26 MARCH  2023
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MONKEY ISLAND - CẦN GIỜ

Hares: Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom, Mr. T
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Faulty Brakes 

“Tis not in mere mortals to demand success, Sempronius but we will do more, we will deserve it” wrote Thomas Addison and this philosophy has been the mainstay for Vung Tau Hash over the years, trying different trails and weekends away, always trying to be innovative. It’s been 2 years since we last visited this unique biosphere in Can Gio which in fact is now a suburb of Ho Chi Minh City and in recent years with the new ferry is a mere 35 minutes to Tran Phu in Vung Tau. How many hashes need 2 methods of transport to reach their destination and to return home?

Sitting on the upper deck of the ferry returning to Vung Tau watching the sunset while drinking some cold beers is one of those memories which will last for a long time. The day began early Sunday morning at Headquarters in Le Ngoc Hahn where supplies of drinks and food were loaded to our local Vanmans lorry for transportation to the Ferry at Tran Phu and with fees accounted for it was now time for the flotilla of motorcycles to proceed also.The logistics of today's trek left the Kudos with Chippy for the sensational organisation of everything, including tickets, bus hire and entry to Monkey Island and the Down Down venue on the beach. Disembarkation of the ferry took place and hashers and eskies were delivered to the awaiting Green Bus and a smiling driver. The bus was a local transport company who soon had us on the way to the Monkey Island site.

The chalk talk was simple, no red red ribbons today but take care of your sunglasses and phones as these thieving monkeys can cause no end of problems for naive visitors. On-On down the tarmac road and be careful. 

Monkeys? These are in fact long tailed macaques indigenous to South East Asia but monkeys to you and I. We soon encountered a marauding pack, sussing out potential victims for the old “sunglasses scam.” Chom Chom was today's Hash Flash and while taking a photo was attacked from behind by a fiendish primate despite the warning of the onlooking Faulty Brakes. One pair of designer Gregory Pecks gone as fast as you could say - On On. Never a problem, Vung Tau Hash has been dealing with monkeys for a long time. Negotiations took place with a local attendant who managed to swap a packet of biscuits for Chom Chom’s glasses and someone remarked “should have gone to Specsavers” The walk continued in sweltering conditions along the bamboo road encountering a facility to witness sleeping crocodiles suddenly become awake whilst visitors dangled fish in front of them (20000 vnd per fish bait)

The next port of call was a mockup of an old Viet Cong camp with video footage explaining the role of insurgents during the American War, a reminder of the terrible atrocities that were foisted on the Vietnamese people not so long ago. Time now for a leisurely retreat to our bus, 2 o’clock being the designated time and at 2.10 we were on the road again to the most exotic Down Down location on the beach. 

Banh Mi cool beers soft drinks were rapidly consumed to everyone’s approval, wind in the hair (for those who still have it) crashing waves, relaxing after the earlier exertions. The fly in the ointment came in the form of the uninhibited Vietnamese Karaoke singer, wailing like the proverbial banshee and the occasional shriek of a peacock that was caged close to us in a neighbouring house. Nobody took any notice and the afternoon slid slowly by. It was time to pack up and return to the ferry for the 5 o'clock sailing to Vung Tau.


Another magnificent Sunday in the long history of Vung Tau and to all the committee involved in today’s  excursion to Con Gio, take a bow and well done for such a magnificent achievement.

At the ferry Terminal, the Hashers dispersed, the lorry took the remaining supplies back to our store and further imbibing and pizza consumption took place late into the evening in Mr C’s, 

ON-ON - until next week

RUN 1053 GALLERY

19 MARCH  2023
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NUI DINH - HELICOPTER TRAIL

Hares: Mr. T, Chippy, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Secs
Ringmaster: Uncle
Report: Uncle 

