Daet: the Gateway to the Bicol Region

A mention of Daet to Tutubi will bring back memories of pancit bato and pineapples besides Bagasbas Beach and the first monument of Jose Rizal, remembrances of his first tour of Bicol region during Holy Week of 2003 that took him as far as Naga City (home of the Penafrancia), Legaspi City (Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa ruins) and Donsol (an unplanned trip to see the whale sharks).

This time, he returned to Daet, again guided by his close friend, a local from Camarines Norte's capital town, for a long-planned tour of the province, once slated last month, but pushed through recently, to accommodate Tutubi's friends who can't join on the earlier date.

Met up at Superlines bus terminal for the 930pm trip (the second of only trips to Daet, the first one is at 9pm), the trip was marred by a flat tire that made the duration of the commute to almost nine hours on the zigzag road (not Bitukang Manok) and arrived in Daet at seven in the morning.

The group had pancit bato and binamban (a cassava delicacy wrapped in leaves) then rested for a while before preparing for lunch and picnic at Club Noah located on the banks of Mampurog River in San Lorenzo Ruiz town, a tiring jeepney ride away on a pothole-filled road with mini-lakes created by the first rain of May.

pancit bato, and binamban plus pandesal for breakfast

the first monument erected in honor of Jose Rizal in 1898 (trivia: the one in Paete, Laguna is also one of the oldest having been erected in 1903)

After lunch and short dip at the cold water of Mampurog river, the group decided to go to Bagasbas Beach for pictures, "pseudo" surfing lessons, and beach bum then head for early snack of dinuguan, empanada at K Sarap Restaurant (nice place, low price).


picture of half-naked boys in front of Camarines Norte Provincial Capitol

This is just a teaser...will post pictures and stories including a hidden gem of Camarines Norte in the form of an unspoiled, virgin beach :P

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Daet Travel Information:

Where to stay in Daet:

there are no resorts along Bagasbas Beach but hotels, inns and pension houses are available at the town center. Tutubi stayed at the best homestay accommodation there is in Daet: at his friend's house in Brgy. Camambugan, just a few meters away from Superlines bus terminal.

Places to see in Daet:

First Monument erected in honor of Jose Rizal
Bagasbas Beach, surfing for beginners

Daet Festivals:

Pinyahan Festival (or Pineapple Festival) celebrating Daet's sweet pineapples (formosa variety) and Bantayog Festival (province-wide) in honor of Jose Rizal in mid-March to mid-April.

How to get to Daet, Camarines Norte:

Flights to Daet: there is a small airport but can only accommodate small planes like SeAir with has direct flights from Manila. If you need to fly in a bigger plane, you need to book a flight to Naga City in Camarines Sur then take a jeepney or bus for a two hour trip to Daet. Naga is serviced by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.

Commute: Buses to Daet are available on EDSA Cubao, Quezon City with Philtranco (fare: P650 one way for their deluxe/GS/Gold Service bus with toilet (recommended: CR, comfortable, reclining seats, more legroom, coaster)), Superlines (fare: PhP550 air-conditioned but slow, with stopover in Atimonan, Quezon), and Amihan (fare: P500 air-con). Travel time took almost 8 hours for Superlines going there while the return trip to Cubao via Superlines took only 7 hours)

Driving directions: from Makati, head to SLEX and exit at Batangas follow Maharlika highway going to Lucena City. Look for any bus heading to Daet on the highway where you'll also pass by these towns: Pagbilao, Atimonan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Lopez, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Sta. Elena, Talisay, Labo, then finally Daet.