26 JANUARY 2025
BIG MOUNTAIN - MARIA MOUNTAIN
Hares: Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom CHom Ringmaster: Chom Chom Report: Secs with thanks to Uncle
Weather: High cloud, cool breezes.
Hash Cash: 1pm run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 27 Trail: Eco carts / own transport to Ngoc Dung restaurant, 77 Tran Phu. Offload eskies then cross the road to the ‘Church of Bai Dau’ car park for Chalk Talk by Chief Stoker (edited): “Head towards the 32m statue of Đức Mẹ Bãi Dâu (‘Our lady of Bai Dau’ aka ‘Mother Mary and child’) ascend the ~1200 steps up to the large Cross of Jesus at the top. Follow the red ribbons in to the jungle and continue until come out at Hem 444. Follow the path until red ribbons on the right direct us back in to the jungle until we arrive at the top of the Chinese style temple (Hưng Thắng Tự pagoda). Descend the 622 steps, exit the temple on Tran Phu and back to Ngoc Dung restaurant for down-down Hash Lite did their admirable ~10km along the coast meeting us just in time for kebabs and beer” Highlights: Fishing fleet and shipyard views from Hem 444. High tide at Down Down for enjoyable swimming with locals. Special interest: The address on Hưng Thắng Tự pagoda gateway is ‘Bãi dâu, Vũng Tàu’. Online searching translates the area as ‘Mulberry beach’, but local folklore calls it, “Clouds on the mountain”, aka ‘Heaven’s Gate’. Down Down: Beach level, Ngoc Dung restaurant, 77 Tran Phu. Refreshments: Doner Kebabs, pineapple chunks, water melon. Saigon Chill, softies, mineral water. Circle: Trail rated 9/10. Hares Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly thanked. Hash visitor Lilly Puff Puff (Saigon Hash) welcomed. Junior returnees An An, Gia Han welcomed back On on on: Mr C’s Speakeasy pub, 3A Lê Ngọc Hân. Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. PLEASE REMEMBER: We can all help to keep run fees as low as possible by cancelling registration if suddenly unable to attend (the committee can then order a smaller/cheaper bus and fewer meals if necessary). “On On”
RUN 1149 GALLERY
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19 JANUARY 2025
BIG MOUNTAIN - CAMBODIAN TEMPLE TRAIL
Hares: Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly
Hash Flasher: Chippy Ringmaster: Uncle Report: Uncle
Weather: High cloud, cool breezes.
Hash Cash: 1pm run fees Chom Chom, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 21 Trail: Eco carts to 750 Trần Phú; left onto Trần Xuân Độ and dismounted at Hem 33 for Chalk talk by Chief Stoker. Headed uphill past two temples incl. one with Khmer-style stone handrail carvings and artefacts (hence “Cambodian temple”). Followed red marker tapes up several tiers of steps making total 850 to trolley rails up mountainside behind second pagoda. Marker tapes for right turn onto jungle track near top of trolley rails had disappeared but Hares ensured everyone followed correct trail. We eventually reached the summit and crossed Hem 444 aka ‘Ho May Park road’ to begin southern side downhill leg. Climbed over broken park wall and enjoyed shipyard views, then followed a long and often steep and rock-strewn downhill forest track with two lengths of barbed wire fencing and finally emerged onto sealed road at a Vi Ba hairpin above the army camp (pleased to find the narrow concrete exit slab now augmented by several bags of cement for easier balance!). Continued downhill past the army camp and coffee shops, through Chùa Bồ Đề (Bodharama temple) at 25 Vi Ba and enjoyed comparing the various upper class mountainside residences on the way down to Trần Phú. Finally circled behind the Hilton construction site to Nắng VT/Paper Garden at 5 Lê Ngọc Hân to complete what was arguably the best Hash run in recent times, with moderate but eminently acceptable degrees of difficulty and interest, and probably the most photo stops ever made on a single trail as we well and truly conquered Big Mountain! Total distance ~5.3 km (worthy of note: Hash Liters trail ~9.3 km!). Highlights: Shipyard views from the construction area near the broken wall on Hem 444. Lots of friendly banter on the way down to Tran Phu as we passed the upper class homes! Sumptuous Down Down buffet at Nắng Vũng Tàu’s stylishly renovated Giấy Garden. Total relaxed and friendly ambience amongst Hashers; we started and finished as a single, happy group – for which the organisers and Hares deserve a big pat on the back for what was surely one of the best VTH3 runs in modern times! Down Down: Giấy Garden restaurant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu.Refreshments: Buffet with smoked duck, spring rolls, fried rice, salad; water melon slices, pineapple chunks. Bia Saigon, Revive, softies, mineral water. Circle: Trail rated 10,10,10/10. “Superb”, “Maximum points”, “Best ever”! Hares Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly applauded. No Hash Virgins. Returnee ‘Lily’ welcomed back after 12 months absence (works in Germany and Vietnam). There couldn’t possibly be any Sinners on such a good day! On on on: Not sure as the “Một Hai Ba Yo!” and “Chúc mừng năm mới!” salutes were still ringing out as this scribe departed, but possibly Mr C’s Speakeasy if any stayers. Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. PLEASE REMEMBER: We can all help to keep run fees as low as possible by cancelling registration if suddenly unable to attend (mismanagement can then adjust transport and/or food and drinks if necessary). “On On”
RUN 1148 GALLERY
12 JANUARY 2025
NÚI DINH - SWIMMING POOL CAFÉ
Hares: Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Secs Baptismal sprinkles: Bishop Ringmaster: Uncle Report: Uncle
Weather: Some high cloud but mostly clear sky. Cool breezes.