Weather: Sunny, but plenty of shade
Hash Cash: 1 pm registration with Mr T and Johnny @ VTH3 Kennel: Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 35
Destination: Nui Dinh upper level (past the bridge and near end of sealed road).
Chalk Talk: Secs (edited): “Follow red trail markers into jungle and around to lookout rocks, then continue to complete a 4.5km circle back to start point for Down Down.”
Trail: Dismounted Hashmobile near top of Nui Dinh sealed road with rest areas both sides of the road and vendor selling boiled corn on left at beginning of rocky trail into jungle. We followed dirt track made slippery with many dried leaves, then rocky path and dried stream bed, slowly increasing ascent angle to final steep climb to temples and lookout rocks for photos. Then continued marked trail down (many small rocks and steep descent in places) until final ~1km of concrete track to start point and across road for Down Down. The Hash Lighters walked all the way up from ground level highway!
Highlights: Several different lookouts including ‘Helicopter’ and ‘A di đà phật’ rocks giving views as far away as Long Son and Vung Tau mountains. Pagodas, temples and shrines dotted around the mountainside: one signpost shows three tracks each leading to a different religious site. 
Special interest: ‘A di đà phật’ (inscribed onto main lookout rock) means ‘Amitabha Buddha’ (Sanskrit: “Infinite Light”). More info: Amitābha - Wikipedia
Down Down: Rest area in trees on RH side near top of sealed road.
Refreshments: Saigon Chill, softies, water, sticky rice with mixed veg, quail eggs, etc (yum yum!), water melon, VN apples.
Trail rating: 10+
Hash Virgins: Nhan, Bin, Nam.
Other business/Công việc kinh doanh khác:
1(EN). All dayer to Can Gio (“Monkey island”), 9am 26 March. Watch out for emails and book early!
1(VN). Cả ngày đến Cần Giờ (“đảo khỉ”), 9h sáng 26/3. Coi chừng email và đặt sớm!
2(EN). Away weekender at Coco Beach 15 April. Watch out for emails and book early!
2(VN). Đi nghỉ cuối tuần tại Coco Beach ngày 15 tháng 4. Coi chừng email và đặt sớm!
3(EN). Sponsor Office Bar’s weekly agenda: Monday Quiz Night, Wednesday Killer Pool, Friday free cheese and biscuits.
3(VN). Chương trình làm việc hàng tuần của Nhà tài trợ Office Bar: Đêm đố vui thứ Hai, Bi-a sát thủ thứ Tư, bánh quy và phô mai miễn phí thứ Sáu.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
1(EN). Tick Vietnamese/English language option in top RH corner of the screen when registering for the next run.
1(VN). Nhớ tích vào lựa chọn ngôn ngữ tiếng Việt/Anh ở góc trên cùng màn hình khi đăng ký cho lần chạy tiếp theo.
2(EN). Always wait for traffic control from Hares before leaving the Hashmobile – especially on busy highways.
2(VN). Luôn chờ kiểm soát giao thông từ Hares trước khi rời Hashmobile – đặc biệt là trên các đường cao tốc đông đúc.
3(EN). Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1 is the only pick-up/drop-off point in Vung Tau city area. Pick up/drop off outside Vung Tau city must be arranged with Hares or Mismanagement.
3(VN). Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1 là điểm đón/trả khách duy nhất tại TP.Vũng Tàu. Việc đón/trả khách bên ngoài thành phố Vũng Tàu phải được sắp xếp với Hares hoặc Ban quản lý.
Circle closed: Garbage bags filled, eskies de-iced and loaded onto Hashmobile for storage at Nắng Vũng Tàu after pleasant return journey (light traffic, one comfort stop).
Next week: Watch this space and facebook page: @VungTauHHH for more details of next week’s run to Can Gio, Monkey Island (remember early start: 9 for 9.30am). 
“On On”

RUN 1052 GALLERY

12 MARCH  2023
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Mr. T, Chippy, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Have-A-Chat
Report: Uncle 

