Lifestyle and Tech team had a pleasure of sitting down with Moira Molefe a mother, hiker and blogger who has explored breathtaking landscapes, conquered challenging terrains, and shared her extraordinary experiences with the world through her blog
LNT: To begin, could you tell us a little about yourself and how you embarked on your journey as a hiker and blogger?
MM: I am a mother of 3 teenagers, a full-time employee, and a person who loves life and fun. In 2018 a good friend of mine invited me to a beautiful place and said we are going hiking so that we can catch up. I said to myself- Moira How on earth are you going to hike in the woods if you’re afraid of anything that crawls? Against my judgment, I agreed because I was missing my friend and wanted to catch up with her. I drove into the parking lot of Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort (South Africa). The place was breathtaking.
LNT: How did you first get into hiking, and what made you fall in love with it?
MM: While we were hiking, I realized something was happening inside me. I was feeling so light and fresh yet am climbing. I let myself sit in that feeling so that I can understand what was going on with me. I felt at peace, refreshed and I thought to myself, maybe just maybe this can be a regular thing. I fell in love with it when after a few hikes with friends and realized this is good for my body, mind, and soul. Life is difficult as is, one must find ways of recharging and letting go of adversities. The more I hiked the more it felt like am on a mini holiday every time am climbing those mountains. I get to see places that one wouldn’t just get into the car to go see. I am seeing the other side of our country, it is beautiful. I also get to meet like-minded people on these trails, the conversations are the best.
LNT: What inspired you to start a blog about hiking, and how has it evolved over time?
MM: As time went by, I thought it would be nice to share my experiences with the world, and the only way I knew how was through blogging. The idea was to take my readers through that exact experience I went through while they are in the comfort of their own homes. Let me tell you, it has evolved more than I would have thought it would. First, for many years I always told myself that I cannot write, there is no way I can write. Guess what, over a year later, I continue to blog and share my humble experiences on my blog. By no means I am claiming to be the best, but I have proved to myself time and time again that, you can do anything you put your mind to.
LNT: Could you share one of your most memorable hiking experiences and why it was so special to you?
MM: There are so many, I have been hiking since 2018. However, the special moment that stands out was my first-time hiking in the beautiful Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal Province. It was my birthday weekend and I decided to test myself and see how far I can push my physical and mental strength. It was a two-day hike, we were traveling with the organizers of the hike and we met new people as we traveled in one bus. That was an experience on its own. You see when I go hiking, it starts from the moment I wake up, I take it all in I am present throughout. It’s not about the hiking trail only, it is the whole experience. The road trip was amazing, like-minded people in our bus, it was fun and cold. I write in detail on my blog about this experience. Believe it or not, I am afraid of heights as well. One of the trails we hiked required that we climb the ladders to be able to go to the top of the mountain. This was the highlight of the hike because, on the other side of those ladders, it was the famous Tugela fall, the world’s tallest fall. I was terrified of climbing those ladders, but I did it. Everyone was cheering me on, It felt so good to test my limits.
LNT: What are some essential items you always carry with you when you go hiking, and why are they important?
MM: Water, more water, proper hiking boots (protect your ankles), a hiking stick is your best friend, especially on tough hikes, and lastly snack(my favorite part). Do not forget that camera to capture the moments.
LNT: How do you choose the hiking trails you write about on your blog, and what factors do you consider?
MM: I try to hike every second Saturday. Myself and my hiking friends, We always enjoy visiting new hiking locations, but I choose where we should go. I love going to different spots it’s fun, and of course, I get to blog about it.
LNT: do you hike alone or do you have hiking friends
MM: I hike with friends, my long-time friends, and the ones I made through hiking. I would advise that people shouldn’t go hiking alone, besides not being safe to be in the woods alone, where is the fun being around nature alone?
LNT: what is the name of your blog and how did you come up with that name?
MM: Fabtastic Cute story behind the name of my blog. It was Mother’s Day, my son must have been 6 at that time. He wrote me a Mother’s Day message that said ” Happy Mother’s Day mommy you are fabtastic. I thought to myself wow, what a beautiful word to describe me. I have never heard of the word before. I told his Dad that I love this word, and one day I will use it for something that I will create.
LNT: Have you ever faced any challenges or obstacles while hiking, and how did you overcome them?
MM: Yes, when hiking tough long trails. Your mind tells you that you are tired but there is nothing you can do except to keep going because you have no choice but to walk until you get to the finish. You cannot turn back, no other way but through. To me, that is a test of ability and willingness to keep going because it’s beyond the hike. I apply the experiences in my day-to-day life. Those tough moments teach me something that helps me in my life.
LNT: What do you hope your readers take away from your blog posts about hiking?
MM: everything is possible if you put your mind to it. The benefits of being out there with nature.
LNT: Are there any particular hiking destinations or trails that are on your bucket list, and why?
MM: Too many to mention all, however Mount Meru in Tanzania, Whale trail in South Africa, Gotemba trail in Japan, and Hikers’ Haute Route Switzerland &France
LNT: what message or advice would you like to share with our readers who may be aspiring hikers or fellow nature enthusiasts?
MM: Just take that leap of faith, you might love it or hate it, at least you tried then move along onto trying something new. I never thought I will hike but here I am.
LNT: do you have anything else to ad
MM: every morning when we wake up, we are given two things; A chance and A choice.
Tags : Moira molefe,Fabtastic,Hiking,Blogging