25 February 2018

Small Mountain - "Cafe Uno Trail"

Hares: Boozer, Peter
Hash Flashers: Gary, Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Chom Chom

​As I sit in New Century sipping my ice-cold draft San Miguel, my distant memories of being
at home soon fade further and more recent events take priority. That brings us to this weeks
Hash Report.
Trail number 826 started near The Winds on Phan Chu Trinh. Our 26 Hashers made their
way to the starting destination and Boozer gave us a quick overview of the trail ahead of us.
The climb up Small Mountain will have been familiar to many of us as we navigated the best
route over the rather dry and slippy ground, crossing over the two levels of road. Just as well
this part of the trail was familiar, as there was a major shortage of red tape. We were directed
to the right on reaching the top and continued the road for a while passing various coffee
shops and many selfie opportunities for the ladies!
We turned off the road upon reaching the coffee shop near the lighthouse and proceeded back
into more scenic lands and through the rubbish dump. A few interesting buildings were to
come and at least this part was red taped.
The final section of the trail involved a rather steep slope where many Hashers found it easier
(and safer) to slide on their backsides rather than the more traditional walk down to Ha Long
street, right by our Down Down destination at UNO Coffee. Four of our gallant members
assisted our younger hashers as there was undoubtedly some health and safety concerns.
After a quick right turn on Ha Long, the trail was complete and the super-cold San Miguels
were waiting, together with a selection of soft drinks, rolls and sandwiches (thanks to Boozer
and Bla Bla Cafe).
The group photo was done and our ringmaster Boozer got the circle into action. This week
the sinners were the People Committee of Phuong 2 for allegedly removing the red tape from
the first part of the trail. We welcomed Graham as our sole virgin. The circle was concluded
with another reminder to REGISTER at Coco Beach Camp and the Vung Tau Hash website
for our upcoming Summer Weekender in April.

VTH3 #826 PHOTO GALLERY

18 February 2018

Big Mountain

Hares: Mr. T, Boozer, Secs
Hash Flashers: Flying Finn
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Faulty Brakes

​This weeks trail was number 826 from 432 Tran Phu to the school near the Haven was marked by Mr. T, Secs, and Boozer the previous Friday. The 35 eager hashers registered at Hon Ru Ri on a warm sunny afternoon in anticipation of the what lay ahead. Those with scooters were urged to drive ahead to the Haven Bar whilst a flotilla of taxis took the remaining Hashers to assemble there.The eskeys were deposited in the little seaside cafe beside the beach and then Boozer announced the plan of the trail for the afternoon.

We took taxis to Hem 432 and waited until everyone arrived.This was  important when we remembered a previous cock up with this in the past when Hashers started from a  different place.
Boozer, now on his scooter at this time, told us he would drive to the mountain to ensure no one missed the turn off point and he duly honored his word, in the afternoon he doubled as ambulance man bringing one unfortunate hashers who a tripped and needed medical attention to the local hospital as well as carrying some the less fitter hashers along the mountain path on his sturdy charger - is there no end to this man’s dedication to the cause?

The remaining Hashers walked from the base of the mountain up to path that straddles Big Mountain with breathtaking views of the Shipyard and Long Son island to the right in the distance and the South China Seas to our left. We eventually came to the school and we are in debt to Mountain Shrimp for pointing out this trail to us in the past. With the Tet festival in full flow and many local Vietnamese taking the opportunity to avail of a cool dip in the sea, beers and rolls, courtesy of that man again Boozer,and Mother Teresa were scoffed and washed down with the cool nectar of San Miguel. Now the time had come for  the Down Down, it was Ring Time For Boozer to demonstrate his unique ability to conduct the circle ,with his ‘silly hat’ doubling as a sporran (an old Scottish term for a purse) and welcoming newcomers and returnees. This week we welcomed Koja k’s daughter from Norway to receive Her Hash Handle,having recently finished her medical studies and graduating as a doctor, Bac Si was attributed to her and we welcomed her on board the good ship VTH3.

Again we emphasized the need to book for the Coco beach trip as soon as possible for accommodation is running out very quickly, please heed this warning if you intend to partake in this trip to La Gi and Ta Cu Mountain. This venue was visited last week by the Mismanagement committee and it’s one of the most spectacular sights that Vietnam has to offer, visitors can take a cable car up to top of mountain and there is a pre-laid trail for hashers to negotiate. 

​With the Sun setting on the ocean and all the eskeys emptied, it was time to call a halt to another wonderful Sunday in the VTH3 calendar.

