Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Agnes Keith house ♥

A colonial style house, built on a hilltop at Jalan Istana more than 150 years ago, is now a museum.  The two storey building, which has a floor area of 8,500 sq ft, was the residence of author Agnes  Keith and her husband, Harry, who was Conservator of Forest and Curator of North Borneo  Museum during the time of the British Colonial. The house was destroyed in the Second World War  but was rebuilt by the couple in 1948.    Agnes Keith wrote three internationally-acclaimed books on Sabah while living in the rebuilt house.   Her first book was about life in North Borneo in the 1930s and was called "Land Below the Wind". The title was supposedly inspired by the constant breeze around her home. Keith's second book,  "Three Came Home", was made into a film. "White Man Returns" was her third book.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Three Legged Stone ♥

One of the famous tourist sites, located at the sea front of Sandakan is large stone which is called Three Legged Stone or Batu Sapi (in Malay language). In 1960s, the stone was a landmark of  Sandakan. Local people and tourists alike went to look at it because it is so strange and unique. Due to the industrialisation that had taken place in 1970s at the Batu Sapi area, the stone has been neglected since then.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Selingan Turtle Island ♥

 

The world famous Turtle Island lies about 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah’s east coast. It includes three islands of Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakkungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan. Pulau Selingan is the main nesting area for green turtles, Chelonia Mydas, while the hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys seem more attracted to the shore of Pulau Gulisan. The two islands were gazetted as Marine Park in 1977 for the protection of these two species in order to save them from extinction.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary ♥

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is a reserve, which was build up with so much love to nature by the owner.

It offers exhilarating and memorable experience observing the monkeys both family groups and bachelor groups leaping from tree to tree and eventually coming down to feed on young leaves and plant. The leaping act is a superb, fast and stylish.

The best place in Sabah to observe wild Proboscis monkeys and a unique opportunity to get close to the amazing wildlife of Borneo!

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Barefoot Sukau lodge ♥

Barefoot Sukau Lodge is created to provide a differentiated experience for visitors coming to enjoy and learn about the extra-ordinary nature and rich biodiversity of the Lower Kinabatangan River. The great ambience and personalized service of the lodge is best suited for those looking for a clean and carefree atmosphere, where they can inter-mingle with other guests and the local community, yet enjoy a private space when needed.

Are of interest in and around Sandakan - Sandakan Crocodile Farm ♥

This crocodile is Sabah’s only licensed crocodile breeder whose original stock came from wild crocodiles found around the Kinabatangan River, visitors can see up to 2,000 creatures in all stages of development in cement pools. Their precious skins are exported and the meat sold to local gourmets. The farm's owner has started another farm in Langkawi Island as a well known tourist attraction.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - The Sandakan Heritage Trail ♥

The Sandakan Heritage Trail is a comprehensive walk that covers the town's important and interesting sites which have contributed to her rich historical past. A leaflet will map out the entire trail for you and it covers about fifteen spots.
These include the 100-year old Masjid Jamek, the Pryer Memorial, a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer, the Tourist Information Centre, the WW11 memorial and much more. Climbing the Stairs with a Hundred Steps will lead you to a beautiful view of Sandakan town and bay.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - BALIN roof garden ♥

BALIN was discovered in 2006.

With the romantic BALIN roof garden bar & bistro now open on the roof top, 8th floor of NAK hotel; allow customers to see the entire stretch of old Sandakan town, the tranquil coastline and the Sandakan skies and sunset….soak in the authentic atmosphere of this small town from a beautiful vantage point.

For more information:
 http://www.balin-sandakan.com/

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - St. Michael's and All Angels Church ♥

St. Michael's and All Angels Church, is one of the oldest building in Sandakan dated more than 100 years and had survived from WW II in 1940. In fact, it's first construction began in 1893 and took almost 30 years to complete. The designer was Mr B. W. Mountfort.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - English Tea House and Restaurant ♥

A colonial style English tea house and restaurant concept inspired by the famous Agnes Keith house in Sandakan.
The English Tea House and Restaurant in Sandakan is a much loved restaurant for locals and a popular tourist destination with its great food, excellent service and beautiful views.

Area of interest in or around Sandakan - Turtle Island National Park ♥

Turtle Island National Park, also known as the Pulau Penyu National Park, this park comprises three small islands – Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan that lie 40km north of Sandakan. 

Two species of marine turtles – the green and hawksbill – come ashore here to lay their eggs at certain times of the year.  The eggs are collected by permanent staff based on Pulau Selingan and transferred to fenced hatcheries, where they are safe from illegal collections by fishermen, who eat or sell them, and other marine and winged predators.  Once hatched, they are released back into the sea during darkness to enable them to get as far away from shore before dawn breaks.

For more information, you may click on the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Islands_National_Park_(Malaysia)

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Puu Jih Shih Buddhist temple ♥

Puu Ji Shi is another attraction which tourist should not miss. It is one of the largest Chinese Temple in South East Asia (SEA), which attracts thousands of tourists every year. For an unrivalled panoramic view of Sandakan Bay and a look at its temple, a visit should be made to the extravagantly ornate Puu Jih Shi Buddhist Temple, on the hilltop above Tanah Merah south of Sandakan town centre. Built and decorated in 1987 at a cost of around USD 2 million, the temple is a blaze of red and gold, with writhing dragons, gilded Buddhas, hundreds of gleaming lamps and the fragrance of burning incense.

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre ♥

One of only four orang-utan sanctuaries in the world, Sepilok is about 25km north of Sandakan.  The centre was established in 1964; it now covers 40 sq km and has become one of Sabah’s top tourist attractions.

Orang-Utans are the only species of great ape found outside Africa.  A mature male is an impressive, not to mention hairy, creature with an arm span of 2.25m, and can weigh up to 144kg.  Orphaned and injured orang-utans are brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return to forest life, and so far the centre has handled about 100, although only about 20 still return regularly to be fed.  The Orang-Utans are fed fruit, such as bananas, twice daily from a platform in the forest, about 10 minutes’ walk from the centre. 

Area of interest in and around Sandakan - The memorial Park ♥

Sandakan Memorial Park is in a quiet, wooded park just past the government buildings at Batu on the road to Ranau.   Despite its tranquil appearance, this was the site of the Japanese POW camp and the starting point for the infamous ‘death marches’ to Ranau.   There’s a very good exhibit with surviving prisoners’ accounts and photographs, in a chapel-like building at the centre of the park.

Welcome to Sandakan ♥

 DADA..This is my lovely hometown!!

Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. Nearly 1,900 kilometres from Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur, only 28 kilometres from the border with Philippines and facing by the Sulu Sea in the Northeast. "Sandakan" is derived from the Suluk word "sanda" meaning, to pawn and "kan" being the suffix. So "Sandakan" means the place that was pawned.  This place is also used to be called “Little Hong Kong”. In early to mid of 20th century, there were countless of Hong Kong people came to this town for business. Some even came here to start a new life and contributed to the development of this township. Until today, most of the old buildings in Sandakan town are similar to the buildings built in early years of Hong Kong. Well, probably both cities had same town developer since both cities were under British colonisation before. Sandakan is a town rich in historical sites and a gateway to many eco-tourism destinations.  As such, Sandakan is today known as "the gateway to Borneo's wildlife".