Beach Bliss, Bangkok Bonds, and Bittersweet Goodbyes
June 25, 2025
Day 17: We’ve sadly begun the final stretch of our trip, and today gave us a lazy morning as rain gently fell around us. We slept in and enjoyed some much-needed rest after several very busy weeks. Once our stomachs started growling, we headed down to a café in downtown Krabi for lunch-it ended up being one of the best meals we’ve had yet! Many followed Woods’ lead and ordered the breakfast tacos. After brunch, we strolled through town, admiring the shops and stopping into a few so people could pick up more gifts for friends and family back home. Once we finished shopping, we made our way to the beach and hopped onto the Monkey Trail for a hike. Sadly, we didn’t spot any monkeys along the way, but the trail led us to a stunning beach where we were ready to enjoy a relaxing beach day. The group ran down a wavy floating dock, led by Shelby-it bounced us up and down, and we couldn’t stop laughing! We spent ages there, jumping into the water and riding the waves of the dock. Afterward, a football game broke out between the boys, started by Walter and Tanner, who were running routes and launching the ball down the beach. The girls played in the water, soaking up the sun that finally broke through the clouds. Later, we dashed off in search of snacks to satisfy our post-beach hunger. Climbing back through the Monkey Trail, we stayed on the lookout for monkeys-but still no luck! We munched on our snacks while walking back to the hostel, weaving in and out of shops. We were so caught up in shopping that we didn’t even notice a storm heading our way! We hurried back to the hostel to shower and change before dinner. Dinner was delicious, complete with live music, great conversation, and of course-ice cream afterward. During Moonup, we reflected on the day and began sharing stories from the trip. It’s hard to believe we only have a few days left together.
Day 18: We woke up to clear skies and bright sunshine-what a treat! After grabbing our daypacks, we boarded the vans that would take us to our rock climbing adventure. Once we arrived at the climbing office, we got fitted with gear and packed our dry bags with harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, and chalk bags. Our guides led us down the pier to longboats that would ferry us to Railay, a part of Thailand famous for its world-class rock climbing. As we cruised across the water, we soaked in the sun and admired the stunning views. Once we docked, we hiked to our climbing site-an incredible beach with the ocean behind us and towering rocks ahead. We couldn’t imagine a better place to climb! As our guides set up the routes, we geared up and got started. Wright was eager to go and scrambled up the first route with ease. Everyone climbed so well and had an amazing time. Parker stood out as the only person to complete all four routes-he’s definitely our climbing champ! The heat and sunshine soon had us sweating, so many of us ran into the clear blue water to cool off while others continued to climb. Eventually, hunger took over, and we headed to a nearby restaurant provided by our outfitter. On the way, Jenna spotted a monkey-our first one of the trip! We were all so excited. After lunch, we wandered lazily through the town of Railay. Some grabbed much-needed coffee and Thai tea before we picked up our gear and headed to our next activity: rappelling! Our guide led us up a winding staircase that ended at the entrance of a massive cave. Just as a surprise rainstorm hit, we climbed ladders and rocks inside the cave to reach the rappelling site. The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. Once clipped in, we took a few epic photos and rappelled down one by one, admiring the lush scenery around us. Sam even filmed the entire descent on his GoPro! But the adventure didn’t stop there-we still had a slippery hike down to the beach, thanks to the rain. Luckily, we’ve become pros at navigating muddy trails. You could hear us laughing from a mile away as we slipped and slid all the way down to the boats. Back in Krabi, we took quick showers and got dressed up for our banquet dinner. The boys, of course, wore their elephant pants. We headed to Big Mama’s for dinner and were thrilled when she let us sing karaoke! Sophie and Elise wowed everyone with their rendition of Unwritten. Dinner was fantastic, and naturally, we had to get ice cream to top it off. Cookie Monster was the crowd favorite, though Bram opted for a mango float-which quickly caught on with others too! With full bellies and happy hearts, we ended the day with Moonup and reflected on another unforgettable day.
