VTH3 Run Reports

VTH3 #683

1/6/2015

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31 May 2015
LONG HAI MOUNTAINS - "Stepping up in the world"

We left the Sao Bien 4 kittens in their new home (empty drink boxes - see photo gallery) and headed out to the Long Hai Mountains and the well-named "Monkey Pagoda".
A chalk talk by SamSon and it was "On On", a step at a time, up the mountainside. After several rest stops, we finally reached the small commune near the mountain top and turned right for the "short cut" down to Minh Dam car park, where some of the FRBs were already slaking their thirsts. But more cries of "On On" got most of them moving on to "phase 2", the historic site. More steps, of course, and a couple of "false alarm" lookout rocks later, and we made it to the fenced boulders and newly-installed flagpoles overlooking Long Hai beach and the hinterlands - a lovely view that was bettered only by the cool, sea breeze blowing across the rocks.
But it was already getting late so we cut short the photo sessions (despite Chippy's cries of "one more"!) and headed back to the bright red eskies for some socialising.
Duty Ringmaster SamSon called the Circle and Uncle volunteered to rate the trail as he had been responsible for almost sending people the wrong way no fewer than three times! Rule number 1: always follow the new markers, not the old - and definitely not your memory!
A variety of terrain, plenty of cover from the sun and the final "historic" leg all added up to a perfect score: 10/10, which was applauded by the Circle - and Hares SamSon and Monsieur 'Arry were suitably rewarded with their very own plastic cups!
Four Hash Virgins were introduced: Ms Thuy, Dung, Misses Lan and Thao; then returnee Duy Anh was followed by no fewer than five sinners (missing phase 2, giving wrong directions, etc) - or seven if we count Rita and Uncle doing double down downs! Then two candidates for naming ceremonies: Moonface was renamed SID (what else can you call someone whose teeth AND watch both Shine In the Dark - see last week's report for full story); and Ms Uyen was recognised for not only speaking Russian but also volunteering to take Circle photos, with a Hashtag "Fot tret" (or was it "Fot trit" - not sure, but we'll find out next week when we ask Titanic to remind us of the Russian pronounciation!).
"Foodies" Mountain Goat and D&G were applauded once again for their generosity of spirit and excellent snacks; and then the Circle was advised of several forthcoming "Hash events", for which details will be emailed this week. The extremely convivial ride back to Vung Tau was only temporarily interrupted to pick-up two "hitchhikers" who had elected to go back down the trail to Monkey Pagoda - and again at a petrol station...
STOP PRESS (Saturday): Heavy overnight rain washed out the proposed Long Son Island trail, so SamSon volunteered to be a live hare on Small Mountain tomorrow. Meet at Sao Bien 4 restaurant, as usual, 2 pm for 2.30 pm start.
On On!