VTH3# 1047

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FEBRUARY 12 2023
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​HOÀ BÌNH

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

Weather: Sunny, but shade along the riverside and at end point Thac Hoa Binh (Eco Park).
Hash Cash: Early start – 11 am. Mr T & Johnny @ VTH3 Kennel: Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. 

Total Hashers: 61 and a dog (verified by Hash Cash booking list and Johnny’s roll call before the return trip to ensure no one left behind).

Destination: Dam approx 5 km from Thac Hoa Binh (Eco Park), nearly 2 hours drive from Nang VT; north of Ho Tram, Xuyen Moc.

Chalk Talk: Secs (edited): “Over the fence, across the Hai Binh dam, down the steps, then follow red ribbons for 5km through the woods, cross the river (several times) to Eco Park waterfalls.”

Trail: We debussed at the dam and crossed the overpass, then followed red ribbons along the river negotiating a series of ‘obstacles’ including initial fence/wall, at least one angry ‘killer bee’(!), a high wall descent, locked gate and chicken wire fence (“…the owner said he’d leave the gate open…”!), lots of lower-leg-shredding undergrowth, several barbed wire fences, many slippery rocks and strong currents for several river/stream crossings to Eco Park waterfalls and picnic area. Some (like me!) had googled ‘Hoa Binh’ and thought the trail would be inside the Eco Park waterfalls and that we’d just be climbing a few rocks, but that was 5 km and quite a few obstacles short of reality (as we should have guessed!).

Highlights:

1. First two river crossings – the water had been much lower when the Hares set the trail three days previously, so we had plenty of unexpected soakings on the trail, but most survived in one piece (sort of…).
2. The willingness of so many to help others in difficulty (especially river crossings). Well done, everyone: helping others is what Hashing is all about!
3. Suddenly hearing the unmistakeable sounds of ‘doof doof’ music and picnicking, beer-sharing locals to mark imminent end of trail when we thought there must be a few more obstacles to overcome!
4. Chicken & mushroom congee with the chicken salad down down meal; and that’s “chicken with everything”: head, tail, etc etc - all the chewy bits!
5. Swimming in the waterfalls: Junior Hashers and some ‘not so junior’ loved it! 

Down Down: Thac Hai Binh (Eco Park) waterfalls.

Special interest (“cultural awareness”!):

1. New world Hash record(!) for time taken to arrange and take group video and photo!
2. Property owner trying to move Hashers away from new riverside platforms clearly too small for 61 Hashers and a dog!
3. Same owner trying to charm 2x200k vnd “fines” from Hashers when tree branch removed for the group photo (translator Chippy to the rescue!).

Refreshments: Saigon Chill, softies, water, chicken salad, chicken & mushroom congee/rice soup, assorted fruit – yum yum! Travel esky: cold drinks for return bus trip – two waters too many, several beers too few! (Lyrics for a new Hash song, perhaps? Hmmm…)

Trail rating: 10+

Hash Virgins: Yes, several; total depends on whether you count 1 week or 2. But everyone welcomed, as always!

Returnees: 6 (plus 1 whose diary was soaking wet so he couldn’t count back 6 weeks – but Chippy nailed him!).

Other business:

1. VTH3’s sponsorship with Bia Saigon (“Saigon Chill”) has been extended for another year! Congratulations to Mismanagement for ensuring we will continue to be suitably ‘oiled up’ after each run!
2. Sponsor Office Bar’s Ms Thuy (“Banh Xeo”) introduced to Circle. Weekly agenda Monday Quiz Night, Wednesday Killer Pool, Friday free cheese and biscuits. Special “Buy one Saigon Chill, get one free” promo for Valentine’s Day, 14 Feb.

Circle closed: Garbage bags filled, eskies de-iced. Pleasant return journey: no traffic jams, one comfort stop. Assets offloaded and stored at Nắng Vũng Tàu.

Down Down Down: Mr C’s Speakeasy, 3A Lê Ngọc Hân (next door to Nắng Vũng Tàu) – wood-fired pizza and Saigon Chill buckets at own/shared cost.

Next week: Watch this space and our Facebook page: @VungTauHHH for details of next week’s trail #1048 and special all-day trip to Mekong Delta on 26 Feb (VTH3 #1049).

“On On”

RUN 1047 GALLERY

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