Day 19: Our last day in Krabi began with another rock climbing session! After breakfast, we returned to Railay and climbed at a different spot from the day before. Once again, we had four routes to choose from, and Gates crushed it by completing all four! We spent the morning climbing, enjoying the ocean breeze and sunshine. Afterward, we headed to lunch, where we were served some of the best chicken curry and rice of the trip. With full stomachs, we admired the views one last time as we walked back to the boats. Once back in Krabi, we showered and packed up for our flight to Bangkok. Before leaving, we squeezed in one last 7-Eleven snack run. At the airport, we checked in, grabbed dinner, and ate together at the gate before boarding. A short flight later, we arrived in Bangkok. Exhausted from the day, we showered, had a final Moonup, and went to bed to prepare for our last day of the trip.
Day 20: Our final day was full of mixed emotions. We had a slow morning, enjoying eggs and bacon before slipping into our elephant pants and Thai skirts and hopping on our party bus-yes, it had lights, speakers, and two karaoke microphones! The ride into Bangkok’s City Center was a 2010s throwback jam session with Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and more. With spirits high, we arrived at the Grand Palace-the largest and most sacred site in Thailand. Led by our guide Apple, we explored the shimmering gold and emerald buildings. Inside the main temple, Apple shared the significance of the Buddha before us. We sat in silence, soaking in the beauty and culture. Afterward, we toured the grounds and admired the intricate craftsmanship, but by then, the heat and our appetites kicked in. We found an air-conditioned spot for our final meal together, complete with iced coffees, sodas, and banana sundaes. Refreshed and full, we loaded back onto the bus for one last round of karaoke, then headed to the hotel to pack up. That’s when it really started to feel real. We changed into our airport clothes, loaded up the vans, and made our way to the airport. After checking in and grabbing final snacks, it was time to say goodbye. We hugged, shed a few tears, and sent this amazing group of kids off to head back home to the States.
To our kids: These past three weeks with each of you have been filled with joy, love, community, and the making of a new family. We love you all so much and are beyond grateful to have shared this experience in Thailand with you.
With all our love,
Lucy + Charlie
7-Eleven Snacks and Sharks
June 21, 2025
Day 13:
Today was our first day of the scuba section! We woke up excited to throw on our swimsuits and head to the pool for our Open Water course and refresher. First, we went to the dive shop to grab the proper gear and take a review test on PADI basics. From there, we made our way to the pool, set up our tanks, and hopped in the water to go over the skills we’d need. Woods began his Open Water certification today, and his guide was bragging about him by the end of it! The rest of the group was split into smaller teams with individual guides who walked us through our day. After devouring a delicious chicken and rice lunch, we jumped back in the pool, swam around, and soaked up some sun before heading back. By mid-afternoon, our stomachs were growling, so we made our way up to our favorite spot-7-Eleven! Everyone grabbed a snack, and we enjoyed them together. After washing off the pool water and changing into fresh clothes, we headed to Ao Nang Beach-and wow, it was a sight! It’s hard to capture the beauty of this place on camera, yet Shelby somehow does it with ease. After taking what felt like a million pictures together on the beach, we walked over to a beachside restaurant where we ate outside, admiring the view. At dinner, Jenna and Tanner befriended the sweetest dog, who sat right at their feet the entire time. We made our way back home and ended the night with a great Moonup, feeling ready to tackle our first day in the open water.
Day 14:
It’s our first day of open water diving! We woke up excited-though accompanied by a bit of rain. Luckily, fortune was on our side: by the time we reached the boat, the skies had cleared and the sun was shining. Our students getting their advanced certification (Bram, Wright, Walter, and Lucy) had a full day of required dives ahead of them, including navigation, drift diving, and peak performance buoyancy. Woods also had a few more dives to complete his Open Water certification! The whole group set up their gear, suited up, and did a buddy check before jumping in. One by one, we entered the water with our guides and began to explore the reefs below. Parker spotted just about every fish possible while underwater! The vibrant colors of the fish and coral amazed us-we could have swam around for hours. After our first dive, we surfaced and snacked on some delicious banana nut muffins before heading back down to see more incredible sea life, like eels and rays. After more underwater exploration, we rejoined at the top of the boat for a much-needed lunch. While the advanced crew went back down for their navigation dive, the rest of us soaked up the sun and took a swim in the beautiful ocean. We returned to shore with sleepy eyes, and many took a well-earned sun nap. Once back, everyone rushed to the showers and we quickly made dinner plans. We were famished from the long day, so we ran across the street to a delicious restaurant. The vibes were great, and they got even better when Sam was handed the aux! He queued up a playlist that had us all singing at the table. To celebrate our successful first full day of diving, Charlie and Lucy treated the group to ice cream where cookies and cream was the fan favorite. We headed home to get some sleep and prepare for more diving tomorrow!
