Saying Goodbye to Spain and Morocco
June 19, 2025
One last hello from SPM 1B!
As we sit in the airport reflecting on the past two weeks, we’re filled with gratitude for the time we’ve spent with your incredible kids. It’s been a true privilege to get to know them and share this unforgettable experience together. While Spain and Morocco are both extraordinary destinations, it’s the people who make the place, and this trip wouldn’t have been the same without each and every one of them.
After arriving in Morocco and settling in at Mohammad’s house, we began to delve into the culture of this new place. Our first morning was spent discovering the bustling markets of Marrakesh and learning the art of haggling. We made our way into the city center before winding through cobblestone roads into the narrow alleyways packed with shops. After exploring our first market, we were welcomed into an herbal apothecary where we were greeted with fresh mint tea, the scent of local spices, and a chance to try traditional Moroccan oils. Our tea critic, Smith, gave their tea his stamp of approval and even got some tea leaves to bring home! We made our way back into the souks where we started to scout out good and practice bartering. Caroline quickly became our unofficial group negotiator, expertly helping everyone get the best price with her haggling skills. The morning in the markets flew by, and soon we returned to Mohammad’s for a delicious lunch and some well deserved relaxation by the pool. That afternoon, we dove into a hands on cooking class where we prepared a full Moroccan meal from scratch. We chopped fresh vegetables, mixed authentic spices, and even made traditional pancakes with Lila stepping up to help kneed the dough! It was an eye-opening experience to see all the care and effort that goes into the meals we’ve been enjoying. Sitting down together to savor each dish we prepared made the dinner especially rewarding. After cleaning up, we shifted our focus to the adventure ahead, preparing to summit Mount Toubkal. We packed our gear, reviewed the plan, and ended the day with a meaningful Moonup to set the tone for the next three days.
The next morning we set out for Imlil, the town set at the base of Mount Toubkal. We did some group stretches before adjusting our hiking poles, strapping on our packs, and beginning our ascent to base camp. The steady incline was full of trail games as we braved the unexpected hail and rain. With base camp finally in our vision, our adrenaline began to rise. After a long and rewarding trek, we arrived and settled in with hot mint tea, popcorn, and a few rounds of card games. We ended the night with dinner and moonup before heading to sleep to rest up for our big summit day.
After an early wake up and breakfast, we stepped out the door to begin the climb to the top of Mount Toubkal. Neely led the way as LOD, setting a steady, confident pace, ensuring the rest of the group was able to stay together. Our second LOD of the day, Luke, held strong at the back, checking in with everyone and offering encouragement along the way. Watching both of them step up to lead this summit day was a privilege. It was a clear reflection of the growth and strength that has developed within our group over the course of this trip
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As we gained elevation, the weather shifted. Snow, hail, and strong winds, rare conditions for Toubkal, rolled in, adding challenge, but also a sense of awe, to our journey. As we rounded the corner of the pass, we could finally see the summit marker-a towering metal monolith signaling the top of North Africa’s highest peak. We stopped for a moment to soak it all in and had Ethan pull out the duct tape candy rock he has been carrying up the mountain for the group. As the layers of tape came off and the candy was revealed, we all cheered and shared Snickers bars, lollipops, and Oreos before completing our final push to the top.
Fueled by sugar and adrenaline, we pushed through the final stretch and reached the summit together. As we stood on top of Mount Toubkal at 4,167 meters, we read the Bon Vivant Manifesto, a piece that embodies what it means to truly live life to its fullest and push yourself out of your comfort zone. As the kids huddled around us to listen, we couldn’t help but feel proud of each and every one of them for how they have continued to show up for each other throughout this experience. We admired the view and looked down to see how far we had become before beginning our decent.
The journey down was quiet and thoughtful as we reflected on what we had just accomplished together. After sharing lunch together and talking about our memorable morning, we had a restful afternoon full of card games, naps, riddles, and a round of hacky sack thanks to Driggs, who never misses a chance to get a quick game going. Our night came to a close with dinner and moonup reflecting on our shared experience and how it will impact each of us.
The next morning was off to a quick start as Ryder and AC stepped as the LODs to guide us down the mountain and back into the town of Imlil. With the sun finally out, the trail was full of lively conversation and new games, one being the alphabet game where Adrian and Hannah greeted each person we passed on the way down with a new letter.
