VTH3# 1048

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FEBRUARY 19 2023
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​BIG MOUNTAIN TO STRAWBERRY BEACH

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

Weather: Partly sunny, high cloud.

Hash Cash: 1 pm registration with Mr T & Johnny @ VTH3 Kennel: Nắng Vũng Tàu, 5 Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. 

Total Hashers: ~26

Destination: Strawberry Beach @83 Tran Phu.

Chalk Talk: Secs (edited): “Through the Thích Ca Phật Đài temple grounds, up to Ho May Park road, turn right and follow red ribbons along and into the jungle to the big cross, then steps down through church grounds to Tran Phu. Across the road to #83 and down to the beach.”

Trail: Use own or share transport to 83 Tran Phu then tourist carts to parking lot @610 Tran Phu. Into Thích Ca Phật Đài temple grounds, past Zen temple, reclining Buddha and tourist stalls, through local commune (noisy dogs), then up to Ho May Park road (eastern end of Tran Phu Hem 444). Go west towards Ward 5 fishing village (Sao Mai) for 1-2 km and enjoy shipyard views until red marker ribbons go into the trees on LH side and loop around to the big cross near eastern end of ‘Rowdy’s Ridge’ (for more details of ‘RR’ go to Trails Archive (vungtauhash.com) then scroll down to run #523, 13 May 2012). Descend ~860 steps to parish church with 32m-high ‘Mother Mary and child’ statue in extensive grounds @140A Tran Phu, then across road and down to beach via #83 Tran Phu steps.

Highlights: Snake watching on the trail; views to shipyard and beyond from Ho May Park Road; bay views and selfies at the big cross; socialising on the beach and watching Queenie (Vy’s corgi) search for bones and tunnel her way to Australia(!); kicking a football with local kids at the water’s edge. Happy days!

Special interest: 

1. Thích Ca Phật Đài (“The Statue of Gautama Buddha”) is a Theravada Buddhist temple built 1961-1963. There is a *6m-tall statue of Buddha meditating on a lotus seat in the Zen monastery (Thiền Lâm Tự aka ‘Meditation Forest’). *Height varies according to source. There’s also a reclining Buddha in the main grounds. Dense foliage inside the Zen compound houses a variety of birds, and a path is lined with statues of important events in the life of Gautama Buddha, plus a stupa (Buddhist shrine) and six dragon statues. The pagodas are set on five hectares, with the Zen Buddhist monastery at the foot and Thích Ca Phật Đài at the top. More details: Thích Ca Phật Đài - Wikipedia
2. The Catholic parish church at 140A Tran Phu is known locally as Đức Mẹ Bãi Dâu (“Our Lady of Strawberry Beach”) and easily recognised by the *32m-high statue of ‘Mother Mary and Child’ in the church grounds at 60m above sea level (rebuilt from 10m high in 1992, weighing ~500 tons). *Height varies according to source.

Down Down: Strawberry Beach @83 Tran Phu.

Refreshments: Saigon Chill, softies, water, banh mi, water melon, guava. Also yummy Japanese Mochi cakes courtesy visitors Non-Stop Cock and Cement Trader.

Trail rating: 10/10 (rounded up from 9.999*)

Hash Virgins: Ngo Huong (husband of Trang Pham and father of Alex & Mickey) – welcome 1!

Returnees: Chris – welcome 2!

Visitors: Non-Stop Cock and Cement Trader (both SH3) – welcome 3 and 4!

Temporary departures: Chom Chom, Faulty Brakes, Hot Lips. “Bon voyage 1, 2 and 3 – Hẹn gặp lại!”

Hash namings: From this run onwards, Phong will be known in Hash circles as ‘Snapshot’; Steve as ‘Adonis’.

Other business:

1. Next week’s run #1049, all day trip to Mỹ Tho: early start 5.30-6am. Bus is already full and registration is now closed
2. Sponsor Office Bar’s weekly agenda: Monday Quiz Night, Wednesday Killer Pool, Friday free cheese and biscuits.

Circle closed: Garbage bags filled, chairs stacked, eskies de-iced then own or shared transport to Nắng Vũng Tàu kennel to store assets, On On On! etc.

Next week: Watch this space and facebook page: @VungTauHHH for more details of next week’s “early start special” all-day trip to Mỹ Tho.

"On On"

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