26th Aug 2018
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Big Mountain - "The Locked Gate Trail"

Hares: Boozer, Mr. T, Secs
Hash Flash: Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Boozer

We welcomed 52 Hashers to the run this week starting at the old sexy ladies house at 102 Tran Phu, Sec’s who set the trail gave a motivating chalk talk where he explained the trail was straight up the mountain with 610 steps to start with and millions of red tape markers to follow no chance to turn the wrong way or get lost.

The trail started with a short walk up the road to the temple from 102 Tran Phu, where we turned right into the Temple and headed to the opening steps.

All the excited hashers set off eager to find the steps that lead to heaven or at least the top of Big Mountain.  With brief, brisk, speedy and quick walk through the temple the steps loomed ahead of us, not daunted the band of merry, hashers approached.

With in trepidation and excitement we commenced the ascent up the steps. After a speedy start we reached the halfway mark of the ascent where a few hashers stopped for a breather and to wave at a long line of hashers huffing, puffing, moaning, groaning, legs shaking, and cracks creaking as they ascended the steps.

It was getting hot, everyone was sweaty, smelly and rancid but the motivated hashers one by one reached the small temple at the top of the 610 steps where they could confess their sins and seek absolution before pressing on.

With relief and after confessions the merry band of hashers turned right, then trotted down a nice short trail heading to the next right turn that followed the Ho May Park roller coaster wall.

The lucky hashers who turned right made it the wall only to be turned back as the gate on the road that led to the ridge line and the way back was locked.  With a few grumbles and a laugh, we all turned around and headed back down the trail we had just traversed.

A quick improvised loop was added to the trail, so we could return to the temple but from a different direction, to descend the steps to the down down.  A race ensued to descend the steps and be the first to the down down as the pungent smell of San Miguel permeated from Tran Phu road up the mountain.

Ringmaster: Boozer opened the circle with a rousing welcome to the 852nd VTH3 international hash, welcoming all participants from all countries who have a common passion, hashing desperate for a drink and drinkers desperate for hash.

Sec’s, Mr T and Boozer set the trail, so they joined the circle where they were heartily thanked for setting a beautiful trail by the refreshed merry hashers.  A rousing score of 11 out of 10 as awarded from an unnamed Virgin (rare thing these days).
 
This week we had 4 new virgins attending the Hash from various countries such a s Sweden, Australia and of course Vietnam.  As the rule is a Hasher must be absent six consecutive weeks or more we had no Returnees. 
 
In the Sinners Circle Aqua and HBO were charged with not registering online before the Hash. Let that be a lesson to all - please register when you receive the weekly email.

Next in the circle it’s time to dub new regular Hasher Athol with a Hashtag. Athol will now be known as “Sweeper”.

Mother Teresa & Boozer, both provided an eclectic array of fresh sandwiches with an international style and flavor which were eagerly woofed down with vigor along with a box of banh mi’s the merry band of Hashers.

VTH3 #852 PHOTO GALLERY

19th Aug 2018
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Long Son Island - "Panda Trail - Bamboo Galore"

Hares: Secs, Boozer
Hash Flashers: Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Secs

​Sunday afternoon and 50 excited Hashers congregate at Hon Ru Ri for an excursion to Long Son Island. After a short trip on the Hashmobile we disembark at Bang Lang Restaurant, where co-Hare Boozer lets us know that the trail will bring us back here for the Down-Down. From here we walk about 500m into town before stopping again so second co-Hare, Secs, gives us our instructions; stick together as we walk passed the many graves that line the narrow streets until we arrive at the left turn that will lead us onto the trail up the mountain. A word of warning - there is a hornets nest half way up and, as trail setters Boozer and Secs can attest, they are not friendly. We are advised to look for a tree with three Red Ribbons and stay to the right of it if we want to avoid being attacked. Once at the top of the hill, turn left and then follow the red ribbons closely as they will lead you back down through thick undergrowth and bamboo and finally back to Bang Lang Restaurant.

