25 AUGUST 2019
​
NUI DINH

Hares: Faulty Brakes, Cleaver, Mr. T, Boozer
Hash Flasher: Kojak
Ringmaster: ​Boozer
Report: Faulty Brakes

It was business as usual last Sunday after we bade farewell to Rowdy and family the previous week. This weeks exploits were to be performed in Long Hai on the newly unfinished highway to the top of the bitumen road in Niu Dinh a superb trail discovered by Pekker and Slipper an essential duo in the V.T.H.3 diaspora some years back.The trail was remarked by Mismanagent's equivalent to a boy band, namely young Faulty Brakes, Cleaver, Mr. T and Boozer.

Registration took place in Cafe Uno as per usual when the weather took a turn for the worse, storm clouds had gathered and rain began to fall. The bus with 30 odd hashers headed northwards in a torrential downpour towards Ba Ria, it wasn't looking good to say the least  however the Gods smiled on us and when it came to disembarking the weather had changed to a mere drizzle.

Now it was time to start todays climb with the age old instruction, follow the red ribbons if you go for a 50 metres and don't see any red, return again to the last ribbon and start again Mr. T issuing the directive.

Hashers young and old followed the instructions scarpering up the path, despite conditions being slippery underfoot and temperatures being ideal for hashing with cooling rain dripping from the branches in the forest paradise eventually everybody despite having crossed a stream in full torrent the promised land was reached at the parked bus.

We had a number of firsts this week, we had the first set of twins to join us in V.T.H 3 and of course we had the unfurling of our new banner. We thank H.B.O and Boozer for their input and it will now ready for our forthcoming trip to Cat Tien National Park.

SHOWTIME. Lord of the Rings commenced his weekly performance..new people were welcomed sinners were punished despite the frequent interruptions from motorbikes and cars everybody was catered for in our weekly circle which is the highlight of our hash along with the refreshments and banh mi all part of our Down Down and fun.

The light beginning to fade it was now time for returning to H.Q. eskies on board with one laden with beer for the journey back to be consumed in transit,music and everyone contented with their Sunday afternoon’s exertions. The now mandatory Pit Stop and Smoke break beside the Long Hai roundabout was welcomed by everyone. Twenty minutes later we were stashing the eskies away for the following week at Cafe Uno.

Next weekend is a Vietnamese holiday and we will run locally,please register early to allow us to calculate what is required for the run and today another perfect Sunday came to an end despite the rain.

VTH3 #904 PHOTO GALLERY

18 AUGUST 2019
​
SMALL MOUNTAIN

Hares: Rowdy Waters, Boozer
Hash Flasher: Kojak
Ringmaster: ​Boozer
Report: Rowdy Waters

Being invited to set a New Run (903)on Small Mountain Boozer and RW had to forget the conventional and look at the unconventional. Could our Hashers descend the Insurmountable Cliff of Mud as we trailed it, the day before? We gave it much thought, discussion and consideration. We needed clarity on this special occasion. Burning tobacco in a Secret Hare Tradition known only to a few, to encourage inspiration or was it perspiration? Never mind, it was one of them. The Hash Ancestors answered and were clear in what we should do. With trepidation and darkness falling below the jungle canopy we asked Hash Hound Lucy and awaited her answer…………. ‘Send them UPWARDS’……. she barked and On On it was.

…………..The trail was set for the following day.

Having earlier passed through the Garden of Boulders directly above Uno Coffee alighting onto the dirt track. What a start to a run!     Could it get better?    Would it get better?  The answer quickly followed as you gathered at the Insurmountable Cliff of Mud……….. Where, with great Hash spirit and tradition, all helped each other to progress, up through a gloriously green valley heading skywards to the top of the mountain. 

Catching breath for a short time before heading back down through more fresh greenery, trees, and just a few steps you found your way back to our base with the aroma of Saigon beer and Banh Mi guiding your nostrils and last steps. Yes, the magic of the Eskies and food still exists.

Cooling, relaxing, eating and quaffing. Guitar music in the background and overlooking the beautiful sea really makes a wonderful end of the Run. It reminded myself of the time I went to an end of a rainbow (TRUE) and whilst I don’t talk much of it, mainly as no one asks me. I can assure you all of one thing, there are no Eskies there.

Moving on the circle was called and first up Boozer and RW, the Trail setters for this run. With a very very acceptable score of 11/10 a cool beer followed with just a hint of ice being accidentally dropped from behind.

Our Hash Virgins then took centre stage to be welcomed in the traditional way.
Lost Cousin entered the merriment to have here Name changed and the circle decided upon the name Hot Pants and indeed they were. Until being cooled down. Now both hot and wet she stepped aside giggling to herself as the days only sinner was summoned and stood before us.
 
Looking very fresh and dry, Has this man truly sinned? Oh, indeed he had. With a Hash record of the shortest run on a Hash. Timed at three minutes, little did he know how wet a three minute Hash would be! Punishment was duly given. With what appeared to be a jig of delight he danced his way around the circle, delighting all, especially the children. What a virtuoso performance indeed.

Finally, it was good bye to myself, my short time here over and as you approach run 904 it is
On On for all of you. Hash safely , have fun and enjoy.
​
Rowdy Waters

VTH3 #903 PHOTO GALLERY

11 AUGUST 2019
​
LONG HAI MOUNTAINS

Hares: Mr.T, Secs
Hash Flasher: Kojak
Ringmaster: ​Boozer
Report: Rowdy Waters

What a wonderful run 902 was.

