Murphy on Mengalum Island

About Me

Welcome to my Blog! 🙂

Who Am I?

Hi, I’m Murphy and you may call me Tadpole. I’m just an ordinary Sabahan who loves traveling, photography and blogging. I’m also an IT guy who wants to get out of my little cubicle and see the beautiful world outside. Currently I’m working as a Web Developer in tourism industry, and I help my company to promote Sabah through different Digital Marketing channels such as website and social media.

Applying my computing and photography skills to work brings me job satisfaction, but using these skills to create a media-rich travel blog gives me a fulfilled life! I’m always looking forward to visiting new destinations in Sabah, the land below the wind.

What is this Blog about?

This blog is all about Sabah, especially places of interest. To make my travelogues more informative, I try to use different types of content (writing, video, photos, diagram, map, animation, etc.), so the readers can see clearly what I experience. If you like what I write, I’ll be really, really thankful if you would share my blog with others. Your support is my only source of motivation. 🙂 Thank You!


Credit: leech bite photo ? Cede Prudente

I have been through many challenges to get the unseen and interesting scene of Sabah. I climbed the top 3 highest mountains of Malaysia, jungle trekking in the most remote forest of Sabah, diving in deep ocean, eating weird food, etc. But my exploration is far from over, there are just too many wonderful places to visit and too many things to try in Sabah.

Why I start this Blog?

Back in year 2005, Internet had very limited information (and photos) about Sabah as a travel destination. There was also a lack of Original Content about Sabah. I have only one simple goal – cover every great destinations in Sabah.

I’m still blogging after 16 years. Such persistence is already a miracle to me because my interest is usually very short-lived LOL. Anyway, I believe when people find their passion, they are unstoppable, and they can make amazing thing happen.

Two of my photos (Tawai Waterfall and pitcher plant) are used in the Malaysian stamps (Theme: Waterfalls in Malaysia / Air Terjun di Malaysia) released on 12 May 2022.

Secondly, most people, even our locals, only know Mt. Kinabalu as the places of interest of Sabah. I have seen so many other beautiful places in Sabah, but nobody mentioned it on the Net. Therefore, I’m very keen in sharing new and little-known attractions of Sabah online and always happy to be the first to feature them.

Ok! Let’s Visit Sabah!

Achievement

I have been blogging since Aug 2005, and now MySabah.com has over 800 articles, 300 videos and 30,000 photos about Sabah. My blog receives about 30,000 to 40,000 unique visitors per month. 60% of them are from Malaysia and the rest from overseas countries. My articles (or / and) photos were published in New Sabah Times newspaper, Going Places (inflight magazine of Malaysia Airlines), Breeze Magazine, Sabah Malaysian Borneo Bulletin, The Star, Strait Times, See Hua Daily News (诗华日报), Sinchew newspaper (星洲日报), Overseas Chinese Daily News (华侨时报) and other publications.

Some Media Exposure

My article “Kota Kinabalu Must Eats” in Going Places (Sep 2018)
Interviewed by Breeze Magazine in Aug 2015
Being featured by See Hua Daily News (诗华日报) in Dec 2015
One of my videos went viral and reported by the Star on 27 Jan 2016
One of the articles I wrote for See Hua Daily News (诗华日报). I can write fairly well in Chinese.

Let’s get Connected!

I’m reachable at tzekoh.ng@gmail.com or pixelman@usa.net. To keep informed of cool update about Sabah, please follow my social media below. Have a nice day.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitBorneo
Video: https://www.youtube.com/@mysabahTV
Instagram: @mysabah

73 thoughts on “About Me”

  2. Mahadimenakbar M Dawood

    Dear Tadpole, may I know from where did you get the picture of firefly specimens preserved in vials??… I believe the specimens are mine because I can see clearly my name MM Dawood written on the label… Sincerely yours, Mahadimenakbar bin Mohamed Dawood

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy

      Hi Doctor, yes, these are your specimens. I got the photos in your firefly workshop in KK Wetlands. Hope you don’t mind I post them. I can remove the photo if you like to.

      Reply ↓
  4. Penny Voo

    hi u can try the best ngiu cap at Kedai kopi Kinabalu, behind the Public Bank Jalan Pantai….This is the best ngiu cap at sabah that i eat…….The shop also sale Fish Head noodles and kuching laksa

    Reply ↓
      1. James Ng

        Whose English is up to international standard? Even lots of English-speaking people here in Canada and the U.S. don’t write proper English. Murphy is doing a great job. Alenk, be more constructive in your criticism.

