and we are so proud of them! Our lunch spot was perched up on on the mountain overlooking the ocean. On our way back down to the hostel the conversations were flowing and we were jamming out to some great music! The afternoon was spent getting to know each other but the most notable thing from this afternoon was definitely our grocery run. We went down to the market and the girls got to buy all kinds of European snacks! While the group was trying new snacks, Weston and Ansley went to the doctor after she unfortunately hit her head 🙁 They had to spend the evening away from the group but the rest of the girls were asking about her all night making sure she was okay. Although the group had just met, we could already tell truly how caring and intentional they are. We ended the night with a fun Moonup led by Layla and Annabelle. They were the first LODs (leader of the day) and really set the standard high for the rest of the trip.
Our day started early as we were heading into the mountains for the next 3 nights. The girls had breakfast and got their stuff together in record time! While we were waiting to leave, Mary Moulton had a long line of hairbraiding to do! She is a pro and has now been doing it the whole trip. Not only is she so generous to do everyone’s hair but she tells the funniest stories while she does it!!! Because of Weston’s head injury, her and Andrea spent the day away from the group recovering so she can join us as soon as she’s better! We missed her so much and can’t wait to be reunited. Today was our longest and hardest day of trekking, but the girls absolutely crushed it! The sun was shining, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and we all made sure to lather up with sunscreen and drink every drop of water in our bottles. Our guide, João, immediately won the group over. He is so cool and funny, and he had the girls laughing nonstop with his silly energy. He was also incredibly patient, and we took our time through the harder stretches of the hike while sharing stories, getting to know each other, and soaking in the views. One of the most special moments of the day was hearing João talk about his childhood and his incredible love for his family. It was so heartfelt and genuine, and it really stayed with us. We had lunch at a secret little lagoon tucked away off the trail. We all felt like fairies. Layla remembered one of the most important Moondance rules of when you see a body of water.. you must get in it!!!! Some of the girls joined her in a little swim before fueling up with sandwiches for the rest of the hiking! When we arrived at the campsite, Annabelle stepped up to lead the cooking crew. They made an incredible dinner of pasta with chicken and spinach. Annabelle is our domestic queen. From the moment she arrived in Madeira, it was clear she was a returning Moondance girl, especially one from a cooking and camping trip. She has been such a helpful and steady presence from day one. After a well-earned dinner (and lots of cookies, of course), the girls made a few new friends at the campsite and played a quick game of volleyball. It didn’t last long, though, because we had a sunset to catch. We hiked about ten minutes to a breathtaking lookout spot. There were windmills all around us, a panoramic view of the island, and we were high above the clouds. The sun glowed the brightest orange, and the view left us all speechless. You will just have to trust us on this one because there’s no way pictures could ever fully capture it. As we watched the sunset, we had a meaningful Moonup where the girls shared some of the nerves and hesitation they had felt before the trip and how those feelings have already started to fade. They have formed such a strong and supportive group, and I know they will continue to look out for each other long after this adventure is over. We ended the evening walking back down to camp as the last bit of sunlight disappeared. Then everyone piled into one tent to hang out a little longer before crawling into sleeping bags and getting ready for another big day of trekking tomorrow.
Waking up to the sun shining through a tent might just be one of life’s purest joys! Right away, I could tell it was going to be the most perfect weather day ever!! João and Ansley taught the girls how to properly take down a tent and pack up their sleeping gear, and then we enjoyed some delicious yogurt bowls before hitting the trail! For the record, João said we were the first group of the summer to be packed up and ready to go before the time he had set for us. This is HUGE. Go girls!! The hike was full of incredible views, with waterfalls and sweeping mountain scenery around every turn. We went through several tunnels using our headlamps to light the way. Our voices echoed through the longest tunnel (about half a mile), and naturally, we turned it into a full-blown concert. Performances included Defying Gravity and A Million Dreams, sung with boldness, heart, and not an ounce of embarrassment. After the second tunnel, João gave the girls a very serious warning about the infamous killer chickens of Madeira… allegedly responsible for the mysterious disappearance of several young tourists last summer. He told them we were about to enter their territory and to be on high alert. Somehow, some of the girls actually believed him. Our hike ended at the most magical mountain café, perched above the valley with a view that stretched all the way to the distant ocean. To celebrate, the girls treated themselves to coffees, sodas, and ice cream. After everything they accomplished today, it was more than deserved! We hopped in the car afterwards and made it up to our next accommodation. Instead of camping another night, we were surprised by the most charming and adorable mountain hostel! And the best surprise of all… Weston and Andrea were there!!! The group was finally back together and got to spend some really good quality time enjoying the best views. For dinner we had lemonade and lasagna followed by fantastic desserts. Then we headed out to the parking lot to enjoy the sunset above the clouds and take some pictures. After discovering that Kyla gives amazing back scratches, we all slept peacefully under the same roof and got some really good rest before the next day of trekking.