As all fifty plus of us gathered at the start in Long Hai the hares ran off to set what must be one of the best trails in the Long Hai mountains and a big thanks to them for their superb trail markings. Where would we be without them, one has to ask? ………. Probably, still in Long Hai.
The run started in fine drizzle which soon disappeared as we all meandered up a pathway going deeper and deeper into the jungle before the first ascent of the afternoon. After that, well, it just got better.
 
Passing by numerous small shrines, one dedicated to the Mountain God, and over a raging stream where a rare large mountain crab was sighted. Another wild beast being a black and white striped long, thin, wriggly thing (The famed Long Hai Zebra) or LHZ to its friends …. if it has any!

The assent culminated in a small but typical garden of a Temple and with their drum beating it was time to descend downwards. Well, as you can’t descend upwards it was definitely downwards.

The mountain trail soon opened up to a rough wider trail and grew into an earth road which brought all hashers to the Down Down area, where smiling faces and cool drinks along with banh mi dac biet awaited. 

As dusk arrived the Circle was called by the Ring Miester

First up , the hares and the rating of the run. From memory it averaged 16 out of ten. Fantastic job accomplished by them.

Then, for receiving of suitable condemnation were the sinners. Four sad miscreants indeed. Three for hiding from fine drizzle and one for time wasting by being late. Duly punished, up stepped this weeks virgins. When asked how they enjoyed it the best answer was ‘ I thought it would be along a beautiful golden beach with girls in bikinis’. What a super answer and next week the Down Down will be on Daddy's Yacht, perhaps!!!!   Being rewarded accordingly with the HALF PIPE.

We moved then to the naming ceremony, which was put to the circle for suggestions and two hashers departed and will forever be known with the names of Chief Justice and Lost Cousin respectively. Long may they enjoy their hash adventures.

As the circle finished and we all retired to the comfort of our own business class luxury coach we said good bye to a wonderful run at Long Hai.

To close our collective thanks go to the Mismanagement, who do much in the background to enable all to have such memorable days and experiences.

ON ON to Run 903
Guest Hash Scribe……….Rowdy Waters.
Spelling check, punctuation and literary advice…….. Chief Justice

VTH3 #902 PHOTO GALLERY

4 AUGUST 2019
​
BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Boozer, Chook
Hash Flasher: Chom Chom
Ringmaster: ​Boozer
Report: Faulty Brakes

Now with our 900th run and party behind us we headed into the first of our ninth century of upcoming  trails. Next week we head for Nam Cat Tien for our first overnight run of 2019 and we appeal to all our hashers to be on time, 7.30am at Uno Coffee or  whatever location you have chosen. 
SO DONT  BE LATE..THE BUS WON'T WAIT.

After a morning of heavy showers, forty odd people arrived at Uno Coffee to register their interest in today’s trail. The trail chosen for hash 901 was the “Waterfall Trail” this trail we use a couple of times every year, an old reliable for the  big mountain. The busy registration and the final collection for Nam Cat Tien was  executed by Boozer and Cleaver while Mr T and Misty (who else) oversaw the sales of our new Hash T-Shirts. It was soon time to depart, everyone heading for the Bia Hoi on Le loi Street on bikes, motorcycles and cars for here we could leave our haversacks while we climbed the trail and today was to be an eskies free day.

Instructions were given to walk to Vi Ba, that is the mountain path which brings us to the top at Ho May Park. On-On proceeding up to Le Ngoc Han street until we reached the top of steps, some of us being a little breathless. It was time for the final instructions and as always, follow the red tape up the mountain and return back to the Bia Hoi. The ubiquitous Boozer on his motorbike was aided and abetted by trusty hare, Chook, who went  ahead of the pack of hashers tying the red ribbons for the pursuing runners.This week’s Hash Flash was Chom Chom, an award winning photographer some years back with National Geographic and today was an excellent opportunity to record the wonderful views of Vung Tau’s marine vista from the Big Mountain.

For those who have not visited the Vi Ba recently today we witnessed the installation of the new concrete pathway replacing the old stony path. Going up past the coffee shops and reaching the red ribbons that signalled the descent across the lip of the mountain. Here all hashers crossed successfully and then returned to the Bia Hoi where we were greeted with ice cold beer and soft drinks for the children. 

Later everyone was treated to a feast that was “fit for a King”. For all the thirsty hungry Hashers, chips,  chicken, squid and spring rolls were provided and to be washed down with fresh beer. This week we forwent the traditional Down Down and to celebrate our latest acquisition to VTH3 equipment store, a microphone stand was produced to allow our resident crooner G-String to entertain us for the afternoon. Zidane who was in excellent voice accompanied him with hits from the 60’s that reminded some of us of our youth and everyone appeared to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the Bia Hoi.

It was time to call it a day, with no eskies to return to HQ, people drifted home and next week’s trip was on everyone’s mind while others continued the Sunday festivities at a different venue later. It was another excellent Sunday, the first of the 900 plus runs was over.

Now here’s to the next 99!!  On On VTH3!!!

VTH3 #901 PHOTO GALLERY