On-On! 

Single file we begin the ascent up the steep, narrow, rocky path. The overcast sky provides the perfect weather for hiking and soon we spread out as the fitter Hashers bound on ahead while the rest help the juniors over the rock-strewn terrain. Half way our Hares direct us around the aforementioned hornets nest and then many take the time for a breather and enjoy the jaw-dropping views.

On reaching the summit we take a breather before beginning our descent. We bear left and soon find ourselves deep in the jungle and battling with copious bamboo that has flourished during the rainy season. We duck and dive our way through eventually emerging in a clearing and finally finding ourselves on a trail that takes us back to the main road and a short walk back to the Lang Bang Restaurant.

Ice cold San Miguel, BBQ Chicken and delicious sandwiches from Mother Teresa and Boozer await us. One by one the Hashers arrive back however, we realise four are missing. The Captain gallantly sets off to find them however, we needn’t have worried. They soon arrive back looking a tad sheepish - they had managed to miss some of the Red Ribbons and found themselves on an old trail following some very old Red Ribbons which brought them out 5km away. Mercifully they were able to engage the services of a couple of motorcycle taxis which brought them back safely.

With everybody assembled and after having taken the team photo Boozer musters the troops for the Circle. Boozer and Secs are up first and the bidding to rate the trail starts and a magnificent rating of 15/10 being the final bid.

A grand total of 10 Virgins this week all from Vietnam and a Vietnamese family from Singapore - Welcome to VTH3. Next up are the Returnees and the usual excuses are offered up and Chanel is voted up for the Tube of Doom - which she tackles with aplomb.
Sinners next and, of course, the four lost sheep are front and center. Buddha offers himself up for sacrifice - any excuse to skull a beer.

Finally it is time to baptise some of our newer Hashers with a Hash Name. We now have Irish butcher Mick who will henceforth be known as Cleaver; Swanney will now be known as, er, well, Swanney and finally the mother and daughter team from Vietnam will now be known as Spring and Super Naughty! Boozer proceeds to gaily dub them with his tickling stick - how tickled are we?

So ends another great day of hiking, drinking, eating and socialising as we board the Hashmobile for the journey back to Vung Tau.

VTH3 #851 PHOTO GALLERY

12th Aug 2018
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Small Mountain - "Through the Jungle"

Hares: Secs, Boozer
Hash Flashers: Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Secs

​This week 14 men, 16 women, 4 kids, 2 hares and a puppy in a shoulder bag, met at Ho Ru Ri for an afternoon of fun, frolics and frevent exercise on Vung Tau’s Small Mountain. Our lead Hare, Boozer, informed us that we would head towards Phan Chu Trinh where we would discover a new route up to the Hai Dang Road via a temple (Tịnh xá Ngọc Hương).

We merrily On-On and, after navigating various construction hazards and the bustling Phan Bội Châu market, we meet Boozer and the other FRB’s coming back towards us. “Change of plan - the Temple gates are locked!” grins Boozer. A quick re-calculation in the mental SatNav and we are re-routed to Hem 23 Phan Bội Châu through the quaint houses that line a steep and narrow path  up to Hai Dang. A phone call to Aqua alerts us that we have lost a couple of Hashers who missed the new turn off. We wait a few minutes for them to catch up and set off along smooth tarmacadamed Hai Dang Road. It doesn’t last for long and soon we are faced with the dilapidated steps leading into the jungle. It’s a short hike, and we emerge, mostly unscathed from the vicious barbed flora, onto the road. 

We continue along the road enjoying the pleasant breeze and views. And then it’s in to the jungle again.  Another steep climb, we futilely swat away mosquitoes as we clamber over inexplicable stone walls before jumping over a fence that brings us back on to Hai Dang Road. We make our way towards the Lighthouse before turning right at the famous Yogurt stall. Exiting out the back we find ourselves back in the jungle again but at least this time we are going down hill. Half way down we are greeted by another dilapidated set of steps where the welcoming breeze makes a perfect stop for some Hashers to take some respite with an impromptu picnic consisting of the yogurt from the aforementioned stall.

