ANZAC DAY SANDAKAN TOUR BORNEO, SABAH 9 DAYS THURSDAY, 21 APRIL 2016

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1 ANZAC DAY SANDAKAN TOUR BORNEO, SABAH 9 DAYS THURSDAY, 21 APRIL 2016 SUMMARY Commemorate Anzac Day service at Sandakan POW Camp and afterwards walk around St Michaels Church, where many POWs spent their first night in captivity in Sandakan. Visit the Kundasang WWII Memorial which was one of the first memorials to commemorate the brave Australian and British POWs who died in Sandakan during the infamous death marches to Ranau during WWII. Explore Kinabalu Park, see Sabah Tea Plantation. Experience a close encounter with the Wild Man of Borneo tame Orang-utans that are being rehabilitated into the wild and visit the adjoining Sun Bear Enclosure adjacent to Sepilok Orang-Utans Centre and see first hand the work being undertaken with this species. ITINERARY Day 1 Friday 22 nd Kota Kinabalu On arrival you are met and transferred to Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Kota Kinabalu. Overnight at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu Day 2 Saturday 23 rd Kinabalu Park Sabah Tea Plantation (B L D) Meet with your guide at 0745 at hotel lobby and depart to Mt Kinabalu Park. On the way, stop at the Nabalu Markets a chance for souvenir shopping and to purchase cold drinks or local fruits. Visit the Kundasang WWII Memorial which was one of the first memorials to commemorate the brave Australian and British POWs who died in Sandakan during the infamous death marches to Ranau during WWII. The memorial also remembers the people of North Borneo who risked their lives to help these POWs. You proceed to Mt Kinabalu Park and walk through the Mountain Garden before lunch at the Cottage Hotel Restaurant. Later in the afternoon you stop at Ranau Memorial then proceed to Sabah Tea Plantation for an overnight stay in Sabah Tea Garden Cottages which is named after the Special Operations Australia (SOA) unit that carried out daring missions behind enemy lines and who successfully rescued 4 Australian POWs. There will also be a visit to Quailey s Hill monument (Post-war the bodies of those who had died along the track were recovered and reburied in Labuan War Cemetery. Quailey, who was unidentified, remained Known unto God until 1999, when Lynette Silver located and identified a grave in Labuan as that of Private Quailey. The old headstone was removed and replaced with a new one, bearing his details and an inscription, chosen by his family) prior to check in and your dinner at the plantation, followed by a cultural concert performed by local children. Overnight at Sabah Tea Garden Cottages Plantation or similar Gpt

2 Day 3 Sunday 24 th Sabah Tea Plantation Sandakan (B L D) Rise for another early Breakfast and check out, followed by a visit to the Sabah Tea Processing Plant. On the way you stop by at Luanti Village to experience a fish spa or massage where the wild toothless carp fish, locally named ikan pelican and other fishes, nibble softly at your feet as you enter into the stream a truly different sensation. Continue your journey to Sepilok and before experiencing a close encounter with the Wild Man of Borneo tame Orang-utans that are being rehabilitated into the wild at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, enjoy your lulnch at Sepilok Nature Resort. Later after lunch take a short walk in this primary forest reserve to the observatory deck to witness the Orang-utans being fed by the rangers. Proceed to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre founded in Sabah, Malaysia in 2008 as a two-stage effort to provide for the care, rehabilitation and release of orphaned and captive sun bears, as well as to address the lack of knowledge and awareness of this littleknown bear both in Malaysia and internationally. The Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), are found only in south-east Asia, which is the world s smallest bear species. While Borneo is a remaining stronghold for this species, it is seriously threatened if not extinct in many areas of mainland Asia, including India, Bangladesh, China, Burma and Vietnam. On arrival check into the Sabah Hotel and your time is at leisure until dinner Overnight Sabah Hotel Day 4 Monday 25 April ANZAC Day Sandakan (B L D) Light breakfast at the hotel before we departing to attend the Anzac Day Service at Sandakan POW camp which starts at 6.00 am. After the service a local breakfast will be served at the Sndakan Memorial Park. Later proceed to St Michaels Church, the site of where many POWs spent their first night in captivity in Sandakan and where commemorative windows are now installed. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon you visit the prominent Agnes Keith Museum, the former home of Agnes Keith, the famous American writer. During the years between 1934 and 1952, Agnes Keith penned a trilogy on her Sandakan experience. Return to the hotel. Transfer and have dinner at the English Tea House, a charming restaurant overlooking Sandakan s city. Overnight Sabah Hotel

