Calvin’s Hub

Another short leg which involves only a few tasks. Before this episode aired, there were speculations that Geoff and Tisha would have a very huge lead and will cruise to an easy 1st place. Think that would be the case? Would Ida and Tania survive another day after learning that they had to be first or suffer a 30 minute penalty at the Pit Stop?

Let’s see how this would turn out.

Back to Macau Tower

Still in Macau, first task is for teams to head out and make their way to St. Paul Ruins.

Geoff and Tish left at around 4 AM followed by Sam and Vince a few minutes later.

At St. Paul Ruins, they got their next clue which is to go back to Macau Tower. Yup, whatever task you’re thinking that they’re gonna do there, you’re probably right.

When Geoff and Tisha arrived at the Macau Tower, they were greeted by an Hours of Operation for 8 AM. There goes the lead. The two teams had 3 hours to kill so they decided to get some rest by the entrance.

AD and Fuzzie and Henry and Bernie left the pit stop about an hour after the first two teams and they were able to catch up with them before the tower opened.

Henry commented on Sam’s new haircut given to him by Tania. Sam replied, “I look like you now.” Hehehe.

Ida and Tania left at around 8 AM so the other teams proceed to get their next clue when the tower opened. Ida and Tania just hoped that the tower will open at 10 AM (regular operating hours) but clearly that’s not the case.

ROADBLOCK: Bungy Jumping

Team’s next task is for one member to bungy jump off bungy jump off Macau Tower, which is the highest commercial bungy jump. Yep, TARA won’t let them leave Macau without doing the jump.

Geoff quickly chose Tish to do this task and Sam did it for their team. AD volunteered to do the roadblock while Henry had a hard time talking Bernie into doing the jump in which she eventually agreed.

The task is pretty straightforward and Tish finished it without any problems.

A Chopper Ride

Being first to finish the roadblock, Geoff and Tish found out that a helicopter will take them back to Hong Kong for their next task. The next task by the way is to head to MASKargo Cargo Terminal and search for a package with their name on it.

While they ride a chopper, other teams have to take the ferry back. Both Geoff and Tish were elated with their fortune and the lead that they’ll get from their chopper ride which only takes about 15 minutes.

“This is how you get to Hong Kong in style”, quipped Geoff when they landed.

A Ferry Ride

Sam finished the jump and they quickly made their way to the ferry. They missed the ferry by 3 minutes and not seeing Geoff and Tish around, they thought the Filipinos were able to board it. Still, they got into the 9 AM ferry before other teams showed up.

AD finished her jump without making any noise and so does Bernie. Henry felt bad talking Bernie into doing the roadblock and just told her that she did it with more style and finesse than Tisha. Hmmm.

Both teams were able to board the 9:30 AM ferry.

Ida and Tania got into a ferry about an hour later.

Enjoying First Place

Well ahead of the other teams, Geoff and Tisha quickly got to the cargo terminal and found their package with a letter each from their family. After shedding a little bit of tears, they went on to their next task even before other teams arrived.
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Going to India

Next task is for teams to make their way to a temple that I failed to jot down in Cochin, India. They have to enter the temple grounds for a good luck blessing and their next clue. When Geoff and Tish got to the airport, they were fortunate enough to get a cancellation seat on a flight that’s just about to leave. Wow, lady luck must be smiling on them that day.

Teary Moments

When Sam and Vince got their letter, Sam got a bit emotional reading his letter from his parents. They left before teams 3 and 4 even arrived. When they reached the cargo terminal, Henry and Bernie felt the pressure being in 4th place and they were arguing on how to go about searching the terminal for their package. AD and Fuzzie were also searching for their package at that time and they found theirs first before Henry and Bernie. During their confessional, AD kept teasing Fuzzie that she cried but Fuzzie insisted that her voice just broke. Hehehe. After a few minutes, Henry and Bernie found their letters and got teary-eyed as well reading them. They left the place before Ida and Tania arrived.

Bunching at The Airport

Sam and Vince had a few hours to kill before their Cathay Pacific flight will leave for Singapore then to Mumbai. From Mumbai, they’ll have to make a connecting flight to Cochin. They saw Henry and Bernie and asked them to team up and take the same flight as theirs. Meanwhile, AD and Fuzzie found a flight straight to Mumbai then Cochin via Air India. They were joined by Ida and Tania who managed to catch up. Let’s see whose flight can take the remaining teams to Cochin first.

At Cochin, India

Geoff and Tish arrived at the temple in the evening at around 10:30 PM. However, they were greeted by another Hours of Operation for 6 AM so they decided to check into a nearby hotel to get some sleep. When Sam and Vince and Henry and Bernie arrived at Mumbai, they failed to make the connecting flight to Cochin. It was already late in the evening so they had to rush to a domestic airport to look for another flight. Ida and Tania and AD and Fuzzie managed to get to Cochin at around 4 AM. With two hours to spare, they just decided to camp outside the temple. This bodes well for Ida and Tania who caught up with 1st place. Ida was jealous at Tisha though when they showed up before 6 well-rested and clean. The three teams got their good luck blessing and proceeded onto their next task.