Day 15:
Our next day of diving began with sleepy eyes, so everyone took a nap on the deck as we made our way to the Phi Phi Islands, about 2.5 hours away. Music, naps, and snacks kept us busy as we admired the surrounding archipelagos. Once we arrived at our dive site, our guides briefed us on the dives ahead. All geared up and ready, we jumped in one by one. It was one of the most beautiful dives many of us have ever done! The visibility was incredible, the colors were vibrant, and the fish were everywhere. At one point, we were completely surrounded by schools of fish. Gates even saw a leopard shark! After the first dive, we surfaced and enjoyed more muffins while basking in the sun. As we headed to the next site, we noticed a storm brewing in the distance-but that didn’t stop us! We dove in again and continued admiring the marine life. When we surfaced, the swells had grown huge. It felt like a rollercoaster! Boarding the boat was tricky but fun, with the waves lifting us up and down. Sophie was laughing the entire time, making the rest of us laugh along with her. A huge shout-out to our newly certified Open Water and Advanced Open Water divers: Woods, Wright, Walter, Bram, and Lucy! Our ride back was rainy and windy, and many took another nap. Back on land, the rain continued, so we had a cozy pizza and movie night at the hostel. Charlie and Lucy surprised the group with popcorn and candy-because what’s a movie without snacks? It was obvious what we had to watch: Finding Nemo, of course! We ate dinner, savored our treats, and enjoyed a relaxing night as the rain poured outside. We ended it with our sweetest Moonup yet, reflecting on what this trip has brought us. Elise’s words had us all in tears as we started to feel just how close we are to the end of this unforgettable journey.
Day 16:
For our final day of scuba diving, the rainy skies made it tough to leave our warm beds, but we didn’t let that stop us. We threw on swimsuits, grabbed a quick bite, and headed to the docks.Our guides were waiting, and as we headed toward the dive site, storm clouds loomed ahead. Everyone gathered at the front of the boat to watch the weather pass us. Whether it was luck or timing, the rain stopped just as we were gearing up! We were wide awake and energized as we briefed with our guides. Once underwater, we were transported back into the magical world beneath the surface. We saw rays, eels, tons of fish, and brilliantly colored coral. Between dives, we snacked and enjoyed the calm before our final descent-and what a dive it was! We explored a cave system teeming with life. Some of us spotted a massive barracuda, and others saw yet another shark! What a treat for our last dive. Everyone surfaced beaming, eager to share what they had seen. As we ate lunch, the clouds parted and sunlight warmed us during the ride back. With music playing and the sun shining, we savored every moment. Back on shore, the rain returned-perfect for a lazy afternoon spent hanging out and even planning our reunion. We ended the night with a delicious burger dinner and one final Moonup. We’re beyond proud of this group. Charlie and I can’t put into words the impact these students have had on us-and on each other. They are such a unique, special bunch, and we love them all so much.
With love, Lucy + Charlie
A recent theme in our group has been gratitude, so here are some thank you’s from your kiddos! Charlie and I also wanted to thank many people in our lives as well. To our parents, siblings, and loved ones, thank you for supporting us continuously as we chase fun times around the world with the best students! We love you all so much!
Elise: Hey mom and dad! Thank you guys so much for letting me disappear for so long! Y’all are the best and I’m so excited to see you guys! I’m feeling a lot better already btw! I’ve done so many amazing things here and I’m so excited to show you pictures! This has been such an amazing experience! I love you guys and tell Andrew I love him and am thinking abt him! Can’t wait to see you!!!