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  7. Ying Sim

    Greetings to you Murphy. You’re providing lots of interesting information and thank you for everything. I’d stepped into the land of Sabah only 3 years ago. Ever since then, I have consistently landed onto the land of Sabah annually, by chance. It felt like home. Thank you for your generosity and your passion for everything you are doing.

    Reply ↓
  12. le thuan

    Hello Murphy , my name Le Thuan , i live in Viet Nam , i love nature , trips and especially plant ( trees)
    i like red flesh durian in Sabah your country , i love the special beautiful that
    i have a farm in south Viet Nam and i want red durian planting
    can you help me buy red durian seeling and shipping to Viet Nam

    Reply ↓
  13. Dana McGowen

    Murphy,
    A friend and I came across your blog as we were trying to travel around Sabah two weeks ago. We were so happy to see that you had posted so much information regarding public transport! This blog literally saved us so much time and confusion! We are telling others about your blog on our blog also! Thank you for your time and effort in writing this!

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy

      Hello Dana, thank you too for your nice words. I see visitors to Sabah as friends and really hope I can help them to get around well here. I’m really glad that my blog helps. Have a nice trip and Happy New Year! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  14. slaven

    Dear
    Murphy,

    I am fun of
    your blog. Is there any possibility to send me some rare sweet durian seeds,
    paying you of course?

    Thank you
    in advance,

    Slaven
    Erceg

    Reply ↓
  15. Mike

    G’day
    Just wanted to thank you for all your work on this blog. It has all the good nature destinations I’ve been looking for all in one place. The google map in particular has been exactly what I have been looking for over the past few months in preparation for upcoming 2week holiday in Borneo. 1day Mt Kinabalu climb was the reason to come, but now there are enough places to see to stay for months.

    Keep it up
    Mike

    Reply ↓
  16. Mike

    G’day
    Just wanted to thank you for all your work on this blog. It has all the good nature destinations I’ve been looking for all in one place. The google map in particular has been exactly what I have been looking for over the past few months in preparation for upcoming 2week holiday in Borneo. 1day Mt Kinabalu climb was the reason to come, but now there are enough places to see to stay for months.

    Keep it up
    Mike

    Reply ↓
  19. Jill

    Greetings from Yorkshire, England. Thank you for such superb information, photos, videos etc. The most comprehensive guides on the entire web for Sabah. Looking forward to my visit in Sept/Oct.

    Reply ↓
  21. Jun

    Wow, I just found out about your blog when I was searching for information about trekking in Maliau. The information was really comprehensive up until telling where to buy the leech socks and other ways to prevent leech bites. As a fellow sabahan, your blog makes me want to explore Sabah further and maybe start my own blog. Keep up the great work man!

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy Ng

      Thank you Jun for the encouragement. 🙂 It’s indeed a rewarding journey to blog about what Sabah has. There are still many beautiful places in Sabah waited to be introduced to the world. I fully support your initiative. ^_^

      Reply ↓
  22. ariss

    Hye,im really looking high to u..im from peninsular and just studying at sabah around 4 years. i really love to travel like u and see a lot of beautiful places at Sabah. its my dream to go to Imbak Canyon, Maliau Basin and Lembah Danum which rich with biodiversity.. just whats worry me its the costs..btw,ur infomation really help me..

    Reply ↓
  23. k8007 – 51°48'N 0°01'W
    Kate

    Hi Tadpole, I don’t think you’ve mentioned the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok ever, it would be great to see more about it! What do you think?

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy

      Thank you Kate, it’s a great idea. =) Actually I’ve been thinking about it. However, I visited BSBCC before it’s open to public, so I need to visit it again to write a more accurate and complete article about it.

      Reply ↓
  26. Joyce Yapp

    Wow Murphy, u really got the zeal… I just browsed for Sabah Map just now and by and by as i followed the links, i landed in this blog. At first, I saw a blog post written in 2006 and just out of curiosity I clicked the title to see when was ur recent post…pleasantly surprise that ur blog is so well updated. Thanks for ur sharing. Rgds, Joyce.

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy

      Hi Angel, the rest house on Mamutik had closed for a long time, but accommodation is available in Manukan and Gaya Islands nearby. You can find the info in my blog.

