Exploring the sunken city

Ballito’s two, ‘travelling turkeys’ are on the third stage of the Lycian Way walk, which they are doing to raise funds for the North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.

Heidie Smith and her daughter, Amber Mendes have reached Kekova, which Heidie said is like most places in Turkey, heaven on earth.

“The nature is crisp, and the turquoise sea is surrounded by thousands of bays. We stayed in a tiny village called Ucagiz, where we experienced rain, hail, sunshine and pumping winds all in one day. Ucagiz is still this ancient wonder, from huge cisterns, house tombs, parts of acropolis walls, and even a theatre with seats cut out of natural rock.”

The ladies took some well-deserved time off and traded land for sea when they hopped onto a boat to go and see the sunken city.

“Part of the coast sunk into the sea as a result of a few earthquakes, dating between 140 and 600AD. The site has been declared a national park and is under protection. There are remains of buildings, stairs and even part of a church still visible, some of which is under water and can be viewed from the boat through a glass bottom.”

Reluctantly, they had to leave and set off for Kale, on a very rocky and difficult road.

“Inbetween all the hard walking, we found some magic spots – one of which was a deserted camp site in a secluded cove, which I might add had a fully stocked bar, called “Smugglers Inn”. It was a cute little setting, with a bicycle hanging off a rock, a paddle ski, a friendly ginger cat and the sound of a Fish Eagle. I could quite easily have stayed for a week.”

Some kilometres further on, when their bodies were screaming for some relief, they looked down and saw the most stunning white pebbled beach, with not a soul in sight.

“When we finally reached it, we lay down for a much needed rest and took in the stunning views, just to be rudely interrupted by a herd of goats with tingling bells. Turkey is full of surprises.”

You can keep track of the two turkeys thanks to the Ballito based company Axxis FMS, who kindly donated a tracking system to follow them. Simply go to this site: fms.grmtech.co.za and login with the following details: username: together1stepatatime@gmail.com, password: turkey2016

Remember that while Heidie and her daughter are paying their own way for the walk, they are doing it to raise money for the Orphan Fund via the Rotary Club of Zimbali. Make a pledge to donate an amount of money per step they walk and make your donation to ABSA Ballito, account number: 9245763008 Also keep an eye on them on Facebook : 1 step at a time.