Shelby: hi mommy and dad! Thank you so much for sending me on such an amazing trip! I don’t think I can leave! This is such an amazing group and has been such a blast! I can’t wait to tell you all about what we’ve been doing and show you so many pictures! Hopefully we can come back here together one day! I love you guys so much! See you too soon!! I can’t thank you enough. Xoxo, Shelby
Sophie: Hey mom and dad, thank you so much for letting me go on this trip! It has been so cool to explore and try new things! I am way better now so I’m doing great! Miss y’all and can’t wait to see you guys!
Gates: Hi Mom and Dad! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to meet these awesome people in this amazing place. I’m having a blast to say the least, scuba has been so so fun and I hope all is well at home. See y’all soon! Xo
Parker: Hey Mom and Dad! Thank you so much for sending me to Thailand it’s so beautiful. This trip has been so awesome! The activities have been so cool and I’m having so much fun! I hope y’all are having fun on your trip. I can’t wait to tell you about mine! See you soon! I love y’all!
Bram: Hey Mom and Dad thank you so much for sending me on this trip it has been so fun. I have had the best experience here. I can’t wait to see you guys and tell you all about it. Also happy b day mama and piper. I love y’all!
Sam: Hey Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me on another Moondance. I am having way more fun than I could have ever imagined. My group and leaders couldn’t be any better and don’t get me started on Thailand. I think I have fallen in love with this country and would love to return with you all someday. I am writing this the day Savannah leaves for Ecuador and I hope she has so much fun. I can’t wait for Tyler to get home and spend time with him in the Bahamas. I seriously cannot thank you guys enough. I love you so so much and can’t wait to come home and see you.
Walter: Hey mom and dad I’m having such a great time and can’t wait to tell y’all all about it. This trip is so unique and I’ve done so many new things and experienced so much new culture. Scuba diving has been so amazing and I have so many pictures and things to show y’all. Love y’all so much and thanks for sending me on another great trip.
Woods: Thank you so much Mom and Dad for sending me on this amazing trip! I have tried so many new things and I cannot wait to tell you all about them when I get home! Scuba diving in the islands has been unreal and the beaches and mountains are beautiful. We have taken pictures of everything and I am so grateful for this experience! Love you!
Tanner: Thank you ma and pops for sending me to Thailand! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to tell you all of the people I’ve seen here! Love y’all so much and can’t wait to see y’all!
Wright: Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for sending me on this once in a lifetime adventure! I was able to get my advanced in scuba diving and miss y’all very much! I hope y’all had fun on your trip and so did Whitt.
Jenna: Hey Mom and Dad, I miss y’all so much!!! Thank you for letting me go to Thailand this summer; I am having so much fun and I am so grateful for this experience. My group is amazing, and I am making so many new memories that will stay with me forever. I love and miss you, and tell Carmen, Eva, and Vincent I said hi and that I miss them too (not Vincent tho)
Cave Exploration in Thailand!
June 17, 2025
Day 10: After enjoying some much-needed sleep and showers, we woke up refreshed and ready to conquer our next set of activities: rappelling and rock climbing! We started the day with a wonderful breakfast that fueled us for the adventure ahead. Once packed into the vans, we headed back into the mountains, where we received our harnesses and a demonstration on how to properly rappel. But before we could descend, we had to reach the top! A steep hike tested our endurance, but the stunning views made it all worthwhile. At the top, a 300-foot descent into a cave awaited us. Charlie courageously volunteered to go first and helped calm everyone’s nerves. One by one, we were clipped in and began our journey downward. Gates impressed us all with her speed and skill, and many others pushed past their fears. Sophie, Jenna, and Walter showed tremendous courage and determination. We are so proud of them! After everyone completed the rappel, we hiked down to enjoy a delicious lunch, fueling up for the second half of our day: rock climbing. There were three routes along the cliff, and our guides even taught us how to belay one another! With climbing shoes on and harnesses clipped in, we got started. Tanner and Parker were incredible, tackling all three routes with both speed and skill. After such a full day, we were definitely feeling sleepy. We made our way back to the hotel, relaxed for a bit, and then headed to the night markets for another amazing dinner. Gyoza, smoothies, dessert waffles, skewers, and more made for a perfect meal. We ended the day with a wonderful Moonup before heading to bed.
