VTH3 #883

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31 MAR 2019
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NUI THI VAI - "1200 Steps and a Rickety Bamboo Bridge"

Hares: Flying Finn, Slipper
Hash Flasher: Secs
Ringmaster: Boozer
Report: Faulty Brakes

The young and old assembled at Cafe Uno for this week’s odyssey to Nui Thi Vai near Phu My. Bean counters Boozer and Cleaver ensured the registration and shekels where correct whilst Hashers prepared the eskies for the forthcoming expedition with San Miguel and softies complete with nibbles for the Down Down. The “Iceman Cometh” hoodoo struck again despite the best efforts of the mismanagement strategic planning division to avoid a second consecutive week with no coolant. As smooth as Brexit from the E.U. the VTH3 juggernaut barreled out of Ha Long to head northwards stopping briefly to acquire the badly needed ice to ensure a temperature perfect refreshment for later that day. This week’s tally was 47 with children as young as 3 years to senior Hashers in their mid seventies and eventually we reached our location in Nui Thi Vai and disembarked.

This week’s trail was courtesy of the dynamic duo, Flying Finn and Slipper the Finnish Trailfinders, who on the previous Friday had generously given their time how so could have this trail today. Standing on the steps at the foot of the trail, welcome to Hash Number 883 and pointing to the top of the mountain  follow the steps to the top and then follow the red ribbons and back to here again, simple enough but this required a lot of energy expenditure. “On on” and it was every man woman and child for himself, up the 1200 steps in the blistering sun. Meanwhile back at the bus 2 seasoned hashers removed the eskies from the bus and allowed the Sun to shine directly on to the ice thus insuring a cool refreshments for everyone at the Down Down.

As we climbed the steps we saw Hashers resting, taking advantage of pockets of shade grimacing as every set of steps presented themselves and the curious spectacle of men carrying 25 kgs bags of cement for construction work at the temple on top of the mountain. The modus operandi they employed was to zig zag across the steps and not step directly up the the steps interestingly enough some hashers copied this, I suppose a classic case of “when in Rome does as the Romans do”

Reaching the temple at the top of the climb we came onto the shadier part of the trail, no more steps and  red ribbons directing us through forest with cooling breezes and now the next challenge was a bamboo bridge and handrail with four poles to step across and two of these poles looked like they were on their last legs but with ‘Bear Grylls ‘ like determination these where easily surmounted and soon we we were back at the top of the steps ready to complete the descent and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside in all its glory as the temperature cooled making it a lot more comfortable for descending Hashers.

Using the bus as a shade, Hashers sat around swilling San Miguel and softies, kids played, others groaned as a result of their exertions earlier and soon it was show time. Boozer and his trusty mutt “Hot Dog” now complete with microphone and boombox expertly guided us through the proceedings. Old Wild Eagle was loudly applauded for efforts on the day and we bade him farewell as he is returning to Russia, new handles were apportioned to; Super Dad, Fighter, Shady Lady, Lazy Fox and Aurora welcome to Vung Tau hash one and all.

We were running late as a result of the extra distance and time to Phu My, with the eskies loaded on board the bus and the cocktail cabinet inside the bus, we headed back to Vung Tau with spirits high and music blaring everyone appeared to enjoy the journey. Reaching Cafe Uno it was time to put away our equipment in our store which is situated at the top of the building and dispose of empty cans and bottles. WE EXPECT ALL HASHERS (children and ladies excluded) to assist in this operation and leave the bus rubbish free. Next week we have home run on on Big Mountain.

VTH3 #883 PHOTO GALLERY

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