 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MAJOR SPONSOR, SAN MIGUEL! Contact Mr Cuong for all San Miguel products in Vung Tau: email: [email protected] phone, text/sms: 0938 83 31 83 or 0906 79 11 55 Home, office, party etc deliveries a specialty! 29 June 2014 NUI DINH - Mushroom glen + swimming pool cafe We gathered in Offshore Bar 1 beer garden under fairly clear skies - certainly clear enough to give us hope that today would be our first run of the wet season without gettting soaked (but read on...). We disembarked the Hash chariot (45-seats for the price of 29 - can't be bad!) near the school at the bottom of Nui Dinh (mountain) and headed uphill after the Chalk Talk. After 400+ metres of sealed road, it was a sharp right turn onto a local dirt track which we followed for some time until reaching the well-signed turn-off into the bush proper. Having spent 10-15 minutes on fairly level ground, it was no surprise to suddenly find ourselves heading uphill through the thick scrub - this is Vung Tau Hash, after all! On and on we went, through the scrub and a flat area filled with large mushrooms ("mushroom glen"), before finally arriving at a steep upward climb. It was here that Viking and Titanic displayed some real Hash spirit by using a tree-branch to haul "young and old" over some boulders to emerge back on the sealed road (only much higher up the mountain this time!). After a few false starts where many of the FRBs managed to miss the markers across the road pointing back into the bush, most of us were 'coralled' by the Hares and pointed in the right direction - while the FRBs headed off by different routes towards the swimming pool cafe "Down Down" area. Once we'd passed the disused tree-cutter's house and emerged back onto the sealed road (again!), it was "only" another 800 metres or so until we spotted the Hash chariot outside what is arguably our favourite Nui Dinh location: the swimming pool cafe! Several opted for a swim, most didn't - and some had already opted to head further north on the mountain road for reasons known only to themselves! Lots of fellowship followed, nicely complemented by the icy-cold San Miguels and spring rolls, bread, meat and pickles provided so magnanimously by Ice Water! Our forward planning received a boost when Titanic and D&G explained that most of our Russian contingent are enjoying holidays back home, with expected return to VN from end-August - which gives us a timetable to replenish the stocks! It was about this time that the threatening dark skies finally opened and the rain literally bucketed down onto the tin-roofed shed in which we had all gathered (except for the swimmers, of course - they were busy making sure our major sponsor's banner is waterproof: see Photo Gallery below!). The Circle was eventually called and the trail awarded 8/10 by former Hare, Hard Drive. "Hares extraordinaire" Rowdy Water and Falcon were duly acknowledged! And it was then that not 1 but 11 sinners were called into the Circle to collectively pay their dues for various indiscretions including short-cutting, long-cutting, going backwards, going forwards, etc etc - we're sure you get the drift! The rain that had battered the swimming pool cafe incessantly for what seemed like hours finally began to ease, so the decision was made to pack up and run to the bus for the somewhat soggy journey back into town - which was accompanied by continued chit-chat and the occasional song ("Maggie May", anyone?). The new "Vung Tau Hash" song was also premiered - it will appear amongst the other songs on this website in due course... The On On took place as usual at Offshore Bar 1, which coincidentally(!) is the venue for next Sunday's registration at 2 pm before we head off for a "stroll" on Big Mountain - see you then! On On!  Reporting: Uncle Hares: Falcon, Rowdy Water Hash Flash: Uncle VTH3 #635 PHOTO GALLERY>>>>>>> All photo contributions are welcome, but please pre-set your camera to 1600x1200 pixels (sometimes shown in 'Settings' or 'File size' as SQ1 or 3MP), so each photo file is no more than 120-150kb/s. Alternatively, download Shrink Pic, Image Resizer or similar software. We'd like to accept bigger files, but it's unfortunately not possible... 
