One step at a time

Heidie Smith and her daughter, Amber, started their Turkish trek, known as The Lycian Way, to raise funds for the North Coast Courier Orphan Fund on one cold, early morning on March 31.

“It was 5.30am and the moon was still high in the sky with a mere seven degrees outside, when we embarked on a two kilometre walk to the start from where we were staying. I do not think we would have cared if it had been a ten kilometre walk, we were just so excited,” said Heidie, a Ballito resident and member of the Rotary Club of Zimbali.

“Our first stop was to enjoy the breathtaking view overlooking Olu Deniz. There were more dramatic and amazing views around every corner. However, it must be said that so far the walk was not for the fainthearted.

The trail goes along narrow ledges on loose shale covered foot paths, on very steep mountainous slopes with sheer 100 metre dropoffs. One wrong step and we would never have been rescued or seen again. With our heavy backpacks we took lots of careful steps, not daring to look down.”

She said they passed thousands of bee hives along the slopes and in the forest, and were constantly followed by the comforting buzz of the bees at work.

“My heart is filled with huge gratefulness for these rural farmers who are preserving our planet and ensuring we have food. Already, this walk with my daughter, through forests, along rivers, up rocky pathways and through rural villages, has been an adventure filled with laughter, excitement, anxiety, quite a bit of fear, and absolute awe at the beauty that surrounds us.”

Thanks to their mobile tracking devices, supplied by Axxis FMS, you can track the duo’s every step of the 450km walk on fms.grmtech.co.za using the following login details: username: together1stepatatime@gmail.com, password: turkey2016.

While they are paying for the walk themselves, every cent people donate will go to Zimbali Rotary, who will channel the money to the Orphan Fund.

You can donate to the following account : Rotary Club of Zimbali, ABSA Ballito, account number: 9245763008 or go to their Facebook page, 1 step at a time.

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