Driving past vineyards and lavender fields feels reminiscent of the Italian countryside. Walking around pubs and cafés is a little bit of Eastern Europe. With its beaches and lakes, it's Australia.
But in the warmth and friendship that the locals here greet you with — it is quintessentially New Zealand.
It is adventurous, it is quiet. There are flyboarders on your left and jetboaters on your right . . . and yet, all you can hear are birds chirping and the wind blowing.
It is one of those majestic towns that captures the heart of those who visit. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and transparent glacial lakes, it looks like a backdrop to a Hollywood film.
On the first day of our visit, since the weather was not great for any sky-high adventures, we opted for a jetboat ride. It was a breathtaking trip through the dramatic and narrow river canyons.
I held on tightly as the jetboat performed exhilarating 360-degree spins. Everyone on board cheered when we sped past rocky outcrops, skimmed around boulders and zipped through canyons. It was an amazing experience and something I will definitely do again.
Awash in the glow of a complete adrenaline rush and flooded with endorphins, I was on cloud nine.
I have always wondered what it would be like to fly.
As a kid, I used to copy the ace Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar who after taking a wicket would run in a way that visualised an airplane on the cricket ground. I used to run through the yard with my arms spread wide, simulating weird engine noises whenever I would make a turn or go into a steep dive.
Now I was about to take in a view that once upon a time used to belong to birds alone. Yes! I did skydiving. Yes! I did my first jump.
As I came out of the reception at the skydiving centre, I looked at the sky. It was clear, blue and sunny with a cool breeze. It was a perfect day to soar through the air.
While awaiting my turn, I had time to think about anything and everything. My son, my husband and I had endless pictures taken as if it was our last day together.
Fifteen minutes later it was time to go. The tandem instructor and the cameraman (optional) took me to the boarding area. By then I knew there was no turning back and I had to commit.
Then I was in the plane. The door closed and we were off, squashed on to two benches with the other jumpers.
Initially I felt excited as if I was going to a war front to save my country.
At 6000 feet the instructor asked me how I was feeling and I said good.
But fear was building. My heart was beating fast and I was nervous.
Heights are not my favourite and I didn't dare look out the window, despite agreeing to jump from a plane 12,000 feet in the air.
Suddenly we had reached 12,000 feet and it was my turn to jump. But as soon as the door opened I looked outside and screamed.
“No, no, no. I can't jump!”
I was in tears as the instructor bravely nudged me out of the door.
For the first 60-second freefall, I didn't open my eyes. I just wanted to be alive for my son who was waiting for me on the ground.
A minute later the instructor launched the parachute and I found myself peacefully floating towards the drop zone. I could hear his voice in my ear asking if I was alright.
Suffice to say, that bit was exhilarating. He spun our parachute three or four times to the left and right and it was fun. The parachute ride to the ground took around seven minutes and the landing was soft. It was the best moment of my life, I was alive.
My son, Devansh, also wanted to jump, but he was too young so he enjoyed the I-Fly, an indoor skydiving experience that makes the dream of flight a reality.
There was no snow on our first two days in Queenstown, but on the third day luck was on our side and snow was falling.
We headed to Cardrona Alpine Resort with no plans to ski. We just wanted to enjoy the snow.
We could finally touch, taste and play in the snow . . . and yes, we attempted to make a snowman.
The powdery snow was a welcome contrast to the town's slush and the gondola services created some of the world's best off-piste skiing.
Overall, the Queenstown experience was not only an adventure but it also got our hearts racing. I'm sure we will visit the thrilling town again soon.