Day 11: Today brought a special treat: a traditional Thai cooking class! Our guides picked us up in the morning and explained what was in store. We split into two groups, each given a shopping list and some essential Thai phrases to use at the local market. After practicing together, we packed into the vans and headed off. At the market, the groups dispersed to find their ingredients. Shelby led her group with confidence, using her Thai phrases to buy what was needed. The market was vibrant and full of fresh fruits and vegetables! To celebrate a successful shop, our guides let us use the leftover budget for a treat. Elise opted for a Thai tea, inspiring many others to follow her lead. We then drove to a nearby village, where local women were ready to teach us the art of Thai cuisine. We got to work chopping herbs, cleaning fish, and preparing banana leaf boats. Once lunch was ready, we all sat down to enjoy the meal we had created. But we weren’t done yet-dessert time! We made mango sticky rice in three teams, and when it was finally served, everyone was raving about how delicious it was. With full stomachs, we returned to the hotel for some downtime before setting out to explore Chiang Mai further. There was one thing left on our city bucket list: visiting temples. We threw on our long pants and headed downtown. Bram and Wright definitely won “best dressed” with matching elephant pants and shirts. We hopped in and out of temples, snapping photos in front of the gorgeous architecture and colorful designs. Dinner requests were clear: burgers. We found a great spot that served up a taste of home-fried chicken, okra, corn, and burgers. After dinner, we returned to the markets with shopping on our minds. Woods and Sam picked out lots of great gifts, both for themselves and for loved ones back home. We ended the night with perhaps our most heartfelt Moonup yet, led by Bram and Elise.
Day 12: After being constantly on the move, we welcomed a slow morning and slept in. We headed to a nearby coffee shop, where many students enjoyed Thai tea, coffee, and waffles topped with Nutella and bananas. Back at the hotel, we packed up our things and made our way to the airport. After checking in, we had lunch, passed through security, and boarded the first leg of our travel day. A short flight brought us to Bangkok, where we grabbed some snacks and prepared for our final flight to Krabi. Once we landed in southern Thailand, we headed to our new home for the rest of the trip and settled in, excited for our first day of scuba diving. We love this group so much and are incredibly proud of how close they’ve become as we enter the final chapter of our adventure!
With love, Lucy + Charlie
Villages, Vegetables, and Vibes
June 14, 2025
Checking in from Thailand! We’ve been on the move since everyone landed in Bangkok, so let us catch you all up!
Day 2:We were eager to meet everyone at the airport and couldn’t contain our excitement once our group was complete. The group gathered at baggage claim, and we were off-ready to start the adventure of a lifetime! After satisfying our hunger with some pizza, a Moondance staple, we had our first Moonup of the session, where we got to know each other, and bonds started to form right off the bat! After two long days of travel, we all showered and had an early night. We can’t wait for all the activities ahead!
Day 3:Today brought another travel day, but we couldn’t start without a delicious breakfast featuring Thai noodles, rice, chicken nuggets, eggs, bacon, and some amazing fruit. The vibes were high, so we decided to keep the energy going and walked over to a nearby 7-Eleven. The shelves were lined with thousands of Thai snacks, drinks, and merchandise-everyone agreed it was awesome. After perusing and making some tough decisions, we walked out content with our choices. Of course, we had to do a haul and taste test of everything we bought! Tanner’s candy that tasted like Coke was a fan favorite, and the Thai Red Bull was also popular. We packed up our things and played some hacky sack to pass the time before heading to the Bangkok Airport. After clearing security and finding our gate, we had some time to play games and get to know each other more. We played psychiatrist, where Sophie was a pro, and wow, did the group have fun on the plane! An hour later, we landed in Chiang Mai with stomachs grumbling. We dropped our bags off at the hotel and headed out to find some authentic Thai food. After devouring many plates of fried rice and lychee sodas, the jet lag hit everyone, so we took much-needed naps. Waking up refreshed, we hopped in the pool and played multiple rounds of Marco Polo, where Wright thrived, tagging people left and right. After showering and getting ready, we walked downtown to the night markets, where there were booths galore-shirts, jewelry, wooden figures, bags, and everything you could imagine! There was a whole area dedicated to food, and everyone was excited to try as much as they could. Elise, Parker, and Walter joined forces and split crepes, Thai dough balls, mango, and lychee drinks, which they raved about. Many opted for gyoza, which the ladies fried right in front of us! Lucy, Shelby, and Sam decided it was some of the best dumplings they’d ever had. Walking back to the hotel, we passed many temples, awed by their size and beauty. We bought some cool elephant pants, which we can’t wait to wear inside the temples when we return to Chiang Mai. After showering and having a wonderful Moonup led by Parker and Jenna, we found ourselves in deep sleep, following a long but amazing day.
