Elizabeth saw the pictures taken in
Sandakan in my
Facebook site and commented " a little bulge in stomach..". The trip to
Sandakan was indeed a fruitful one, including bulge in the dummy.
On our arrival in
Sandakan, we were warmly received by Jerome and his wife Grace （pic right). We were grateful to Paul Chin for taking leave to be our guide and driver; Peter Lee and wife Susan, fellow legionaries Mary Yap, Monica
Loh, Natalie Wong and many others for their company and warm friendship. We are happy also to have the company of Rev. Fr. Paul
Loh for the trip to see Proboscis monkey.
We are blessed to be able to attend the monthly meeting of the Star of
Evangelisation Curia on the night of our arrival. There were five Chinese, one English and five
Bahasa Malaysia (BM)
Praesidia attached to the Curia. However, since a BM Curia was formed about two weeks ago, the five BM
praesidia would break off from the Chinese Curia next month. I was touched by the cooperation and harmonious relationship among the language groups.
Despite of his busy pastoral duties, Curia Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Paul
Loh was present at the meeting. His
allocutio was based on the Handbook which I found to be refreshing and motivating.
What to see and what to eat in
Sandakan?
Sandakan is a beautiful seaport city with beautiful coastline and green surrounding. The pace of life is slow and relax. The world renown
Sipilok Orang Hutan Rehabilitation Sanctuary and
Labuk
Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary (left pic ） are two places that put
Sandakan in the world map of wildlife conservation. There are many other places of interest and islands to visit if time permits.
The seafood in
Sandakan is the best in Malaysia in term of freshness and pricing. There are many other authentic local food to whet your appetite too. The local flavour fish+
Bak kut Teh is a specialty you cannot get it anywhere else.
The Madras Tea （or coffee) in one of the
Mamak restaurant is really really smooth and good.
The Ninth Chinese-speaking Annual Legion Fellowship was held in
Sandakan in year 2000. I took this opportunity to visit some of the venue facilities to reminisce the good time we have in 2000.
The Fifth Young Legionary Fellowship 2010 will be held in
Sandakan. I am sure the delegates will find
Sandakan a lovely place and the fellowship a fruitful and memorable one. (see more pictures below).
panoramic view of
Sandakan山打根海景图
我的小女儿在
Facebook 看了山打根的照片后，第一个告诉我“有肚腩了”。这次山打根和亚庇一游，收获良多，肚腩尺码加大，也可算是收获之一。
到了山打根机场，马上受到陈兴勋夫妇的热情接待，使我们体验到主内兄弟之情谊。小伙子陈仪鸣还特地请假两天，全程陪伴，司机兼导游，加上圣母军团员李绵孝夫妇，叶美丽，卢佩伶，黄瑞钦等姐妹的招待及陪同，使到山打根之游美满温馨。我们也很高兴罗志康神父能够和我们作伴看长鼻猴的一日游。
圣母巧妙的安排，抵步当晚，参加了区团会议。除了五个华文及一个英文支团之外，还有五团马来文支团参与。在山打根，一个马来文区团刚刚在两个星期前成立。这五个支团目前是到华文区团实习，虚心学习，在不久之后，将会脱离这个区团，正式的开始马来文区团的操作。我也体会到两个语言区团间的融洽合作和友爱之情。
区团年轻的神师罗志康神父，铎务繁忙，但也尽量抽空出席区团会议。他的训话，依据当天所读的手册，深入浅出的给团员训诲，道出圣母军的精神和服务，团员必收益良多。
山打根有什么好玩？有什么好吃？
山打根是个美丽的海港，环境优美，生活步伐轻松。这里有举世闻名的
Sipilok 人猿保护区（左图），每天在喂食的时间，都能够看到好多人猿（
Orang Hutan)。在离开市区约一个小时的车程，我们也看到闻名的长鼻喉（上右图）。全世界只有在婆罗洲才有这种猿猴的存在。当然还有美丽的小岛和很多美丽的自然奇观和景点。
至于吃吗，可多了。除了新鲜海鲜是山打根引人的地方，还有各种道地风味的广东菜肴，另你回味无穷，山打根风味的鲜鱼+肉骨茶就是其中的一项了。
值得一提的是在山打根喝到印度同胞冲泡的马德拉斯奶茶和咖啡。当饮入口时，茶香（或咖啡香）配上鲜奶，浓而不郁，喝后可说是回味无穷。
我还有机会看到2000年交流会的一些场地，包括酒店，重温当年交流会的温馨情场面。我也特别到酒徒会第一次集会的
槟城小吃中心，拍照留念，当年在晚上举杯畅饮，谈笑风生的情景，仿佛历历在目。
据我所知，2010年青年圣母军交流会将在山打根举行。我想，到会的年轻人一定会很喜欢这个地方，也必定满载而归。
