Right. So BTN and induction courses weren’t so bad really. For me at least…for us here in Sabah at least.
All was well taken care of in terms of food and lodging. Personally I enjoyed the controversial BTN more than the induction..though we were served 3 buffet meals and 3 tea breaks a day during the latter. Maybe it was because lectures only lasted for a day compared to the induction where several 2-hour lectures were held almost everyday. Some lecturers were understanding and said we could sleep during their lectures as long as we didnt fall off the table for good reason. I didnt quite see the rationale here and decided it was better to sleep in my cosy hotel bed instead…so off i went. Plus point was meeting various other hospital people from ard Sabah including many former batchmates.
Apparently i can’t reveal too much about what transpired at BTN, but on the whole felt that we were treated with respect and not forced to do anything too controversial…except however for a few exam questions that seemed imho to encourage the very thing BTN claimed it was trying to discourage. Something along racial lines la.
Took the opportunity to travel abit after all those courses. Destination: Sandakan!
Stayed a night at the Le Meridien, KK. Price was reasonable and within claim-budget for a twin sharing room. Thanks to Alan for introducing this idea…and for the rest of the Sandakan trip too! The Le Meridien was a class of its own naturally. However, our room for the night had safe-box & horribly disgusting plumbing issues. The hotel did their best to rectify them though i reckon the toilet in Room 1135 was still blocked when we checked out. We took comfort in the hearty buffet breakfast the following day. The sumptuous spread included salmon and 4 varieties of juices as well as choice condiments available for the binging. Joy.
Think Sandakan, think Seafood. Think also Sim-Sim. A jetty market-restaurant on stilts serving up daily fresh catches. How fresh you ask? Fisherman rides boat out to sea-fisherman brings back fishies-customer choose what they want -customer eat. Well, the restaurant will cook your pick for you for a fee of about Rm10/dish should you require their services. First thing that caught our eyes upon entering the jetty was an amazing Guitar Ray (or Guitarfish)! Amazing because well, i’ve never seen it before. Have you?
Seems almost like a shark but really is a ray. Guitar bcos the head resembles a guitar body. Though i don’t think guitars of that shape will be too appealing.
Sharking – if there exists such a word. There exists such an activity here. Baby sharks caught by the buckets each time..usually via longline fishing. Shark meat don’t fetch much, but their fins do. Often made into exquisite delicacies commonly served at Chinese wedding dinners. Check this out on how it may impact the environment.
Yup. You got that right – RM48 for a kilogramme of fresh lobster. We had 2..each weighing about 500gms.
Truly delightful. Lobster thermidor anyone? Make your own for under RM50. 