      Reply ↓
  30. Jessica

    Hi Murphy, i’m a Sabahan living in West Malaysia. i only get the chance to come home once or twice a year and will try to slot a trip to places of interest around Sabah whenever i can. Next week will be my first trip home for this year and i’m planning to visit TARP (Manukan & Sapi Islands) for the first time :). i was looking for information in the Net and stumbled upon your blog and it really help me. Thank you and pls continue to post great articles.

    Reply ↓
  31. Marie Therese – Singapura – Beautiful coloured flowers and all kinds of birds Small slow moving snails and creatures that don’t hurt Cute little doggies and animals that don’t sting These are a few of my favourite things Makeup and heels, cool bags and pretty dresses Different coloured eyeliner that compliment my eyelashes Earrings that dangle and accessories that are not so bling These are a few of my favourite things Travelling and exploring and reading and eating(!) Watching movies and dramas non-stop and things that don’t need thinking (:P) These are a few of my favourite things! Experiencing life, going against the norms and chasing my dreams with the intention of catching them soon :)
    Marie Therese

    I love your blog! I came here to get more info about Maliau Basin and I am happy to say I completed it last week 🙂
    Love Sabah, so many things to do, and your blog is an i inspiration of what to do and try next. Thank you!!

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy

      Congratulations Marie for completing the walk in Maliau Basin. 🙂 And thank you for your kind words. There are still many nice places to explore in Sabah. Let’s your journey continues.

      Reply ↓
  33. Rose Fahmi – Kuching, Sarawak – Busy preparing for early retirement. Just like others, I am working hard to earn money for living and to continue routine life. Willing and prepared to learn and enhance knowledge from the experts from time to time. Having faith in being truthful, honest, work hard and focus are keys to success.
    Rose Fahmi

    It is the first time when I read through a blog, I am already captured by the contents and everything. Great work and coverage. Thank you for your tireless efforts.

    Reply ↓
  34. Ander

    Hi Murphy,
    Did you encounter pokok “tegop” in Sabah that can made glue?
    The color of glue is black, and shall mix with water if need to keep for long time. According to the night market seller, he said he harvested from forest of sabah, since he is a Sabahan. I had tried this glue, and it adhesion is much superior than the Dunlop CA glue. I just wonder what is the real “pokok tegop” name ?

    Reply ↓
    1. Murphy

      Hi Ander, according to expert who works in Forest Research Centre, it is either Artocarpus sericarpus or elasticus, same group with jackfruit n tarap.

      Reply ↓
  35. YJ

    Hi Murphy, like your blog. Lots of uncommon nice places in Sabah, you really give us good information. Just go through already felt have to make an unusual tour to Sabah.
    I actually plan to climb Mount KK on next year, found that so difficult to do booking. Bsd, wish to go to Sabah Tip too. Do you organize tour for visitor? Or can you recommend any good tour agent let us contact to make the arrangement?

    Reply ↓
  36. Bob Harris Norbert

    Wow ! i just found out about you and this blog, man I’d love to join your adventures in Sabah someday. I wanted to share Sabah’s beauty to the world as well ! To be truth, you’re very inspiring, 10 years is not a short time, you put ample of efforts and hard works on this. Thumbs up for you bro !

    Reply ↓
  38. gynagriffin
    gynagriffin

    I really appreciate the hard work you put into your website Murphy! I am a blogger myself and often times I drop by your page for reference. I have to say they’re very insightful and detailed. Which has been a big help for me in building my own website. I look forward to reading more post from you. Keep ’em coming!

    Reply ↓
  39. chloe mosundu
    Chloe Mosundu

    Hi! I recently joined a blog-making contest about the groups in Sabah and I just want to say how grateful I am for your blog 🙂 Almost 90% of the pictures I used in my blog are yours (don’t worry, I cited you properly hahahah) and I’m very thankful that your passion for photography has led to this. Looking forward to more content!

    Reply ↓
  40. Bibian Diway

    Hi Mr Murphy, My name is Bibian Diway and i am a researcher from Forest Department Sarawak. I am interested with your Rafflesia photos and i would like to request for the permission to use your photos in my publication. Can i request for Rafflesia precei and Rafflesia keithii. If you agree to share it could you please provide me with your full name and your organization for me to acknowledgement. Thank you

    Reply ↓

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