One hot afternoon, during the first week of February last year, my friends and I went to Baler mainly to surf, try out their buffet offerings, and of course, to taste their famous peanut butter. But a part of our itinerary was also to see a Balete tree.
Sounds boring?
Well, locals say that it is not an ordinary tree as it is the biggest of its kind in the continent.
Located thirty minutes away from the town proper of Baler, the tree cradles in the arms of its neighboring town, Maria Aurora.
Using a tricycle we rented for P400 (good for three to four pax), which already covers the easy to go to tourist spots in the area for half day, off we go to see the famous spot.
When we arrived, the tree was indeed big, the panorama picture I took could not suffice as a proof.
Standing 200 feet high and about 49 feet in diameter in its widest, locals say that it takes 60 grown men, holding arms of one another, to encircle the enormous trunk of the 600 year old Balete tree.
Residing just a few steps away from the tree is a mini collection box for the maintenance fee of the park.
After a couple of snaps here and there, we noticed some people — from as young as five years old to the not quite old –getting out of the humongous roots of the tree.
Yes, they entered and climbed it!
We didn’t know it’s allowed to climb it and besides, it looks scary. For one, Balete trees are known as strangler figs wherein it encircle its roots around another tree, enveloping it, and in the process killing it. Two, legend has it that this type of tree is also the home of fairies, tikbalangs (half-human and half-horse), and other supernatural elements.
So, what if something happens while we’re inside it?
But of course the tour guides said it’s perfectly safe to climb it.
If there’s one thing I developed over my courses of travels, it is the mindset of being in the moment: when you’re traveling, take some risks, get out of your comfort zone, and be spontaneous. Otherwise you would regret it and it would be a hard battle with yourself. It may not be always easy but it pays off everytime.
So we did, slowly but surely.
It took us a roughly 15-20 minute climb but the tour guides say that it only takes an average of eight seconds for them to go up. Yes, I repeat: eight seconds, not eight minutes. Can you beat that? I can do that for six seconds, in my dreams.
While we were on top of the tree, we heard a Katy Perry song playing on the radio from down below. Other than that, you can also feel the wind smoothly caressing your face. We could also see the vast amount of greens below that is pleasing to the eyes and then when you look above, you’d see branches and leaves, of course, lol, no, you could see the clear blue sky.
It’s nostalgic. I remember when I was a kid, one of my dreams is to have a tree house. In a way, this experience have fulfilled that dream.
But alas, I’ve been told recently that climbing the tree is no longer allowed. In late February last year, maybe only a week after we climbed, the activity has been prohibited –not because we were so heavy that the branches couldn’t take it anymore, but because when we climbed, we already saw some fungi growing in the trunks and branches. This made the branches a bit slippery and harder to hold on to, making it difficult to climb. So to preserve lives, both of the tree and of the people wanting to go up, climbing is now prohibited.
You can still visit it though, and be amazed by the wonders of nature. With roots even bigger than you, a trunk you couldn’t hug from arms to arms, and basically a tree that keeps on giving –who wouldn’t fall for its beauty?
Wild! Lucky you!
I also want to see the Balete tree you visited in Siquijor! 😀
Been to Aurora on 2 occasions but I yet have to see this.
Really? But I suppose you have been to Ditumabo waterfalls? We weren’t able to go there.
Yes, sad 🙁
And I havent been to Ditumabo as well. Shame on me! hahaha. Just went to Baler to surf. And i opted to see the outskirts of Aurora then like Dilasag, and Casapsapan Beach thats why. so i promise to be back in Baler soon.
thanks to this post i am reminded of that promise to myself.
For some reason, Balete trees remind me of horror films 🙂 Interesting adventure 🙂
Hahahaha! Because of the usual scary stories we hear. #wansapanataym hehe
Beautiful shots! Never seen a balete tree before :p someday…..
Thank you, Melvin Paul 🙂
Thanks for sharing other things we can do in Baler. I did not know it was famous for peanut butter and this grand old tree! – Fred
Yes, Fred, you should definitely go and try their local peanut butter! So good!
Never knew about this balete tree,..thanks for this and yep such a great adventure you had.
