VTH3# 983 A / B

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MAY 1-2 2021
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BIG MOUNTAIN / LONG HAI - MINH DAM
​VTH3 & SH3 HASH MASH UP

Hares: Bull Ant, Chippy, Chom Chom, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Various Hashers
Ringmaster: SH3 / Chom Chom
Report: Chom Chom

Our second Hash run this weekend as we enjoyed the company of our friends from Saigon Hash on their “Hashaway”. After our local trail on Saturday, we mounted the Hashmobile and took a journey out to Minh Dam mountains in Long Hai.

Hashers began to arrive at Tommy’s to register with Zidan and Bull Ant whilst others got on with the essential stuff of loading the eskies with beer, soft drinks and the all important ice. Once Hashers, eskies and a few extra stools were loaded onto the bus, it was on-on as we departed for the short journey to Long Hai.

We arrived at what seemed like a construction site with countless concrete pipes all stacked up and headed along a sandy path towards the mountain. The sun was beaming and with virtually no wind nor shade, this was not the ideal area to stand around pretending to be interested in the Chalk Chat.

Passing through a grassy field, a plastic recycling factory and finally arriving in a shady wooded area, Secs made the Chalk Chat to our fifty Hashers. The real On On was now underway and we continued our adventure in Minh Dam mountain up a sandy and rocky path. Steep and hot, water was being consumed continuously with many frequent rest breaks. It really was a hot start and to many Hashers amusement, our all creative and inventive Hot Pants found an old white ice box to protect herself from the sun – or that’s what we thought.
As we approached the first temple, things started to get a bit more comfortable. There was an occasional gust of refreshing wind and things seemed a lot cooler. As an added bonus, Hashers were welcomed with fruit and various biscuits in the temple courtyard together with top-ups of cold water, many in desperate need after consuming so much on the way up. Whilst some chose to enjoy fruit and snacks, taking a short nap in the hammocks, others took advantage of the selfie opportunities with the stunning views over Vung Tau, Long Hai and the bay.

From here we progressed downhill for a while on some rocky steps through the lush green forest and leafy path. A colour changing chameleon provided a moment of joy before it ran off out of view. It wasn’t long until we arrived at the second temple, again offering a stunning rock viewpoint. Whilst some were wary of venturing out, others confidently took advantage of the yet more selfie and photo spots.

It was down again, rather steeply in parts as the trail continued with many areas needing special care to avoid any slippages. It was here, things went a little, well, pear-shaped. Whilst the trail had been set perfectly with regular red tapes to guide, a small group decided that it was unlikely for us to be heading back up the mountain and therefore decided to follow blue tape! Wrong Wrong Wrong – how many times do you hear “follow the red tape”?

For those that followed the red tape and didn’t miss turn-offs, it was up again as we ventured towards the final temple and viewpoint of the day. It was turning into quite a long and challenging trail and whilst many took yet more photo’s, most just carried on along the path, following the RED tape in the hope of cold drinks and food not much further away.

The final stage was a gentle walk down a concrete path heading towards the finish line this week, the Minh Dam car park. Super cold Saigon Chills together with various soft drinks, including Chom Chom’s new healthier “Sugar-Free” selections were already waiting thanks to assistance from Faulty Brakes and our fabulous bus driver, Mr. An. It was here concern was mounting for a number of Hashers that were absent. After a few phone calls, the group was located and promptly picked up in Long Hai by our super enthusiastic and co-operative driver. Upon their return we enjoyed very tasty Pateso’s, fruit, snacks and the usual goodies whilst we all relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. This week was Snowball’s birthday and as a very regular VTH3 Hasher, we celebrated this with a large cake whilst singing and dancing to the happy birthday song.

It was getting dark by now, thanks partially to the delay in recovering our missing hashers. A short circle was initiated, mainly to welcome our Saigon Hashers and to hear their feedback about today’s trail and the weekend in general. Nothing but praise, so all good. Clearly the weekend had been a bit different to the usual SGH3 activities, but great to hear the success. It was a fabulous weekend for us too and so good to meet our fellow Hashers from Saigon.

Once the bus was re-loaded, we quickly got on and headed back for a fun journey to Vung Tau. With music blaring, an eskie full of Saigon Chill and soft drinks, we sang and danced. Even the bus went into “party mode” with the multi-coloured lighting. A really fun and happy ending to the long day.

As usual, on our return the Down Down Down commenced as many Hashers continued to enjoy their day with more drinks, Randy’s legendary wood-fired pizza and great entertainment from Russian soloist, Veronika.
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Another great Sunday with Vung Tau Hash (VTH3). On On

RUN 983 A/B GALLERY

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