Short take: A thoughtful morning at Agnes Keith’s House and a refreshing cream tea. The Chinese temple was calm and colourful. The harbourfront mall, though, was a miss for us.
A Morning With Agnes
We started at Agnes Keith’s House and took our time wandering through the rooms and displays. It is a slice of history told through one woman’s life in Sandakan, including her years married to a British officer. The house itself is handsome and the stories pull you in. We read the plaques, Georgia said she was bored that’s life 😉
Tea Without The Clotted Cream
Afterwards we walked over to the English tea rooms for cream tea. A couple of hot cups and a scone each was exactly what we needed. No clotted cream, which is a shame, but you cannot have everything. It still felt like a small slice of England after several months of travel which was novel.
From there we visited a Chinese temple. Bright reds and golds, incense on the breeze, and a gentle hush that makes you slow down. We didn’t linger long but it was a calm stop and a nice contrast to the morning’s museum feel.
The Mall By The Harbour (errr)
Next up was the shopping mall by the harbour we thought we would get lunch. Honestly it was rough. Tired floors, dirty food everywhere, people just using the place with no care, it really had a run-down feel, and a general sense that it had not been properly cleaned in a very long time. Out of everywhere we have been, that whole harbour area ranks as the second worst place we have seen on our travels so far, only topped by Nazca in Peru and there we saw raw sewage running down the streets. Mind you Peru has incredible places too, but that day was 100% grim and stinky!
But back here in Sandakan, the mall just felt sad, with lots of beggars on the street and not much to recommend going inside for, it feels like they have given up.!.
Family Verdict
Agnes Keith’s House: Worth it. Engaging, well presented, and easy to pair with tea next door. Cream tea: Hit the spot even without clotted cream.
Chinese temple: Peaceful and photogenic for a short visit.
Harbourfront mall and area: Skip. Spend your time and money elsewhere, we just wanted out asap!
If You’re Planning A Similar Day
Do the house first, then tea. It flows naturally and keeps everyone interested. Set expectations with kids at the temple about quiet voices and no running.
We ended the day feeling like we had touched a bit of Sandakan’s past, had a simple treat, and then got a reminder that not every stop on a long trip shines.
But that is travel. You take the good with the not-so-good and keep moving forward!
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