28 APRIL 2024
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BIG MOUNTAIN - "TRIPLE COMBO"

Hares: Chippy, Secs, Bull Ant
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Uncle

Weather: 33C “feels like” 37C; humid. BYO shade!
Hash Cash: 1 pm run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 22
Trail: Chalk Talk by Secs, then we followed red tapes from Nắng Vũng Tàu to Tran Phu Hem 42 (usual access is Hem 12) and vertiginous climb over scree (loose stones), talus (bigger rocks/boulders), duff (detritus) and 244 rock steps to Bodharama temple (see ‘Special interest’). Turned left on Vi Ba to high end of Waterfall trail (part 2 of triple combo) and followed to plateau at low end then onto M90 trail for part 3 of triple combo. Followed M90 to Vi Ba then Lê Ngọc Hân Hem 89 back to Nắng Vũng Tàu. Total distance ~5 km. (8,793 steps on Lady Di’s pedometer.)
Highlights: Views of Vịnh Gành Rái (Ganh Rai Bay – see ‘Special interest’), and very welcome shade along Waterfall trail. Sumptuous Down Down buffet at Ốc Nóng Thảo. 
Special interest: ‘Namo Buddhaya’ (Bodharama temple gateway inscription) means “Homage to the Buddha” in Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism.
Ganh Rai Bay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Down Down: Ốc Nóng Thảo (@ Nắng Vũng Tàu)
Refreshments: Clam soup, fried rice seafood salad, cucumber, chips, crackers. Water melon, star fruit, jack fruit. Saigon Chill, softies, mineral water.
Circle: Trail ratings 8,10,10/10. “Very hot”, “Effin hot”, “Enjoyed after ‘up’ bit”, “Lovely trail”. Hares Bull Ant, Secs, Chippy thanked. Returnees Nghia (“Busy with schoolwork”), Debbie (“Danang”) welcomed back. Ốc Nóng Thảo staff applauded for excellent buffet!
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 1110 GALLERY

21 APRIL 2024
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MINH DAM BASE - HERMIT TRAIL

Hares: Chippy, Secs, Bull Ant
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ringmaster: Chom Chom, Bishop
Report: Uncle

Weather: Hot sunshine. Some shade on descent.
Hash Cash: 1 pm run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 31
Trail: Roadside dismount, Chalk Talk by Secs (edited): “Relatively short trail (~2 km). Follow red ribbons along dirt track onto mountain then steep climb up stone steps, dry scree (crumbled rock), duff (fallen leaves, etc) and boulders to flagpoles on lookout rocks. Descend along concrete/stone track, steep in parts, to Minh Dam base parking area for Down Down.”
Highlights: Helpful rope handrails on ascent. Hermit’s shack. Views over Phuoc Hai and beyond from flagpole lookouts. Sea breeze after hot climb. Historic war relics museum on descent. Friendly dogs and tourist groups in Down Down area.
Lowlights: Aggressive monkeys!
Special interest: Exploring Minh Dam base in Ba Ria-Vung Tau (vietnamtourism.gov.vn)
Hiking Minh Dam Mountain - An Easy Day Hike Near Vung Tau, Vietnam (lifeofdoing.com)
Down Down: Minh Dam base parking area.
Refreshments: Banh mi with pork, cucumber fillings, dips. Water melon, mango. Saigon Chill, softies, mineral water.
Circle: Trail rated 9, 11, 11 “Wonderful” x 3: 10/10. Hares Secs, Chippy, Bull Ant thanked. Hash Virgins Kimmy & Ray (Vung Tau), Huy (VT), “Musky” (Thailand) and Visitors Nancy Kieu & Selena (SH3) welcomed. Returnees Lucifer (“Studying in Saigon”), Rear Admiral (“Heard you had no beer for 10 years”) welcomed back. Sinner Lady Di (“Considered doing Hash Lite”) dunked. New Name Dew (Thailand) now “Mango man”. Circle videographers (various) thanked. Sprinkles by Bishop. 
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 (this helps the committee to order a smaller/cheaper bus and fewer meals if necessary).
“On On”

