We flew to Sandakan on a short hop flight (1 hour 10 minutes) from Kota Kinabalu. It is a city of over 500,000, the former capital of Sabah, and the gateway to many of Sabah’s wildlife attractions.
We stayed at the Elopura Hotel, centrally located and somewhat threadbare. The prevalence of Islam was quite strong, particularly as it is still Ramadan, so many of the Muslim restaurants are closed. Thank goodness for the Chinese and Indians. Most of the clothing stores and stalls are selling Muslim clothes. I’m always on the lookout for t-shirts, and had I wanted a Nirvana or Dolce & Gabanna logo, I’d have struck the jackpot. We finally found some “local” themed t-shirts in the upper floor of the central market.
Sandakan was burned by the Japanese Iand bombed by the Allies in WWII. There wasn’t much left afterwards, just a church and a clock tower. Most of the replacement structures are built with plaster exteriors, and the dark mold that forms in tropical climates takes a toll on aesthetics.
Sandakan is a growing city, but is primarily growing out, not up as are so many other Malaysian cities. They have quite an immigrant problem, as the Philippines are only 40 km away, and economic prospects in Sabah (the Malaysian state in Borneo) are much greater. So much so, that when flying in from Western Malaysia we had to go through Sabah customs.
Having said all of this, there is still great pride in the community. There was the Ramadan Jazz 2.0 concert sponsored by our hotel in its front courtyard. Notice the rugs. The crowd was very well-behaved, and as prayers were called, acted in unison.
They have also commissioned local artists to paint murals. “Creative Lane” was just a half block away. It had been a dingy alleyway. Now there are paintings of times past, including businesses that had been there –
Agnes Keith House –
One of the attractions in Sandakan is the Agnes Keith house. Agnes Keith was an American who married Harry Keith, a Brit who became the head of forestry for Northern Borneo. It provides a snapshot into life as a colonist in the mid-1900’s, including time as a Japanese POW for her and her son.
Next door, we needed to go to the English Team Room and Restaurant afterwards to replenish. Great views from the highest hills around. Those Brits sure knew how to colonize.
Sandakan War Memorial –
Random Shots –
