Mga bagay na dapat gawin sa Sandakan

We had the most amazing and fun time on this tour. We loved our time on Kinabatang River where we saw macaque and proboscis monkeys, a Pygmy elephant, crocodiles and birdlife. Our guides Robert and Jeanette were very friendly and knowledgeable. The Bilit Lodge is simple but very clean and satisfactory. The food was also very enjoyable and tasty. Our only downside was that we booked late and couldn't secure accommodation in Sepilok so missed the opportunity to spend some additional time there. The tour company arranged alternative accommodation back in Sandakan but this meant we spent more time travelling on the first two days. Overall I thought this was very well organised and we loved the opportunity to get close up with the variety of animals. The people we met on the tour were all very lovely and safety protocols are followed on the river rides.

The day was well-managed by Johnny, our guide, who accompanied us throughout. The transfers from our hotel to the various locations were well-executed. We would have appreciated receiving confirmation details from the company prior to the excursion. Otherwise, everything else went smoothly.

The room was small, and the water heater in the bathroom was missing, which forced us to take cold showers. The worst part was that mothballs and air fresheners were placed in the bathroom, and their strong scent triggered my nasal allergies all night, keeping me awake! Imagine if someone had a G6PD deficiency; how could they possibly stay in this place? 🙁 Aside from this issue, the overall facilities were okay. Most importantly, the meals were much more abundant and delicious than I expected, and the staff was very friendly with an excellent service attitude, which is truly commendable! 😃

I was a little worried about the accommodation being either a resort or a homestay, but I was relieved to find it was a resort with air conditioning, hot water, and a refrigerator. The evening cruise was fantastic; we saw orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and Borneo elephants. During the night walk, we saw sleeping birds and slow lorises. On the morning cruise, we spotted a large crocodile. I know seeing animals depends on luck, but I was very satisfied with all the different creatures we encountered!

Sayang at puno ang forest resort, kaya lumipat kami sa Sandakan Hotel at hindi naranasan ang istilong-gubat. Nagsimula ang itinerary sa unang araw sa pagsundo sa airport nang 7:30, habang daan ay sinundo rin ang iba pang miyembro ng grupo. Noong umaga, napanood namin ang pagpapakain sa mga orangutan at sun bear sa loob ng parke, at naglakad kami sa buong paligid. Nananghalian kami sa Banana Cafe Restaurant, kung saan maaari kang magdagdag ng bayad para palitan ang inumin. Sa hapon, nagtungo kami sa Rainforest Discovery Center para malaman ang mga uri at kasaysayan ng mga lokal na ibon, palaka, at halaman. Marami ring specimen ng mga salagubang, paru-paro, at ahas sa loob. Maliit man ang exhibition hall, punong-puno ito ng mga yamang-aral. Sumunod ang pag-hike sa rainforest para personal na hanapin ang maliliit na nilalang sa kagubatan. Itinanong din ng tour guide kung aling ruta ang gusto naming tahakin at tumulong pa siya sa pagkuha ng mga litrato. Umabot ito nang mga isang oras habang nakikinig kami sa mga paliwanag ng guide, at masagot naman niya nang may sigla ang aming mga katanungan. Alas-tres na nang dumating kami sa tinutuluyan para magpahinga. May hapunan sa hotel sa gabi at almusal kinabukasan; bagamat hindi marami ang pagpipilian, nailigtas naman kami nito sa problema kung ano ang akayin o kainin. Kinabukasan ay paghatid na lamang sa airport. Ikinalulungkot naming hindi nakapaglakad-lakad at nakapagmuni-muni nang mas matagal sa forest resort, ngunit sa kabuuan, maganda pa rin ang karanasan.

Napakaganda nito!!!! Isang kailangang gawin sa tingin ko!! Nagkaroon kami ng 2 gabay na bukod-tangi! Nakita namin ang lahat ng posibleng makita (mga orangutan, sun bear) at napakaganda ng pag-hike!!