We spent the last week of 2014 in Queenstown, often touted as the adventure capital of the world. The city is pretty small, yet it's perfect for adrenaline junkies - you can bungy jump, waterski, zipline, and take a helicopter ride all in the same day! It was the perfect place to spend the holidays, right on beautiful Lake Wakatipu with endless things to do in the area.

On Christmas morning before our drive to Queenstown, we headed to Milford Sound, a popular fiord in the south west section of New Zealand's South Island. After a leisurely boat ride around the sound passing by waterfalls, seal colonies, and about a hundred dolphins, we took the scenic route to Queenstown, about 3 hours away.

One of the many waterfalls in Milford Sound.  Our boat went under this one, hence the rain jackets and hats. — One of the many waterfalls in Milford Sound. Our boat went under this one, hence the rain jackets and hats.

Blue skies appearing - a Christmas miracle!

We had a bunch of shots with tons of dolphins in them, but I just love this shot with one tail gracefully diving back into the water! — We had a bunch of shots with tons of dolphins in them, but I just love this shot with one tail gracefully diving back into the water!

Early morning kayakers on Milford Sound.

The road to Queenstown from Milford Sound.

Queenstown is a resort town built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu. We stayed at a hotel with incredible views of the lake and mountains and easy access to a lake path leading into downtown.

Along the lake path to downtown Queenstown.

As it was Christmas Day, many places were closed. So we did what many non-observers do - we ordered Asian food and watched Christmas movies!

We watched my favorite Christmas movie, Christmas Vacation.  Also not pictured, Home Alone. — We watched my favorite Christmas movie, Christmas Vacation. Also not pictured, Home Alone.

The following day, our first order of business was to try Queenstown's best food while working up the nerve to sign up for a bungy jump.

Our first stop was Aggy's Shack, a tiny fish and chips spot right on the water.

Watching some tightrope walkers while our fish was being fried up.

Pretty great fish and chips from Aggy's!

What better way to end a meal than with homemade gelato?

Oreo, salted caramel and apple pie gelato from Mrs. Ferg Gelateria.

We were a little intimidated by the ridiculously long line at Fergberger, one of the best burger joints in New Zealand and maybe the world. But we just had to try it!

Lucky for us, we scored seats at the counter and waited for our number to be called.

Fergburgers, onion rings and fries.  The verdict: guilty of being amazing!  The bun they use really makes this one special. — Fergburgers, onion rings and fries. The verdict: guilty of being amazing! The bun they use really makes this one special.

Queenstown is located in the Otago region of New Zealand, which is known for pinot noirs. Luckily, we were near some great wineries. We spent one day in wine country and checked out Mt. Difficulty (our favorite), Chard Farm, Peregrine, and Amisfield.

On the twisty road to Chard Farm.  Make sure you are not tipsy before tackling this road! — On the twisty road to Chard Farm. Make sure you are not tipsy before tackling this road!

We had a delicious lunch on the back terrace at Amisfield Winery.

Our final full day in Queenstown was New Year's Eve, and we didn't really know what to expect that night. We set out with very low expectations and wandered around to have some dinner before going out.

After some sushi and checking out a few bars, we returned to a bar we had visited earlier in the week, the Pub on Wharf. It was a lot of fun and one of the few places in the city not full of underage half-dressed kids. Shit, we are old.

We met a few great Kiwi girls that taught us some new drinking games, and Stephen even challenged one of them to a chugging contest.

We all got ready for the fireworks show right outside of the bar. It felt weird being 18 hours ahead of home - like we were in the future!

2014 has obviously been the most amazing year of my life.  Excited for what 2015 will bring! — 2014 has obviously been the most amazing year of my life. Excited for what 2015 will bring!

After fireworks, we followed our new friends to Minus 5, one of those super cheesy and expensive ice bars. While the bar itself was pretty dead, we all managed to have fun!

Not wanting my fairytale-amazing-best-year-ever 2014 to overshadow 2015 and every year moving forward, I thought it would be a great idea to usher in the new year to echo how I've been feeling lately - adventurous, strong, and free.

Since organized bungy jumping first began in Queenstown from the Kawarau Bridge, it seemed like the perfect place to do it!

Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown is 43 meters, or 141 feet high. — Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown is 43 meters, or 141 feet high.

Not-so-comforting sign by the bathroom pre-jump.

I had to wait about 20 minutes up on the bridge before it was my turn. Adrenaline was coursing through me, and finally they called me up to the ledge. In an instant, I was flying through the air.

Welcome to 2015.

-Michelle