11 Nov 2018
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Long Son Island - "Short. But Sweet"

Hares: Pekka, Slipper
Hash Flasher: Kojak, Radiowave
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Secs

​A sunny Sunday afternoon and 47 hearty Hashers hop upon the Hashmobile. Our destination this week is Long Son Island just 26 km from Vung Tau. We disembark at the our starting point on an asphalt road and gather round stalwart Hare, Flying Finn, as he delivers the chalk-talk. We are to follow the road until it transforms in to a dirt trail and after 500m look out for the red ribbons indicating a right turn in to the jungle - then follow the red ribbons up the hill where we will have a down-down at the restaurant at the top. With a wry smile he suggests it may be a short trail - anyone who wishes to do more is welcome to do it twice.

With a spring in our step we “on-on”, pausing only to indulge our propensity to pose for photos for this week’s Hash Flashes, Kojak and Radiowave. Soon we find the aforementioned right turn which takes us in to the thick jungle. Single file, we follow the red ribbons through the lush greenery, thankful for the shade of the jungle canopy above. Before long the jungle thins out and we see signs of civilisation. We emerge in to a car park and see our trusty Hashmoble waiting for us, eskies full of San Miguel at the ready. 

Quizzically we look at each other. Is this really the end? A quick check of the GPS on our phones confirms it  - 1.3 km and 30 minutes makes this one of the shortest trails in a long time. However, this gives us more time to explore the beautiful Khu Du Lịch Sinh Thái Du Sơn Restaurant and of course, more time to slake our thirst, fill our bellies and mingle with our fellow Hashers.

The boombox makes an appearance and the down-down becomes a hoedown as we are treated to an entertaining display of twinkle toed finesse as a few of our party animals shake a leg to the rockin’ beats of DJ Golden Fish’s tunes.

A veritable feast is on offer today - the usual Banh Mi’s, the legendary sandwiches from Mother Teresa and Boozer, and mountain chicken with sticky rice that Long Son Island is famous for. Now we are replete, Ringmaster Boozer calls the Circle to order.

In the Circle this week we have only one Virgin - a flexible Yogi from India, several Russian Returnees, and two Sinners. It’s a somewhat boisterous affair, with the usual iced water dousing - remember kids, if you are going to throw water, don’t be surprised if you get wet. Star of the Circle this week is venerable Hasher, Stubble, who almost missed the bus from Hon Ru Ri and we suspect he may have been a tad worse for wear from a weekend of excess. Double Tube of Doom for him - which he tackles like a pro.

Circle over, eskies packed, we board the Hashmobile and the party continues all the way back to Hon Ru Ri. Until next week….

VTH3 #863 PHOTO GALLERY

4 Nov 2018
​
Nui Dinh

Hares: Mr. T, Secs
Hash Flasher: Secs, Radiowave
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Chom Chom

​​A surprisingly quiet of late gathering at Hon Ru Ri with around 45 people getting ready for this weeks away trail to Nui Dinh. That on it’s own made the day start off greatly – no doubt mismanagement would disagree!

We loaded up our regular Hashmobile charabanc with the usual iced-up San Miguels and a monstrous selection of soft drinks and once our diverse collection of Hashers mounted we left at a very punctual 1.30pm. `

Good progress was made to Nui Dinh and with no pick-ups en-route we arrived at our starting point around 2.15pm. This weeks start was about half way up the mountain road, just past the Thien Ton Phat Quang Buddhist Temple, near the water pools. We were certainly not alone this week, the area was swamped with people with their associated coaches and peace destroying motorcycles.

After a quick briefing of the trail ahead we manoeuvred as best we could down the mountain road a short distance before turning left into the real starting point. After a slight descent to the pools, we climbed back up, passing a few buildings and soon arriving in the deeper forested areas. It was a clear trail with very little opportunities for Hashers to get lost. We continued our climb at a reasonable rate, still fairly comfortable. After a fair hike we reached a flatter area where we were grateful for the cool breeze before enjoying the even more welcoming downhill path. This led us to a paved road and a rather steep incline once again. Whilst this part was fairly short, it was the toughest part of the trail. After a further forest area we hit the main mountain road, made a left turn and looked ahead in hope of seeing the Hashmobile marking the finish. The trail was just over 4km.

