VTH3# 1023

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AUGUST 28 2022
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NUI CHUA CHAN

Hares: NA
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Have-A-Chat
Report: Faulty Brakes

After a tentative sleep on Saturday night and as the early riser proclaimed, “time flies” when he threw the alarm clock out of the window. On a warm sunny Sunday arriving at our new H.Q. we found everything ready for today’s journey to Nui Chau Chan or as one wag named it Nui Charlie Chan after the fictitious detective, had been prepared by Mr. T, Chippy, Secs, Have-A-Chat and Rabbit. The bus was loaded with drinks and food before setting out for NCC, the second highest peak in Southern Vietnam; the full bus with (standing room only) pulled out of Le Ngoc Hanh at 8 bells. Heading towards the neighbouring province of Dong Nai we took a brief stop at a service station and then we headed to NCC despite overshooting the runway we arrived at gates of this phenomenal location. Tickets were procured by the ubiquitous Chippy to allow for the smooth ascent to base camp 1.

This was our second visit to NCC, the second highest peak in Southern Vietnam, the highest being Fanzipan in Sapa. The strategy was simple: take the cable car to Base 1 and trek the rest of the journey on foot to the summit. The cable cars were filled swiftly and a foretaste of what was to come with beautiful views of the Vietnamese mountain. Everyone assembled on the steps of the station awaiting the instructions from Secs, pointing to a distant peak that was the target for today, no red ribbons follow the trail and had I not experienced the first time attempt on this mountain one could be excused for thinking it was in another country. It wasn’t a time for squeaky bums, onwards and upwards the VTH3 platoon began the assault, the young, the old, the brave and the bold never ones to shirk a challenge (or a beer for that matter) we encountered other trekkers on the descent down the mountain. The main concern for today’s trek was the weather ,rain would have had the return treacherous underfoot but the Gods smiled on us today.

Eventually everyone reached the peak, now the opportunity to take once in a lifetime pics inhale the sheer beauty of this mountain and the surrounding scenery in the neighbouring countryside. Here we go again the return to Base camp 1, slowly and those less fleet of foot were assisted by the able bodied,
a special “cam on” to Sergii .The choice of the return to the Down-Down was presented, a walk through the village with the food stalls which we avoided on the first leg of today’s odyssey. The term “no brainer “sprung to mind for the Hash Lighters: “cable car, cable car” was the unanimous cry and along with some other families with young children. The remaining Hashers took to walking down through the village on the side of the mountain sampling local delicacies. Down-Down time in the carpark saw thirsts being slaked and those hungry bodies dining on Sticky rice and everyone agreed the first class trail was something unique. The age demographic in VTH 3 is remarkable, looking at 4 year old children arriving back with their parents having just had toys bought for them and some of the veterans who took part today on Sunday 28 August 2022.

Enter Have-A-Chat, the VTH3 man for all seasons, we thank you and Rabbit for the previous weeks BBQ and to everyone concerned not only in today’s run but every week’s organising, from setting trails to collecting revenues and all the tasks that involved in the running of a successful club. Virgins (newcomers) were welcomed, Returnees were summoned to explain their absence, and today was a day of no sinners everyone agreed another momentous day in the life of VTH3 (Vung Tau Hash House Harriers) .We spoke earlier of the importance of the weather on today’s trail, then during the Down Down the rain arrived, it was time to pack the drinks trolleys for today’s homeward journey. Cleaning up our rubbish (Hash rule 1: “Don’t Trash the Hash”), take this opportunity to drain the spuds (Gentleman need only apply) or in other words take the opportunity to use the bathroom before the journey home to HQ. On the road again music blaring along with Happy Hashers, beers being consumed with some taking the opportunity to snooze and one more pit stop and on to Ba Ria. 

Next week we will see the return of Chom Chom after a summer in Blighty sipping Pimms with his bulldog Winston, and ready to come among his people a few kgs lighter? The return with one more stop and a bus full of contented hashers is one of life’s great spectacles. Vung Tau beckons, on-on to Le Hong Phong, Le loi and lastly Le Ngoc Hanh to return the equipment to our store. We take the opportunity to thank Thuy and Stewart, the owners of The Office bar, for building the shelves for our storage facility at the new Headquarters. If you have spare time, join them for the Monday night quiz or Wednesday night Killer Pool, or just a beer or coffee in this unique  British style pub in Vung Tau.

Everything stacked away in the storeroom, it was an opportunity for the “one for the road”, a swift can of Saigon Chill and an opportunity to take these aching legs and body home and a hot shower and further craic later in Nguyen Trai street. Next week we shall repeat the operation (different venue of course)

On-On!

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