VTH3# 1028

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OCTOBER 2 2022
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BIG MOUNTAIN

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

​This Sunday was our first local trail in six weeks. Mr. T dutifully takes the registration and run fees before disappearing - the Australian Rugby League final was on later in the afternoon meaning we were short on our usual downunder Hashers. There were some looks of consternation as there were only two eskies prepared! Not to worry - one was filled with our favourite Saigon Chill and the other is filled banh mi - so all good for most. This week, in order to ease the logistics of getting everything to our down-down spot at our favourite beach shack on Trần Phú. Speaking of logistics - big thanks to Ms. Phạm who generously offered to transport the eskies in the back of her car. With logistics all done it was on to motorbikes and we headed to Trần Phú Street. 

Here we gathered around co-Hare Secs who told us that we’d be starting and finishing at the Beach shack and pointing to the large crucifix perched high atop the mountain behind us where we’d be coming down from at the end of the trail. We were instructed to walk for a kilometre along the road where we would be given further instructions. 

And so, On-On we go!

We marched along the road enjoying the cool sea breeze until we reached the Hem where Secs was waiting for us and explained the rest of the trail - basically - make sure you follow the red ribbons. As soon as we’d walked up the Hem we encountered our first obstacle - a steep rocky cliff and some overgrown steps that would lead us to an old war time pill box style bunker and the first viewpoint of the afternoon.

Beyond the bunker we found ourselves on a pleasant forest path, lushly green after all the recent rain. The path took us to Ganh Ray Battery - an old French Battle station with six large cannons dating from 1870. A perfect place for a rest and photos. Just beyond here we were able to visit the ‘Underground Torpedo’ cave that was used to store the ammunition for the cannon.

Next we have an easy walk along the concrete path that leads to Ho May Park with plenty of opportunities for more jaw dropping views (and photos) of the seascapes of Vung Tau. Soon we see the red ribbons and our Hares pointing us to follow a steep road on the right of the path.

This steep path takes us to a quaint pagoda where more red ribbon takes us back in to the forest. This narrow rocky path takes us to the apex of the mountain where again we are greeted with a vertiginous view. Then we begin the first descent of the day. The path takes us down a steep slope that is slippy underfoot - grabbing hold of any trees we can reach and carefully we make our way down. And then - it's back up again - a short but steep climb takes us up to the aforementioned crucifix and many of us are relieved to know we are on the home stretch of the trail.

From the crucifix there are many, many uneven steps down past many gleaming white Christian statues depicting the fourteen Stations of the Cross finally culminating with the massive Mother Maria statue. Finally we exit through the grounds and then it’s just a hop, skip and a jump back to the Beach Shack.

Back at the Shack we rest our weary legs and indulge ourselves with ice cold drinks and get stuck in to , banh mi enjoying the great view of the sea. Several of our younger Hashers are looking longingly at the sea and are keen to go for a swim. Parents guide them across the flotsam and jetsam that has washed up on the beach after the recent storms and take the plunge in the refreshing sea.

As people seem eager to head home the decision is taken to postpone the circle for this week, and we pack up the two eskies and head back to Nang Vung Tau (another shout out to Ms. Phạm who returned with her car after taking her kids home to help transport the eskies)

Another fantastic Sunday day out in the fresh air with Vung Tau Hash - until next week… On-On!

RUN 1028 GALLERY

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