JUNE 26 2022
​
BIG MOUNTAIN

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

After seven consecutive Away trails, this week it was time for a Home Run on our favourite local stomping ground, Big Mountain. Primary reason for this local trail was to allow those who wished to watch what is known as Australian sport's greatest rivalry, the State of the Origin, a Rugby League match which was going to be shown on TV back at our Hash Home, Tommy’s, after the trail.

While Mr. T, assisted by Johnny and Bull Ant, collected the Run Fees and ticked the arriving Hashers off the registration list, Have-A-Chat bustled busily at the back hosing down the eskies and ensuring that enough Saigon Chill, soft drinks etc. were ready for our return. Once the Iceman arriveth, a bevy of volunteers brought the eskies to the front and ensured that the beverages were comfortably ensconced in ice.

This week we were also privileged to have our Hash Lighters join us. Relative newbies Tony and Jan were adamant that this was the week that they were going to attempt the main trail, and after a little cajoling from Bull Ant, the rest of Hash Lighters yielded and agreed to join us on what was described as a ‘relatively’ easy trail. 

Outside Tommy’s three quirky 12 seater, ‘electric’ golf buggies lined up and our eager Hashers jumped in. With Have-A-Chat recording the departure, our transport left Tommy’s and we were soon enjoying the fresh air and fantastic views of the coast as the buggies hurtled along Tran Phu road until we arrived at the starting point at Hem 542. 

After disembarking we gathered around lead Hare, Mr. T, while he explained the trail. We were to walk up the Hem until we reached the carpark of the temple at the top, once there we would see the obligatory red ribbons which would leave us off to the left and on to a trail that would take us all the way the Ho May Park road atop the mountain. Turn left, walk along the road until the red ribbons would lead us in to the jungle, which would take us across the ridge at the top of the mountain and eventually emerge onto Vi Ba road. Then walk down Vi Ba until we come to the first temple on the right and then bear right and follow more red ribbons which would take us down to Thuy Van again and then a simple walk along the road back to Tommy’s. 

Phew! Easy - right?

So, on-on we go. As we start to march up Hem 542, it quickly becomes apparent that this is a pretty steep hill, as our tightening calves can attest. But we are encouraged by friendly locals waving us on and soon we are at the top. The next part of the trail takes us through lush greenery with some dramatic cliffs in the background. It’s not long before we emerge on Ho May Park road, and take a welcome break to catch our breath and rehydrate. 

The well known Ho May Park road (AKA Hem 444) has some spectacular views and, of course, many of our Hashers take the opportunity to pose for obligatory photos. We reach almost the end of the road and once again the red ribbons are leading us back in to the jungle. A verdant tunnel of bamboo leads onto a single file track, this part of the trail is a tad more tricky with some rocks and slippy scree underfoot. There are reports of a couple of minor falls and some even are rewarded with their first ‘hash tattoo’ (a grazed leg) but all our Hashers soldier on, enjoying the beautiful jungle, until we reach Vi Ba.

A couple of hundred metres down the road, the famous coffee shops provide a chance for Hashers to imbibe refreshing nước mía (sugarcane juice) or simply restock diminished water supplies. Just beyond the coffee shop the gleaming temple Chùa Bồ Đề awaits with yet more photo opportunities. The next part of the trail is new to many of us and takes down some old steps, through some small Hems, where we afforded a unique view of Small Mountain, and finally back on to Tran Phu. Many breathe a sigh of relief - it's now only a short walk back to Tommy’s.

Most of us arrive back at Tommy’s with plenty of time to spare before the aforementioned rugby match. Chippy has prepared the succulent watermelon and the legendary pork ​​bánh mì sandwiches are laid out. 

Thirst is slaked with ice cold Saigon Chill and soft drinks, hunger is sated with delicious bánh mì and conviviality ensues as our Hasher exchange tails of the trail. 

There is just time to take the team photo before our hashers disappear in to the sunset, happy and satisfied with another great day in the beautiful Vietnamese countryside. 