You are welcome, debarpan 😉
This reminds me of Enid Blyton”s The Faraway Tree, where the kids climb up the magic tree and there will be lots of magical folks staying there… It’s beautiful!
Wow I am not familiar with that story but it sounds interesting! 🙂
I went to Baler and visited this place! I was surprised about the size of this tree! I am glad that they are taking care of it.
Yup. Hopefully they could preserve it. 🙂
I don’t think it is the biggest one in Asia. We have one here in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental. It is bigger than the one you featured here. I will get its dimension and will feature it in one of my blogs sooner or later. – Gil Camporazo
Sure, Gil. Just let me know. 😉
It reminds me of the Balete tree that I used to climb near our residence in Negros. Well, really wonderful to play around the tree.
Would love to visit Negros one day! I’ve heard one Balete in Visayas that has a body of water right at its foot! Amazing, isn’t it? 🙂
Its a master piece for them to climb for 8 seconds. They are fast. I see a lot of Balete trees in my home town but I never attempt to be near the tree due to bad rumors that someone is living there not like us…
Yep, others even joke around saying they’re as fast as monkeys… I kind of agree. Hehe!
I’ve not seen a balete tree up close and I think I’d be a little scared to be near one. Blame it on all the stories told by our elders about balete trees. I’m glad though that this one is still up even after 600 years.
Thankfully I wasn’t focusing on those stories when we went there. The look on the visitors faces after the climb was inviting enough! Haha
I’ve never seen or heard of a balete tree before but I am no climber so don’t think that I would have been able to climb up there. You did a great job!
Wow, climbing up that tree is anything but boring! It is so large indeed and I would love to go on such an adventure myself, moreover it is obvious you had a great company and enjoyed the time spent together. Nature is amazing in its shapes and forms!
Thank you so much, Vanessa. Yes we had fun climbing it though the view directly below is a bit scary haha
Been climbing balete tree in our farm when I am still young and active, though our grandmother scolded us not to get near from the balete tree.
Haha yeah! The kapre and white lady stories… Really scary come to think of it.
If only I knew this tree exists then di ko pinalagpas ang thrill to even see it with my own eyes. been to Baler kasi three ago .
Pagbalik mo na lang, Papaleng! 🙂
Wow. I’ve never been in to that tree before. but I would love to. Climbing it is not in my option 😉 Love the view btw.
Thanks, Manu! Hope you could visit Baler in the future 🙂
Baler is a dream location for me. I really look forward to hugging this Balete tree.
Yes, Franc! It’s so huuuuuge you’d feel small for not being able to hug it fully.
What an amazing adventure. I’d love to climb that tree and take photos . That is definitely a memorable experience.
Indeed, eliz frank 🙂
I see a lot of photos of this balete tree on Instagram because everybody’s suddenly trooping to baler for surfing. I was looking forward to climbing it in the future, too bad it’s already disallowed.
That’s right! Baler is the perfect getaway for surfing! 😉 thanks for visiting phyliciamarie 🙂
I remember this tree when we went to Baler last year. We never really climbed but we did enjoy taking photos around the place! 🙂
Yeah Baler is a lovely place overall. Would love to come back one day 🙂
galing may bago ka ng site! and btw, saw your post sa magazine ng Ceb Pac! nice!
yisss! thanks! ay hehe, san ka nagpunta?
cebu lang shayne. work-related trip. galing shayne! hehehe (thanks sa follow sa Ig)
nice! Magcecebu rin ako sa October. Meron ka bang irrecommend dun na hindi pa masyadong naeexplore? 🙂
Have you been to Badian, Moalboal and Barili? Basta ung mga western towns. may kanya kanya silang waterfalls na magaganda. Puntahan mo.
nope, not yet. It’s my first time! Nakita ko nga yung Moalboal pics ang ganda! Sige thank yous!
walang anuman! Enjoy ka!
Oo naman! Lechon pa lang enjoy na ako e hahaha
hahahaha!!! tama tama tama!!!
I’ve been here 2 years ago and I couldn’t believe how big this tree was. It’s simply beautiful and I hope they continue to protect that tree.
Angelo
http://www.AngeloTheExplorer.com
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