25 JUNE 2023

SNAKE MOUNTAIN - LONG HAI

Hares: Mr. T, Bull Ant, Chom Chom, Chippy 
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom, Secs
Ring Master: Chom Chom
Report: Secs

Another Sunday Hash starts with the usual hive of activity at Nắng Vũng Tàu; Mr. T takes the fees from the 38 registered Hashers and a string of volunteers load eskies of iced Saigon Chill, Revive, soft drinks onto the Hashmobile. This week we are pleased to see the return of Mr. An our favourite bus driver at the helm. With registration complete and the bus boarded we are soon leaving Vung Tau on our way towards Long Hai. After a couple of pickups at Seaview and Long Hai we soon disembark in the shadow of the Snake Mountain.

Under an ominous grey sky we gather round co-hare Secs who explains that this week’s trail will be approximately 5km. We are to start by following a sealed concrete road that will take us up to the top of the mountain. Once we reach the end of the road we are to turn right in to the jungle and then follow red ribbons which will lead us to a temple atop the mountain with some spectacular views. From there the ribbons will lead us down the mountain and through a village until we will meet the bus parked outside a small shop where the down-down will be.

And so On-On! The initial walk is pretty easy but it soon becomes clear that this is going to be a steep arduous climb - the road’s gradient increases and soon we feel our calves tightening as we tiptoe up the hill. Just as we are approaching halfway up the inevitable first drops of rain descend from the sky and many of our Hashers reach for their raincoats. It’s a welcome, refreshing shower that cools us as we continue up the road. As we reach the end of the road the shower stops and we are treated to a break in the clouds and the sun emerges. 

The red ribbons lead us in to the lush jungle after a short rocky climb we emerge at a somewhat dilapidated temple. The highlight is a massive rock jutting out from the mountain which at some angles looks like a snake’s head - hence the name Snake Mountain. It's the perfect spot for our Hashers to get their phones out for the many, many photos that will soon be posted across social media. Some of our more adventurous and brave Hashers perform some death defying rock climbing stunts to take the  best possible shots of the jaw dropping views.

With the photo shoot over its time to follow the ribbons back down the otherside of the temple and down another rocky path takes us down to the bottom of the mountain. The next leg of the trail meanders through long grass at the edge of Long Hai village, copious mango trees line our path and soon we emerge on the narrow hems that take us back to our trusty Hashmobile parked next to the down-down spot.

Ice cold Saigon, Revive and soft drinks await and once we’ve quenched our thirst we are treated to delicious Bún Thịt Nướng (rice noodle with BBQ pork and fish sauce). Plenty of time for socialising before Ringmaster Chom Chom calls to order the circle.

As always, first up are the Hares who are given full marks out of ten for a fantastic trail with great views. We have four Virgins this week - three from Vietnam and an Australian. We welcome back Returnee Pineapple Bill who has been mending fences and tending his sheep back in Australia. Just enough time to take the team photo and then load the bus with eskies etc and before we know it we are back at  Nắng Vũng Tàu for a final couple of Saigon Chill before the diehards hop next door to Mr. C’s for more Chill, Pizza and Chicken Wings.

Another great afternoon with Vung Tau Hash House Harriers.

ON-ON!

RUN 1066 GALLERY

18 JUNE 2023

NUI DINH

Hares: Mr. T, Bull Ant, Chom Chom, Chippy 
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ring Master: Chom Chom
Report: Bull Ant

Sunday again which means another fun filled day hashing in the sun...or does it?

As 1pm approached, it was time to head to the Hash HQ for the usual registration and preparation for a 1:30 departure. As usual, the eskies were loaded and then "right dressed" at the foot of the slope in readiness to load onto the bus. As the clock ticked past 1:30 pm, there was still no sign of a bus, which was a concern for some. Worry not though, as always, Chippy was on the phone and our bus arrived within 10 minutes. Like clockwork, the eskies and the Hashers were loaded onto the smaller than usual bus and departed only a few minutes late. This week our Hares have set a trail on the Nui Dinh mountains and with the combination of heavy traffic, forecast thunderstorms, and a late departure, this day had all the potential to be a long one.

After a couple of pick-ups at Gateway and Ba Ria we arrived at our starting point. Whilst we were a little later than usual, there were clear skies with no sign of rain or thunderstorms, so it was time for a detailed brief from Secs and on on. On on, and up up, within minutes we were at the base of a stairway. After 620 stairs we arrived at the first temple complex heavily populated with monkeys, a great source of entertainment for our hashing dog. Once through the temples, it was time to deviate from the path and head further up into the jungle until we surfaced at another path. This path would lead to the first of our scenic look outs for the day. Hashers were blessed with a clear view overlooking Ba Ria and Vung Tau. With the view taken in, it was time to head towards the next viewing point, which was possibly even more spectacular. From here we would start our descent towards the large temple with massive stadiums, stages, and big screens. Some hashers were fortunate enough to be greeted by some very friendly workers offering refreshments. This hasher in particular was very thankful for the ice-cold orange juice! With our trek through the jungle complete, the remainder of the trail would be along a road. With a nice flat surface, Hashers could be excused for thinking the biggest challenges of the day were complete...this was not to be. The first 300 metres of road felt almost vertical, making it difficult to put one foot 6 inches in front of the other. Once the steep hill was conquered, it was a relief and all downhill from there.

