Bunut Bolong

A paved road runs straight through the base of this tree. The hole is nearly four metres wide, and cars drive through a living fig on the road between Pekutatan and Singaraja in west Bali. Locals call it Bunut Bolong, the hollow bunut, bunut being their name for a banyan-type fig, and also Gelung Kori Agung, the crown of a grand door. The tree stands on a narrow mountain ridge. When the road was cut, the roots were cut with it, but only after ceremonies asking the tree's resident spirits for permission. They are said to be two holy tigers. Prop roots have kept the tree alive since, and it is still widening. How the hole got there is disputed. One account says it is natural; another says Dutch colonial labourers widened it. Its age is no clearer. The province's tourism page says locals believe it is centuries old, and nobody gives a number. Nor has anyone put a scientific name to it on a page we could read. If you know either, tell us. The tree still keeps its own traffic rules. By local custom, cremation processions, wedding parties and hearses do not pass through the hole, and take the bypass road round it instead. The neighbouring temple, Pura Bhujangga Sakti, honours the priest Dang Hyang Sidhi Mantra. It is free and beside a public road, about two hours by car from Kuta and roughly three from Ubud. Treat it as a stop on the drive to Singaraja.