It is done....

It might have taken 24 years, but the above image is one that will go down in history. I am so proud to be a kiwi right now!! 24 years after hosting & winning the first Rugby World Cup, we have finally both hosted and won it again. We have been called many things over the years - mostly chokers but after last nights game, the All Blacks are the 2011 Rugby World Champions. We have dominated the world of rugby for years and have been that team that other teams look up to, but somehow the biggest reward in world rugby has alluded us... but no more! And what a game it was.. I did actually think there for a minute it might have been a French win.. but thankfully the boys held one and got the silverware...

I know its been said but you do have to put into perspective just how much this means to NZ as a country. We haven't had the best year when it comes down to it (and yes I say this in light of the floods in Asia, the deadly earthquakes in Japan & Turkey).. when you look at it tho.. it has been pretty much an 'Annus horribilis' - to steal a phrase from the Queen.

1) Sept saw the first earthquake in Chch

2) The Pine River disaster

3) The deadly Feb quake

4) The Rena disaster

Not to mention all the crap weather that happened around the nation & the constant aftershocks in Chch... this has definitely been a year that most people would like to forget, but then to host the Rugby World Cup - which by all accounts has been a wonderful success and to top that off with the unofficial King of New Zealand - Richie McCaw holding that gold cup above his head, well that is the stuff that dreams are made of.

I am so proud of the All Blacks, of New Zealand and to be a kiwi. There is no better nation in the world and when you see moments like last night, you know why it is be the best country in the world - no matter what the world throws at us. NZ is and always will be Aotearoa - Godzone

Getting Excited!

So this time in 2 weeks I will be on a Great Ocean Road Tour... so excited about this. I have been wanting to see the Great Ocean Road for ages and I decided that even tho the tour is 13 hours - someone else is driving and you get to sit back, relax & take in the amazing sights..

I am really excited about my trip.. tho a little nervous that my flight might not go as planned. They had already changed my flight to be a later one - arriving in Avalon (about 50 mins out of Melbourne) at 9.45pm instead of 2.15pm... I rang Jetstar to say it wasn't good enough so they changed me to be arriving at 11.40am in Tullamarine (about 20 mins out of Melbourne).. so it was better for me that they did that coz a) its cheaper to get to Melbourne from there; b) I get to Melbourne earlier meaning I have more time; c) it didn't cost me a thing to re-route.. which wasn't allowed on the fare I had but because they stuffed up my plans they changed for no fee.. Yay!!

I can't wait to get down there.. the way my plans are now is that because I get to Melbourne earlier I get to have a whole free day there on the Friday which is awesome - because now I am doing my Melbourne Museum exhibit on the Wednesday afternoon now - hence my reason for the flights being on time!! Then the tour on the Thursday and a whole free day on Friday before leaving early Saturday morning... then it is CHCH!!!!!

I plan on having my birthday in Chch and then going over to my sisters on the Monday for a few days, then back to Chch for 5 days. So looking forward to being home! Just can't wait to walk down to the beach, drive around familiar streets - well quake damage allowing of course! Seeing friends & new babies!!! Seeing gorgeous little nieces :) Just can't wait to be home to be honest.

Anyhoo.. I will have to post some pics of the Great Ocean Road when I get them.. really can't wait for this tour :)