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deedles Sandakan - A travel report by Deedles
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Sandakan,  Malaysia - flag Malaysia -  Sabah
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deedles's travel reports

Sandakan and surrounds

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Sankakan is short flight from Kota Kinabalu. Why we came here, was to visit the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary, and to see the Orangutan's in the wild [If you can call it that!]


Views of Kota Kinabalu from plane
Views of Kota Kinabalu from plane
To reach Sandakan, we caught an Air Asia flight from Kota Kinabalu.
Lucky me had a window seat, so I was able to get lovely photo's of islands, coral reef's and Kota Kinabalu. We were met at the airport and taken to the Sepilok Nature resort where we were staying, and then in the afternoon, we were taken on a city tour which was interesting.

We visited the Sim Sim Water Village which is located 3kms from the city centre.
We were taken inside one of the homes by our guide, where we met the lovely woman who lived in the house. She had a huge quantity of Cats living with her, (she looked after the strays of what there was an abundance!)
We were shown through her House, and I was surprised at how nice it was. The furniture is really beautiful. Of course, I was shown some Jewellery, but there was NO PUSHING TO BUY, so it was quite ok.

What is awful, is when the tide is out, it is mud flat, and it is full of rubbish, because they tend to throw it in the water, not a very appealing sight!

Favourite spots:
Fish Heads
Fish Heads
Our guide took us to a large and very busy wet market in a double story building Sandakan city centre.



This Market has everything!

I was really glad we were with a guide as we wandered around having a look, asking questions, and getting to sample some of the unusual fruits (to us)



There was a huge selection of all types of Meats and Seafoods. In the Fish section, even though I didn't want to buy, the people were so friendly and wanted to have their photo's taking holding their prize fish!



On the2nd floor of the building, it is clothing and accessories, shoes, bags and Crafts for sale.



What's really great:
Young Orangutan's
Young Orangutan's
The Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre was set up as a means of housing injured or orphaned Orang-Utans, caring for them and nursing them back to health before they can be released into the forest.

Many Orang-Utans that end up here have strayed into logging camps or been rescued from captivity. Many are orphaned babies that cannot survive in the forest alone.
On arrival with our guide, we paid the entry fee, then went and watched a video on the plight of the Orangutan in Borneo.
Next, time to walk the wooden walkway to the viewing platform. Along the way, we saw many Orangutan nests, and found out they make a new nest for sleeping every day.
At the platform, there were on three Orangutan's there, a big Male, and two young ones. We were told when the male is there is scares the others off! We spent ages here watching the antics of the little ones, they were so funny and very cheeky with the big male. Eventually, we tore ourselves away from this enjoyable spectacle


Sights:
Proboscis Monkey
Proboscis Monkey
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TOUR TO DO WHILE IN SANDAKAN.
At the Port of Sandakan, we boarded our small boat to begin out journey to Sukau River Lodge where we would overnight, and return to Sandakan the next morning.

We crossed a huge expanse of ocean before entering the Kinabatangan river and it wasn't long before our spotter (they have a boat driver & wildlife spotter) saw a big male Proboscis Monkey. The Boat was glided in quite close to the Monkey,and everybody has a good look with ample time for photos. We did not leave until everybody was satisfied, and the Monkey didn't move either!

Further along, we saw Macaque monkeys on the river's edge, they were hunting for crabs, and an Orangutan in the wild!

Dinner was at the Sukau River lodge, then an early night to bed, as it is an isolated area.

Directions: Departs from Sandakan
Website: http://www.sitoursborneo.com/tours/


Accommodations:
Sepilok Nature Resort
Sepilok Nature Resort
Sepilok Nature resort is located next door to the Orangutan Rehabilitation centre, it is a series of chalets dotted around a beautiful lake and tropical gardens.

The big lodge, this is where receptionand the dining area is by the lakeside, a very tranquil and romantic setting.
On arrival, you are given a seat and a nice cold refreshing juice, before being taken to your chalet.

The chalets are lovely, ours was in a secluded spot, amongst the Orchids and other tropical flowers, very nice!

The meals here were nothing outstanding. Breakfast, not much choice.

I organized a package deal, told them what I wanted to see and they came up with a good deal. Saved a lot of hassles on my part. The tours they arranged were very good, nice informative guides, no complaints. Everything ran smoothly.

It was a very enjoyable stay here and I could quite easily return!


Directions: Next to Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary.
Website: http://sepilok.com/



Other recommendations:
This is a cruise that we did from our accommodation at Sukau River Lodge.

It departed late afternoon, and we quietly cruised into the Menanggul River. There were lots of other boats here, but that didn't matter, as everybody was quiet, and we were all looking for wildlife. The Boats work together too, so, if somebody spots something, then every other boat captain is told about it, nobody misses out!

It was so nice in the cooler part of the day, and once again, we saw harems of Proboscis monkeys, a large gathering of Macaques, Hornbills, and Snakes.

A very pleasant way to spend the early evening before heading back for a late Dinner.




Published on Wednesday March 30th, 2011


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