RUN 1109 GALLERY

14 APRIL 2024
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LONG SON ISLAND, LOWER MOUNTAIN

Hares: Chippy, Secs, Bull Ant
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ringmaster: Chom Chom, Bishop
Circle videographer: Alex
Report: Uncle

Weather: Hot, high cloud, shade on the mountain.
Hash Cash: 1 pm run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 33
Trail:  Delayed start (bus 30 mins late). Over access bridges and turn left onto Long Son island and follow 30 April road ~2 km to Quan 999 (small restaurant/eatery on RH side). Dismount for Chalk Talk by Secs (edited): “Continue few hundred metres along sealed road and turn right at red marker tape after school. Follow track to lower mountain, across the quarry and climb over boulders, then continue to top, across and down (lotsa rocks and slippery dry scree). Onto track past cemetery and few houses to complete circular route to 30 April road then turn right and continue ~2 hundred metres to Quan 999. Total distance ~3.5 km”.
Highlights: Shade on mountainside after heat from sun on sealed road. Musical accompaniment(!) from friendly karaoke groups in houses near end of trail. Special chicken from #999 eatery despite power failure! An impressive six New Names in the Circle!
Down Down: Quán 999, Thôn 4, Xã Long Sơn (small restaurant/eatery #999, Village 4, Long Son commune).
Refreshments: Quan 999 ‘special’ grilled chicken, green coconut sticky rice, cucumber, leafy veg, dips. Water melon, guava. Saigon Chill, softies, mineral water.
Circle: Trail ratings 9.5 “Hot day, lovely trail”, 10 “Beautiful trail, good chicken”, 23 “Tremendous" = 15/10. Hares Bull Ant, Chippy, Secs thanked. Hash Virgin Anna (“Danang, now VT resident”) welcomed. Returnees Lady Di (“5 years travel, Covid”), Ms Hong (“Busy work”), Teddy (“Tour groups to VN and Cambodia”) welcomed back. Sinners Soggy Bottom (“Too hot”), Ms Cam Tu and son Bo (“Stomach ache”) dunked. New Names Flower Pot (Ms Anh), Rooster (Ms Phuong), Blue (Ms Cam Tu), Chase (Bo), Mr Bean (Tanh), Garibaldi (Gary) all Hash-named. Baptismal sprinkles by Bishop. 
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 1108 GALLERY

7 APRIL 2024
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NÚI CHỨA CHAN, DONG NAI

Hares: Live trail by Chippy, Secs, Bull Ant
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Ms. Anh
Ringmaster: Secs
Report: Secs

Weather: Hot (~33°C!), welcome cloud cover, fresh breezes.
Hash Cash: 8 am run fees Secs, Bull Ant @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 29
Trail:  Two and a half hour bus journey to Khu du lịch núi Chứa Chan with refreshment stop along the way. Cable car passes acquired and distributed by Chippy. 10 minute cable car ride to half way point at 470m above sea level. Chalk Talk by Secs: “Follow the well trodden mountain path to the summit at 873m and then return the same way. When you arrive at the cable car station, take a right turn and then follow the multitude of steps back down through many shops, restaurants and temples. Meet back at the carpark no later than 4:30pm”
Highlights: 

• Superb views from paragliding launch pad
• Meeting many like minded hikers on their up and down the mountain
• Wild cashew trees lining the path
• Many photo opportunities from the summit at 837m
• Enterprising gentleman selling very welcome ice creams at the summit
• Variety of interesting shops, restaurants on the way down the steps
• Delicious, freshly cooked fried banana stalls

Down Down: Khu du lịch núi Chứa Chan car park in the shade of the bus
Refreshments: Chicken drumsticks, pate, sticky rice, dipping sauce (purchased from Co Nha’s trolley outside 63 Ba Cu – open 5-8 pm daily); water melon, fried bananas, Saigon Chill, softies, mineral water.
Circle: Trail ratings 20, 10, 10, 9/10, “tough but very good”. Live Hares Chippy, Bull Ant and Secs thanked. Hash Virgins Ang and his son Phuc, Hue and Thu (Vung Tau), Alan (Melbourne) and partner Phuong welcomed and baptised by Chippy. Circle videographer Ms. Anh thanked. 
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 trail
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 1107 GALLERY