There are lot of abandon homes in Sandakan. Places used to be "Beverly Hills" of Sandakan has become Illegal Immigrants Hideout. No Sandakian dare to stay in these places anymore and even jogging late in evening is a scary journey. 
20 years ago, this place is consider romantic and many older generation used to "pak toh" here but now has to lock up to prevent theft of the "steel" handrails. 
Sandakian has given up on the old town, there used to be few steamboats restaurants on trig hill but now left only one. 
I was surprised by the numerous ongoing construction activities in the town centre, especially near the waterfront areas. This sounds like opportunity for my return to homeland! 
The new wet market is quite magnificient although nothing to Dubai magnitude but it still impressively Clean!
One of the major developer in Sandakan is IJM and their new double storey house now cost up to 300k. Using Donald Trump tactics of selling the 1st phase cheaper and 2nd phase much more expensive, indirectly jack up property prices in sandakan. They succesfully "produce" a so called Real Estate Industry Market in Sandakan. 
Some of Sandakan 0ld bangalows has been turn into money-spinning-machines, like The English Tea House and Agnes Keith House but most are beyond repair as their has been robbed to the bone by Illegal Immigrants to build their Huts! 
Sandakian although lack the Fund$ but we have the will with lot of wooden extension are build along the shores as restaurants. Sandakian finally find out ways to utilize our Sea Breeze!
The most famous construction site in Sandakan is this piece of land belong to one of the infamous legendary Balak-King. Located at the busiest traffic junction in sandakan making people wondering what is he planning. The site has been no development for 5 years or so and there is rumour that it be build as hotel at last.
Mile4 is the new happening centre in Sandakan. This is the busiest pub in Sandakan because of its good location where anyone can see everyone and anyone can be seen everyone.
Believe it or not! Sandakan actually own the first connecting bridge in Malaysia, way before KLCC Twin Towers. Located at mile2 it has been there before I was born... Sandakan B0leh!
I miss Sdk! Hasn't been there for almost two years..
ReplyDeleteAh, Mile4 is THE place to go for karaoke and GROs...
ReplyDeleteAfter almost 20 years of working in West Malaysia, I'll be coming home to SDK for good in Aug/Sep 2010. Not expecting to get the same kind of salary but somehow the feeling of home is more important at my age compared to the monetary reward.
ReplyDeleteBTW, i stayed in one of the flat at Old Slipway with its' notoriously smelly staircase for 10 of my 17 childhood years before i left SDK to see the world. I'll be staying in the same old flat but despite the undesirable elements of the area, i absolutely love the GREAT sea view from my window.
After almost 20 years of working in West Malaysia, I'll be coming home to SDK for good in Aug/Sep 2010. Not expecting to get the same kind of salary but somehow the feeling of home is more important at my age compared to the monetary reward.
ReplyDeleteBTW, i stayed in one of the flat at Old Slipway with its' notoriously smelly staircase for 10 of my 17 childhood years before i left SDK to see the world. I'll be staying in the same old flat but despite the undesirable elements of the area, i absolutely love the GREAT sea view from my window.