Moss Side-born Ron Holland, 65, a former diver, saw the tiny island of Sipadan on a map while living in north Borneo.
He drove across remote and dangerous terrain to the other side of the country before travelling 40 miles by boat to explore Sipadan, which is formed on top of a volcanic cone.
Amazed by the 1km-square island's 2,000ft drop to the seabed, he set up Borneo Divers in 1983.
It quickly established itself as one of the best diving destinations in the world.
During his time on Sipadan, he met and was filmed by the legendary underwater explorer and environment campaigner Jacques Cousteau, who described the island as an 'untouched piece of art'. But in 2000, a guerrilla group raided Sipadan and kidnapped about 20 tourists, later releasing them for a ransom.
With tourists afraid to visit the island, Ron then discovered Sangalaki, also off the coast of Borneo, and pioneered diving there.
After suffering a stroke and a split with his business partner, Ron has now returned to Greater Manchester.
Ron, now living in Droylsden, said: "I used to get asked all the time `What's a guy from Manchester doing out here - and how did you find a place like this?'
"When I first went to Sipadan, I felt like I was in paradise. I thought `I've just got to develop this'. I've seen and done amazing things, but Manchester has always been home - even though I left when I was 17 and never came back until now."
As a teenager, Ron joined the Army after a sergeant encouraged him to pop into a recruiting centre in Manchester to escape the rain.
He learned to scuba dive before seeing active service in Malaysia during what became known as `The Quiet War', a conflict involving Indonesia and British-backed Malaysia between 1962 and 1966.
Ron later worked as a commercial diver in the Middle East, where he met his Borneo-born wife Emma, who he married after paying a dowry of two buffalo to her family.
The couple settled in her homeland, had a daughter, Nadia, and Ron looked for diving work near where they lived. Emma said: "I'm very proud of Ron. He contributed a lot to tourism in a part of the world that was unknown."
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I'll be gob smacked if he says things here have improved during his absence.
I agree with him I have been in the Far East almost the same amount of time and Manchester is always home and despite the constant negative news in particular on this site still come back every year and will eventually return.
Changi
Yeah, you'll all eventually return to take advantage of the NHS in your old age which we have funded while you've been away on your jolly.
Once a soldier, always a soldier.
visited Island may 8th 1966
PARADISE I agree
pity Dutch is coming back to a crisis
chris
The baths at the Medlock Centre, Droylsden are quite deep at the far end if Ron gets bored, bit of a mistake not building a sauna/steam room
so he is not a NHS tourist then.
40 years away, now he's a pensioner, he is back in old Blighty.
funny that.
Why come back?
Xtreme, I think if you read the article it's pretty obvious.
he must need medical attention.
Its amazing how 1 man can do so much in his life... i dont think that many people can say they have that much to show in life... no matter it is something to be proud of... to say coming back home and taking advantage of the NHS isnt fair... Once a soldier always a soldier true and its never forgotten.. whatever he's done it reflects the true british manchunion spirit and should make us proud that we have such great warriors ;p
Ron.Please forgive the poor in spirit.A lot has happened in your country while youve been away.
Amazing adventure!! should write a book about the 40 years adventure, especially the early days of the Sipadan Island diving.
I could have told you that chap was an explorer just by looking at his photograph. Bet he drives an old land rover too.
Not just an adventure...but an impact!! your adventure has contributed much to Malaysia... you have drawn the world attention to this small island called Borneo that has brought so much more than mere attention from the world ... thank you Big man.. with even a bigger heart!! ... Get well Ron.. the world need more people like you who goes about their life as an "adventure" without realizing the good deeds left behind that has changed the life of others!! .....
I have been to other dive resorts in Borneo but Sangalaki stood out as one that was a tranquil and worthwhile spending your holiday. The marine life was so rich and diverse that I still have vivid memory of my diving there, and seeing the giant manta rays gliding in the water was just amazing. Catching the Sea turtles heading for the land to lay their eggs and the little hatchlings crawling out towards the sea was something very special. Sangalaki is one of its kind! Though, it is sad to know that it has been taken away just like that. Ron, thank you so much for your hospitality and the opportunity to experience Sangalaki! Wishing you best of health!
New Zealand Diver.