VTH3 #891

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26 MAY 2019
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LONG SON ISLAND 

Hares: Secs, Mr.T
Hash Flasher: Chom Chom,
Ringmaster: ​Boozer
Report: Chom Chom

It was all looking bright and gay as this week’s Hashers started gathering at our registration and starting venue of Café Uno. Together with this, the bus was waiting, the banh mi had been delivered and even the ice was melting away, awaiting being rehomed into the eskies of soft drinks and our newly selected beer of choice, 333. It was looking a great start to the afternoon.

We mounted our usual bus, greeted our friendly driver and made a prompt departure to Long Son at 1.30pm. Once we arrived in Long Son, the bus dropped us all off in the street and whilst our Hashers were dousing themselves in sunscreen and mosquito spray, we slowly assembled in a nearby park for the trail introduction from Mr. T. In short, the trail ahead was parts of two new trails and parts of two old trails, but do not fret, it is heavily taped!

Things started well as we leisurely made our way over a gentle winding path, although it wasn’t long until we hit the rocky climb up the mountain. Our first photo opportunity was just ahead, next to a newly erected corrugated hut. As we continued our climb up the mountain, ominous dark grey clouds were getting closer, and whilst we may have hoped for a cooler period as the winds gently swept around us, rain was certainly a threatening possibility. The latter was sadly the result and we suffered a sudden heavy downpour and at this stage most of us had already made it up the mountain – there was no turning back – so On-On in the rain (together with thunder and lightning offering additional dramatic effects).

We took a left turn at the top of the mountain and continued into deep forest areas desperately looking for the red flags that were now getting tougher to locate due to the darkness above, steamed up glasses and generally poorer visibility. Whilst we had hoped the trees would shelter us partly from the rain, this didn’t seem to be the case. Within a few minutes, we all as wet as we could possibly be, trying to protect our phones and other valuables. Here things got a bit messy as groups fragmented into different directions. 

It was surprising how much the trail had become overgrown with the recent rainfall. The current rain also made the remaining stages of the trail much more tricky as our soily, leafy ground had now turned into slippery mud and it is fair to say there were several slippages with Hashers having muddy back sides!

The trail continued downwards now towards the wide stony road that would be familiar to many. This was certainly reassuring as we knew where we were and more importantly there wasn’t too much further to go. It was still pouring with rain with very little visible evidence of change. A left turn was taken from the main road and a short, but steep climb confronted us. Once we had reached the top, we made our way the best ways we could find to eventually reach the Down-Down spot.

Our Down-Down location was the familiar coffee shop and car park at the top of the mountain. Hashers slowly started gathering from various directions, clear that many had taken an alternate route or detour. We were all drenched and dripping and were grateful for the shelter offered. Those that were fortunate enough to forward think and bring an additional shirt changed and no doubt felt somewhat better. We did the usual pleasantries whilst we enjoyed the now cool 333 beer and soft drinks, together with Boozers selection of sandwiches, fruit and banh mi.

After the group photo, Boozer gathered the circle. Our Hares this week were Mr. T and Secs and after much discussion with our various nationalities, a trail score of 12 was achieved, so well done and thank you to our Hares. Next into the circle were our virgins, but more specifically Vung Tau virgins – a total of six this week. Here we were introduced to a couple of young Vietnamese gents from Vung Tau, a young Vietnamese lady from Ho Chi Minh, a happily married couple from France and a very jovial, enthusiastic Hash fanatic with the hashname Tick Tock, from Australia. Tick Tock duly got the inevitable tube of doom reward. Next up was our returnees, just the two of them – Chief Stoker who had been busy building boats and UFO who claimed to have simply been lazy. Finally, we had our sinners that included Secs for going the wrong way on his own trail, and Chom Chom for not coming forward as a returnee and also following Secs the wrong way. I think there should have been a fair few more sinners, but then, I don’t know how many Hashers even knew the right or wrong way! The circle was closed, and we continued our merriments of drinking and chatting prior to the return trip to our home base.

As a conclusion, whilst we are having somewhat unpredictable weather, I think it is worth highlighting that along with the usual hats, sunscreen, mosquito spray, etc, a new shirt might also be a useful addition, and a waterproof bag for your phone!
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Thanks for reading and I hope all enjoyed their wet day at Long Hai. On-On until next week.

VTH3 #891 PHOTO GALLERY

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