Sandakan is only 45 minutes flight away from Kota Kinabalu. A short to Sandakan is a great way to discover Sandakan as there are tons of things to do. I was recently invited for 2D1N to Sandakan and attend the colours of Sandakan event by STAN.
What you can do in 2D1N trip?
We took the 1st flight to Sandakan, 7am Malaysia Airlines to Sandakan
Reached Sandakan at 7.45am and our guide greet and meet us at the airport.
Our first stop, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Sepilok opened in 1964 as the first official orangutan rehabilitation project for rescued orphaned baby orangutans from logging sites, plantations, illegal hunting or kept as pets. There are currently over 200 Orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation. It cost lots of money to run Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre as it cost up to RM 800 to feed and take care of an Orangutan.
10am – Feeding time. visitors gather at the feeding platform Feeding time
The area where the animals are is huge. There is a feeding platform where Orangutan come to get food and that is the moment when you can see them if they come. The idea is that they start finding food on their own out in the reservation and once they stop coming to get food for a couple years then they release them.
Our next stop is the Bornean Sun Bear conservation Centre which is located next to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. We are lucky to spot 4 sun bear roaming around the watching platform. Each sun bears have their own neck mark that look like a big necklace and it is unique and sort of giving indentity to each sun bear. They look so adorable, no wonder some villager take them as a pet which is illegal.
We proceed to Rainforest Discovery Center Sandakan which is within the famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Rainforest Discovery Centre gives visitors a chance to get intimate with nature through its Nature Experience programme which includes a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor/outdoor activities.
Nature lover will love Rainforest Discovery centre by walking through the park and the canopy walk. The tower view is 26.5Meter above sea level
tiny me on the canopy walk
Our lunch venue, Lindung. Lindung is a gallery, located near the Sepilok rainforest, showcasing art, culture, nature and food in Sandakan.
This charming and modern restaurant serve some wonderful foods. You can choose from western foods such as pizza to local favourite such as Ayam Penyet.
The cute menu ns the form of animals
A wonderful meal after an exhausting morning
our stay was hosted by Four Points by Sheraton. Great view of Sandakan town from my room
After a free and easy afternoon exploring Sandakan Town, we head to Pusat Makanin Laut Pasir Putih Baru for seafood dinner
Tai Ha Yee mee (big prawn yee mee)
Wasabi prawn balls
ginger scarlion clams
steamed red snapper
Belacan paku pakis
Grilled crab. The seafood in Sandakan is much fresher and they really cooked it to perfection.
As we are staying at Four Points be Sheraton, we drop by Central Market for the famous Original Homemade Kueh Teow with Deep-fried Pork. A must when in Sandakan! Cheap and delicious
After exploring the city, we stop by English Tea Garden & Restaurant for lunch. This is one of the ‘must go to’ places if you are in Sandakan. Next door is the Agnes Keith house. The view is awesome overlooking Sandakan Bay and the atmosphere is great.
Caesar salad
main course – beef stew
chicken chop with mushroom sauce
scone serve with jam and cream
After lunch, we attend the launching of Colours of Sandakan at Harbour Mall Piazza by Minister of Environment and Tourism, YB Datuk Panglima Masidi Manjun. The main objective of the “Colours of Sandakan” is to showcase and create awareness on the cultures and heritage of Sandakan to all local and foreign tourists.
“Colours of Sandakan” showcase exciting traditional handicraft bazaar and well-choreographed Sabah cultural dance performances from the east coast.
me and Proboscis Monkey. Hahaha. He is so afraid of the sun.
Our 2D1N is relaxing and we have much time to explore Sandakan on our own. With the new “Colours of Sandakan”, hopefully more visitors from Malaysia and overseas will get to know more about Sandakan and experience what Sandakan got to offer.
Joanne Lee
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