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 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MAJOR SPONSOR, SAN MIGUEL! Contact Mr Cuong for all San Miguel products in Vung Tau: email: [email protected] phone, text/sms: 0938 83 31 83 or 0906 79 11 55 Home, office, party etc deliveries a specialty! 22 June 2014 LIGHTHOUSE HILL - 'The Peter Rabbit Memorial run' After a short delay hoping the rain would stop, we decided that we were going to get wet anyway, so the whistle was blown, "On On" called, and 14 hardy Hashers who had been 'straining at the leash' were released to head across town towards Lighthouse Hill. We made it together onto a road known to many, which meandered towards the Vung Tau lighthouse - yet with a slight 'twist' to it this time. There were some remarkably fresh-painted arrows to mislead, and they weren't the ones we wanted - but with good fortune and much affability, we all managed to miss the real route before being shepherded back onto the correct course. Some not-so-silent mumblings about "Dastardly Hares" were overheard from the ranks of the FRBs who had been so cruelly robbed of their lead! We reached the lookout point near the top, and the markers led the way over a wall and onto a ridge along the peak - including a never-before-seen 'swimming pool' (thanks to the rainwater filling an old gun emplacement). Yellow combined with red tape ushered all to an historic area which was a new sight for all to see, and it was beautiful - landscaped, almost! The view over Vung Tau Bay was stunning, even in the rain and mist (or maybe because of the rain and mist) - and many selfies and group photos were taken by all and sundry! Being in VTH3, it's quite normal to go uphill at least halfway with most of our runs, followed naturally by a downhill aspect. Today's downhill was no exception. It looked very steep indeed but, with surprising red ribbon diversions, it was actually quite accommodating for all - although credit must go to those who helped their fellow Hashers off the last tricky bit! This brought us all into a beautiful green laneway, where we turned left. (To turn right would have been amazing, but that's for another day...) Following the trail which was lush, green and really everything you could wish for including a deceptive 'dog leg' bend, it set us all on the track back to the more populated part of Vung Tau below. It's fair to say that, today, the small mountain known as Nui Nho showed us all a different aspect than generally imagined - and one which was certainly appreciated by our runners. Mountains have this ability always to surprise and, if you think you know a mountain, it often thinks (and shows) otherwise - even Mountain Goat's faithful hound Hashputin was seen frolicking along the trails with little legs getting an extremely good workout! "On On" we went across town to the familiar twin goldfish statues in the park overlooking Front Beach. And what an inspired choice for 'Down Down' location - the inclement weather meant we had the entire park to ourselves, for the first time ever! We were midway through quaffing ice-cold San Miguels and devouring the Russian and Vietnamese delicacies provided by Mountain Goat and Ice Water when we were joined by the family and friends of Hasher Peter 'Rabbit' Burrowes, who tragically died last week from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. The Circle was called, with the trail set by Rowdy Water and Falcon being awarded 7/10 by Taffy plus 3 bonus points for the swimming pool, which gave a very respectable 10/10! Hash Virgin Mai was welcomed and various sinners punished for misdemeanours real and imagined. Also noted that we sadly say "Come back soon" to VTH3 stalwarts Mountain Goat and UXO - we miss you already! Then it was time to pay our respects to Peter 'Rabbit' with a minute's silence, followed by a group toast to and with him and his family in mourning. "'On On' PR - gone but not forgotten. RIP." (We had earlier given Peter's family a "Condolences" card signed by today's Hashers as well as those individuals and other VN Hashes who had conveyed their respects during the week.) STOP PRESS: Hares Falcon and Rowdy Water have set a new trail on Nui Dinh for this Sunday's run - they call it 'Mushroom glen': genuine countryside (with a hill) and finishing at the swimming pool, so don't forget your togs and a towel (which can be left on the bus) if you fancy a dip after the run! We'll meet as usual at Offshore Bar 1 beer garden, 2 pm for 2.30 pm start. On On!  