Barking Mad Meanders: Beautiful Borneo - Sandakan (3) Turtle Island

On our second day we took a boat to Selingan Island, which is renowned for turtle conservation. It is the nearest island to the Phillipines. The hour boat ride was fast and exciting, as well as wet! It was also great to see Sandakan from another angle!
After we arrived we were take to our accommodation (basic with toilet and shower) and shown around. Our time was our own to be spent on a beautiful beach. Although they say you can snorkel here, visibility is not good and sealife uninteresting.

At 6.30 the exhibition opened, followed by a dvd on the island and then dinner. Then it was a waiting game! Just after nine o'clock we were told to proceed to the beach and there we saw close up a turtle laying her eggs - 62 amazing!!!!!! The eggs were then take to the hatchery where they were buried to keep them safe from predators - the huge lizards wondering around, birds.

We then watched 17 newly hatched turtles being released on the beach - a wow moment!

Then off to bed ready for a 6.30 breakfast followed by a boat ride home. Scarily, in the middle of the night I discovered that I had a visitor in my bed! Initially I thought it was my imagination but then I grabbed something big and threw it out. The morning brought forth one dead beetle with legs in the air! If you are ever this way and would like to share this wonderful experience, beetle and all, book via Crystal Quest not through a tourist office as they are double the price for the same experience. (cquest@tm.net.my)

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