View more photos of the staff and their Southeast Asia travels!
 Andrea Ross
CEO
With British parents, Andrea grew up in England listening to stories of colonial Africa and the Far East. At the age of eight she took her first solo trip to Australia to visit her aunt and she hasn't stopped traveling since. In 2003 Andrea moved with her husband Brandon to Cambodia where they started Journeys Within Tour Company and B&B. In the last seven years Andrea has also set up offices in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. Andrea has been on the Wendy Perrin expert list for the last three years and takes her role as a regional expert seriously, she lives in Cambodia for half of the year and travels extensively through Southeast Asia to make sure the guides, drivers and hotels used by Journeys Within are up to standard. She loves to find new and unique trips, hotels and experiences for her guests. Since starting the tour company Andrea has focused on philanthropic travel and the idea that travel can change the world and she is a volunteer executive director for Journeys Within Our Community, a non profit organization she and Brandon founded in 2005. She has two children who are great travelers and go wherever Mom goes! When in the US for the summer Andrea continues to travel, speaking at clubs and schools, promoting Philanthropic Travel and fundraising for JWOC.
 Brandon Ross
President, Cambodia
Brandon is an explorer through and through. After completing a BA in Political Science and working as an accountant, Brandon answered the call to travel. He has explored England, Italy, Germany, France, Central America, the Caribbean, Southern Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, China and Japan.
A real people person, Brandon judges most of his travel experiences by those he meets, warming to countries with open and friendly people. Our staff all joke that Brandon was Khmer in his last life as he fits into the Cambodia lifestyle and culture easily. A “professional” kickboxer in Cambodia he is often recognized and he trains daily with the Siem Reap kickboxing club. Brandon was the driving force behind founding Journeys Within Our Community in 2005 and is now volunteer executive director, overseeing the projects and helping guide the direction and mission of the program. Brandon lives in Cambodia for most of the year, only venturing to the US for a month or two each summer. As the manager of the B&B Brandon is always available to chat and his perspective and stories on Southeast Asia are fantastic. Brandon also runs the yearly Mekong Experience and has led the tour from China to Vietnam five times, regaling each group with interesting history and entertaining stories.
 April O’Connell-Cole
US Director of Operations and Tours
Whether it is snowboarding, surfing or hiking, April is up for the challenge. She loves the outdoors and discovering new places. Born and raised in California, April has traveled up and down the Western United States, Hawaii and Mexico.
April started at Journeys Within as a booking coordinator working with guests and staff to ensure all trips went as perfectly as planned. After working with guests and our SE Asia staff daily, she has extensive knowledge of the tours and great services we offer. April is now running our California office and puts together amazing tours for her clients as well as keeping the office running as smooth as…Thai silk! April also volunteers for Journeys Within Our Community and has a passion for philanthropic travel and is great at involving guests in the JWOC projects in Southeast Asia.
She and her family have traveled throughout Southeast Asia, experiencing the countries and their cultures first hand. With this personal experience as well as her passion for travel and culture, April is excited to be planning your unique and memorable Journeys Within tour!
 Philippa Nigg
Tour Consultant
After retiring and sailing around the world for five years Philippa has decided to return to work, helping our clients book the trips of their dreams. Philippa grew up in Southern Africa, raised children in England and the States and has traveled to over 30 countries. She brings a wealth of knowledge about travel and Southeast Asia and we're thrilled to have her on the team.
 Kate Tyler
Junior Tour Consultant
An intrepid traveler from the age of 19, Kate’s first trip out of the USA was to the African continent. Since then she has completed her BS in Business, made a few trips in Europe, backpacked Southeast Asia for 3 months, and lived in South Africa.
Upon resettling in the US, much to the happiness of her family and US friends, she connected with Journeys Within and found a shared passion for the history, culture and people of Southeast Asia. In her spare time Kate is an Ashtanga vinyasa yoga instructor, rock climber, and an avid reader.
 Dudley Nigg
Chief Financial Officer
Dudley was born in Newcastle, England and raised in Malawi, Central Africa. Whilst in Africa Dudley started his career in finance as a Qualified Charter Accountant (CPA equivalent). He continued to grow within the finance industry and was transferred to London. He was offered the opportunity to transfer to California and was appointed Executive Vice President of Midland bank.
Dudley continued to excel in the banking field, being named EVP of Wells Fargo Bank. While working for Wells Fargo, Dudley was the first to introduce and implement internet banking. Because of this acheivement, he was named Banker of the Year by American Banker and was identified as one of the 15 most influencial people in commercialization of the internet by Business Week. After retiring from Wells Fargo, Dudley circumnavigated the world in his sailboat “Happy Now.” He also was our first tour leader with Brandon on the Journeys Within Mekong Experience and continued to lead the trip for two years. He now works out of our Truckee address, but spends one month a year in Southeast Asia also keeping our finances there ship-shape! We are very honored and pleased to have Dudley on the team.
 Narla Phuon
Director, Cambodia
Narla grew up in Banteay Mean Chey province 150 km from Siem Reap. The oldest in his family he came to study tourism and hospitality management at Build Bright University in Siem Reap. When Brandon had to visit the tourism police to help some guests who had lost their tickets he met Narla and immediately invited him to come and work at Journeys Within.
After coming to work at the B&B as a front desk manager Narla applied for a JWOC scholarship and was admitted to the program. A tireless advocate for helping the Cambodian people Narla graduated from university and now works for both JWOC and the tour company. He works around the clock and still manages to always be smiling. Narla has a great heart and truly enjoys life, we feel really lucky to have him on the team. Brandon goes so far as to call him the fourth love of his life!
