Boh Heng Journey: Lahad Datu

24th Oct

Lahad Datu

Today I left Semporna for Lahad Datu on minibus. The cost is RM22 for a 2 hours journey over 105 km. In Sabah travelling between small towns, minibus are normal for the locals. The minibus operated in the basis of "move when bus is full".

So its good to be early as most people starts early. Today I ended waiting for 4 hours for bus to be full. Just my luck! The roads to LD cut through oil palm plantations. Conditions of road not so good and the drive is bumpy.

LD is a small town with an airport. So it's a gateway for tourists going to dive sites in Semporna. This place serves mainly the oil palm and cocoa plantations as well the timber market. The town itself is quiet especially after sunset. There are numbers of hotels and restaurants and even KFC.

There's not much to see in Lahad Datu. There are significant Chinese presence in this town. There are temples and Chinese schools beside the Chinese business in the town centre. Below are old shop houses mainly owned by Chinese. I feel this town is cleaner and more pleasant than Semporna.

Another noticeable features are the all day wet market selling fishes and vegetables. Street vendors hawk their wares all day too.

And fishing port supply fish to nearby fish market

And street vendors everywhere

In the evening, there's a night food market featuring bbq fishes and meat.

The most common device for transporting goods over short distances especially bringing goods to the jetty to be loaded on small boats is the wheel barrow. These human loaders are really strong. First time I see people using both car to carry goods on the back. Really awesome.