Returning back to land after visiting turtle island, I spotted the big Sandakan mosque. Lim picked me up from the jetty, it was also his birthday so happy birthday Lim!
He had a little plan of things to do to celebrate his birthday and my last full day in Sandakan, so we went to see all the things I’ve missed so far.
Firstly we went for breakfast (I already had some on the island so wasn’t up for much more to start with), we went to the most popular and well known place in the area: The Ocean King, it is also owned by Ah B’s (Chins other assistant and cousin) sister. It was very nice and I’d recommend it to anyone passing through, I had salmon and noodles.
Seafood mix from the Ocean King, very nice
The food is as fresh as it comes too; it is kept hanging in the water off the side of the restaurant and brought in when it’s time to be eaten! If you’re craving for seafood, you may view recipes here.
After breakfast we visited the Sandakan memorial park, this wasn’t particularly high on my to-do list but I changed my opinion on that after visiting. Sandakan was a POW camp during WW2.
Japanese forces kept thousands of soldiers from the UK, Australia and local population in increasing appalling conditions with regular torture. Near the end of the war the Japanese feared for their POW camp so marched the soldiers without water carrying rice for 280km to Ranau in central Sabah.
Out of 2500 men who did the walk (now known as the death march), only 6 survived (all Australian), and that was due to successful escape bids, all otheer escape bids ended in the would be escapee being shot, and everyone else died through lack of water, and disease. It is quite a moving place once you hear the story behind it.
Sandakan Memorial park
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That food looks divine buddy