AFLW Star's Easter Getaway Turns into Booking Nightmare
AFLW star Moana Hope experienced a highly embarrassing moment this week after making a significant error in her Easter long weekend plans. The 38-year-old athlete took to her Instagram Story on Thursday to share a story that would make any holidaymaker cringe with sympathy.
Dream Holiday Plans Quickly Unravel
Hope revealed she had planned what she described as an idyllic weekend escape to Phillip Island with her two young children, Svea (5) and Ahi (3), along with her extended family. 'I'm so annoyed at myself. I'm taking my kids down to Phillip Island for the long weekend,' she confessed in a video clip that she captioned with a plea for a margarita.
'My whole family's going, we're all going. It's cute – it's going to be such a great time,' she added enthusiastically. The athlete explained she had specifically booked an Airbnb property right on the water, emphasizing her love for coastal getaways where she could walk directly from the backyard onto the beach.
The Moment of Realization
However, Hope's dream holiday quickly transformed into a stressful situation when she decided to double-check her booking details. 'I jumped on the app and I was like I'll just get all the information together because I'm going to wake up early tomorrow and leave with the kids,' she recounted.
It was during this routine check that she made the shocking discovery. 'As I DM'd the Airbnb, I've just f***ing realised I've booked it for the wrong weekend,' Hope admitted with an embarrassed laugh. This booking error left her facing the daunting challenge of finding last-minute accommodation in the popular Victorian tourist destination during one of the busiest holiday periods.
Last-Minute Accommodation Crisis
'Now, it's like every man and his dog's booked Phillip Island,' she lamented, expressing concern that she might have to settle for accommodation further inland rather than her preferred beachfront location. The athlete had not yet broken the news to her family members, anticipating their disappointment. 'I haven't told any of my family about any of this yet, but they are going to destroy me,' she predicted.
Happy Resolution to Holiday Drama
Fortunately, the crisis proved to be short-lived. In a subsequent Instagram update, Hope revealed she had managed to secure alternative beachfront accommodation without having to compromise on her coastal location preference. 'False alarm, I got my beach Air so we're going. I'm excited,' she announced with relief.
Broader Context of Hope's Recent Experiences
This holiday booking mishap follows another significant incident in Hope's recent life. Just last month, the openly gay athlete threatened to publicly expose a recently retired women's footballer who allegedly sent her a homophobic message. Hope reported that the former player had taken one of her Instagram images, added a homophobic slur and laughing emojis as a caption, and accidentally sent it back to her instead of the intended recipient.
Hope gave the individual a deadline to come forward to her former club voluntarily, warning that she would otherwise reveal their identity. 'She has 'til Friday to do that, and if she doesn't, then we'll revisit the whole not publicly outing her, because she needs to take responsibility,' she stated firmly.
The athlete emphasized her commitment to addressing homophobia, declaring, 'On a serious note, I am reporting her. There is no place for homophobia in this world.' She concluded her message with support for the LGBTQI+ community, affirming that 'Gay love is love and there is nothing wrong with being gay and being exactly who you are.'