Day 4:Another incredible day awaited us, and it included everyone’s most anticipated activity: Elephants!!! We met our guide for the next week, Uncle Chai, and drove up to our next lodging in Mae Win. We were so excited that we barely looked around and hopped right back into the vans to head to the elephant sanctuary. The guides gave us all colorful knit shirts, and we practically ran down to the river, where the gentle giants were waiting for us. The sheer size of the elephants left us in awe. We couldn’t believe we had the opportunity to stand so close to such incredible animals. Our guides led us-and the elephants-up to an open area where we could hand-feed them pieces of pumpkin. You should have seen the smiles on everyone’s faces; we were having a blast! Walter was everywhere with his camera, taking stunning pictures of the elephants, and Charlie’s favorite elephant was the toothless one! After feeding the elephants for a while, we hiked back up to an overlook, where we devoured a feast of fried chicken, fried rice, veggies, sticky coconut rice, and some of the best mango we’ve ever had. We also had the most beautiful view as we ate our lunch. After letting our stomachs settle, we created elephant medicine to give them, which included bananas, turmeric, ginger, and other essentials. We mushed all the ingredients into giant bowls, wrapped them in banana leaves, and tied them up. A fierce competition broke out between the boys and girls to see who could make the medicine faster. The boys finished quicker, but our guides decided that the girls’ wraps looked much cleaner, thanks to Gates’ perfect wrapping technique. Walking back down, we resumed feeding the elephants their medicine, and it was quickly gone! The guides even showed us a trick where, if they said a word in Thai, the elephants would kiss us. We were belly laughing when the elephants kissed Sam! Seeing how dirty they were, our guides decided they needed a bath. So what did we do? We jumped right in with them! It was crazy seeing these elephants swimming alongside us. We showered them, and many of the elephants sprayed us with water out of their trunks! After saying a sweet farewell to our new elephant friends, we climbed back into the van and returned to the hotel, where showers and rest were waiting for us.
Day 5:Our days just keep getting more exciting! Today’s big adventure was a hike leading to our cultural immersion section. We had a fan-favorite breakfast of chocolate waffles, pancakes, eggs, overnight oats, and, of course, fruit. After fueling up, we headed to the trailhead, but not before stopping at a market. We walked around the stalls filled with fresh vegetables, fruit, and even live fish! This stop served as a nice warm-up for our legs, and we eventually made it to the beginning of our hike. We arrived at a small village, where we were invited into a home for a weaving lesson by a local Thai woman. Gates and Wright even gave it a try! Uncle Chai showed us around and pointed out past projects completed by Moondance groups. We even recognized a few names on the walls! Finally, we started our climb uphill, where Shelby and Sam, our LODS, kept the vibes high. Throughout the trek, our guides pointed out various flora and fauna, and we were amazed by their knowledge. We came upon a giant vine, and our guides showed us how to swing on it. Of course, we all had to take turns swinging back and forth-it was definitely the funniest water break! We continued until it was time for lunch, where Uncle Chai handed out banana leaves filled with chicken fried rice. We also feasted on mangoes, bananas, and watermelon. The fruit here has been a group favorite! We got back on the trail and enjoyed amazing trail talks, discussing potential college decisions, stories from home, and riddles! When we finally arrived at the Karen Village, we met our host family for the next few days and settled in. We played dozens of games in the nearby field-hacky sack, tips, birdie on a perch, and our very first veggie-off. After working up a sweat, we walked down to a stream with a small waterfall. Parker took the first leap and absolutely loved it! A few others followed suit, and we eventually came back to shower before our first delicious dinner in the village. The night ended with a few intense rounds of Bananagrams, where Elise showed off her skills and knowledge. We hit the hay and prepared for what was next in our adventure around Thailand!