We finished our decent and continued our trek down through the town where we passed by shops, restaurants, and riads, before making our way onto another trail where we stopped for lunch. With rugs and cushions laid out, we sat down for a relaxing picnic on the river. After wrapping up lunch with a few games of Mafia, we walked to our riad and got ready to walk around town. We played a few intense games of Mao before finally making our way to the ceramic shops where Abigail admired the handmade goods. The visit gave us a deeper sense of daily life in the village and a greater appreciation for Moroccan artistry. We had dinner overlooking the town and decided to go back out for a surprise ice cream stop to celebrate our last night in Morocco. We took a few moments to appreciate the culture we had the chance to experience before making our way to the rooftop for moonup. As we looked at the stars and talked about the pieces of life that make us who we are, we couldn’t help but take a moment to acknowledge how special it is that this unique group was formed.
Our last full day was nothing short of exciting as we boarded our second international flight of the trip and made our way back to Spain. While we were sad to bid Morocco farewell, we were excited to spend the evening exploring the city of Madrid. After touching down and dropping our bags, we headed to our banquet dinner proudly sporting our Moondance shirts! We kicked off the evening with delicious tapas, embracing the flavors of Spain one last time before setting out on a walk through the city. We passed by the famous Plaza Mayor, took pictures with the Statue of the Bear and Strawberry, and wandered past countless shops before making our way to Chocolateria San Ginés, a famous churro spot, for dessert! After sumping the rest of the chocolate sauce, we settled into a park for our last moonup. We reminded on all of the laughs we have shared, bonds we have built, and took some time to think about how such a small period of time can have such an immense impact on our lives.
After saying our goodbyes in the airport this morning, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity we have had to share this experience with Spain and Morocco 1B. From the very beginning, this group brought energy, curiosity, and humor to every moment, and watching them grow as individuals and as a group has been one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. While we, as leaders, set out with the hope of inspiring and guiding them, there’s no question that they’ve impacted us just as deeply. Their resilience on tough climbs, their laughter during long travel days, their openness to new cultures, and their genuine care for one another has left a lasting impression. We will always cherish this chapter we had the chance to share and know it will continue to shape each of us in our own individual journeys. To Spain and Morocco 1B, thank you all for showing up, loving deeply, and never failing to make us laugh! We love you all and cannot wait to see all you will continue to do!
Signing off for now,
Cassidy & Sebastian
Surfing, Spain, and Some Cheese
June 14, 2025
Hello again from Spain and Morocco 1B!
The last few days have been full of excitement as we kicked off the first trekking section of our trip. After climbing along the cliffside on the Via Ferrata in Northern Spain, we packed up the vans and headed into the mountains toward Vagabaño-a remote and cozy mountain refugio that’s been run by the same family for generations.
The quaint refugio stands in between two of the main mountain ranges of the Picos de Europa and is surrounded by incredible views. As we settled in for our first moonup under the mountains, our LODs, Adrian and Lila, sported their spanish hats as they shared quotes and passed around nugs. Our moonup circle must have been inviting because not one, but two donkeys made their way over to say hello. With a full moon above and good vibes all around, we wrapped up a pretty unforgettable first night and got some rest before our first big hike the next morning.
We shared a traditional spanish breakfast in the refugio, feuling up for the day before putting our packs on to head towards the first summit of our trip. The trail took us through wide-open fields dotted with cows and up rocky paths where mountain goats watched from above. To keep spirits high, we played some intense rounds of 20 Questions where Smith never failed to help the group come up with the answer.
As we neared the summit, Neely stepped up to lead the final stretch to the top, where we paused to soak in the views before beginning our descent. We made our way to the charming town of Cain where we spent the afternoon mingling with shop owners and exploring the town. We eventually stumbled upon a cool stream running through the base of the mountains. There, we shared fresh Iberian ham and relaxed in the sun. Caroline was the first to cold plunge into the water, encouraging everyone else to do the same! It was the perfect, refreshing break we needed before prepping for another big day on the trail. We ended the night with a family style meal and Moonup before getting some much needed rest.
While day six was not a summit day, its hike was full of incredible views along the Cares Gorge trial, one of the most famous trails in The Picos de Europa. Hannah was especially excited to wander through the caves at the beginning of the trail that led us into the cliff side path we followed for the rest of the afternoon. As we curved between the mountains, we sang songs, answered riddles and took amazing photos. We hiked all the way through the trail, making our way to our next stop – Sotres! After exploring the city and visiting local shops, Ryder taught the group to play a card game called Mao. We spent the afternoon around the table together playing games and making friendship bracelets. As we made our way to dinner, we found a lookout showing the vastness of the mountains with our little town standing beneath them. We stopped on the way down to play a new group game that Abigail taught everyone! Dinner was full of laughter as we celebrated our last night with both of our guides who have led us through Spain. The night came to a peaceful close as we circled up for a moonup full of reflection and inspiration for who we are and who we hope to become.