With most hashers returned, comfortably eating sticky rice and drinking various refreshments, there were some notable absentees. By this time, the forecast rain had arrived and it was torrential. Chom Chom, mini Chom Chom, and Secs were amongst those who had not returned. To the relief of many, who didn't think searching for anyone in the pouring rain was appealing, they returned. As darkness approached and rain continued, it was realised one hasher had still not returned! With a flurry of phone calls and messages, it was determined that Bishop had taken a wrong turn, claiming poor visibility due to the rain, and ended up in a completely different area. The bus was soon mobilised and Bishop was rescued. Whilst there were sinners a plenty, time and weather did not permit a circle this week, a blessing for some.

As the rain eased and darkness set in, it was time to pack up and head back. Once on the bus, the tunes started and the refreshments flowed. An incident and stop free trip back saw us arrive at HQ by 7:30pm, not a bad result considering. For the die hards, it was on on to Mr. C's for pizza and Saigon Chill...all in all, another great day.

RUN 1065 GALLERY

11 JUNE 2023

LONG SON ISLAND

Hares: Mr. T, Have-A-Chat, Chom Chom, Chippy (and see below to volunteer)
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ring Master: Chom Chom
Report: Uncle

Weather: Rain, then more rain!
Hash Cash: 1 pm run fees, Mr T @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 34+1=35
Chalk Talk: Secs (edited): “Through village, up to quarry, follow red ribbons up hill then down to start point. Turn right for 500m to VT’s Garden restaurant. Total distance ~5km.”
Trail: Left on island ring road and dismounted at Long Son school. Turned right through village then up to quarry. Scrambled up rocks out of quarry then followed red ribbons through jungle to top of hill and down slippery (wet), rocky trail to ground level. Around cemetery and hamlet onto ring road then past 999 chicken restaurant to VT’s Garden.
Highlights: Ribbons had disappeared from first two direction changes but Hares positioned themselves so no one got lost! “Changing room” at VT’s Garden!
Special interest: Long Son (“Oyster island”): Long Son Island, the clear blue pearl of Vung Tau Travel (sayhellovietnam.com)
Down Down: VT’s (Strawberry) Garden
Trail rating: 11(!)/10
Hash Virgins: Alex, Tuyet, Hoa, Huyen
Returnees: Bull Ant, Eddie, Sweet, Sex o’Clock
Refreshments: Bánh Pateso (VN savoury pie), Rambutan, Water Melon, Saigon Chill, softies, water.
Other business/Công việc kinh doanh khác:
Hash sponsor Office Bar has a set program every week, all welcome:
(EN) Monday Quiz Night, Wednesday Killer Pool, Friday free cheese and biscuits.
(VN) Đêm đố vui thứ Hai, Bi-a sát thủ thứ Tư, bánh quy và phô mai miễn phí thứ Sáu.
(EN) VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Setting up a weekly Hash trail can be time consuming, so if you want to help Hares from time to time, please talk to Hash Cash when you pay for your Sunday run.
(VN) TÌNH NGUYỆN VIÊN CẦN THIẾT! Việc thiết lập lộ trình Hash hàng tuần có thể tốn thời gian, vì vậy nếu thỉnh thoảng bạn muốn giúp đỡ Hares, vui lòng nói chuyện với Hash Cash (Mr T hoặc Johnny) khi bạn thanh toán cho lần chạy Chủ nhật của mình.
Next week: Watch this space and facebook page: @VungTauHHH for more details of next week’s run. 
“On On”

RUN 1064 GALLERY

4 JUNE 2023

NUI DINH - "PAGODA CITY"

Hares: Mr. T, Have-A-Chat, Chom Chom, Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom, Have-A-Chat
Ring Master: Have-A-Chat
Report: Uncle

Weather: 31C low cloud, then rainstorms.
Hash Cash: 1 pm run fees, Mr T @ Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1.
Total Hashers: 35
Chalk Talk/Trail: Mr T (edited): “Walk 1.5km to Ngọc Sơn Dịnh temple entrance and join SCBs, then follow red tapes through temple grounds and up steps to lookout rock. Descend via mostly single-file jungle trail, mountain stream, another temple, then more steps (yellow hand rails) to Down Down. Total ~5km.”
PS Down Down moved to large shed inside monastery grounds when storm broke as assets were unloaded.
Highlights: The trail led through a veritable “Pagoda city” on the lower levels of Nui Dinh including cemetery with ornamental headstones, and many small side-tracks on the mountain to pagodas, shrines and shacks with friendly occupants. 
Special interest: The main temple (monastery), Tịnh xá Ngọc Sơn Dịnh, has many items and places of interest including “Buddha on Lotus flower”, a large reclining Buddha and ornamental shrines and meeting places. Learn more (translate VN/EN if necessary): Ngoc Son Dinh – A typical spiritual tourist destination in Nui Dinh - Ba Ria - Vung Tau (prdoanhnghiep.vn) 
Down Down: Meeting place at Tịnh xá Ngọc Sơn Dịnh.
Trail rating: 10+10=20/20 
Hash Virgins: Ngoc Dien, Diep, Sam (intro by Sparkles), Duyen & Tuan, Ngoc & son ‘Kevin’ (junior with excellent English).
Returnees: Stu & Huong, Sparkles & Rio, Gary, Hoa, Anti.
Farewells: Uncle and Anti holiday downunder.
Refreshments: Banh Mi, guava, water melon, Saigon Chill, softies, water.
Sponsor announcement: The Office Bar will be closed Sunday, Mon, Tues 4-6 June and re-open Wednesday 7 June for Killer Pool.
Circle closed: Stored assets on Hashmobile then slow and steady return trip (one comfort stop) wading through rising water levels. Storm abated as we reached Vung Tau but resumed with a vengeance as we unloaded Hashmobile so several opted for quick snack and/or “one for the road” at Bếp Nắng.
Next week: Watch this space and facebook page: @VungTauHHH for more details of next week’s run. 
“On On”

RUN 1063 GALLERY