8/11/2014

Today started off early because we were heading up to Tree Top Challenge and the Gold Coast. After about an hour drive and about twenty minutes of getting lost we arrived at the Tree Top Challenge. When then had to be put into harnesses, for insurance reasons, before we could get climbing. The first track, the green track, was full of lots of super slow people and was not nearly enough of a hallenge for iron Maddie. We eventually made it through to the red course, which had significantly less people but was sill super easy. Then came the black path. It was awesome! It was the challenge I had been dreaming of as I went through the first two snoozefests. Meanwhile Abbie went on a walk and literally ran face first into a snake. By the time we were all back together it was already 1 o'clock, and I was much desirous of our lunch picnic. It was wonderfully delicious except there was a gross caterpillar that made us change venues to the trunk of he car. After the picnic we headed down to the Gold Coast and the beach! The water was pretty cold but I am told it got better the longer you were in it. I(Rachel) was just as cold when I left as when I got in, but Abbie and Maddie spent lots of time in the water and waves. After we got told there were strong currents and

we got out because the shallow parts aren't as fun, we went back to our 21st floor serviced apartment to wash the sand off. That night we headed to a small "vegetarian" restaurant that was really a Chinese restaurant. The food was good and the cheapest meal we've had while in Australia. After dinner we returned to our home for the night and there was a mysterious beeping. We never figured out where from, but it didn't keep us that night.