Our final day of trekking in the Picos de Europa was nothing short of breathtaking. We tackled steep trails and powered through seven false summits, with Driggs keeping morale high as the heat set in. Upon our summit, we enjoyed lunch with a view as we celebrated all of our hard work. We stood among the mountains looking down on how far we had come not only on this hike, but also how far we have come as a group in first seven days of our trip. After a quick descent, we spent the afternoon sampling the famous cheeses of Sotres-tasting varieties made from goat, cow, and sheep’s milk, along with a bold local blue cheese. Ethan went all in, trying each cheese individually and then all together in one epic bite! It gave us a deeper appreciation for the unique culture of Asturias and the flavors it’s known for. After one last dinner in Spain, we hiked up to the lookout point in town and had a meaningful moonup to round out the first half of our trip.
The next morning was off to a bright and early start as we began the journey to Morocco! A long van ride, two flights, and one ocean crossing later, we landed in a new continent where we were welcomed by new culture and perspective. AC and Luke had the privilege of serving as LODs in two continents and spent the day making sure the group had fun and enjoyed the journey. When we arrived at Mohammed’s, we were welcomed with warm hospitality, a traditional couscous lunch, and fresh mint tea. The afternoon was spent unwinding and laughing together by the pool as we soaked in the new culture around us.
As the second half of our trip begins in this new place, we could not be more excited for all that lies ahead. From the culture and traditions to the landscapes and people, there is so much for us to learn and experience over the coming days.
What makes this journey even more special is the group we get to share it with. This crew has already shown so much heart, resilience, and curiosity. From keeping each other motivated during challenging hikes to diving headfirst into new experiences with open minds and open hearts. It has been a privilege to watch them step up as leaders, but even more so to watch how quickly we have grown as a group!
We have no doubt that this group will continue to rise to each challenge and soak in every moment ahead. If the first half of our trip is any indication, the next few days will be full of meaningful growth, unforgettable memories, and even stronger bonds. Thank you for sharing your kids with us, we could not be more thankful for this time we have with them!
Cheers from Morocco!
-Cassidy and Sebastian
Smith- Thank you dad and Natasha for letting me go on Moondance! I am having the best time ever! Happy Father’s Day dad! Thanks for funding my Marrakech market bargaining.
Ryder- Thanks for sending me to Spain and Morocco this summer! Having a ton of fun and can’t wait to tell y’all about it. Also happy birthday Mom and happy Father’s Day!
Ethan- Thank y’all for letting me go on this trip to Spain and Morocco, I’ve had fun in both countries so far and Morocco is nothing like I have seen, and I’m excited to summit Mt. Toubkal. Also happy Father’s Day, love you
AC- Hey mom and dad thank y’all so much for letting me go on this trip! I have had so much fun seeing new things and new culture. We start hiking Toubkal tomorrow which will be exciting+Dad, happy Father’s Day, I love you❤️
Adrian- Hey mom and dad, thank you for letting me go this trip. I have had loads of fun and I have made many close friends. Love you guys. Happy Father’s Day dad and I hope you have a great day.
Driggs- Hey mom and dad thank you for letting me go on this trip with Moondance. It has been so unimaginably fun and I have enjoyed learning things about the places we have traveled to.
Luke- Hey mom and dad we’re in Morocco right now. Thanks for letting me come on this trip we’re having so much fun. Also happy Father’s Day.
Lila- Hi mom and dad!!! Happy Father’s Day and I miss you guys!!! I am haveing so much fun and thank you SO much for letting me go on this trip I am so grateful for the memories I have made. I love you guys!
Abigail- Hi guys! I miss you a lot and I hope you have an amazing Father’s Day and I can’t wait to see you in a few days, but I’m gonna be so sad to leave. Thank you so much for sending me on this trip, I have had so much fun and made so many good memories! Love you!!
Hannah- Hi mom and dad!! Happy Father’s Day! I love y’all and miss y’all so much!! Thank you so much for giving me this fun opportunity, I am having so much fun and making so many new memories! Love you so much!!
Caroline- Hey Mom and Dad! We just got to Morocco and it is so cool. I am having an awesome time and I am so thankful for the opportunity y’all gave me to come on this trip. I love y’all so much and I can’t wait to see y’all soon. Happy Father’s Day Dad!!❤️🐊
Neely- Hi mom, dad, and Jackson!! I flew to Morocco yesterday, and I just went to the spice markets! I can’t wait to see y’all! Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip, it has been great!! Love y’all so so so much!❤️❤️❤️
Hello from Spain!
