On day 3 we headed to Sandakan. Public buses would take approx 6 hours (RM40 one way) so we opted for the flight and had the morning free. From the taxi stand at the corner of J. Enam Belas and J. Pantai we caught a taxi to the Sabah State Mosque, which was about 10 minutes away (RM15). Alternatively you can take Bus 13 from Wawasan Bus terminal (~RM1-2).
Cafe opposite of hotel serving yummy noodles with pork
The Sabah State MosqueAfter a brief visit at the mosque, we walked to the Sabah Museum which was about 15 minutes away. Admission was supposed to be RM15 each but for some unknown reason we were charged RM8 only. The tickets also include admission into all the museums in the same area and the Agnes Keith House in Sandakan. It was a rather small museum and I liked the gallery for traiditional costumes the most. Everything in there was so colourful! The outdoor heritage village is a showcase of the different houses of the local communities in Sabah and the garden was beautiful.
The Sabah Museum
The garden in the Heritage VillageWe found a taxi waiting at the parking lot so we asked him to take us back to Sarangnova Hotel for our luggage and to the airport (RM40 in total).
I have booked AirAsia and the return trip cost RM671, inclusive of 3 pieces of check-in luggage. The flight was extremely short, less than 45 minutes. Apparently the pilot could not visualise the runway because of the rain so we had to circulate above Sandakan a few times before landing safely. It was so nauseating that I almost had the vomit bag ready :P
A taxi took us to May Fair Hotel in the city, which I have also booked in advance. Don't be fool by its exterior. The rooms are extremely clean and equipped with air-con, flat screen TV and a DVD player. The beds are very comfortable and so is the hot shower. The owner Mr. Lam has the most extensive knowledge of Sandakan as well as the most extensive collection of movie VCD's. He can help you book transportation and local tours and recommend attractions and restaurants. It has no website but you can book by calling +6089-219855. Do read the raving reviews on TripAdvisor.
The entrance is so small you could almost miss it!
Mr. Lam's never-ending VCD collection
For the rest of the afternoon, we visited part of the heritage trail of Sandakan and had dinner at the riverbank.
Don't forget to visit the tourist information centre! The lady there was very helpful in arranging activities for us :)
Agnes Keith House, which we visited only a few days later
Sandakan city view
Dinner at the river bank
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