VTH3 Run Reports

VTH3 #658

7/12/2014

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07 December 2014
LONG HAI MOUNTAINS - A lovely view from the top!

The Offshore Bar 1 was temporarily closed for renovations (it's open again now!), but registration for #658 proceeded as usual in the capable hands of Basil, and a happy band of Hashers embarked for the trip to Long Hai Mountains on a day that promised rain but fortunately didn't.
We dropped the eskies at the pre-selected Circle location in a very nice resort (even though the bus couldn't get in!), then walked to the start point at Bo Bo's Cafe for a trail that has been run only once before - and that was quite some time ago.
We started with a Chalk Talk by Basil, then it was "On On" along a dirt track to the accompaniment of barking dogs, shouted invitations for drinks from locals, and children on bicycles who were eager to practise their English - always with infectious laughter - until we came to the 400 steps up the hillside, so "On Up" we went! We gathered our breath at the top before turning left towards the tall grass, and then "On Down" into the forest which was so dense we couldn't see the sun!
The trail was fairly flat at this stage, but it's always important to look for the markers and at least two Hashers were kept on the "straight and narrow" by a fortunately timed "On On" shout from experienced Hasher Blackhawk.
We eventually reached the climb to the mountain-top shrine, which was set in the grounds of a gaily decorated pagoda (see photo gallery below). Now it was time to relax for a while and take some photos of the 360 degree views including Ba Ria city, Minh Dam, etc before heading down the mountain and eventually arriving at the charming, picturesque resort grounds and our eskies!
Delicious Russian snacks courtesy Mother Teresa, and ice-cold drinks courtesy our generous sponsor San Miguel were the order of the day - augmented by chips, nuts(!), soft drinks, water and Vietnamese plums hand-picked by Oggie and some of the ladies, with permission from the resort owner, of course!
After a suitable time had elapsed for refreshments after such a long trail, Radio Wave donned the Ring Master garb and called for a trail assessment. Mother Teresa gave it the exemplary mark of 10/10 - well done Hares KFC and Basil, that's a perfect score!
Hash Virgins Ms Ngoc, Ms Tra and Mr Phong were introduced; then "Sinners" Ciprian, Ms Vy, Viking, Ms Van Anh and others were called into the Circle to pay "Down Down penance" for sins real and imagined! The ladies were also collectively recognised for their contributions and thanked by all!
STOP PRESS: Hares SamSon and Basil have set a trail for this Sunday at Bai Dau, Big Mountain. The original plan for a trail on Long Hai Beach was shelved because of the risk that the low pressure system from Typhoon Hagupit could make landfall near Long Hai - better safe than sorry! Everyone will be given lucky envelopes at the Circle, which will be collected later so donations can be used to purchase bags of rice for the poor and distributed the following Sunday (21 December) - more details on Sunday and next week!
We'll meet this Sunday, as usual, in Offshore Bar 1 beer garden at 2 pm for 2.30 pm start.
On On!