 Kwanchanok “Jeab” Meechai
Director, Thailand
Jeab was born was born in Nondhaburi, Thailand but grew up with her grandparents in Yasothorn. Yasothorn is a city famous for its "Rocket Festival" as has always held a special place in her heart full of great memories.
After primary school, she graduated from the Tourism Industry program at Rajabhat Suansunandha University. Her first job was temporary-governor officer at the Ministry of Agriculture. But the call to follow her dreams to work in the hotel or travel industry was too strong, and she left to take a position at a 5-Star hotel. She loves working with people of different cultures and her goal is to show guests the true beauty of Thailand, a country in which she takes great pride. Jeab is bubbly and beautiful and the true representation of everything that makes Thailand great.
Her hobbies include photography and sports. She is good at basketball, quoting “I am short but fast - hehe.”
 Nicole Long
Director, Laos
Nicole has long dreamed of having the chance to live in SE Asia since the
first time she stepped into the region six years ago. She instantly fell in love with the many
beautiful people and places the region has to offer.
If you asked Nicole if she would be where she is now after she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BFA in Acting/Directing she would have told you that you must be referring to another person's life. Nicole never had the opportunity to travel much when she was growing up. So when she finally did she immediately caught the "traveling bug". What she loves the most about traveling is learning and experiencing other cultures. Cultures that are very different from the southern culture she was raised on.
She could not be happier to be working and living in the beautiful and enchanting Laos as
country Director for JW. Having the opportunity to absorb this culture and show the beauty of the country to other travelers is a dream come true.
 Michelle Nguyen
Director, Vietnam
Originally from the UK, Michelle first came to Vietnam in 2004 and fell in love, not just with the country, but also with her wonderful guide, Khoa. In 2006 Khoa and Michelle were married and since then she has called Vietnam home. Their first daughter Rosie was born in June, 2007 and Baby Hollie was born this year. Both girls are beautiful with plenty of energy. Michelle loves Vietnam and has learned the language and culture of this amazing country.
She brings a wealth of knowledge to her position, not just because she knows Vietnam so well, but also because she’s married to one of the best guides in the country! Michelle lives in Saigon with her family and is dedicated to Journeys Within and our guests.
 Houmphaeng “Phaeng” Phommaly
Tour Manager, Laos
Phaeng was born in Xieng Nguene district about 50 kilometers south of Luang Prabang. He grew up there until he was 4 years old then his family moved to Moung Ngoi district which is far north of Luang Prabang. While he was studying there he became interested in tourism because Muong Ngoi is a frequently traveled tourist destination.
After Phaeng finished high school, he decided to focus his studies in Tourism. He moved to Luang Prabang City famous for being a World Heritage site and studied English for Tourism at Pasabandith College. While attending college he used to work at few famous hotels such as Villa Santi and La Residence Phou Vao. After he graduated from Pasabandith College, he was hired as a tour manager to open and run Journeys Within Tour Company Laos in Luang Prabang.
Phaeng is not only Journeys Within Laos Right hand man, but the left hand as well. He is a warm, caring and always smiling young man who has the ability to make everything fun, even work.
 Tin Htun
Journeys Within Liason, Myanmar (Burma)
Born and raised in a village to the northern frontier of Myanmar, Tin studied English literature in Mandalay University and earned a degree. Thirsty to have a more adventurous life, he decided to move further south to Yangon where he completed his M.A in Interdisciplinary Southeast Asia Study Program. His 1500km-long-north-to-south-journey made him fall in love with travel and tourism.
As a student, Tin guided custom tours in Mandalay and Yangon. Having traveled extensively, Tin came to understand tourism is even more aesthetic than he originally thought. After his extensive experience as a guide, tin now operates and oversees all Journeys Within tours in Myanmar (Burma). He has also been an instrumental part in the community relief efforts made by Journeys Within Our Community to help the villages and people destroyed by Cyclone Nargis. He has given much of his free time and energy to help the people who are so in need.
 Dar Le
Journeys Within Liaison, Myanmar (Burma)
Born in central Burma into a public servants family in a difficult political and economical environment, Dar Le has overcome great struggles to be the successful and proud Burmese woman she is today. At a very young age she moved to Malaysia to get valuable work experience and earn money sorely needed by her family. Here she experienced foreign culture, learned the English language and discovered the opportunities available in the travel industry.
When she went back to Burma, now known as Myanmar, she took the first opportunity to work within the tourism industry. Whilst working she managed to achieve her Bachelors degree and also helped her two younger sisters to attend university. Dar Le's success in the travel industry has developed her passion to present Burma's culture, history, nature and people to the world.
She is the reason Journeys Within offers tours to Burma as a few years ago she convinced Andrea and Brandon to take their first trip to this amazing country, she has now become a friend. With her infectious smile and positive attitude as well as her strong work ethic DarLe is a wonderful example of what makes Myanmar so special.
 Linda Chhay
Booking Coordinator
Linda grew up in Siem Reap town. She graduated in 2004 in Tourism and Hospitality Management in Phnom Penh. We like to joke that Linda can see the matrix because she picks up computer programs so quickly! She tells us that university was the first time she touched a computer which makes her skill that much more impressive.
Linda lives with her husband and daughter, Dalisa, in Siem Reap. Linda's only flaw as far as we can tell is her driving, she has been known to take an hour just to back out of the Journeys Within driveway! Luckily she has a great sense of humor about it and never lets Brandon's teasing get to her, in fact she can often give as good as she gets.
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