Our Rugby fans gather round the TV’s while some of us continue to enjoy the delectable Saigon Chill. I’ve no idea who won the rugby but as soon as it was over we were once again treated to the dulcet sounds of Perfect Jive Duo and the evening continued…

RUN 1014 GALLERY

JUNE 19 2022
​
LONG HAI

Hares: Mr. T, Secs, Have-A-Chat, Chippy, Bull Ant
Hash Flashers:  Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Have-A-Chat
Report: Clarkes Lite

When we think of the great writers we think of people like Ernest Hemmingway, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens who I am sure would leap at the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of The Vung Tau Hash literary greats like Secs, Chom Chom, Bull Ant, Have-A-Chat and Hot Lips (his was the first report I read and now I am binge reading the previous ones for inspiration).

So as you can tell there is an immense pressure upon one's shoulders to make or should I say create a report that covers all the facets of the day but make it entertaining and informative. Therefore I will give you my effort but from the perspective of a side of the VT Hash that is sometimes overlooked. That is of course the members of Hash Light.

Now when we think of Hash Light we think again of the trail blazing explorers of years gone by. Our mind is filled with thoughts and images of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay (Mt Everest), Scott and Admundsen (the South Pole), Stanley and Livingstone (Africa), Marco and Polo (the Silk Road) (he didn’t have anyone else but wouldn’t be fair not to include him so I added the “and”) and like these famous explorers we have Vung Tau - Hash Light.

Now Hash Light as it is oft referred to is made up of 3 core members with those that think they can match the skills needed joining in from time to time but for the most part they do tend to fall by the wayside and leave completely shattered or rejoin the main group for their strolls in the mountains. It is certainly not a task for the fainthearted and the name is worn like a badge of honour amongst those who make it every week. 

Faulty Brakes our Irish representative, Reardo The Weirdo our Kiwi rep and myself your Aus rep. All of us may have seen better days but that has not blunted our thirst for new trails, adventures and travels nor slowed us down. Each week while the main party head to some tropical wonderland after wandering through a light jungle canopy away and being at one with nature and away from the heat of the day, Hash Light will be found in the full sun which often reaches into the mid-thirties where we set a pace that would and has left a lot of ordinary folk by the roadside. Treks often can reach 7 or 8 kilometres or more come rain or sun and to challenge ourselves even further we only carry basic necessities such as a bottle of water. Our rewards are the greetings and laughter of the local people who watch us march by and that ensures we return to the Down Down for a well deserved reward of Saigon Chill. Of course we face many dangers as we are not in the landscape the main group travels and not so long ago Faulty Brakes was almost taken out by a scooter but with a side step that would have made a tap dancer proud he avoided calamity and then with Herculean strength lifted the bike of the two girls trapped beneath it earning their undying thanks. So, there you have the basis of Hash Light. 

As for the Run Report I can only provide you with our side which goes thus:

We headed in the opposite direction to the main party as our compass (Faulty Brakes) took us back towards the main streets and after the first 20 yards we knew that the constant 36 degree heat would be our greatest challenge on the day. No shade was to be seen on either side of the street, the bitumen underfoot sweated its own version of the sun’s rays up at us while the Sun itself beat down on us. Our water supplies ran dangerously low at approximately the 5 klm mark at which time a decision was made to return thus cutting the journey somewhat earlier than normal but as the saying goes “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out into the midday sun” and as stated none of us are English. 

With the soles of our shoes almost melting, our skin peeling our lips dry like heavy grit sandpaper but our spirits undiminished we turned down a new road and headed back. On arrival we ensured that before taking a well deserved rest that we unloaded the bus and set up the site for when the picnickers returned so that they would have little to do. Not long after we had finished the first of their party arrived and a long, long time later the last arrived. Stories were shared, beers were taken, water was given out and food consumed before the return journey began. Our thirst for adventured once again fulfilled until the following Sunday.

RUN 1013 GALLERY

JUNE 12 2022
​
NUI THI VAI

Hares: Mr. T, Secs, Have-A-Chat, Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Rain Stopped Play
Report: Chom Chom

It had been a good couple of years since our last Hash adventure to Nui Thi Vai. Mismanagement started to panic as Saturday approached with 59 Hashers registered to climb Ba Ria Vung Tau’s highest mountain. Unfortunately, with further registration requests, we had to close the list and recommend to Hashers to register early next time.