Reporting: Rowdy Water, Uncle Hares: Rowdy Water, Falcon Hash Flash: Rowdy Water, Circle photos Falcon, GPS report Flying Scotsman VTH3 #634 PHOTO GALLERY>>>>>>> All photo contributions are welcome, but please pre-set your camera to 1600x1200 pixels (sometimes shown in 'Settings' or 'File size' as SQ1 or 3MP), so each photo file is no more than 120-150kb/s. Alternatively, download Shrink Pic software and set for "medium compression". We'd like to accept bigger files, but it's unfortunately not possible... The attached GPS report is courtesy Flying Scotsman... To view 'Ran 7.04 km on 22/06/2014', follow this link: http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_workout?w=616967427   PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MAJOR SPONSOR, SAN MIGUEL! Contact Mr Cuong for all San Miguel products in Vung Tau: email: [email protected] phone, text/sms: 0938 83 31 83 or 0906 79 11 55 Home, office, party etc deliveries a specialty! 15 June 2014 NUI DINH - "We Hash in any weather!" Thankfully, it looks like the stifling hot weather is behind us for a while - with the rain well and truly "bucketing down" on Sunday, as can be clearly seen in the photo gallery below! 30 Hashers arrived at Nui Dinh - arguably our favourite mountain outside of Vung Tau City - and disembarked near "Angel stream". We followed the stream, which was now more like a swollen river, through the picturesque mountain valley dotted with various religious artefacts. We crossed a small bridge then followed the perimeter of a large temple complex. Until now it had been all downhill apart from one gentle slope; however, this was about to change... We were now faced with two options: a steep climb, or a secondary route mostly circumventing it - which many elected to follow. However, those who chose to tackle the steep climb were rewarded with an excellent, flat concrete track and (the remnants of) fantastic vistas over southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. On a good day, you can even see Vung Tau city - but definitely not in today's rain! Following this same track for another half a kilometre brought us back to the start point, having gone full circle (almost)! Greeting the bedraggled Hashers were ice-cold San Miguels, soft drinks and bread, pork and fish kindly supplied by Ice Water and Mountain Goat. All thoughts of soggy clothes were instantly forgotten as everyone tucked into the culinary delights! When the Circle was called, we welcomed UXO back from the sea, and Chippy; as well as recognising several Hash Virgins who I'm afraid I can't name because my notes became so wet they're unreadable - sorry about that! It had been a very good day, and the non-stop rain allowed us to reaffirm our motto: We run in any weather! STOP PRESS: "Hares extraordinaire" Rowdy Water and Falcon have combined their talents and vast experience to set a trail on Small Mountain (Lighthouse Hill) for Sunday 22 June. We'll meet as usual in the Offshore Bar 1 beer garden at 2 pm for 2.30 pm start! On On!  IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE REPORT THE DEATH OF NZ HASHER "PETER RABBIT" BURROWES FROM INJURIES RECEIVED IN A TRAGIC TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.  Reporting: Rowdy Water, Uncle Hares: Rowdy Water, SamSon, Ice Water Hash Flash: UXO VTH3 #633 PHOTO GALLERY>>>>>>> All photo contributions are welcome, but please pre-set your camera to 1600x1200 pixels (sometimes shown in 'Settings' or 'File size' as SQ1 or 3MP), so each photo file is no more than 120-150kb/s. Alternatively, download Shrink Pic software and set for "medium compression". We'd like to accept bigger files, but it's unfortunately not possible...   PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MAJOR SPONSOR, SAN MIGUEL! Contact Mr Cuong for all San Miguel products in Vung Tau: email: [email protected] phone, text/sms: 0938 83 31 83 or 0906 79 11 55 Home, office, party etc deliveries a specialty! 08 June 2014 BIG MOUNTAIN - and the hidden peak! With many regular Hashers missing this week for a whole range of work, personal and other reasons, ‘Oh dear’, did they miss out on a lovely day! We arrived at the 544 Tran Phu start point by taxi fleet from Offshore Bar 1, then followed a bit of an uphill trail, then a bit more uphill, then more - and so it continued uphill, fortunately with a "cooling sea breeze" wafting up from the ocean below. Surprisingly, a new and real peak of Big Mountain was awaiting at the very top. "New" because this section of the mountain is not accessible in other seasons - but very good use was made of it today! It was an extremely picturesque uphill run for everyone and, looking backwards, the views were quite stunning. Not many Hashers look backwards when they're running uphill, but on this particular occasion at least, an exception would have proved very