Heineken House launch
To celebrate the launch of it's first flagship venue, Heineken invited a handful of Australians on a special challenge to step out of their comfort zones.
When you're standing on the edge of a cliff, preparing to jump off, it's inevitable that you'd think to yourself: "how the hell did I get here?".
And then, you're not thinking about anything because all cognitive thought is drowned out by the sound of your own screams as you freefall towards the river below.
How the hell did I get here indeed.
A week earlier, it was with sweaty palms and gut-churning anxiety that I accepted an invite to a "mystery adventure tour". I'm not a natural adrenaline junkie – but how often does one get a chance to step out of their comfort zones and face their fears?
Hosted by Heineken, the trip was sold as a chance to do things that you wouldn't normally do: I had no idea where I was going, what I would do once I arrived or who I would be travelling with.
Let's do this.
Day One
Over a cheeky breakfast beer at Heineken House, the new flagship bar located inside International Departures in Sydney, I met the rest of the dupes – I mean willing participants – and discovered where we were headed: Queenstown, on New Zealand's southern island. Then we were off.
Day one was a deliberate set up of false securities. Breakfast at a cafe followed by a hike up the local mountain and lunch at Jack's Point Golf Course before taking a helicopter up Cecil Peak where we belted biodegradable golf balls off a putting green into the landscape below.
To say that I'm a keen golfer would be a stretch but once you're standing there, on what seems like the top of the world, it's hard not to think you're Tiger Woods and wallop that ball as far as it can go.
Admittedly, the height did create some butterflies but after several cold 'froffies' and a cheese board I can safely say I felt pretty darned relaxed.
Fear factor: 2.5
Day Two
The funny thing about false senses of security is that once they're shattered, you never really bounce back. So far, the worst thing I'd experienced on the trip was a slight seediness after an exuberant night spent at the Below Zero Ice Bar where we drank multi-coloured cocktails of which no one could confirm the ingredients.
But like Jon Snow, I knew nothing. Because today, we were told we were going to jump off a cliff. Which brings me back to where I started – standing on the edge of a platform hoping that no-one could see my knees buckling and thankful I chose to wear the black shorts.
Did I mention I'm terrified of heights?
The Shotover Canyon Swing, located across the aptly named Shotover River, is a 109 metre high leap that is similar to a bungee jump only instead of springing back up, you ultimately swing across the length of the canyon in a gentle arc. It also involves 60 metres of freefall.
I know, I know – if it wasn't totally safe, we wouldn't be doing it. But logic doesn't really come into play when you're staring into a canyon and someone is casually pretending to drop you for giggles.
And I'm just going to put this out there, but the application for one of these jobs must surely ask "are you a casual sadist?", because who else would laugh at the terrified screams of strangers?
The drop
But there I was, too scared to move but determined to jump. I've been skydiving before, but this was different. Here, I was on my own. There was no parachute, just a rope that I hoped wouldn't break. And staff trying their hardest not to chuckle at the terrified Aussie.
"Whenever you're ready mate, just count to three and then go …"
They say that the time spent freefalling is only three seconds. If that is the case, it is the longest three seconds I have ever experienced because once I leapt off that platform, it felt like the world suddenly moved in slow motion (while rapidly rushing up toward me).
My stomach moved up the back of my throat and my entire body broke out into a panic sweat as I dropped. It was amazing. Exhilarating in fact, and the four letter word that I was shouting was soon replaced by genuine laughter as I reached the nadir.
Fear factor: 10
Bragging rights
So I did it two more times. But don't let that convince you it was in anyway easier. Each time was just as terrifying as the first, if not more so because I knew what was coming. (I almost puked when they strapped me into a plastic garden chair and kicked me off.)
But the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing I did something that, left to my own devices, I would never have done in a million years is its own reward.
Would I go back and do it again? Not on your life.
This trip was sponsored by Heineken to celebrate the launch of their flagship bar at Sydney International Airport, Heineken House.