VTH3 #695

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23 August 2015
LONG SON ISLAND - "Mystery trail"

Hares:  Uncle, Faulty Brakes, Basil, UXO/Oopso
Ringmaster:  Basil
Hash Flash:  Uncle.  Circle photos: Fot tret, Stubble
Foodies:  Fot tret, Tiny Tim
Report:  Uncle, Basil


We headed off to Long Son island in brilliant sunshine for what was described on the bus as a “mystery trail”, so hopes were high for an interesting day.

Some 5 km onto the island we reached the start point, only to find that the narrow dirt track to begin our mystery trail was now part of a major new highway construction project!  Undeterred, we continued on to the lake and dismounted to search for one of the many old trails in the area.

Basil led the way, with UXO and Oopso taking over once we’d climbed a wall and plunged into thick undergrowth.  “On On” we went through the dense foliage, occasionally stopping to re-assess the situation.  But UXO was convinced he knew the way to the top of the mountain, so we decided to continue.

It wasn’t quite the top of the mountain that we reached, but it was a very scenic resort that had been built since our last trail in this part of the island – very interesting indeed!

Spirits were high and a show of hands sent us down the mountain to our bus and eskies at the pre-determined Down Down location next to the lake (in preference to someone racing down the hill to bring the bus back up!).

It had been a great impromptu trail with lots of fun, an entire spectrum of terrain, and only medium difficulty – all of which earned it an 11/10 rating at the Circle convened by Ringmaster Basil after the delicious snacks had been washed down with ice-cold San Migs and softies.

Hash virgin Nam and returnee Quyet were welcomed by the Circle, and then things started to get out of hand as Fot tret (shoe fault) was joined by half a dozen other sinners who weren’t wearing Hash shirts – maybe they didn’t want to get their shiny, new 700th run shirts dirty!  Ms Loan didn’t escape, either – with her conical hat deemed unsuitable when brand new VTH3 embroidered caps were on sale for just 30k VND!  Chippy formed a one-person water bomb team behind the sinners, until out-bombed (drenched!) by UXO and his 2-litre “spray-gun”.

Finally, it was Fot tret’s turn again – and she was joined by Tiny Tim to receive thanks from the Circle for their culinary efforts which were, as always, very much appreciated.

Uncle and Faulty Brakes volunteered to set another Long Son island trail for next Sunday – this time with a bit more certainty about start and finish locations (maybe!).  And then it was onto the bus for an international song competition dominated by Russia (led by UXO), with “support acts” from Ireland, England, Australia, Vietnam, Korea and possibly more - but this scribe was far too busy enjoying the trip to make notes, so apologies to anyone not mentioned!

It was a really great, fun day; very much enjoyed by all – and we certainly plan to repeat it next week.  We’ll meet on Sunday, as usual, at Sao Bien 4 restaurant: 2 pm for 2.30 pm start – in any weather!  (Please come a little earlier if you plan to purchase t-shirt/s and/or cap/s.)

On On!

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