Our down-down this week was near our usual spot towards the end of the mountain road. Those that finished the trail in the early places helped unload the bus and prepare the refreshments and the snacks for those that arrived later and in more need for their well-deserved drinks.

Due to the absence of Bryce and Aqua, the boombox got a welcome change and got acquainted with Golden Fishs’ phone to provide the music. 

After much enjoyment eating, drinking, chatting and banter, we were assembled by our resident photographer Radiowave to get the group photo completed. Our ringmaster, Boozer then called the circle – this week resembling two horizontal lines on both sides of the road.

The circle started as usual by introducing our Hares, Mr. T and Secs, although Mr. T was absent due to being in Dalat. Whilst the trail was rated 12 out of 10, poor old Secs still had the refreshing pleasure of the tube of doom. We welcomed three virgins this week, one Vietnamese (from Vung Tau), one Russian and another from Russia or somewhere nearby! Our returnees included Mr Versace, Stubble, Black Hawk and Radiowave's wife, Wi-Fi. A couple of sinners were called into the circle – Mr Versace (for having incorrect footwear) and Mr Romania (not an official hash name yet!) for sleeping on the road. There was no surprise that Mr Romania received the double tube of doom.

As always, I like to pass on our gratitude to our foodies this week which included the regular sandwiches (now with added sardines) from Boozer, the Russian open-style sandwiches from Mother Teresa and new this week, so an extra special thanks to Shomit and T34 for their generous box of yet more cheese and ham sandwiches. Together with the Hash supplied Banh Mi, no one went home hungry.

After consuming pretty much all the food and beverages, we had the easier job of loading up the bus again in preparation for our journey home. 

Until next week, have a good one and on-on for next Sundays trail.

VTH3 #862 PHOTO GALLERY

28 Oct 2018
​
Big Mountain

Hares: Mr. T, Secs
Hash Flasher: Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Faulty Brakes

​Vung Tau Hash was resuscitated in 2011 and has run continuously for the last 7 years through typhoons, sunshine and rain on a weekly basis. The Hash is a family hash where parents can take along their children to enjoy the mountain trails in Vung Tau and the surrounding areas of Baria, Long Hai and Nui Dinh. With an average of 45 people weekly it is probably the most successful club or group in Vung Tau and the latest measurement of success can be seen in our forthcoming away weekend to Ta Cu in La Gi is that the Bus is FULLY BOOKED for this overnight trip, the second away trip this year.

The hash commences every Sunday at 12.45  pm outside Binh An4 on Phan Chu Trinh street with the loading of the eskies with beer and soft drinks, then dispensed to Hon Ru Ri or the Down Down location in the case  a local trail. At the end of the hash they are returned to Binh An4. We are grateful to them for  allowing us room to store our beverages.

Trail 861 was set up the previous Friday by Secs, Mr. T and Graham. Hem 750 on Tran Phu was the starting point for this week’s trail where a flotilla of taxis had transported the 45 Hashers for the beckoning trail ahead. Then proceeding up to the Cambodian temple, walking up numerous steps to the path that runs along the big mountain and descending the stops to one of VTH3’s favorite resting place 102 Tran Phu.

This week we introduced our latest asset to the VTH3, The Rock Box, complete with microphone, this allows us to listen  to music on our bus trips and at showtime, the dulcet  tones of our ‘Lord of the Rings‘ recite his party pieces to his appreciative audience. This week’s circle was the first time to use this device and I believe everyone enjoyed the presentation.

This week we had 5 virgins ,one hailing from Romania and 4 locals  from Vung Tau ,you are very welcome to VTH3.

