Sentinela Cove: A Secret Beach in Claveria, Cagayan

Sentinela Cove is the home of the legendary Ubing-ubing. Ubing-ubing is believed to be the son of the legendary Lakay-lakay and Baket-baket that turned into stones due to their greediness. The cove is located in Brgy. D. Leaño that can be reached thru public and private transportation. The travel time from the town proper of Claveria will take about 15-20 minutes.

Near the cove is the prominent hill known as Bantay Kalbo which is good for a couple of minutes hiking. The view at the top is definitely breathtaking. Sentinela Cove is filled with fine off-white sands that flanked by interesting huge rock formations. There is also a mini-cave wherein you can hide from the heat of the sun. The coves' rugged beauty made this place serene. 

Bantay Kalbo on the background.

Mini-cave.

Every time my relatives visits our hometown for vacation, we always find time to visit the beach. We usually visit the famous Taggat Blue Lagoon and stroll along Claveria Beach in the town proper so I suggested that we visit Sentinela Cove for a change. 

My relatives enjoyed the place. We took pictures for good memories. The sea waves are very inviting so we also went swimming. We stayed longer and gazed on the waves crashing down the shore and rock formations. We waited until the sun sets. 

It's suffice to say that Sentinela Cove is a secret beach. Aside from its breathtaking beauty, the place is not crowded. No resorts situated along the beach. You can really have the beach all yourself.

If ever you will visit up-north and headed to Claveria, find time to visit this place to experience this for yourself. You only need few cash for the fare expenses and food to eat when you get hungry. One more very interesting thing, there is no entrance fee! Visit the cove and you will definitely like its serenity. Have you been to this place? Share me your thoughts my dear readers! 

Experiencing Why Cagayan is called "The Smiling Land of Beauty"

Traveling together once in a while is a bonding moment of our family. Being the jet-setter, I suggested that we explore our home province for a change. This experience is one for the record because it was their first time to visit other parts of Cagayan. Below are the different places we visited that proves why Cagayan is called "The Smiling Land of Beauty". 

MAGAPIT HANGING BRIDGE

Magapit Hanging Bridge is located in Lallo, Cagayan which is 72 kms from Tuguegarao City. It is the first of its kind in Asia and serves as the gateway to the Ilocos Region through the Cagayan-Ilocos Norte inter-provincial highway. Lallo town is also home to the St. Dominic Spanish Colonial Church, the former seat of "Ciudad Nueva Segovia". Ciudad Nueva Segovia is featured in the annals of Philippine History as one of the four oldest cities in the country. 

BASILICA MINORE OF OUR LADY OF PIAT

It is also called as "The Lady of the Visitation" and is located 35 kms from Tuguegarao City. It was originally called the Lady of the Holy Rosary, perhaps because the devotees of the Rosary, the Dominican Friars, supposedly brought it from Macao to the Philippines in 1604. This more than four-centuries old image was first enshrined in Nueva Segovia now called Lallo. The image is famous in the country and abroad as the Black Mary making Piat the Pilgrimage Center in the Cagayan Valley Region. 

CALLAO CAVES

The seven-chambered Callao Cave boasts of massive limestone formations, skylights and a chapel. Its cave entrance is accessible by climbing the 184-cemented steps. This famous cave is located in Peñablanca, Cagayan. 

Pinacanauan River at the background.

184-uphill steps is not for the weak-heart. You have your cardio tested as you go up while enjoying the view of Pinacanauan River and the other parts of Peñablanca, Cagayan. If you are into caving, you will enjoy your visit here. Limestone formations are very inviting for picture-taking.

Exactly 184-cemented steps!

Cave chapel on the background.

After caving, try cruising the Pinacanauan River. It is conducive for kayaking, boating, and swimming while the mountains on its sides are perfect for trekking and mountaineering. The daily phenomenon of the circadian flight of insect-eating bats from a bat cave occur at dusk enthralling visitors. 

With our friendly tour guides. 

These are just 3 reasons why Cagayan is called as "The Smiling Land of Beauty". I believe, Cagayan is not just about bridges, churches, rivers and caves. This wonderful province has more to offer that will make everyone smile. 

Bantay Abot Cave, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Just a few minutes tricycle ride from the national highway, it's a worthy stop-over before heading to Blue Lagoon. Going to the cave is interesting and is easy because there is stairs going down to the beach heading to the cave.

Fresh and cold breeze will welcome you. Mountain view from the northern part of the Philippines is fantastic.

TRIVIA: 
In Ilocano (local dialect), Bantay means "mountain" while Abot means "butas".

The cave has an open door like, like a chocolate hill with a hole on the middle of it. You can hear the waves when you're inside the cave as it splash on the rocky side of the mountain.

The place is not fit for swimming as the place is rocky and the waves are big and strong as they splash on the shore. You can as well pick fragments of rock and sea shells. There is also place wherein you can sit, take back and relax with fresh and cold air while enjoying the green mountain and the waves.

If you will visit Ilocos Norte especially in Pagudpud, visit this place to make your out of town trip more interesting.