June 9, 2025
We were so excited to welcome all 12 of our students to Madrid this past Saturday morning and cannot believe that we are already on Day 4 of our trip! After learning everyone’s names and meeting our incredible guides, we jumped into our vans to begin the drive to Llanes, a small beach town in northern Spain. As we made our way north and passed through the Spanish countryside, Lila taught everyone to play the cow game while we listened to music and got to know each other. We stopped for a quick lunch and admired the mountains and changing scenery before arriving at our first nights accommodation. After settling in, we played an intense game of Birdie on a Perch, with Hannah and Luke taking first place, and headed into town to explore. Ryder led the way as we wandered through the cobble streets up towards a view of the ocean. We then had our very first dinner together before making our way back home to round out the day with our first Moonup. As we reflected on a long two days of travel, we talked about the exciting adventures that lie ahead of us for the remaining time we have together.
Day 3 started off strong with our first LODs, Caroline and Smith! In their matching blue helmets, they fearlessly led us through a morning of Canyoneering, a newfound favorite activity that so many of us were excited to try. After sliding over rocks and wading through flowing waters, Driggs dominated our cannon ball contest to finish off our Canyoneering adventure. We then made our way back into town to have lunch at a popular pizzeria. It only felt right to keep the excitement going with a surprise ice cream stop in town! With Abigail at the front of the line, everyone followed in suite and got cones to have for our post lunch walk. We passed by sailboats and shops before heading to our afternoon activity – surfing! Situated in a mountainous cove, the glassy waves were perfect . We suited up to face the cold water and Ethan immediately paddled out past the break and hopped up on a wave! After a few hours of surfing and swimming, we made headed home to shower and go to a local restaurant. The dinner table was full of liveliness as we tried authentic tapas to better understand the Spanish culture. The night was full of group bonding between games and Moonup before heading to sleep to rest up for another busy day!
After having breakfast together, our entire group was excited to hear that we were heading back to the cove for another day of surfing! Neely was promoted to a short board and spent the morning learning how to ride in the direction of the waves. It was incredible to see how quickly everyone improved and how much they loved getting to surf in this beautiful spot. As the tide pulled in, we finished up our final time surfing and said goodbye to our wonderful instructors. We had a quick lunch before showering and packing up to leave our little beach town. We drove further into the mountains where we stopped along a cliffside for Via Ferrata, and activity mixing a ropes course built into the mountain with zip lining and climbing. As we climbed up the beginning of the course, Adrian went last in order to savor the views and take pictures of the group. We finally made it to the top where AC flew down the zip lines , enjoying every moment up. We wrapped up our activity, had a quick snack, and loaded back into the vans for our final stop of the day, a mountain refugio in the Picos.
As we head we drive along the windy roads surround by peaks and prepare for the next few days of hiking, we are feeling incredibly grateful for the past few days. It is evident that this group is full of strong leaders, loving friends, and adventure enthusiasts. We cannot wait to watch them continue to grow throughout the trip while we continue building bonds and making new memories. For now, here’s what they have to say from our first few days!
Neely: Hi Mom, Dad, and Jackson! I miss y’all but I’m having a lot of fun! I went surfing and Canyoneering! I can’t wait to meet y’all in Madrid! I miss Billy and RC! Love you!
AC: Hi Mom and Dad! I have been having so much fun! We went Canyoneering and surfing! Can’t wait to show you pictures and tell you about everything! Love and miss y’all!
Smith: Hi family! Spain is really cool, y’all would love it! I’m having so much fun! Love you!
Ethan: Hi family! I’m having fun in Spain. The surfing is really good! Love you!
Ryder: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having a ton of fun and I haven’t lost anything yet! Love and miss you guys!
Driggs Hi Mom and Dad! You would like it here, it’s super cool and I’m having a lot of fun! Love you and miss you!
Adrian: Dear Mom and Dad, So far on this venture out into this unknown location I have experience many new epic views and companionship. “Las chicas de España son muy bonitas.” We surfed some radical waves and made forever friends. Overall this journey is eye opening and I am forever grateful for this opportunity. Sending love across the globe. Adrian Botzolakis aka your child.
Lila: Hey guys!!! This place is awesome and we are having so much fun!!! Miss you guys and hope y’all are having fun! Love you guys!❤️
Caroline: Hey Mom and Dad, I am having the best time in Spain! Today we surfed some really good waves and it was so fun! Happy Father’s Day Dad and say hey to Daisy for me! I love y’all 💗
Hannah: Hi Mom and Das! I’m having so much fun! I miss and love y’all so much!
Luke: Hey, miss yall! I am having a great time. We have done surfing and Canyoneering so far, see you in 10 days!
Abigail: Hey guys! I miss you but we are having so much fun here!! Love you and give Maple a big kiss for me!❤️
The Adventure Begins!
June 7, 2025
Hello Spain + Morocco Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Spain! 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
