Getting Leeched

We got engaged in Australia on December 19, 2010.  We had just taken a flight from Sydney to Cairns, Australia.  We rented a car and drove 90 miles to a private rainforest.  Rich did the driving on this super windy road, twisting up mountains, and driving on the other side of the road.  He managed roundabouts and figured out how to drive on the other side of the car.  We were staying in tree houses located in 100 acres of the rainforest.  I immediately wanted to start hiking and seeing animals.  So we donned our gum boots (see picture) and away we hiked.



A note on gum boots:

So a gum boot is for leech protection.  There are land leeches that attach to the leaves of the rainforest. They are not the Stand By Me North American leeches we have.  They are smaller and more vicious. We also sprayed our boots with something that was supposed to protect us from leeches as well.  I am here to confirm that if you can choose a leech sock...go for it!   In Thailand I hiked for HOURS and the leeches could not get through the sock.

We began hiking in the middle of the afternoon so it was super hot and muggy.   The animals were in the shade and out of sight.  We saw a few scrub turkeys and toads but that was it.  About 20 minutes into the hike Rich looked down at his boot and noticed a leech inside, and then found a second leech.  I freaked out and looked at my boots and in my boots and felt relieved, until I noticed my shorts were bleeding.  Checked under my shorts and saw a little bugger wiggling into my leg.  Thankfully I could pull him out, but I had a leech scar where the hole was for about 3 weeks.



After the leeching we tried to find our way back to the treehouse as quickly as possible.  We twisted and turned and realized later that we had hiked every single trail of the 100 acres.   We did manage to find our way home and decided to relax and chill and enjoy the rainforest from the comforts of indoors.

We had a two person jet jacuzzi with big picture windows looking out.  We took advantage and enjoyed some bubbles in the bath tub and some bubbly champagne.   We chatted and enjoyed each others company and had a great talk on our past, present, and future.  Finally, Rich turned and asked if there was anything that would make our relationship any better?  I mentioned more champagne.  Then he pulled out the box and asked those 4 words, "Will you Marry Me?"

I said yes, and here we are off onto our next big adventure together.




Where we were engaged-Canopy Treehouses

www.canopytreehouses.com.au/