Stunning girls of Sabah, East Malaysia

Girl in Black (GIB)

 

Girl in Black's colleagues

On the way to Sandakan in eastern Sabah, I stopped for a meal at this remote restaurant. I approached GIB but she was preoccupied with her cell phone.

Me: What do you have today? (I spoke in Bahasa Malaysia or Malay, the national language of Malaysia)

She gave me a thumbs up, and continued chatting on her phone.

Her colleagues: She's talking with her boyfriend.

They giggled and laughed.

Me: No wonder.

GIB: They're lying.

Her colleagues: Yes, every day she's on the phone.

GIB blushed and giggled.

GIB: Marry them.
Me: Ha, ha, they're too young for me.
More giggles and more laughter from her friends.
GIB: No problem.

My eyes rolled heavenwards, beseeching Providence for guidance.

From my chat with these people I learned that their monthly salary is between 400 to 500 ringgit. (US $116 to 146)

(In South-east Asia, it's not considered rude to ask a person personal questions as long as your concern is sincere.)

Hostels/Lodges in Sandakan, Sabah, East Malaysian

Winho Lodge at Jalan Dua: RM25 for dorm, air-con, wi-fi, free flow of coffee, tea, with breakfast."Everyone can stay" is their motto. Like Air Asia's "Everyone can fly". In theheart of town.

 

Bas Mini assistants. Obvious they love to have their photos taken!

Restaurant by the sea. Seafood fried rice RM5, canned beer RM5 (my dinner). Malaysian Navy (see pic below) is just next to this restaurant. Their motto is "Sedia berkorban" (Ready to sacrifice") Impressive fleet of fighting machines.

 

Sandakan, Sabah, East Malaysia

Top: shopping crowd
Middle: dining by the sea
Bottom: Filipino  restaurant  waitresses

A  6-hour coach ride from Kota Kinabalu brought me to Sandakan today. Straightaway Sandakan reminds me of Johor Baru except the Filipino influence which is probably the strongest in East Malaysia. I could easily imagine myself in Zamboanga City in southern Phillipppines which prides itself on being Asia's only Latin city.

Chatting with the friendly Filipino waitresses, I learned that they've come from far-flung corners of the Phllippines.

HOW TO GET TO SANDAKAN FROM KOTA KINABALU

1. Take a city bus to Wawasan Plaza (0.50ct)
2. Take a bas mini to Inanam (RM 1.50) Journey takes 35 mins as morning traffic into Inanam is very heavy.
3. Drop off at Inanam long distance bus terminal. Book bus to Sandakan (RM30) 6 hours journey.
4. Bus arrives at Sandakan long distance terminal 4km outside town. Take a bas mini to town (RM1) 

 Note: Bus from KK long distance bus terminal leaves for Sandakan at 7, 8 and 9 in the morning. There are many coffee shops around the terminal. The bus stops for lunch between 12.15pm to 12.30pm