Borneo Part 2 : Unsung RocTrip

So, we had quite a roller coaster ride from Kinabalu Park towards Sandakan while on board the express bus. We bought the tickets earlier while in Inanam bus station and make note to pick us up at the front gate of Kinabalu Park. Its safer to have tickets with you, and secure a seat for the whole journey. 20minutes stop at Ranau, and the ride is getting smoother with less dizzyness & nausea. Almost 1400hours we finally reached Sandakan bus station where a friend of us are waiting. He walked us to the nearest mini bus point (apparently simply anywhere), waived and hoped on the vehicle. RM0.90 one way to our hostel, about 5-10 minutes ride. Sea View Hostel located directly infront of the Sandakan Central Market. Once check-in to the 6-bed dorm with A/C, we head down to nearest restaurant, but later we end up in KFC for some serious finger licking good.

Berhala island is located about 10km from the jetty, and that is where we are heading early in the morning. With all climbing equipment bagged, as promise with the boatmen we hoped on the speedboat. With very little information regarding Berhala Island, I managed to get the only topo map for rock climbing courtesy Sabah Indoor Climbing Centre crew. Based on the map, Turtle beach wall is the best for beginners and intermediate, but somehow we did not manage to find it (due to the high tide), and after ligering around we decide to go for a try on the Beach Wall. It was extremely hot morning, and the sun is spot on the rocks. Berhala Island do poses a very beautiful white sandy beach, but it was ruined by the huge amount of rubbish, mostly plastic bottles and styrofoam container.

Set our campsite and the boys start climbing. The route raging from 6A to 7A difficulties and only some of us manage to finish it. The routes on the island has plenty potential to developed. Had our fun time in Berhala Island its time to go back mainland. Since all of us having trouble eating, we decided to cook lunch in the hostel. Stopped by the central market and its food hunting time. We bought a 1kg squid (RM3/kg), 1kg udang galah (RM6/kg) and 5x ketam bunga (for RM14). Bought all the spices and vegetables for our menu chili crab, deep fried kfc squid, tomyam and tumeric prawn all for under RM40!

In the evening, despite from the heat, we manage to cover the Heritage Trail backpacker's style - by foot. Just beside Agnes Keith's house, was a pavillion where you could see the entire Sandakan town from a higher altitude. It was already dark when we reached Sandakan waterfront for a drink. Slept early as most of us have a flight to catch at 0815hours the next day.

From the town center to the airport, we choose to go by bus. Waited for about 20minutes when we finally see one. It cost RM2 per person, and the bus stops exactly in the airport area. Had breakfast in the airport restaurant and off to Kota Kinabalu, which it flies close to Mount Kinabalu peak!

Expenses :
RM35 Kinabalu Park to Sandakan (express bus)
RM23 per pax Sea View Budget Hostel & Hotel (per night)
RM25 per pax return boat transfer Berhala Island
RM49 AA ticket SDK - BKI + luggage

Borneo 1 : A walk in the clouds