I ❤️ Siquijor 2025 - Day 2 - Old Balete Tree - 02/08/2025



My (Slightly) Disappointing Trip to the Old Balete Tree
 
Okay, so, full disclosure: I wasn't exactly thrilled about visiting the Old Balete Tree. It was part of a package tour, and honestly, I'd been there before. I'd already done the whole "Old Balete Tree experience," and I wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of a repeat performance. I tried to gently suggest we skip it, mentioning that I'd already seen the, shall we say, unique charm of this ancient tree. But nope, the tour was set, and off we went.
 
The thing is, the Old Balete Tree is... well, it's a tourist trap. I'm not saying it's bad, per se. It's just... underwhelming the second time around. The first time, the mystique was there. The sheer age of the tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, the stories whispered about its supposed supernatural powers – it was all quite captivating. But the second time? It felt a little… manufactured. The crowds, the usual souvenir shops, the attempts to get you to pose for photos – it all chipped away at the magic.
 
However, there was a twist! I mentioned that there is a fish spa nearby. Now, that piqued everyone's interest. I'd done a fish spa before, and I knew what to expect (tiny, nibbly fish tickling your feet). But my travel buddies? They were a different story.
 
Picture this: a group of grown adults, faces twisted in a mixture of apprehension and morbid curiosity, tentatively dipping their feet into a tank teeming with hundreds of little fish. The initial reactions were priceless. Shrieks, giggles, and a whole lot of "Ewwww, they're biting me!" I, on the other hand, was in my element, enjoying the surprisingly relaxing sensation of the fish nibbling away at dead skin.
 
Unfortunately, the fish spa's relaxing charm didn't last long for my friends. After about fifteen minutes, boredom set in. The shrieks turned into complaints, and the giggles into groans. They declared it "too ticklish," "too weird," and "definitely not worth it." So, we packed up and moved on to our next destination.
 
So, would I recommend the Old Balete Tree? Maybe, but only for first-timers. If you've already been, it's probably not worth a second visit unless you're really into ancient trees and/or have a strong tolerance for tourist crowds. The fish spa, however, is a different story. It's a fun, quirky experience, but be warned: it's not for the faint of heart (or foot!).
 

#OldBaleteTree #TravelFail #TouristTrap #FishSpa #Philippines #TravelBlog #SecondTimeAround #NotAsCoolAsTheFirstTime #TravelAdventures #TravelDiaries #WorthItForTheFishSpa #Travelgram #TravelPhotography #TravelVlog

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