Day 6:The next morning, we were up early with the roosters! Our slow morning gave us the chance to drink coffee and admire the beautiful scenery around us. We walked down near the school and met with the contractor, who instructed us to build a fence around the school. We worked hard carrying concrete posts and loading them onto trucks. Shelby took the initiative to dig many of the holes that would hold the posts. After a well-deserved lunch break, we continued working until around 3 p.m., when we headed to the school. We met many of the children and took a tour of their classrooms. Afterward, we spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the kids on the playground, which turned into an epic soccer match! Woods befriended many of the children and played several rounds of tag. A rain shower cooled us off, and we walked down to a small local market where we bought treats for the whole group. It was a great end to a great first day of work. At dinner, Bram and Tanner tried the spicy sauce with local Thai peppers without flinching, while the rest of us scrambled for water! We ended the night with a few rounds of 3-on-a-couch, filling the village with laughter. Eventually, we made our way to bed after a heartfelt Moonup.
Day 7:Another day in our new favorite place! We woke up and immediately got to work finishing the fence we had started. Most of the morning was spent loading and unloading the concrete posts, and music kept the energy high! After a quick snack break, we continued working until lunchtime. After a delicious meal from our host family, we walked down to the rice fields to help with planting. We all agreed it was one of the best experiences of the trip! With mud between our toes, we knew we’d get dirty. Jenna was the first to jump in and covered herself head to toe in mud! We all laughed at our different planting abilities, with Woods and Elise shining as the experts. Walter and Tanner even took the initiative to push a heavy tractor around the fields to prepare for planting. After getting mud everywhere, we walked back up to the house, washed off our legs, and immediately headed back down to play with the village kids once school let out. Gates found the friend she had made the day before, and there were many games of tag, swinging, and badminton! Once all the kids left for the day, we broke out into a 7v7 soccer game. It went on until it was time for dinner, but I have to shout out Wright’s soccer skills-no one could stop him! Another long, eventful day sent us to bed early, and we could hardly wait to do it all again for one final day.
Day 8:For our final full day in the village, we were tasked with completing the fence we started on our first day. We had tuna sandwiches for breakfast, which filled us up for the big day ahead! We walked down to the school, met up with the others, and spent the next hour and a half finishing the fence for the school! We all celebrated, and the girls even walked down for a “hot girl walk.” A nice rain shower cooled us off as we enjoyed lunch and spent the afternoon relaxing, playing many card games. Later that afternoon, we walked up to the formal soccer arena and had our best soccer match yet! Tensions were high between the teams, and we were tied until the last minute, but one team came out on top with the final goal. We all shook hands and laughed at the plays made during the game as we walked back down to enjoy a traditional ceremony by one of the elders of the village before dinner. He blessed us all and wished us good fortune and happiness as we moved on. The dinner afterward was a feast! We couldn’t help but dig into the amazing Thai food prepared for us by our gracious host family. The night ended with one of our favorite Moonups yet, and we went to sleep feeling very grateful for the time we had shared in the Karen Village.
Day 9:Today, we finished the trekking and cultural immersion section of our trip by hiking out through the thick Thai jungle. We said our goodbyes to our hosts and loaded up the vans, which drove us to the trailhead. The rest of the morning, we hiked through beautiful terrain until we eventually reached a massive waterfall! Parker and Sam rushed in, with many others following soon after. The cool waterfall refreshed us after our morning hike, and we dried off before eating another wonderful meal beside the falls. We continued our trek out of the jungle when we were unexpectedly met with a rainstorm! That didn’t deter us, but it did add an extra challenge, as the trail became a slippery mess. With careful steps and a few slips accompanied by booming laughter, we finally made it out of the rain with muddy legs and rain-soaked hair. To finish off our afternoon, we headed toward bamboo rafting! The sun reappeared to treat us as we lazily floated down the river. Shelby, Woods, and Gates creatively named their raft “The Thai-tanic!” Sophie and Elise even said it was their favorite activity so far. It was definitely an afternoon to remember, but Lucy and Charlie weren’t as excited when they saw a snake swim right in front of their raft! The guides treated our group to watermelon popsicles, and we headed back toward Chiang Mai, where showers were waiting patiently for us. After cleaning up, hanging out, and running to a nearby 7-Eleven for snacks, we went out for a delicious dinner together. We couldn’t help but feel so thankful for how close our group has become and the memories we’ve created so quickly on this trip. To celebrate, we treated everyone to ice cream! It was an amazing end to the first section of our trip, and we left with a newfound sense of gratitude, love, and curiosity for this wonderful country we’re in. Next up: rock climbing!
