VTH3 #782

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​23 April 2017
​NUI DINH - "Not so easy going up, much easier coming down"
​​
​Hares: Mr Dan, Paddy
Hash Flash: Paddy. Circle photos: Aqua
Ringmaster: Basil
 
We were greeted by a pleasantly overcast sky as we registered at Hon Ru Ri for the trip to Nui Dinh.  We were joined by various people along the way, and were met at the mountain by co-Hare and Hash Flash Paddy, making 30 Hashers in total (31 including Terminator’s new K9 “Davey”).
Co-Hare Mr Dan sent everyone up the road to the start point, where he gave a chalk-talk in a mixture of English and Vietnamese that was simultaneously translated into English, Russian and (we think) Japanese by talented interpreters Basil and Superteen!
The instructions were very clear: “Over this wall, down to the riverbed, then follow the red markers to the top of the mountain”!
So over the wall we went, with FRBs Terminator and Andy closely followed by Junior Hashers Ben and Ronaldo, then “the pack”!
It was a typical VN "dry season" jungle trail, with a mix of hard-packed earth, rocks, slippery dry leaves and the occasional pagoda steps – all clambered over to the background “music” of thunder (which threatened, but fortunately didn’t arrive until the following morning!).
We explored the temple on top of the mountain, including the superb views from several lookout rocks.  Then it was “On down” to the Hashmobile parked outside a café at the bottom of the mountain, while Paddy took photos for the run report (see below) and his co-Hare Mr Dan ran backwards and forwards mustering his “sheep” to ensure no-one got lost!
We finally made it down to the eskies and took them inside the café that our Hares had found, where we enjoyed the ice-cold drinks and vast array of food – including returnee Hasher Oil Boom’s v.popular “drinking beans”.
The arrival of Kojak escorting a group of ladies signaled 100% successful return rate and the usual “socializing” took place in an extremely convivial atmosphere.
The darkening skies meant an early’ish team photo and Circle, convened by duty Ringmaster Basil (and deputy Ben) who congratulated everyone on finishing run #782 and introduced Hares Mr Dan and Paddy.  Andy was nominated to rate the trail and he gave it 9.5/10 – but this was considered just a tiny bit “harsh” considering all the additional work done by the Hares on this day (Paddy with the Hash Flash, and Mr Dan chopping fruit for everyone with as much enthusiasm as he showed for rounding up stray Hashers), so that took the score to 10/10, + 1 for the beautifully overcast skies making a grand total of 11/10!
No Hash Virgins today so we welcomed returnees Vlad (study absence) with translations by Superteen, Oil Boom (now based in Tokyo where he runs with the Sumo and Samurai Hashes) and Uncle (who said he had to return from Australia earlier than planned, because he heard Oil Boom was coming all the way from Japan with his “drinking beans”).  Not true, of course, but still Down Downs for all!
Sinners were Faulty Brakes, Uncle and Andy for “foot faults” (new/old shoes); and then it was time to thank our foodies Hope Solo, Mother Teresa, Kojak and Oil Boom – and a simultaneous “changing of the guard” with Junior Hasher Miss Khuyen (8) taking over the GM chains of office from Ben!
Some discussion followed about next week’s trail because it will be a holiday weekend with the inevitable influx of tourists and holidaymakers, meaning no certainty that we will be able to hire a bus or even local taxi’s!  So Faulty Brakes and Andy volunteered to set a local trail on Small Mountain, and Uncle volunteered to set one on Big Mountain, and then a decision can be made later in the week about which one to use on Sunday – so please watch the NEXT RUN box on our website for updates.
We'll meet again on Sunday, as always, at Hon Ru Ri:  2 pm for 2.30 pm start.
​On On!

VTH3 #782 PHOTO GALLERY