Blogs from Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, Asia - page 2

Monday 23rd Up early and managed to catch the 8.30 bus to Ranau along the road from Mount Kinabalu towards Sandakan. We find an hotel and leave our things and try and get a shared mini bus up to the sulphur hot springs at Poring. There's no one to share with and we don't want to wait until enough people turn up to fill the bus, so we hire the whole bus for our selves for 30 ringgits. (£6). Poring is a small place and really only important because of the hot springs built by the Japanese during the war. We take a walk around and see the Botanical Gardens, not very impressive. It would help if they actually finished it ! We then have another canopy walk 25 m above ground with good views over ... read more

Angekommen in Kota Kinabalu, der „Hauptstadt“ Borneos, geht es auch schon bald weiter nach Sandakan, an der Ostküste. Das Städtchen an sich ist überhaupt nicht zu empfehlen...wir kommen spät abends an und es sieht erst mal nach totalem Ghetto aus...die ganzen Strassen sind mit Rolläden verbarrikadiert, es stapelt sich der Müll überall auf den Strassen (ein Anblick, den wir leider zu oft sehen hier auf Borneo) und überhaupt kommt man sich etwas unsicher vor. Wir nehmen also unser erstes Chicken Curry ein. Ich erwähne dies hier nur, weil wir in der darauffolgender Woche NUR Chicken Curry hatten und das will nicht heissen, dass es besonders gut war, denn in manchen KLUMPEN, welche uns als Chicken verkauft wurden, konnte man selbst mit der Lupe vor lauter Knochen und Knorpel kein Fleisch finden...aber was willst du machen?!? Es ... read more

Just back from Selingan turtle island. A truly wonderful experience. Seeing really is believing. After setting out early morning yesterday we arrived at Selingan island, the second largest of a cluster of three turtle islands, only 8 hectares in total, protected for the sole purpose of conservation and preservation of turtles in the area. The accommodation and food were pretty basic, but lets face it we weren't expecting 5 star accommodation. In fact, the only thing we were all interested in was seeing a turtle or two. Anything else was a bonus. The place is littered with monitor lizards hoping for a light snack of turtle, but the turtles/eggs are well protected in the hatchery until time of release (Approx 60 days) until they reach the surface. In amongst a Saga group of holiday makers and ... read more

I have smiled so much in the last three days that my cheeks are aching. Tonight I sampled some more of the local cuisine - mainly seafood! On recommendation I visited Sim Sim floating seafood restaurant, surrounded by houses on stilts - the left restaurant. At the restaurant entrance I was met with so many boxes, each with fresh seafood, it seemed as though it might be impossible to choose. It was very simple - just look and pick what you fancy. I opted for white clams with ginger and spring onion and Kloap Sotong ( roughly translated as squid in soya sauce and chilli) - turned out to be the speciality of the house. It was some of the freshest seafood I have tasted in a very long time. Following my meal I met the ... read more

After 17 hours of flights I finally arrive in Sandakan, albeit without my case following me! Just one of life's little challenges. The good news is it has been found and with the kind help of airport staff and concierge will hopefully arrive in the morning. Not letting a small thing like luggage stand in the way - I have headed out into the warm air, lovely sea breeze and treating myself to a drink and some Malaysian seafood before heading to rest my weary body.... read more