We welcomed back our longstanding members Pekker who along with his Finnish friend Slipper who have created many fantastic trails down over the years and will hopefully continue this in future months to come.

The Down Down in 102 Tran Phu was enjoyed by the 52 hashers with the ice cold San Miguel’s, soft drinks  and Ban Mi along with Simons super sambos (which he donates to hash at his expense).

This week trail received the standard mark of 11 out 10  and was in contrast to the previous week’s arduous trail (Hermit’s Trail) but nonetheless enjoyable. We are indebted to Golden Fish and Aqua for their assistance when purchasing the VTH3 Rock Box, which will be the responsibility of Chom Chom to care for our latest high tech acquisition.

The VTH3 has been running successfully for 7 years apart from some recent hiccups, if any members have any ideas that might improve our hash please inform any of our committee members and help us by registering online before you arrive on a Sunday, this allows to purchas e the correct amount of Banh Mi. 
With the sun lowering in the sky over the South China Sea, it was time to call time, people departed in various forms of transport, the bevies were returned home whilst some hashers remained and continued  to sip sherbets into the darkness of the evening. Winding Down after the days exertions, hatching plans for future trails sipping the remaining bevies (courtesy of Simon) again it was a ‘grand day’ for all involved in VTH 3.

VTH3 #861 PHOTO GALLERY

21 Oct 2018
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Long Hai / Minh Dam - "A Hot Climb Up To Awesome Views"

Hares: Mr. T, Cleaver
Hash Flasher: Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Secs

We are back on Minh Dam mountain again this week, and a record breaking 56 Hashers crammed in to the Hashmobile. We arrived at the starting point where Hare - Mr. T - explained that this was a simple but challenging trail. We’re to follow the dirt road until we see red ribbons indicating to turn left. There we are going to enter the forest and follow a well defined trail until it takes us under the jungle canopy. This is where we’re going to begin a climb up the many steps that would take us to a magnificent view from a hermit’s house, perched two thirds of the way up the mountain. From there we are to walk around the house and continue up the remaining steps to the lookout point at the top. Then we’re to descend to the carpark by following the steps that go down the other side of the mountain.

On-on we go, thankful to have missed the earlier rain that was evident from the all the puddles strewn along the dirt road. After a pleasant stroll in the countryside, we begin the grueling, rocky steps up to the summit. We find that the trail is well maintained and many of us are to pleased to discover that some kind soul has built a rope handrail, allowing us to pull our way up the steep incline. We reach the hermit’s house where we are greeted with a spiritual view of the landscape and a twinkling smile from the resident monk. It’s a welcome respite and we stop to catch our breath while gazing in awe at the beautiful landscape. Breath caught, we push ourselves up the remaining steps to the summit. 

A vast, cerulean sky greets us at the top, and we are afforded beautiful sunshine, a cool, fresh breeze and an awesome view. Perfect for cooling down after hard climb. 

And selfies…………

Selfie time over, we follow the easy trail down to the carpark and the down-down begins!

Fending off a troop of marauding monkeys we satiate ourselves with cold San Miguel, fruit and sandwiches from our foodies, we take the team photo and Ringmaster Boozer calls to order the circle. 

This week our Hares are Cleaver and Mr. T. the trail is rated and general consensus was excellent with a total of 15 out 10 rating bid.

A grand total of eleven Virgins this week hailing from Australia, Ukraine and Vietnam are baptised in to the Hash. Welcome!

Excuses from the Returnees this week ranged from “back in the UK” to “busy working”. Welcome back!

Various Sinners charged this week with the usual “foot faults” for inappropriate footwear. 

Perennial Hasher and legendary footwear sinner,  Slipper,  is double charged - once for his preference for thongs and secondly for not presenting himself as a Returnee. Welcome back Slipper!

And thus endeth the Circle for this week. 

Eskies are loaded and Hashers are once again packed into the Hashmobile and the homeward bound party begins….

VTH3 #860 PHOTO GALLERY