This is no horror story. Yet, the Balete tree has been tagged to horror stories such as the white lady at the Balete drive. It didn’t cross my mind that a time will come that I will climb a balete tree.
When we went to E.A.T. Danao in Bohol, my goals were to do the root climb and the famous PLUNGE also known as the canyon swing. The E.A.T. Danao guides introduced themselves (but I forgot their names). I was too excited to do the root climb.
It was not an easy path. The riverside of the Wahig River has too many rocks and boulders. One wrong step would result to a sprained foot. Finally, our guides pointed a tree. It was not just an ordinary tree. It was a Balete tree with its humongous roots hugging a wall like something’s hidden underneath.
The CHALLENGE: Climb the towering wall which measures 60-feet high using the roots of the balete tree.
J volunteered to go first. He was fast even with his weight. lol. Thanks to his height. He was able to get up fast. I followed. I looked up at the resting point and thought, “Nah. This is easy.”
But lo and behold, when I held the roots and placed my feet on each hole, I found it to be the opposite. hahaha. I spoke too soon. It must be the lack of exercise. Physical fitness, I need you badly. Just look on how focused I was while climbing.
And yes, my friends asked me to smile for the photo-op. Whew! It was about three minutes before I got to the top.
CHALLENGE #2: Rappel down the 15-meter wall.
The next challenge was to rappel down. It isn’t my first time to do rappelling but it did feel like the first time. It was four years ago since I last rappelled so I have somehow forgotten how to do it.
Thanks to the guides who showed us a demo first. I was able to get down with intact bones and flesh. 
The root climb and rappel at E.A.T Danao cost Php 400.00 but the experience was priceless.
Ate Dahlia welcomed us at the cozy JGFFI Inn that looks like a large bahay-kubo (native nipa hut). It has three rooms that can occupy three persons each.