With Love,Lucy + Charlie
We wanted everyone to be able to say hi, so here are some shout-outs from your awesome kids! Also, Happy Father’s Day to all of our amazing dads out there, we love you all so much!
Elise: Hey mom and dad I miss you!! I’m having so much fun! This group is amazing. Happy Father’s Day dad I love you! Give everyone a hug and kiss for me especially the kitties!! And I’m starting to think we need to reconsider the chicken thing… anyways can’t wait to see you! Andrew I love and miss you so much! Can’t wait for Hu Hot! Give Indy, Rocky and Gizmo so many kisses for me! Im totally gonna be more tan than you! Love you all and miss you so much!!
Shelby: Hey fam I miss you sooo much, but you might have to drag me out of here! Happy Father’s Day Daddy, thank you for all that you do for me and for sending me on this amazing trip! I love you both! Give Oakley Josie and Roxie kisses for me! Pick me up with Auden and Bailee please! Xoxo
Sophie: Hiiii Mom and Dad + the Twins!
I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to see you guys! I’m having a great time here and don’t think I wanna leave:) also happy Father’s Day Dad! I hope you got my card,Make sure to tell everyone I miss them! Love you!
Gates: Hiiiii family I miss y’all so much! I’m having an awesome time! Dad, happy Father’s Day I love you so much! Tell Anna and everyone I say Hi and that I miss and love them. P.S. y’all might have to drag me out of this place
Parker: Hi Mom and Dad + various family and friends! I miss y’all!!! I’m having an amazing time and the group is awesome! Happy Father’s Day Dad, I love you so much! Don’t miss me to much! See y’all soon!
Bram: Hey Mama and Dad Ao miss y’all so much. I’m having a great time it is amazing here. Sorry I’m missing Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day. I love y’all.
Sam: Greetings from Thailand, I miss you all so much but not that much because I’m having so much fun. This country is awesome and we all need to come back together sometime. Happy Father’s Day to J Mahn, I hope you have a great day and can’t wait to celebrate together in the Bahamas. Love you all so much, Sam.
Walter: hey mom and dad!!! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to tell y’all all about the trip. Thailand is such an awesome and new place and I think y’all would really like it. I’m trying to take lots of pictures but I’m also getting in lots of pictures too. I will have a lot to show y’all. Don’t worry I’m looking for a keychain to add to my collection. Happy Father’s Day Dad!! I’ll bring some cool stuff home that I think you’ll enjoy. See y’all soon love you.
Woods: Hey Mom and Dad! I am having so much fun in Thailand and have tried so many new things throughout the first week. I never would have believed that I would swim with elephants, but it was so cool and exciting! We have taken so many pictures and I cannot wait to show them to you when I get home. I hope you have had fun and I miss you so much! Happy Father’s Day Dad! I love you so much and can’t wait to see you soon!
Tanner: hello parents. Thailand is so fun and I’m having a great time. Happy early Father’s Day pops I wish I could be there and I love you so much. I hope you like the present in the driveway. Say hello to the pups and tell Harper and salam that I love them for me. I love y’all so much. See y’all in a little bit!
Wright: Hey Mom and Dad, I miss y’all a lot and hope you are having fun in St Bart’s and Anguilla. I have had a good time doing service in a rural village; however, I’m insanely sweaty every day. I did get to play soccer which was fun. I’m excited to go more south where we will scuba dive and get to sleep in bed with air conditioning. I’m currently back in Chiang Mai and about to explore temples and rock climb. I love yall so much! Happy Father’s Day Dad! And happy early birthday Mom!
Jenna: Hey fam I miss y’all so much, but I don’t wanna come home. Happy Father’s Day Dad, you are genuinely the best, and I love you so much.
Safe Arrival in Bangkok!
June 7, 2025
Hello Thailand Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has arrived safely! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure! 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