3 Day 5 Tuesday 26 th Sandakan Sukau Myne Resort (B L D) After breakfast at 8.00 am we depart the hotel to travel overland to Labuk Bay for the 9.30am feeding session of the Proboscis Monkey after watching this enchanting event we will travel on to Sukau passing Oil Palm plantations and villages. Upon arrival check into the Myne Resort and lunch will be served in the restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is free until the evening cruise. Around 4 pm you enjoy a boat ride to the longest river is Sabah, Kinabatangan River in search for primate such as the Long Tail Macaques, Pig Tail Macvaques and the highlight of this river is to look for the noisiest primate in the world, the Proboscis Monkey. If luck is on your side, you may be able to see Orang Utans, Borneo Gibbon and the Borneo Pygmy Elephant. Dinner is at the restaurant. Overnight Myne Resort Day 6 Wednesday 27 th Myne Resort -Sukau (B L D) Wake up to the wildlife sounds of Gibbons and Hornbills. There is an early morning venture to Ox Bow Lake to observe wildlife and experience the eerie calm of the early morning river which is the longest river in Sabah. Return to the resort for breakfast. Around 10 am there will be a Jungle Trekking Joti with the canopy walk and observation stage. Jungle walk to the Merbau Trail, you will be fascinated by 100 year old Merbau Tree which was believed to be a hiding place underneath for some of the villagers during the Japanese occupation. Return to the resort for lunch. At 4 pm there is another boat ride to search for more wildlife. Dinner is at the restaurant. Overnight Myne Resort Day 7 Thursday 28 th Sukau Sandakan Kota Kinabalu (B L) After breakfast we will visit the fascinating Rainforest Discovery Centre. The Centre (RDC is the gateway to understanding the uniqueness and importance of Borneo s rainforest. Situated 23 kilometres from Sandakan town and not too far from the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, the RDC s main highlights are its exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Kapil-Sepilok Forest Reserve, environmental education programmed and a small lake for boat rides. The RDC also gives visitors a chance to get intimate with nature through its Nature Experience programmed which includes a guided walk to the Plant Discovery Garden, Rainforest Walk and indoor/outdoor activities. Later we proceed to Sandakan airport for your flight to Kota Kinabalu( price not included) with lunch on the way. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. You make your own arrangements for dinner. Overnight at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu or similar Suggested Flights MH2047 ETD1400hrs ETA1445hrs

4 Day 8 Friday 29 th Kota Kinabalu Labuan Historical Tour (B L D) Suggested Flights MH3071 ETD 0855 ETA 0925 MH3076 ETD 1520 ETA 1550 to Labuan from Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu from Labuan After breakfast meet your Tour Leader in the Hotel Lobby and transfer to the airport for departure flight to the Island of Labuan. On Labuan we pay a visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery which is home to 3,908 graves of soldiers who either died at the POW Camp Sites, on one of the many Death Marches or in battle with most of the soldiers who were Australian and British. Hundreds upon hundreds perished along the infamous Ranau Death March route and at the Sandakan POW Camp with many of the dead reburied here at Labuan. The remains of the Allied troops were gathered from all over Borneo to be interred at the Cemetery. The graves lie in long neat rows all bearing a plaque and a few graves still say Known only to God. The place was constructed, and is maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The lawns are beautifully kept and visitors will appreciate the peace and tranquility of the place as they seek to understand the senseless deaths of so many brave young men. We then make our way up to Surrender Point where the 37 th Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Division Australian Imperial Forces on 9th September 1945 which led to the end of World War II in Borneo. There is a bronze plaque to commemorating the Surrender. We also enjoy the sights of Labuan including The An Nur Jamek Mosque, with its futuristic architecture, which is the pride of Labuan s Muslim and symbolises the progressive spirit of the people and island of Labuan. After lunch on the island we continue your Labuan Excursion before we transfer back to Labuan Airport to board our evening flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival transfer to the Le Meridien Hotel. This evening at 7pm we depart to enjoy an evening meal at the Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Restaurant for a delightful Asian Set Chinese Dinner along with a Multi -Cultural Show. Experience dining in the ambience of Kota Kinabalu s only lakeside floating seafood restaurant, anchored within a Botanical Park. Be entertained by the Malaysia Cultural and Variety Show performed nightly by professionals on the floating stage and later transfer back to your hotel. Overnight at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu or similar Day 9 Saturday 30 th Kota Kinalalu (B) Sadly your tour ends and your day is at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your flight home You may wish to extend your stay or continue your travels. NB: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (B, L, D)

5 PRICE $2,800 per person twin share $ 720 single sup Pre and post accommodation at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu $125 per person twin share INCLUSIONS Tour Includes Accommodation as stated in itinerary Meals as stated Entrance fees as per itinerary English speaking guide for tour Tour transfers as stated Not Included Items not mentioned in the itinerary Meals & Beverage not mention in the itinerary Tips & personal Incidental Charges Domestic & International Airfare. Camera Fees at Sepilok Center