Hash Cash: 1pm run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 28 Trail: Tweaked route for Hashmobile pick-ups and drop-offs outside Vung Tau city area to ensure compliance with stronger focus on road rules and penalties. Disembarked midway up Nui Dinh access road outside Bồng Lai Quán (aka Swimming Pool café) for Chalk Talk by Chief Stoker (edited): “Several hundred metres downhill then turn right into jungle. Follow red tapes on dirt trail with fairly dense coverage of dry leaves, gradually becoming steeper with more rocks and slippery loose grit. “Eventually reach a series of rock steps leading up to Di Da Son Pagoda with several caves housing shrines, altars and some awesome religious artefacts. “Enjoy the views and photo opportunities, then follow concreted track out of jungle onto Nui Dinh access road. Turn right and walk several hundred metres downhill to start point at swimming pool café.” Total distance ~4.5km. Highlights: Many ‘gold’ religious artefacts in the Chùa Đi Đà Sơn (Di Da Son Pagoda) caves. The whole area and nearby lookout rocks are known by some older hands as ‘Magic Mountain’. Special interest: All VTH3 assets including ice boxes, shelving, etc now moved back to original storage room on restaurant side of Nắng Vũng Tàu complex as newly-constructed storage area on Lam Son side has been redesignated. Down Down: Bồng Lai Quán (aka Swimming pool café), midway up Nui Dinh access road.Refreshments: BBQ pork, rice noodles, dip. Water melon slices, pineapple chunks. Bia Saigon, Revive, softies, mineral water. Circle: Trail rated 10,10,10/10. Hares Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly applauded. Hash Virgins Ha, Ngoc, Huong (all VT), Ray (Perth, Aus) welcomed. Thanks to Circle helper David. On on on: Mr C’s Speakeasy. Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s local run starting and finishing at Nắng Vũng Tàu. PLEASE REMEMBER: We can all help to keep run fees as low as possible by cancelling registration if suddenly unable to attend (mismanagement can then adjust transport and/or food and drinks if necessary). “On On”
RUN 1147 GALLERY
5 JANUARY 2025
NÚI TÓC TIÊN (TOC TIEN MOUNTAIN)
Hares: Chippy, Secs (live trail)
Hash Flashers: Chippy Ringmaster: N/A Report: Secs with hat tip to Uncle
Weather: Humid, overcast at first with sun breaking through later.
Hash Cash: 11 am run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 36 Trail: Departed nearly 2 hours early for a longer than usual Hashmobile ride to Phu My via Ba Ria and Highway 51, then ~3 km north towards Toc Tien village and Hamlets 3 and 4. Followed a narrow road through tapioca fields to dismount at Ms Tham’s house about 1 km from base of Nui Toc Tien. Chalk talk by Secs, then followed red marker tapes along sand and grit lane onto and up the mountain. Two Buddhist temples, a huge Banyan tree, a friendly monk’s house and much sweat later and we reached the summit! Most Hashers managed to squirm up tree branches onto the huge lookout rock with elevation plaque for photos. Then reverse route back to a very pleasant Down Down venue at Ms Tham’s house and garden. Total distance ~4.8 km. Highlights: Tapioca fields as far as the eye can see! Giant banyan tree (popular with Harry Potter fans for photos!). Panoramic views over the surrounding area from the summit. Elevation marker on lookout rock for photo ‘proof’ of the climb. Special interest: Landmarks on/near Núi Tóc Tiên (elevation 433 metres) include adjacent mountain Núi Thị Vải (457 metres), Linh Sơn Bửu Thiền Tự and Chùa Trúc Lâm Bảo Sơn (Buddhist temples), Phu My (District-level town earmarked for city status in 2025), Phu My Town Cemetery, and TTVH-HTCĐ xã Tóc Tiên (Toc Tien Community centre). Down Down: Ms Tham’s house and garden about 1 km walk along mostly flat sandy lane with occasional puddles and barking dogs to Nui Toc Tien. Refreshments: Pork banh mi. Watermelon slices, pineapple chunks. Bia Saigon, Revive, softies, mineral water. Circle: It had been planned to do a joint circle with Saigon Hash who had also been running / walking in the same area, however, due to the late arrival of the runners, who in inimitable Hash style, took a couple of wrong turns on the way to the down-down and the impending darkness we just had time to take a group photo and head back to Vung Tau to be in time to watch Vietnam and Thailand compete in the ASEAN Cup final On on on: Mr C’s Speakeasy watch Vietnam beat Thailand in a thrilling football match Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. PLEASE REMEMBER: We can all help to keep run fees as low as possible by cancelling registration if suddenly unable to attend (mismanagement can then adjust transport and/or food and drinks if necessary). “On On”
RUN 1146 GALLERY
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