Back on the road until the familiar temple flags indicate we are nearly finished. We descend the many steps pausing only briefly to admire the views until we cut to the left for our fourth and final jungle walk. We soon emerge on Ha Long Road and the idyllic Cafe Uno awaits us with Ice Cold San Miguel and delicious sandwiches.

Some socialising, some mingling, some beer, some food and we are ready to do the team photo before Boozer blows on his whistle and calls to order the circle. As is customary the Hares, Boozer and Secs, are first in the circle and the audience is asked to rate the trail. A starting bid of 7 out 10 quickly rises to an excellent 15 out of 10.

A total of 6 Virgins this week all natives of Vietnam are initiated in to the Hash with the customary ice water dousing. Welcome to VTH3!

Returnees, Kojak, Ice Water and Velcro are invited to explain why they have been absent from the Hash. The usual excuses; working and taking care of family were given. Ice Water is nominated for the tube of doom and cup of shame. She takes it in her stride - only to be doused by the Ice Maidens.

Sinners next and Zidane is charged with “New Shoes”, Swanney for slipping up and falling over when delivering the eskies to Cafe Uno, and finally, Kojak for an unfortunate underwear incident - less said about that the better!

And thus ends another superb Hash day out in glorious Vung Tau. With a choke of his chicken, Boozer closes the circle and as the sun sets over the sea we bid farewell to our fellow Hashers - until next week. On-On!! 

VTH3 #850 PHOTO GALLERY

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM KOJAK

5th Aug 2018
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Big Mountain - "The Playing with Electric in the Rain Trail!"

Hares: Mr. T, Secs, Boozer
Hash Flashers: Secs
Ringmaster: Rain Stopped Play
Report: Chom Chom

​​I write this week's report from a rather crowded and uncomfortable Vietnam Airlines flight to the UK. This week saw 27 Hashers assemble at Hon Ru Ri for an as-yet, unknown trail on either big or small mountain. It was soon revealed by our hares (Mr. T, Boozer, Secs and Faulty Brakes) that we would be having another expedition on big mountain and returning to our HRR base for the Down Down.

After a very brief insight to the oncoming trail, we made our way to Tran Phu and turned right walking along the beach road. Shortly after a left turn was made into Quang Trung and a further left into Le Ngoc Han street where we continued until we reached the steps at Hem 89 and climbed up to Vi Ba. After a further quick overview of the trail, we proceeded to the right along Vi Ba.

We soon made a left turn escape from the main road into the wooded jungle and proceeded to make a climb up the mountain on the familiar “power-line” path. Unfortunately, at this stage, the rain had started and made the climb somewhat more tiring and uncomfortable. After several breaks for shelter and rest, our trusty group finally made it to the top of the mountain for a well-deserved refreshment stop.

From here things started to get easier, our descent took us down a narrow trail and we eventually met up with Vi Ba street once again. We took a right turn here on the main road and proceeded a short distance before returning back to the forest by turning left once we were on the White Place perimeter. A quick and slippery trail down soon brought us into the grounds of White Place and we followed their steps and paths back to Tran Phu and across the road, finally bringing us back to Hon Ru Ri.

The rain had well and truly set in at this stage so we kept cover as best as we could. The beer monitor Buddha had done a great job as ever keeping those Light and Gold San Miguels super-chilled (and they were this week!) together with a great range of soft drinks. Thanks to Boozer for his kindness and generosity in providing the always delicious cheese and ham sandwiches. 

Due to the poor weather conditions, the circle was skipped this week. I doubt there were any virgins, returnees or sinners this week although it was heard that Alice was returning to Australia. 

Another Sunday afternoon of fun, good company, drinks, exercise and lousy weather. Signing off until October...On On!

VTH3 #849 PHOTO GALLERY