Sunday afternoon soon came and in the beautiful bright sunshine, Hashers made their ways to Tommy’s Restaurant for registration. With help from Bull Ant, Mr. T took the newly reviewed (sounds so much better than increased) Hash fees. In the background the eskies were being prepared with large quantities of water, soft drinks and of course Saigon Chill Premium beer.
It was then ready for the very punctual 1.30pm departure as Hashers desperately squeezed onto the bus, hoping to be quick enough to get a proper seat. It’s all good as we did remember the trusty blue stools to fill up the aisle.

The journey took a while thanks to the mass departure of Vung Tau tourists, but slowly but surely, and after a few wrong turns, we eventually got to our starting point.

Our 59 excited Hashers alighted the bus in preparation for the trails beginning. Hare Secs gathered the group promptly as we were starting late and it was a long trail ahead. Have-a-Chat was running around taking photos whilst Chom Chom was struggling to get the Go-Pro to power on! After a short briefing of the trail, it was On On as we headed up the path towards the mountain…

At this stage the weather was looking quite promising, it had cooled down a lot from Vung Tau and whilst it wasn’t the clearest sky, it didn’t look too intimidating. Through the lush jungle and forest we ventured slowly but surely up, through various terrains offering some great photo and selfie opportunities.  Then, just 15 minutes in, from nowhere, the loudest clap of thunder gave our group their biggest shock of the afternoon – even more shock than the newly reviewed hash run fees! Almost like turning a page in a book, everything changed. It was dark and the rain could not rain any harder. The pleasant trail turned into a waterfall trail within minutes. There was a long way to go. Many attempted to protect themselves in those awful 10,000d rain coats that really are as much use as wrapping yourself in tissue paper, whilst most just battled on without protection. Once we had all got as drenched as was possible, it was all good fun navigating through the waterfall path up to the top of the mountain where some not so impressive views were waiting.

All our Hashers made it to the top and at this stage, after almost a couple hours of uninterrupted thunder, lightning and rain, the weather broke and it dried up. Whilst visibility was still poor, there were a few opportunities to get some nice photos of the day. It was then time for the departure down the mountain and the 1,200 steps through the pagodas and temple back to our starting point and our lovely covered down down area.

It was getting late now, so whilst Hashers enjoyed their fruit, banh mi, unlimited soft drinks and Saigon Chill Premium beer it was decided the circle would be postponed for the week. A group photo was taken by Have-a-Chat with his new Apple 13 something-or-other phone which actually came out quite well in the darkness. We got back on the bus and after several brief relief breaks, we made it back to Vung Tau and Tommy’s to enjoy the Perfect Jive Duo and some more Saigon Chill Premium beers. On On!

RUN 1012 GALLERY

JUNE 5 2022
​
SUOI DA / NUI DINH

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

​Sunday the 5th of June and we are all arriving at Tommy’s Bar in anticipation of a great day out with our fellow "Hashers on Run 1011 to beautiful Suoi Da. 

We wheel the eskies out of the storeroom at Tommy’s and fill some with water and soft drinks and others with Saigon Chill and Saigon green beer. We put the food for later on in another esky and wait until the “Ice Man cometh!”. The Ice Man eventually cometh and we top up the eskies and load everything on the bus, including all the Hashers.

We have a good crowd today, estimated at nearly 58 or so, and we fill the whole bus. Lots of dua tre and parents because it is the school holidays. Our trusty driver starts the bus and glides through the traffic until we are on a main road to somewhere near Ba Ria. Someone said we took at different route to our destination this time but it was very picturesque with a bridge over the river and lots of brightly coloured 
fishing boats. 

On arriving at our destination we dropped the Hash Lite team off and continued to the main drop off point, then it was on on into the bush following the ribbons that our hares Mr T, Bullant, Secs, Chippy and Have-A-Chat had so generously laid out the previous Friday. Some people found it very challenging and to others it was a walk in the park. 

I think that everyone enjoyed themselves through the scenery and a lot of great photos were taken and some new friendships made. On the return to the embarkation point the refreshment team set about making banh mi and dispensing soft drinks water and of course cold beer. Chom Chom got the music cranking and people were mingling, children playing and everyone enjoying themselves. Eventually it was time to leave and we loaded ourselves onto the bus for the trip home.

On arriving back at Tommy's Bar goodbyes were said by some and others stayed on to have a few more beers and listen to the live music for a while, all in all, a great day and a lot of FUN...

RUN 1011 GALLERY