VTH3 run #596

SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013
Nui Dinh – “twin pipes with a twist”

This Sunday started with a new face at the registration desk:  Hot Dog has taken over the role of bean counter from long-time registrar OXO, who is otherwise occupied right now...

"We’ve been having a lot of weather lately Olly", is a famous line from old-time comedian Stan Laurel, and we had a lot of different weather scenarios this week, with threatened downpours materialising for two hours at Sunday lunchtime and later giving way to a misty day which was fairly cool and ideal for trekking up mountains.

“VTH3 runs in all weather” – even Typhoon Pakkar last year – so runs will never be cancelled because of a few hours of rain. Those stalwarts who braved the elements on Sunday were the winners this week – they enjoyed an excellent trail in a magic location – see photos below.

With the  bullion iced and rego completed, it was not long until we were heading for Ba Ria: through the roundabout on Highway 51 and continuing straight for 5 km to turn right for the arduous climb to the swimming pool café halfway up Nui Dinh.

Disembarking the bus, the multinational Hashers were briefed by Hareraiser Falcon who, along
 with Hares KFC and Mr Son, had pre-marked the trail a few days earlier.

Many of us remember the old twin-piped trail up from the swimming pool - the only VTH3 trail without markers – but now we have a completely new trail following the pipes for 300 metres before veering right through dense undergrowth and upwards until the trail eventually meets a path and turns left to the road, where we were greeted by the waterfall in full flow.

We returned down the mountain road past the familiar row of cafés on the right and pigs on the left, and eventually back to the swimming pool café.

With customary lack of mercy shown to the iced nectar, it was not long before the mood became party-like.  Someone(?) had brought a bottle of "Russian Tea" (vodka to you and me), which was shared among Hashers to be washed down with San Miguel and, along with plates full of barbecued chicken, made for an extremely pleasant afternoon.

The Circle was called and Falcon did the Ring Master honours, punishing sinners for misdemeanours as “trivial” as being returnees and getting lost, with any excuse to imbibe yet another San Mig – gold or silver, take your pick!

With the light slowly fading and the pre-run rain returning, we boarded our trusty hashmobile complete with full bar and MC KFC for the trip home.  A full repertoire of Vietnamese, Russian, Indian and Irish songs as we drove home through the downpour marked the end of another memorable run!
Guest scribe Faulty Brakes

Next Sunday, 6 October, will be a local run on Big Mountain set by Hares Falcon, KFC and Son.   Details have been uploaded to the www.vungtauhash.com NEXT RUN box, and will be confirmed in the midweek Hashflyer_597.

VTH3 #596 photo gallery >>>