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Plodding along on the ‘trip of a lifetime’
Paul Strachan interviews Dave (left) and Lesley
Goodchild (right) for PMTV.
Marcus Souksi
When Dave and Lesley Goodchild named their converted police van
“Plodd,” they seemingly chose the perfect moniker. It had been a prisoner
transport for the “plod,” and certainly is not the fastest vehicle on the
road.
The former 10-cell transport truck was manufactured in 1996 and they bought
it in March 2013. The renovation began with their purchase of an
accident-damaged German motor home, which they stripped of its interior to
furnish Plodd.
The installation was an easy job due to the compatibilities, and the Plodd
became a complete motor home and ready to hit road in no time. Plodd had all
this equipment fitted by the U.K. prison service department in line with the
human rights of the prisoners. There are two air-conditioning units and two
diesel heater units with two roof fans, a bed, a kitchen, a freezer and a
toilet, just like a home.
Dave Goodchild proudly shows
off the Plodd, their home for 148 days, 25,454 kilometers and using 3,870
liters of diesel as he and Lesley travelled from England to Thailand
overland.
The idea for their “trip of a lifetime” all started about
some eight years ago after various visits to Asia for holidays. The couple
purchased a condo in Thailand for a start, but then fell in love with the
country and settled in a quiet community in East Pattaya afterwards. They
both had a passion for traveling and visiting new countries, as for Dave,
driving was a hobby. Dave did a lot of research online, looking at possible
routes and countries they would have to go through to reach Thailand.
The journey begins and the actual trip kicked off on March 9, leaving sunny
Blackpool, England for Pattaya. The couple had no clue what they were going
to face in the foreign countries on their journey; rocky roads, difficulties
in communicating, deserts, mountains, culture, food and weather. The
twenty-six en-route countries included England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia,
Bosnia, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Transnistria
(not included with the 26, but part of the journey), Ukraine, Russia,
Mongolia, China, Laos and last, but not least…Thailand. Experiencing the
best and the worse, the whole story has yet to be told in detail.
Firstly, the size of Plodd certainly wasn’t easy for both to live in after
living in large homes in both Thailand and in England. Storage was the big
problem; food was a struggle when they knew that they would be in the desert
for two weeks, so they stocked the freezer as best they could and bought
tins of pasta.
Fruit and vegetables were nonexistent in Mongolia and were poor quality in
Russia also. The weather was constantly changing as they passed through
various countries, so out with the jeans and in with the t-shirts was a
constant battle as everything was in storage bags.
Border crossings were easy in nearly all countries, except for
Moldova/Transnistria/Ukraine, which all happened one short morning and
agents wanted $300. The couple ended up giving them approximately $30.
Lesley knitted and crocheted a
bed cover made up of all the flags of all the countries that they passed
through. Most of the flags were made in the country that the flag
represents.
After spending some time in China, both Dave and Lesley
had to manage with chopsticks instead of knives and forks unlike the
traditional English, but they’ve actually got into the habit after using
chopsticks for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Arguments often occurred. In China, Dave bought an electric bike which
caused no end of arguments because he wanted to keep it inside Plodd.
Fortunately, the bike could be folded in two and kept in the back of the
vehicle and was one of the items that couldn’t fit under the bed.
They’ve met some wonderful people passing through Hungary and Romania and
Bulgaria. The stunning scenery of Croatia became a memory as well as the
altitudes and mountain terrain, along with diabolical drivers and
experiencing the wildlife in Mongolia.
The Plodd is equipped with two
air-conditioning units and two diesel heater units with two roof fans, a
bed, a kitchen, a freezer and a toilet, just like a home.
Many people thought the couple may not make it. There
were some friends that thought Les would jump ship at the first airport.
There were times that they both thought, “Good God today has been hard and
others where we thought we must be crazy doing the trip.” But they have now
something to talk about together and with others. Things like the eggs in
Albania, crossing the tallest bridge in the world, but most of all it has
been the people they met on their way: families in Hungary, staff in hotels
and campsites, Vladimir in Bulgaria and his gift of a pot carafe, the kids
camping on the campsite “S” in Romania, the girl selling CDs and DVDs and
her husband, the guys in many of the Russian truck stops, and the waitress
in the restaurant in Mongolia that took their washing home with her and
brought it back washed.
They arrived in Thailand on Aug. 1 after 148 days on the road, driving
25,454 kilometers and using 3,870 liters of diesel fuel. Many goodies and
souvenirs were purchased throughout the various countries, which made
unpacking a tough job on their arrival.
The renovation began with
their purchase of an accident-damaged German motor home, which they stripped
of its interior to furnish Plodd.
