VTH3# 1034

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NOVEMBER 13 2022
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NUI DINH (SWAN LAKE, FAIRY STREAM)

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

​An overcast sky promised ideal Hashing weather as we registered for run 1034 with Hash Cash Mr T and apprentice bean counter Reardo at their al fresco “office”: Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Le Ngoc Han, Ward 1.

Other volunteers loaded the Hashmobile with iced drinks, and we headed north up the newly constructed extension of Truong Cong Dinh, stopping only at Ba Ria to collect seven “YouTubers” (they had found VTH3 on YouTube).

Nearing the top of Nui Dinh, the former clay track from the end of the main access road to Swan Lake* is now a partly sealed extension with several restaurants along Fairy Stream as it runs down the mountainside. The road is overgrown as a result of all the rains this year, but our trusty driver Mr An’s skills were applauded as we arrived at our destination “Fairy Stream camping ground” (Moc-Quan) safe and sound!

*Swan Lake named after the floating plastic version for tourists – not the real thing!
We dismounted for the Chalk Talk by Secs: “Left turn just before the lake, up and circle around following red tapes through the jungle and over a couple of streams until back onto the access road, then turn right to complete a figure 8…” – so ‘On On’ we went!

It was a fairly steep climb at first, but the track began to level out as we circled around and there were many opportunities to appreciate our surroundings, some of which were truly awe-inspiring: “nature at its finest”! 

We paddled and/or jumped our way across several rock-strewn tributaries until finally making it back to firmer ground, then a reasonably short hike to the Moc-Quan area and our Down Down restaurant cum camping grounds where the Hash Lighters and several FRBs had already unloaded the ice-cold drinks.
Delicious chicken, veg and rice soup was served when everyone had returned. Then Chippy showed some inspirational self-promotion for her flourishing healthy food business by sharing plates of tasty Vietnamese apples, red Dragon fruit and granola (Hint hint – Chippy can be contacted any Sunday on the Hash runs; her food is not only delicious, but also healthy!).

Darkness was slowly descending as the swimmers reluctantly emerged from the stream to change for the group photo; all except duty Hash Flasher cum Ringmaster Have-A-Chat, who had spotted a new angle: he stayed semi-submerged and treated his audience to some hilarious “crocodile takes photos” impressions!

The Circle was called, with Hares Secs, Chippy, Mr T and Have-A-Chat receiving a well-deserved full marks (they had covered an impressive 18 km to set today’s trail, so “well-deserved” indeed!).
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Five Hash Virgins were introduced and welcomed, ditto four returnees (Ms Kim after 8 years in HCMC), and two visitors from Saigon Hash: Tootsie Robinson and Karma Sutra(!). Finally, three namings (“renamings”): Double Two became the more appropriate Road Runner, her partner Snail became Road Runner’s partner Wile E. Coyote (natch!), and Doyle’s penchant for sprinkling inductees was recognized with the suitably reverent ‘Bishop’!

Group photo/Circle finale over, the boom box was fired up and it was back to Nắng Vũng Tàu to offload the assets. The hard-core partygoers disappeared next door to help owner Randy Cole celebrate the opening of “Mr C’s Speakeasy” (formerly Tommy’s), specialising in his widely acclaimed wood-fired pizza and lots of ice cold drinks – including several bucketloads “on the house”!

So yet another memorable Sunday was had by all! Now watch this space and our facebook page: @VungTauHHH for details of next week’s trail.

“On On”!

RUN 1034 GALLERY

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