VTH3 Run Reports

VTH3# 932

12/5/2020

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10 MAY 2020

LONG HAI MOUNTAINS

Hares: Mr. T, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Uncle, Mr. T, Secs
Ringmaster: NA
Report: Uncle

More than 50 happy hashers met at Lily’s Baradise and Restaurant (formerly Tommy’s) on Sunday to mark our first away run following relaxation of travel restrictions in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

Hash Cash Cleaver was his usual welcoming self as he collected “the necessary” to cover the cost of food, drinks and transport; the mismanagement committee (‘MMC’) and volunteers loaded the bus, and it was “On On” to Long Hai Eco Resort!

Hare Secs explained that the bus would stop first at the resort (end of trail and Down Down location), but then take us to the starting point ‘proper’ a little further down the road. Once there we dismounted and co-Hare Mr T’s chalk talk emphasised the option for anyone feeling the strain to turn around and come back to the resort, which had plenty of shade. Then off we went along a long’ish road and steps before hitting the mountain proper – when “On On” quickly became “On Up” a much longer set of steps!

The pack stretched out, but the trail was clearly marked so most found the halfway house and selfie lookout spot easily enough, despite the terrain having changed from open countryside to fairly dense undergrowth.
And that’s when “On Up” became “On Down”, and a v.steep downhill indeed, that stretched the pack even further!
Luckily, today’s Ailing Hash was Chom Chom, who was well equipped with his usual array of technological wonders to make a running commentary for the FRBs who had already reached the Eco Resort, feasted on enough food to feed the mythical ‘army’ (thanks again, volunteer lady Hashers – yet another magnificent job of slicing and dicing chicken, banh mi, and assorted meats and veg!), and nearly emptied the eskies as they fished, played, chatted and generally relaxed after a challenging afternoon’s workout.

But thanks to Chom Chom’s commentary, we were able to relax and wait for the final group’s arrival, knowing they were safely on the way. What we didn’t know was that Chom Chom was actively proving that old adage: “Hashers never get lost, they just find new trails” – and so he did!

The final group eventually made it back to the Eco Resort as dusk was falling – so just enough time for a team photo by the light of the local conveniences(!), before heading back to Vung Tau where the day had started: Lily’s Baradise!

Plan B was to convene a Circle on the bus trip back, but the random noise level was so high that it was wisely decided to forego the tradition in favour of a more relaxed trip courtesy of our very pleasant, helpful and capable driver from Toan Thang transport company.

And so we returned to Lily’s, offloaded the assets, and headed home (or to the bar…) to mark the end of yet another excellent day on the road with Vung Tau Hash House Harriers! Next week’s trail will be announced as soon as possible, but at the time of writing is dependent on several external factors. Rest assured though, that if the outcome is as expected it will be well worth the wait!

Explainer – Hashing in Vung Tau: VTH3 moved to a new Hash kennel at Lily’s Baradise (formerly Tommy’s), at 3 Le Ngoc Han, Ward 1, in February. At the same time, a breakaway hash was formed as ‘VTCH3’ in what seems to be a clumsy attempt to confuse the two identities. The usual strategy for spin-offs is to adopt an obviously different name (there are many examples around the world, including four in Ho Chi Minh City alone…), but that didn’t happen in this case, which is regrettable; we can only hope that common sense and a little imagination prevails!
Meanwhile, the real VTH3’s ongoing story continues on this site and social media, and we also communicate via our official mailing list – to which all friends of VTH3 are welcome (scroll down our home page to HOW TO JOIN US > STEP 3).
Footnote: In the current CV-19 environment, we reassess our activities every week to ensure compliance with the VN government’s latest edicts and advice about the pandemic; we wish all friends and fellow residents of Vung Tau an uneventful journey through these uncertain times – please stay safe!

RUN 932 PHOTO GALLERY