VTH3 #645

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07 September 2014
Small Mountain - Lighthouse Hill, new exit...

The weather gods are certainly being nice to us lately, with monsoonal rain further up the river in Saigon, yet (nearly) blue skies here in Vung Tau!  And so it was today, after an earlier scare when a few black clouds appeared - but they vanished as quickly as they'd arrived, so all was well.  In fact it was excellent Hashing weather - lovely and cool!

An enthusiastic crew of 25 collected outside Offshore 1 for a chalk talk by Hareraiser Rowdy Water, then set off across the park and Front Beach area before regrouping at the bottom of Lighthouse Hill for an additional briefing about some 'tricky bits', including noisy dogs and remembering to close the pagoda gate!

Up the hill we went, as far as the radio transmission tower, and then the tricky bits began - and almost immediately caught Ronald Reagan and Jasper.  They eventually doubled back, adding a fair hike to their overall mileage...

Once the descent began, it was typical Vung Tau mountainside 'jungle' vegetation - made even thicker ('more luxurious'?) by some recent rain.  But it was as 'friendly' as we'd been briefed, so no complaints there.  Mind you, some rediscovered that it's always safer to avoid stopping in thick vegetation because mosquitos, ants and all manner of "bitey things" are very quick to pounce on stationary skin!

Down and down we went, until we encountered a very long but conveniently spaced set of steps that took us nearly to the bottom.  Just the local dogs to circumvent, and then it was through a 'hole in the wall' and out onto Ha Long for a 1.5 km trek to the twin goldfish in the park.  It was on this part of the course that we spied some potential new Hashers - an entire 'school' of boy scouts and girl guides on an adventure outing.  Where were our VTH3 business cards and flyers when we needed them!

Ice Water again provided her delicious bread, pork and pickles which are always well received and vanish in super-quick time, especially when washed down with ice-cold Gold and Silver San Miguels, water and oj!

The Circle was duly called and Radio Wave gave Hares Rowdy Water, Ice Water, SamSon and Duc (the latter two both at work today) a very well-received 9.5/10.  He explained that the score included bonus points because the trail was 'friendly' for his wife, Hi-Fi, who broke her leg a few months ago! (not with VTH3, we hasten to add...).

Hash Virgins Duan, Tiep, Tan, Nhu, Dien and Rowdy Water's daughter Haley introduced themselves and were subsequently exposed to "the VTH3 song" by way of welcome.  Returnees Radio Wave, Hi-Fi, Short Wave, Micro Wave (all same family if you hadn't guessed!) and Stubble were welcomed back from their respective absences, then the first four were kept in the Circle for making a short-cut down the mountain onto Ha Long.  Radio Wave protested that it was because of Hi-Fi's not-yet-fully-healed broken leg, but that was overriden because he'd already given the trail bonus points for being so friendly!

In retrospect, Stubble should also have been punished for removing his shoes then washing his feet in Vung Tau Bay, but that misdemeanour was somehow overlooked - so perhaps he and Uncle can both "pay the penalty" next time!

STOP PRESS:  Hares Rowdy Water and Ice Water have confirmed a trail in the Long Hai mountains: Minh Dam Secret Zone - "Best view of all the mountains" (so bring your camera!).

We'll meet on Sunday, as usual, in the Offshore Bar 1 beer garden at 2 pm for 2.30 pm start.

On On!

Reporting:  Uncle

Hares:  Rowdy Water, Ice Water, SamSon, Duc

Hash Flash:  Uncle

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