VTH3 #872

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 13 JAN 2019
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SMALL MOUNTAIN - "​Inauguration of the new meeting point - walk around Nui Nho "

Hares:  Boozer, Mr. T, Faulty Brakes
Hash Flashers: Secs, Frenchy
Ringmaster: Boozer 
Report: Frenchy

UNO Coffee, as the name indicates, was already known to many hashers as a former Down Down place. Furthermore, they had been well warned about the change by the mismanagement, so not one of them made the mistake of going to Hon ru ri. 42 Hashers chatted happily while waiting for the start of the run. That occurred punctually at 1.30 and all followed Halong street towards the Cape for about 800 metres under a scorching sun.

Then, at Hêm 22, started the climb, almost  directly uphill, first on a concrete way, then, past a temple and its smiling female monk resident, up up in the forest, a true relief, in spite of a rather steep slope, as the trees protected us from the sun. It was not a difficult climb, as the forest there was well cleared of the sometimes thorny bushes, and the ground quite even and free of stones and rocks. Then we reached the well known path gently sloping up South-Easterly towards the stairs to the 30 m high statue of Christ. About 150 m before reaching them, we turned left where a notice said “Khu Vuc Cam” = No Entry ! it was only a brief encroachment on Vietnamese army grounds, an excellent shortcut to the statue. We didn’t stay long up there, but soon started the descent on the steps. About 2/3rd of the way down, to the surprise of many, a lot of red ribbons on the left indicated that we had to leave the stairs by stepping over the low wall- which we did under the amazed looks of a number of Vietnamese visitors ; a lady even enquired about what we were doing and might join us one of these Sundays. We cut across the slope, practically horizontally, not many trees, a few bushes, but a very nice breeze helped to walk in the sun. All that part of the run was especially pleasant, in spite of the stony ground, as it afforded a superb view on the sea and the islet Hon Ba ; after a short , but steep climb on rocks, we arrived at  the sort of platform which is very popular with Vietnamese youth, as it’s easily reached by motorbike ; we were then on the other side of Nui Nho with an excellent  view over the city and  Nui Lon. After following the lane leading up to the lower part of the hill between the 2 summits (the statue and the lighthouse), the circle was closed as we found ourselves at the top of the trail that we had climbed first. It was not so easy to go down on the rather slippery soil, especially for the younger ones who could not grab the trees for help.
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However, everyone reached Uno Coffee safely, ready to enjoy the well deserved drinks, sandwiches and the banh mi provided by our precious Russian lady, Mother Teresa. A bottle of Jameson went around, courtesy of Faulty Brakes to the delight of the amateurs. A Russian lady, Irinia and a Vietnamese young man, Binh were duly “baptised” as virgins, and the sinners : Ron and Lanie, Faulty Brakes, Moonlight, Grandmother, Finn Lady, duly punished for avoiding what was the best part of the run, by continuing down the steps instead of leaving them, a shortcut which enabled them to return “home” much earlier.

Was it the very pleasant site of  Uno Coffee, with the sea just across the avenue, the pleasure of a not so difficult but spectacular run, it seems that the hashers were particularly merry that day ; Ron played beautifully the guitar and sang, there was more singing and even dancing ! after a beautiful sunset, everyone went home happily for a well deserved rest

VTH3 #872 PHOTO GALLERY

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM FRENCHY