worthwhile! Today's photo gallery contains a few shots of the trail and not many of the Hashers - because the Hash Flash and Hash camera became separated for most of the run owing to "other duties as required". It's also known as "Sod's Law", because this was certainly one occasion when the photos would have been quite something - so if anyone else has any, please forward for the gallery (but please see the notes below re photo sizes, because we're unfortunately not able to accommodate large files). Anyway, back to the run and, having ‘peaked’ so splendidly, it was now downhill all the way. An easy run really.....until we ran into the downhill ‘jungley stuff’ that is, which surprised everyone except the Hares. Yes, it had been deliberately chosen because Hares come across this sort of terrain quite often and this week they thought, "Why not let everyone else experience such similar and really enjoyable terrain?". It was well marked, yet care was needed to avoid tripping or sliding in several different places. To balance the "up and up" earlier in the run, this section went "down and down", with not an earth trail in sight apart from our eco-friendly red ribbon. The odd prickle was also available for those who wished to indulge, but most sensibly chose not to(!). To put it simply, this was "the real thing" and almost entirely untouched by human hand (‘un-gardened’, if you will). Perhaps it was with some relief after a fair bit of going downhill on virgin trail, when the red markers showed the way to some steps. And not just "any old steps" either, this was Big Mountain’s famous "600 steps" that have been familiar to VT Hashers for the past two decades at least! On this occasion, we joined the steps at the lower level, about 150 high - so that also came as a welcome surprise! After that, it was plain sailing through the pagoda grounds and across the street, to one of our favourite Down, Down locations: the beachside cafe at 83 Tran Phu. Rowdy Water had been operating as Ailing Hash ("sweeper") so arrived last, and what a view awaited! Hashers one and all relaxing with super cool San Miguels, soft drinks and what looked like half the food in Vung Tau, against a backdrop of the East Sea with waves lapping gently on the beach. It was amazing to come down off a mountain and encounter such luxuries! Many thanks once again to Mountain Goat and Ice Water for supplying all us hungry Hashers with such superb fare, including the fresh mangoes. With the ocean waters only a mere step away, some opted to cool themselves down in its welcome embrace. It was all very relaxing and it's nice that it can be that way, but we did have a touch of official mis-business to conclude and so the Circle was called accordingly. The run was awarded 8/10 by SamSon, with bonus points for "the jungley bit", otherwise perhaps only a 7.9 or even considerably less! The good news was no ice water being thrown (for a welcome change!) on the Hare and his judge, who had naturally joined in the obligatory "Down Down". And it was ice-cold water, just ask Chris "Broken Spokes", who had finally managed to return after three long years of wandering the world in search of Hash runs and the money required to fund the lifestyle! It was also a delight to welcome Hieu as the only Hash Virgin of the day; we look forward to him returning, along with some of his colleagues. Sadly, it looks like we might be farewelling ‘No Name Bob’ - who did such a great job guarding the eskies on those occasions when he wisely decided his 'Dicky Knee' perhaps wasn't quite up to the climb! Good luck Bob - we certainly hope you can return one day.......... And, talking of 'the future', we have a whole "family" of Hares planning to set the trail for next Sunday on Nui Dinh: one of our favourite mountains outside of Vung Tau City. It'll also be Father's Day, so here's an opportunity for a real family day out in splendid surroundings! We'll meet as usual, 2 pm for 2.30 pm start: Offshore Bar 1 beer garden. See you there! On On!  Reporting: Rowdy Water, Uncle Hares: Rowdy Water, Falcon Hash Flash: Rowdy Water and friends VTH3 #632 PHOTO GALLERY>>>>>>> All photo contributions are welcome, but please pre-set your camera to 1600x1200 pixels (sometimes shown in 'Settings' or 'File size' as SQ1 or 3MP), so each photo file is no more than 120-150kb/s. Alternatively, download Shrink Pic software and set for "medium compression". We'd like to accept bigger files, but it's unfortunately just not possible... |
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