Daet Philippines

DAET, Philippines

Daet (pronounced Dah-et), proclaims itself "A City of Character" on its welcome sign. Beyond gas-chug­ging tricycles that crowd the city's main thorough­fare this character might seem elusive. The nearby coastal village of Mercedes attracts more attention, drawing in a flotilla of fishing boats for its morning fish market. The mainland beaches near Daet run the gamut from Bagasbas Beach, with its pizza parlors and videoke bars, to San Jose Beach, patronized only by the occasional picnicker or fisherman.

TRANSPORTATION. The Phlltranco bus terminal is on F. Martinez St., off Gov. Panotes Ave., a short jeepney ride from the town center. Buses depart for Pasay and Cubao in Manila (8-9hr.; 9-12 per day 6:30am-9:40pm, with A/C). Buses also leave from Superllnes bus terminal, a short tricycle ride from Vinzons Ave., for Cubao in Manila (8-9hr.; every hr. 5:30am-9:30pm, with A/C). AMDG buses depart from the Naga City bus terminal (2V2hr., every 30-45min. 6am-5:30pm). To reach Naga City, catch a minivan from the Central Plaza Bus Terminal in Daet, accessible by tricycle.

 

ORIENTATION AND PRACTICAL INFORMA­TION. Vinzons Ave., Daet's main street, parallel to the north side of the river, is home to many hotels and restaurants. At the eastern end of Vinzons Ave., a town plaza rises near the cross streets of J. Coreses, Moreno St., and Plmentel Ave. Vinzons Ave. becomes Gov. Panotes Ave., which continues to Mercedes. J. Lukban St., across the river, leads past the Rizal Monument and Freedom Park to Magana St., where the Philippine National Bank exchanges traveler's checks (open M-F 9am-3pm). For the police, dial s 166. A Bayantel telephone office is on Vinzons Ave., near the J. Lukban St. intersection. (Open daily 7am-7:30pm.) The post office is in Camambugan, a tricycle ride from the town center. (Poste Restante. Open M-F 8am-noon and l-5pm.) Postal code: 4600.

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ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD. Karilagan

Hotel , on Moreno St. behind the elevated town plaza, is a well-established hotel with a 24hr. restau­rant, piano, and beauty parlor. (Singles with bath, with A/C; doubles; family room.) On Vinzons Ave. opposite the elevated town plaza, Hotel Dolor  has 24hr. room service and a nightclub upstairs. (Cable TV. Economy singles, with TV, A/ C, hot water, and fridge; doubles, with A/C and cable.) Sam-paguita Lodging House O, on Vinzons Ave. past the town plaza near the intersection with Pimentel Ave., has a 24hr. coffeeshop. At the end of Bagasbas Beach and beside the defunct Daet airstrip, Nautiloux Resort  has food upon request and offers Swedish or Shiatsu massage. Look for the distinctive red and yellow building on Zabala St., by Metroback off Vinzons Ave. where Golden House  (open daily 7am-10pm) serves Chinese delica­cies such as sea cucumber (P200). Set meals run P70-85. For Bicol treats such as pala tim pork  and miki-bijon noodles, head to Slennalo's ©, adja­cent to the Palayok complex on Pimentel Ave. (Open daily 9am-10pm.)

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SEA SIGHTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. Pour kilometers from Daet town center along J. Lukban St. (lOmin. tricycle ride), Bagasbas Beach is an unbroken stretch of sand, with surfing on particularly rough days. The San Jose Beach, near the Talisay district (15min. tricycle ride north of Daet center) makes for a relaxing beach experience. An absence of shade will probably keep any stay short. Stroll Jazz Bar, on the fourth floor of the Hotel Dolor Bldg. on Vinzons Ave., is better than other bars on Bagasbas Beach. (No sandals or shorts. Open daily 6pm-2am.)

As much as it is a quaint, old-fashioned fishing village, Mercedes, 7km from Daet up Gov. Panotes Rd., is also a successful industrial outlet. Hundreds of fishing ves­sels congregate here for its seafood market. The Mercedes "Fishteval" is held August 4-8. Jeepneys to Mercedes depart from the fork in Vinzons Ave.. A boat can be hired from Mercedes to Apuao Grande Island or you can wait for the local village boat (6-8am,returns to Mercedes 9-10am), which departs from a spot on the Mercedes coast marked by a Caltex gas pump off Eco Ave. Apuao Grande Island Resort © offers a nine-hole golf course, scuba diving, sports, and fishing trips for guests. (Facilities open daily 8am-6pm. Brutal 7am check-out. Singles and doubles with common room. Quads with private common room .)