Elephant Bath Time

Teams must make their way to the elephant washing ground in Kumablam where they have to wash an elephant using dried coconut shells. Geoff and Tisha’s taxi (they asked to be fetched at 6 am in the morning) was waiting for them outside the temple grounds while Ida and Tania’s taxi was late. When their taxi arrived, they asked the driver to call for another one for AD and Fuzzie. How kind of them. However, Geoff and Tish went back to the hotel to ask for directions but they are still confident that they’re ahead. Ida and Tania’s driver however knows the way to the elephant and he got them there first. They quickly finished cleaning the elephant and got their next clue. Geoff and Tisha arrived at the washing ground and were clearly surprised to see Ida and Tania heading off to the opposite direction. They can’t believe that they got there first and finished so fast.

DETOUR: Fish or Fill

In Fish, teams must make their way to a nearby pier and deliver 6 fishes to a seafood restaurant by foot. In Fill, teams must complete an intricate geometric design by filling it with colored rice. Ida and Tania chose to do “Fill”. When Geoff and Tish finished washing the elephant, they chose “Fish”. Seems like they have no patience for little things and chose to rely on their physical strength and stamina. AD and Fuzzie expectedly, chose “Fill” as well. They said that they want to avoid physical and smelly tasks if possible. Meanwhile, Sam and Vince and Henry and Bernie just arrived at the temple and quickly finished their task. They were still toe to toe finishing the elephant task but had to part ways afterwards when Sam and Vince chose to do “Fish” and Henry and Bernie went with the more cultural task.

Race for First

Ida and Tania’s motorcab had to stop for petrol going to the “Fill” task while Geoff and Tisha arrived at their “Fish” task first. The Pinoys were surprised to find out how big the fishes were (looks like swordfish). They can only carry one each so they have to make three trips. Anyway, they still finished the task before Ida and Tania were done with their rice fill task which they did without any problems. On to the next task. ___________________________________________________________________
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Pit Stop

Next task is for teams to get to Bolgatty Palace which is the pit stop for this race.

Geoff and Tisha’s taxi had the advantage over Ida and Tania who were only riding a motorcab. Even after all those Hours of Operation encounters, Team Philippines prevailed again and won themselves a trip for 2 to Hong Kong with $1000 to spend. Way to go guys! You did it again!

Ida and Tania being second on this leg had to wait for 30 minutes before they can check in.

AD and Fuzzie who were not far behind were able to check in before Ida and Tania’s 30 minutes were up for 2nd place.

But after a short while, Allan motioned Ida and Tania to come to the mat and announced that they are back in the race in 3rd place. Yay for Ida and Tania!

The Latecomers

Meanwhile at the “Fish” task, Vince sense the urgency of their position and manned up carrying two fishes at once while Sam carries one. This allowed them to finish the task in just two trips.

Henry and Bernie can’t do anything to make their task faster so they just did the best that they can. Unfortunately, it’s not enough as Sam and Vince managed to get the 4th place and they got the boot instead.

Here’s the placement of each team after the 8th leg:

1st Geoff and Tisha (Trip for 2 to Hong Kong with $1000)
2nd AD and Fuzzie
3rd Ida and Tania
4th Sam and Vince
5th Henry and Bernie (eliminated)

Just Some Thoughts

As speculated, Geoff and Tish are first again but it was not that easy as expected. Two teams were able to catch up with them in India but still, they managed to do the right detour that fits their style to win first place.

AD and Fuzzie continue to surprise with their 2nd place finish. I still say it had to do with luck or the lack of luck for other teams.

I’m so happy for Ida and Tania getting 3rd. They truly deserve to still be on the race. Many are writing them off already before this leg but they managed to get the correct flight. 3rd place is good and I hope they get to the final 3.

Sam and Vince, good job for playing it safe by dragging another team on the same flight. It boiled down on who can finish the detour task first and you guys clearly chose the fastest one.

What can I say about Henry and Bernie, many kinda hated them after the past few episodes and I’m a bit surprised that they got eliminated ahead of AD and Fuzzie. I’m not sad though as this bodes well for Geoff and Tish.

I wonder if there’s gonna be an Intersection or a U-Turn on the next leg. That would be interesting. Too bad they didn’t visit Philippines on this leg.

Well, hope you enjoyed reading this. Let me know if there are mistakes with times, locations, etc. For more additional reading, check out my TARA bookmarks.

You might also be interested in:

• The Amazing Race Asia 3 – Episode 5
• Final episode of The Amazing Race Asia 3 tonight
• The Amazing Race Asia 3 – Episode 11
• The Amazing Race Asia 3 – Episode 6

Filed under: Amazing Race Asia