Darryl Collins holds an MA from the Australian National University.  He first journeyed to Cambodia in 1994 with a team from the National Gallery of Australia to assist the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.  He co-authored the publication Building Cambodia:  ‘New Khmer Architecture’ 1953-1970 (2006) and for five years lectured at the Department of Archaeology, Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.  In 2004 Darryl began work at the National Museum, Phnom Penh as manager for the Six Year Collection Inventory project.  Darryl lives in Siem Reap and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the Khmer world on this latest, updated version of his highly evaluated 2008 and 2009 programs.

Conventional mainstream tours generally combine Cambodia with another destination, typically Laos or Viet Nam or even all three.  The result can be rushed and superficial.  Our approach is to concentrate on a satisfying, well-rounded program focusing exclusively on Cambodia.  As expected, the huge, stunning temple complex of Angkor and a resurgent Phnom Penh play central roles.  But in addition we experience other impressive legacies from the Angkorean era Koh Ker and Prasat Preah Vihear , the elegant town of Battambang, with its old French colonial buildings on the lovely Sangkei River as well as the South Coast and other interesting provincial centres.  Like other countries of Indochina, a vein of ferocity runs through Khmer history with war and famine a recent memory.  And, like other countries of Indochina, the ongoing recovery is in no small way attributable to the resilience of the Cambodians themselves – seemingly always positive, tenacious and genuinely welcoming to travellers.