Day 6 might have been our favorite day yet. We started off with a breakfast that felt like such a treat at the mountain hostel. A dreamy spread of endless fresh fruit, croissants, yogurt, granola, eggs, cheese, and hot coffee. Everyone was happy, full, and ready for the day ahead. After breakfast, we set off to hike Pico Ruivo, the tallest peak on the island. The sun was shining, hats and sunglasses were on, and the mood was soooo good. The trail was a bit more traveled than others we’ve done, and the girls enjoyed being around more people for a change. Conversations flowed easily and the energy stayed high!! Ansley, Kyla, and Janey were wearing matching socks and claimed trio status for the day. The girls stopped in a café on the way to the top and purchased some protein bars and candy bars to boost our energy or have a sweet treat because those never fail us. When we finally reached the top, João high-fived each of the girls and we all took a moment to soak it in. Parker shared that she didn’t need to take any breaks and had way more fun than she expected, which was such a rewarding moment. You could really feel how proud everyone was of themselves and each other. We stayed at the top for a while, taking photos, enjoying the view, and just being present before making our way back down. Once we returned to the hostel, we had sandwiches for lunch and rested for a bit. Grace got really interested in the lizards around us and ended up teaching us about how they wave their arms to communicate. This occupied us for about half an hour. It’s actually so funny what entertains us when we don’t have our phones. While our group did the hike and had lunch, Weston and Andrea hopped in the car to go do the grocery shopping for dinner at the next campsite. They got to see the behind the scenes ways this trip is possible. Our outfitters put in so much work and we are so thankful for them. Later in the afternoon, we all met at Pico Arieiro to take in one of the most beautiful views of the island. We explored a small souvenir shop, picked out a few fun things, and grabbed popsicles to help with the heat. Laine and a few others found lollipops shaped like lips, which got lots of laughs. We sat together for a bit, taking it all in before heading off again. We walked a few more miles to our next campsite, which was absolutely beautiful. There was even a little bushwhacking involved thanks to how quickly the vegetation grows this time of year. That night, Hattie, Elise, Weston, and Jane Ellen were on cook crew and made a delicious dinner of chicken, rice, and veggies. We had Megan Moroney playing in the background and then we finished the day with what we know best, Moonup and cookies! Moonup that night was extra special. The girls opened up in a way we hadn’t seen yet, and it was clear that something had shifted. They shared more of their stories and experiences, and the group leaned in with support and care. It was one of those moments you don’t forget. The sunset was so pretty and we frolicked around the grass and it was nothing short of perfect. Ansley, Jane Ellen, Annabelle, Mary Moulton, Hattie, Layla, and Elise cowboy camped under the stars and it was unreal!!! We shared so many stories and gave each other advice on different situations and laughed a lot. Mary Moulton is seriously so funny to say the least. We couldn’t get enough of talking until we finally decided to have one last Oreo to put us to sleep. It worked and we all got amazing sleep until morning when we woke up to watch the sunrise!!!!
It was a such peaceful and bittersweet way to begin our last day of trekking. After our yogurt bowls, we packed up our things and hit the trail. The hike today was a steady downhill, which the girls were very thankful for. Along the way, we saw a donkey, a few peacocks, and an amazing view of Funchal far in the distance. The grand finale of our trek was the famous toboggan ride, which the girls had been looking forward to all week. It did not disappoint!!! After sadly saying bye to João, we took a taxi to the small town of Machico where Weston and Andrea were waiting with big smiles. It was so amazing to reunite. The rest of the afternoon was spent on the beach, snacking, swimming, relaxing, and finally taking those much-needed showers. We had a yummy dinner and a really really awesome Moonup in clean, comfy clothes!! The girls crushed the trekking portion of the trip and we are so proud of them. Many of them have said they are sad it is already over but excited for beach days ahead and giving their legs a little break!!
We are so ready to spend the next ten days together, continuing to build meaningful friendships and experience the most amazing adventures in one of the most beautiful places in the world!!