Weather: Sunny
Hash Cash: 1 pm registration with Mr T @ VTH3 Kennel: Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 36
Destination: Nắng Vũng Tàu via Big Mountain
Chalk Talk: Secs (edited): “Basically a 6 km circle on Big Mountain via Vi Ba, Hem 31, red tape through jungle up and over the mountain until back to Vi Ba, then down through monastery to Nắng Vũng Tàu.”
Trail: Hem 105 Le Ngoc Han to steps onto Vi Ba. Turn right at top of steps, down to Hem 31. Right fork up past Thompsons’ house then right into jungle and follow red marker tapes around the peak, up and across Hem 444 (“Ho May Park Road”), then continue following tapes through jungle until back to Vi Ba. Down past coffee stalls then turn right into Chùa Bồ Đề Bodharama, follow red tape through monastery grounds, down steps onto Tran Phu, turn left, under cable cars, then left again onto Le Ngoc Han to Nắng Vũng Tàu.
Highlights: Views of shipyard then Vung Tau bay; welcome breeze across Hem 444 at top of Big Mtn peak; thirst-quenching pineapple slices from Pineapple Bill while resting in Buddhist monastery; meeting former Hasher My Le Hoang when leaving monastery grounds.
Special interest: Magnificent grounds in Chùa Bồ Đề Bodharama monastery. Theravada Buddhists believe in Namo Buddhaya. This mantra means “homage to the Buddha”. It is one of the Three Refuges through which Buddhists acknowledge the importance of the Buddha. The other two refuges are the Sangha and Dhamma.
For more info, see ‘Ways of Buddhist living’: Chanting and mantras - Ways of Buddhist living - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize
and ‘The ancient story of Namo Buddha’: Namo Buddha | one of the most sacred Buddhist sites
Down Down: Nắng Vũng Tàu (VTH3 kennel)
Refreshments: Saigon Chill, softies, water, banh mi, water melon, mango.
Trail rating: 10.5/10 (“A well-marked, tough one in hot weather”)
Hash Virgins: William & Tom, Sus Bao, Huy Cool(!), Bich, Nghia.
Visitors: Terry (“Kill her”) & Bernie (“Kill him”), Phuket Hash (origin. Vancouver BC). 
Other business:
Công việc kinh doanh khác:
1. Away weekender at Coco Beach 15 April. Watch out for emails and book early!
1. Đi nghỉ cuối tuần tại Coco Beach ngày 15 tháng 4. Coi chừng email và đặt sớm!
2. All dayer to Can Gio (“Monkey island”), 9am 26 March. Watch out for emails and book early!
2. Cả ngày đến Cần Giờ (“đảo khỉ”), 9h sáng 26/3. Coi chừng email và đặt sớm!
3. Remember to check Vietnamese/English language option in top RH corner of the screen when registering for the next run.
3. Nhớ tích vào lựa chọn ngôn ngữ tiếng Việt/Anh ở góc trên cùng màn hình khi đăng ký cho lần chạy tiếp theo.
4. Always wait for traffic control from Hares before leaving the Hashmobile – especially on busy highways.
4. Luôn chờ kiểm soát giao thông từ Hares trước khi rời Hashmobile – đặc biệt là trên các đường cao tốc đông đúc.
5. Sponsor Office Bar’s weekly agenda: Monday Quiz Night, Wednesday Killer Pool, Friday free cheese and biscuits.
5. Chương trình làm việc hàng tuần của Nhà tài trợ Office Bar: Đêm đố vui thứ Hai, Bi-a sát thủ thứ Tư, bánh quy và phô mai miễn phí thứ Sáu.
Circle closed: Garbage bags filled, eskies de-iced and returned to storage at Nắng Vũng Tàu kennel.
Next week: Watch this space and facebook page: @VungTauHHH for details of next week’s run. 
“On On”

RUN 1051 GALLERY

5 MARCH  2023
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LONG HAI MOUNTAINS

Hares: Mr. T (Lead), Chippy(Sweeper), Secs
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Have-A-Chat
Report: Uncle (who apologises upfront if any names or other info not shown correctly: “All care but no responsibility.”)

Weather: Sunny, high cloud (but plenty of shade).
Hash Cash: 1 pm registration with Mr T @ VTH3 Kennel: Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 24 
Destination: Khu du lịch sinh thái Ngọc Xương (“Ngoc Xuong eco-tourism lodge”) near base of Định duyên sơn (“Fateful Mountain”) in Long Dien district.
Chalk Talk: Mr T (edited): “Take main trail (from Minh Dam parking area) to first shrine and lookout point, then keep following red marker tapes to three more temples… approx 5 km total distance, mostly fairly level”.
Trail: Main trail out of parking area to first commune, shrine and lookout point on edge of Long Hai mountains range, then ‘on on’ to more temples, shrines and lookout points following red tape sometimes up, sometimes down, but rarely very steep until final extended descent to ground level (many hundreds of stone steps, but evenly spaced so relatively painless). Some missing tapes in mainly residential areas, but Hares kept pack ‘mostly’ together (see “Sinners” below!). 
Special interest: Various temples, shrines and lookout points along the trail – always friendly monks. Hash hound Queenie’s excitement as she explored each commune. Sweeper Hare Chippy’s professional field medical treatment on sore arm(!).
Down Down: Ngoc Xuong eco lodge 1-2 km through residential area from coffee shop at end of Fateful Mountain steps: Parking for Hashmobile. Extensive lawn for relaxing. Lake for fishing (by at least one junior hasher!). Public toilets. Excellent venue!
Refreshments: Saigon Chill, softies, water, banh mi, water melon.
Trail rating: 10. “Long but not too arduous.”
Hash Virgins: Nguyen Ha Si (intro by Adonis), Ngoan Hai Duong (intro by Minh).
Returnees: Butterfly (after 15 years absence – “Got married”!)
Sinners: Uncle, Le Minh Ha (missed red tape near end)
Other business:
1. Away weekender at Coco Beach 15 April. Watch out for emails and book early!
2. Sponsor Office Bar’s weekly agenda: Monday Quiz Night, Wednesday Killer Pool, Friday free cheese and biscuits.
Circle closed: Garbage bags filled, eskies de-iced and returned to storage at Nắng Vũng Tàu kennel after a pleasant return trip.
Safety alert: Always await traffic clearance from Hares before exiting Hashmobile – especially on busy highways during comfort stops and drop-offs.
Next week: Watch this space and facebook page: @VungTauHHH for details of next week’s run.
“On On"

RUN 1050 GALLERY