My Heart Soars: Mabul & Sandakan : Part 14 - Sandakan Heritage Trail Part 1

After my morning walk in Sandakan Fish Market, I am off to my intended route - the Sandakan Heritage Trail. The Sandakan Heritage Trail is a comprehensive walk that covers the town's important and interesting sites which have contributed to her rich historical past. Now I read that this trail will take 2 hours. I should be back in time to check out by 12.30pm. But boy, was I wrong. I did check out in time but I was walking very quickly at the end of the trail because I took 3 hours instead! And with the slippers I wore (refer to below photo) which is absolutely the most wrong footwear ever to wear for long walks, my soles hurt so bad and my thighs ache. I had only this slipper because I went to Mabul Island. I never expected myself to go for this walk. It was unplanned.

The walk started at 9am. It is very easy to identify the route because there are signs for you to watch out. For e.g: the sign on the pavement. And there is a huge map for one to identify the places to go. The trail starts from a 100-year old Masjid Jamik, and then next to the Pryer Memorial, which is a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer. Next, climb the Stairs with a Hundred Steps which will lead you to a beautiful view of Sandakan town and bay. It also brings you to the famous Agnes Keith House. (Source from Sabah Tourism)

The walk will begin at the 100-year old Masjid Jamik, and then next to the Pryer Memorial, a granite structure erected to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer. You will then climb the Stairs with a Hundred Steps which will lead you to a beautiful view of Sandakan town and bay. It also brings you to the famous Agnes Keith House. - See more at: http://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/sandakan-heritage-trail#sthash.qT0htvZE.dpuf

From the place where I stayed, it was just a straight road upwards heading towards Hotel Sandakan. Next to the hotel is the mosque. The trail starts here.

Hotel Sandakan is in front of you, and the mosque is on your right. Continue on to the pavement to your left. Walk straight and you can see an open square. You can see each state flag being displayed with country's flag. In the square is also where you see the Pryer Monument, the Sandakan Liberation Monument in honor of the soldiers of the Allied Forces and locals who died fighting for the liberty of Sandakan in the World War 2 and a Memorial Structure to a number of early explorers and pioneers who helped open up North Borneo. William Pryer was the founder of modern Sandakan in 1879. He cleared the bay of pirates and took the first steps to eliminate slavery which was rampant at the time. (Source from Malaysia Traveller).

Another sign you are on the right path - the plate on the wall.

And the 100 steps which is next to the High Court. So, I counted and I could have miscount but it is in my opinion, 236 steps.

At the end of the stairs, is the trail to Agnes Keith house. Here you can turn right if you want to extend your walk by 1.7km to see the Chinese and Japanese Cemeteries, or turn left if you want to stick to the shorter Sandakan Heritage trail. Because I am running out of time, I did not go to the cemeteries. I went to Agnes Keith House which is located next door to the English Tea House and Restaurant.

Agnes Newton Keith wrote her famous three-part autobiography, “The Land Below The Wind”, “Three Came Home” and “White Man Returns” about her experiences in Sandakan and the house plays a big role in her tales. The original house was destroyed during the war but was one of the first permanent timber structures to be rebuilt in 1947. It is now a museum and is a fascinating place to visit for anyone who is familiar with her books. Entrance fee to the Museum is RM2 for Malaysians and RM 15 for foreigners. (Source from Malaysia Traveller) Oh, by the way, no photography is allowed in the museum.

And this is the English Tea House and Restaurant. There is a beautiful landscape and the price of the food is expensive. A pot of tea costs RM8. I hope it is a pot of tea and not a cup of tea. The place did get some awards for good food to eat, and hence, I suppose they deserve to price the food as such.