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Tourism down, but not out,
business leaders say
Sanpech Supabowornsthian, Assistant
Managing Director of The Zign Hotel Pattaya and president of the
Thai Hotel Association - Eastern Chapter.
Marcus Souksi
Political unrest and low season may have sapped Pattaya of its
foreign tourists, but at least two of the city’s business
leaders are hopeful of not only a high-season rebound, but
confident that a surge in Thai tourism can make up the
shortfall.
“Some years ago, Pattaya wasn’t much of an attraction to Thai
tourists from Bangkok, but now things have changed and Pattaya
has grown a lot more than expected,” said Sanpech
Supabowornsthian, assistant managing director of The Zign hotel
and president of the Thai Hotels Association - Eastern Chapter.
“It’s only a short distance from Bangkok and it’s not just the
nightlife that attracts them. Pattaya has more to offer, like
monthly activities, the scenery and the beaches.”
 Dr.
Pichit Kangwolkij, CEO of the Bangkok Hospital Group, Eastern
Region.
“The number of foreign patients who fly here mainly for medical
treatments have dropped a little from last year because of the
political turmoil, but we actually are getting more Thai
patients,” said Dr. Pichit Kangwolkij, CEO of the Bangkok
Hospital Group, Eastern Region.
One factor driving domestic tourism is the annual Pattaya Grand
Sale, which The Zign promotes as “Thai Tiew Thai,” or “Thais
Helping Thais.” The sale offers substantial discounts on
accommodations, tourist attractions, entertainment and
restaurants.
“The foreign tourists have decreased, but we are getting a lot
more Thai tourists because of it,” Sanpech said. However, both
men noted, the impact from the drop in foreign tourists,
particularly Russians and Chinese, can’t be overlooked.
“The impact of the of losing 30 percent of tourists in the first
half of this year has a slight effect to our hospital,” Pichit
said. “Although we are getting more Russian patients, patients
from other nations have dropped.”
“Russian tourists that were spotted in every corner of the city
have decreased, as well as Chinese tourists,” agreed Sanpech.
“But I’m sure they will be back.”
Reasons for the two executives’ optimism differ. For hotelier
Sanpech, it’s because Pattaya itself is changing. For Pichit,
it’s work the hospital group is doing to diversify its business.
“Pattaya used to be best for singles, but now there are more
families on the streets and that is what we are focusing on,”
Sanpech said. “Pattaya has changed a lot. Some places and roads
are improved, some are not. The question was, can the THA do
something about it? And we certainly can.”
Bangkok Hospital Group is doing what it can to reach beyond its
core medical center and medical tourists. It has opened three
clinics in Naklua, South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach, the latter
of which will be expanded into a full-service hospital in a few
years.
“Even though Thailand is experiencing political problems, we are
a genuine hospital that adheres to Thai law and provides full
service with our experienced and qualified physicians and
nurses,” he said.
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Hard Rock Pattaya
appoints new executive assistant manager
John Manley has been
appointed as the executive assistant manager of
the Hard Rock Hotel & Cafe Pattaya.
Hard Rock Hotel & Cafe Pattaya General Manager
Jorge Carlos Smith announced the appointment of
John Manley as the executive assistant manager
of the Hard Rock Hotel & Cafe Pattaya.
An Australian by nationality, most recently John
was director of food & beverage at Pattaya
Marriott Resort & Spa. Prior to that, he was
executive assistant manager at Royal Orchid
Sheraton Hotel & Towers Bangkok, director of
food & beverage at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit
Bangkok and executive chef at Sheraton Hotels in
Sydney and Perth.
John is passionate for hospitality, has talent
in cuisine, as well as exceptional service
delivery. His love of music spans all styles,
from Nick Cave to early Pink Floyd and to the
most recent Deep House to name just a few
artists. Food and travel spills into everything
he does. John loves nothing more than a glass of
great Australian wine with friends and
colleagues, or to cut up the waves at Jomtien
Beach wind surfing, perfectly complementing the
spirit of Hard Rock.
“It certainly is a great honor to join the band
at Hard Rock Hotel and Cafe Pattaya and I look
forward to creating a memorable experience that
rocks for all,” John said.
With more than 20 years of experience, John
brings a wealth of hospitality expertise to Hard
Rock Pattaya. In his new role as executive
assistant manager, he will be responsible for
effective leadership and management of the
operational departments of the property
including room division, food & beverage,
merchandise, spa, security, and the
entertainment department, as well as achieving
planned business goals while maintaining brand
and company standards for guests’ and employees’
satisfaction.
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