Lots of love!
Andrea & Ansley
Shoutouts:
Laine-
Hii fam!! I miss you guys so so much and I hope your having so much fun in Ireland! Bennett I know your cooking up! I can’t wait to give you guys my gifts I got yall( I’m proud of myself 😊)This trip is amazing and I’m so thankful for the opportunity but I love you guys sooo much can’t wait to see yall!! Also tell Brooke and Caroline I miss and love them! Sending the BIGGEST hugs 💗💗
Grace-
Heyyyy fam!!!! Omg this has been sooo cool I can’t wait to tell yall all about it, I seriously think yall would love it here. Everyhting we have done has made me think of yall and I always wish yall where here(but I also have made great friends). I have missed my siblings sooo much. Please tell davis and my friends that I love and miss them 🤣😭😹😢. Thank you for this opportunity. Sending love xoxo.
Kyla-
Hi fam and Grant!! I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to see you guys. This has been such an amazing trip and I’m so incredibly grateful ☺️I hope you guys are having fun doing whatever you’re doing can’t wait to hear all about it and tell you all about my trip. I love you guys so much and miss you. 💗💗 I would also really appreciate cfa when I get home 😇
Mary Moulton-
Hey fam!! Love and miss yall so so much but having the best time! Love the girls and leaders on this trip and so thankful to yall for sending me❤️. Mom- please please feed my starter…Thanks! Love yall so much and can’t wait to see yall when I’m back!💕
Layla-
Hiiiii!!!! I love and miss you guys so much. I am having the BEST time ever😊, we just finished trecking and I don’t think I could of had a better time. I hope everything at home is going good, and I can’t wait to see yall. Thank you so so much for this opportunity. Also an extra seat on the way home would be great 😘😘love ya!!!!!
Weston-
Hayden, I love and miss you so much and I’m so exited to here all about your trip I just know you had the best time ever and I’m so exited to see you. Dad and mom, I miss you more then anything and I’m so exited to tell you all about Portugal and I hope to come here one day with you because I know your love it, I love you so so much and can’t wait to see you. Im so greatful for this opportunity guys gave me and I’m actually proud of myself for pushing myself to do this. Love you always🩷🩷
Hattie-
Hi!! Momma, Dad, Henry, and Fam +Hines ofc!!! I am so excited to see yall, but I can’t imagine leaving this place ever! Momma you need to see these hydrangeas!! This is the coolest experience of my life and I’m so grateful for this opportunity!! I can’t wait to tell yall all about it and show you the amazing moments I’ve had and the girls I’ve met! Love yall bunches!! ❤️❤️
Parker-
Hi hi! We finished treaking yesterday and now were doing the more vacationy things. The hiking was hard but fun and we just went surfing and we only had to camp in tents 2 nights. The food is really good and it’s so beautiful and fun here, everyone’s so sweet and funny and we’re having so much fun. I miss yall so much and love you even more! ❤️
Jane Ellen-
HIIII! I miss yall SO SO MUCH!!! I am having an amazing time and this island is beautiful. I’m so glad yall let me have this opportunity! yall should take your next vacation here because it’s great. I cannot wait to see yall and tell yall about everything and show you all my pictures with the new camera! I love yall so so much 💗💗💗 I hope everything at home is going great 😊
Annabelle-
HEY EVERYONE AT HOME!! I miss you guys but I am having the time of my life. I’ve met so many amazing people and seen the most beautiful views. Can’t wait to fill you in when I get back, I have LOTS of pictures to show you guys. Hope everything is going well!! (And that registration done hopefully)
Elise-
Mom: Hey mom!! I miss you so so so much I think of you everyday but I am having such a blast!! Hope your tomatoes are thriving and blackberries are still popping up, I love you so much cannot wait to see you!
Dad: hey doi I love and miss you so much but I’m having so much fun, I cannot wait to go on drives with you and get Starbucks and just talk! Love you so so much
Moose: hola moose I miss you and love you hope you’re having tons of fun and getting a savage summer tan! Tell Simone I said hi!!
Janey
Hiiii family!!! I have to keep this pretty short but I’m having the most AMAZING time, Madira is so super beautiful (and no sharks yet! 😇). Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity, I am so excited to tell yall everything over some taq when I’m home. Please tell Kate, Ava, Kirkland, and Owen that Kyla and I miss them millions. With so much love, Janey 💜🫶🏼🫶🏼
Safe arrival in Madeira!
July 13, 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