VTH3 #825 PHOTO GALLERY

11 February 2018

Big Mountain

Hares: Flying Finn, Faulty Brakes
Hash Flashers: Secs, Flying Finn
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Secs

A great turn out this week for a local run on Small Mountain with 43 Hashers congregating at Hon Ru Ri. Lead Hare, Flying Finn, informed us that we are to head to Mr. Ket coffee shop on Ha Long Road where he would deliver the “chalk-talk” for the run. So, on-on we go, enjoying the invigorating sea breeze as we walk along the coastal road.

We arrived at Mr. Ket where we gather round Flying Finn and listen intently as he explains the trail. We will take the mountain path to the summit, keeping an eye out for red ribbons that will divert us from the road, taking us through the mountain forest, around the army base and eventually on to the mid-way point of the steps to the famous Jesus Statue that dominates the Vung Tau skyline. We are to take the steps down Ha Long Road and the Down-Down will be on the opposite side of the road at Beach Valley.

Cheered on by the crowd of vivid flowers that flank either side of the mountain path, we steadily climb the steep mountain path until we reach the relatively flat road that crosses the mountain. Stopping briefly to admire the spectacular seascapes we continue on until we see the aforementioned red ribbons that will take us off the beaten track and in to the forest. As we are entering the dry season, there are many leaves underfoot making the going a little bit challenging, especially as we attempt to walk perpendicularly across the 45° incline. The legs of the mythical Dahu would have been an advantage here. It’s not long before we reach the perimeter of the army base and follow the fence until we arrive at the path to the Jesus Statue. Some Hashers take this opportunity to climb to top and visit the Jesus Statue however, most descend the steps, eager to slake their thirst with ice cold San Miguel.

Slowly but surely we arrive at the secluded Beach Valley where we find apprentice Beermeister, Faulty Brakes, waiting for us with eskies full of Ice Cold San Miguel. The tranquil tropical beach setting is conducive to a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy the sandwiches provided by VTH3 - supplemented with delicious culinary delights from Mother Teresa and Boozer - washed down with San Miguel.

After posing for the team photo, it’s time for the circle!

This week, Ringmaster extraordinaire and master of his own ring, the inimitable Boozer, leads proceedings in the circle. A jolly time ensues as Boozer cheekily exalts the Hares, deflowers the virgins, gives the returnees a rollicking and chastens the sinners. Beers are “down-downed”, water is doused, footwear is ridiculed - and a convivial time is had by all. 

With the evening sun melting in to the East Sea, the content and slightly weary Hashers drift off into the sunset, ready to hash another day.

VTH3 #824 PHOTO GALLERY

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM FLYING FINN

​4 February 2018

Nui Dinh - "One of the Top 3"

Hares: Flying Finn, SamSon, Peter
Hash Flashers: Flying Finn
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Faulty Brakes

Last Sunday’s run from the BaRia to the top of Nui Dinh was marked by Flying Finn, Samson and Peter and surely must rank in the top three of all our runs in recent years in the writers opinion.
The hashers disembarked the coach on an new highway in the process of being  constructed and the forty enthusiasts walked another kilometer to the starting point where our trail finder extraordinaire Flying Finn explained the severity of our task.The trail was rated on our hash Richter scale as 4 out of 5 trail and it was now the time to test the mettle of VTH3 running  members.
‘On On ‘cries where heard initially and this 5km trail with an elevation 500  Metres  to the previous weeks Down Downs  area commenced,through the Forrest climbing upwards this well marked trail along the side of the mountain and eventually we reached top to descend into the  previous weeks ‘walk in the Forrest trail ‘and eventually the tarmac road  for the awaiting goodies refreshments and coach.
Down Down commenced with Boozer giving his usual performance as only he can give when conducting his circle, this week Karyn received the handle or hash name ‘Alice’, much to amusement of everyone, and unlike the popular song by seventies group Smokey we resisted the obvious. Nui Lon was attributed to Mountain shrimps brother, a reference to big mountain where they live and have showed us many new trails in the past.The Down Down was sadly tinged with the news that our favourite hash puppy Sandy(Hot Dog) had gone to  the great hash in the sky the previous Wednesday.
The Down Down continued with the customary sandwiches and San Miguel slaking the thirst s of tired hashers and the trail was rated 10 out 10,It was time to leave for our return journey and the coach headed towards Vung Tau.Onboard was our musicologist D.J Zidane with tuneage from Russia Vietnam and Australia  complete with disco lighting and a smoke machine (I kid you not). Refreshments and San Miguel and the singalong topped off the return journey to Hon Ru Ri after another great run to the mountains.Next Sunday’s trail will be a home run and please submit your application for April’s away trip to Coco each camping by booking your accommodation first and then booking your bus seat.This is important to avoid disappointment as we have a limited number of places available

VTH3 #823 PHOTO GALLERY

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM FLYING FINN