Archive > The Amazing Race All Stars Spoilers/Speculation

EP1 Title: "I Told You Less Martinis And More Cardio."

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puddin:
 :lol:

heres some pictures we might see in the introcaps around cotopaxi park..

apskip:
GEORGIAPEACH stated "I was struck by the dates today--we know they flew out of Miami on Nov 20, arriving in Quito late-ish that evening. And we know that they were at our hacienda on 11/21 (or at least Phil was based on the date on his photo). The teams aren't seen again until we see The Guidos on 11/28. So that's a whole week. Now certainly an extended pitstop could affect the schedule, but I kept thinking 2 days Quito-Hacienda, ?2days Chile (desert), ? 2+ days Ushuaia ( and maybe Antarctica--fingers crossed). So just in case we have a spare day in Ecuador, I wanted to do some further exploration--so that's what I'm working on."

It does take most of 24 hours (assuming you start late morning from a pit stop in Ecuador) to get to any Atacama Desert city. My thoughts are:
1. that it is too early for an extended 36 hour rest stop,
2. that tasks around Ushuaia and Cape Horn are not likely to have consumed more than one day, and
3. that the obvious conclusion is the trip to Ushuaia is preceded by going through Puntas Arenas (possibly just to change planes) and
then to/from Antarctica for 24 hours plus a trip from Puntas Arenas one-way by plane or bus to Ushuaia.

georgiapeach:
I have a serious problem with Episode 1 and I need your opinion...

Where is the DRAMA? Where is the HOOK?

I'm talking ziplines, bungee over Victoria Falls, parachute from 20,000 feet, ascend the Great Wall of China----knock-your-socks-off "let's reel in  10 million more viewers" first episode excitement!!

So far we have deliver teams by cigarette boat, team intros, get to Miami airport, (all not exactly sit-on-the-edge-of your-seat), flight to Quito, arrive about 8:08 with daylight until 10 PM or so, run for taxis...Maybe go into Quito? I still think that going on to our Equator monument would be good visuals, and that is what I would choose.

--- Quote ---La Mitad del Mundo--Literally "The Middle of the World," this monument marks the spot where in 1736 Charles-Marie de la Condamine's scientific expedition made measurements that verified the location of the equator. Hosting a model of colonial Quito, a planetarium, a ethnographic museum, and a number of restaurants, this monument is a very popular attraction. Also, the brilliant yellow line splitting the world in two, makes for an irresistible photo opportunity with a foot in each hemisphere. A trip to the monument is often included as an afternoon segment of Quito city tours, but it is easily an excursion on its own
--- End quote ---

Then what? We know we eventually end up at Hacienda Yanahurco, with the Roadblock almost certainly some sort of rodeo/roadblock task. We know Phil was there on the 21st, leading us to think that the teams arrive that day also--but it is possible that his photos were taken one day early. It takes 3-4 hours to drive from Quito to Yanahurco over rough roads, and allowing say 3 hours or so for the roadblock, we still have at least till 2 or 3 on the 21st for our "detour is a choice between 2 options" event.

So depending on whether or not we think they have just the 1st part of the day on the 21st --and remember it is light by 4:30to 5 AM sunrise at 5:56 AM--(which keeps us nearby either Quito or the ranch), or possibly an extra day letting us go slightly further afield--what options do we have for DRAMA, you ask?

Me too! I've been looking for possibilities for two days, and the options are not plentiful. Here's what I have so far:

In or nearby Quito:
---There is a cable car--(remember the "emergency/exit rapel down from a cable car from a previous season?)
---There is also
--- Quote ---Bungee jumping.- Is practiced every Sunday morning through Andes Bungee. Tel. 2524796.
--- End quote ---
--- And there is Paragliding;

--- Quote ---Where else can you paraglide from a volcanic peak a half-hour from a major metropolitan center? Several paragliding schools can be found within an hour of Quito. You can take a week-long training course, or entrust yourself to an experienced pilot on a tandem flight. Flights last around 10-25 minutes depending on the air currents, take place in the morning for maximum airlift. According to aficionados, trying to imitate a condor feels surprisingly natural - and you certainly won't get any better views.
--- End quote ---

(Escuela Pichincha de Vuelo Libre.- Address: Carlos Endara Oe3-60 and Amazonas. Tel. 2256592. Complete courses offered)
---and there is an active volcano (Guagua Pinchincha) on the outskirts of town with crater walks available

More to follow...

georgiapeach:
Slightly further afield:

There is Banos with an awesome bridge/bungee jump--but I've sadly ruled this out due to lack of time..

And then there is Mindo which has several possibilities (I like this place!) but might also be out due to time constraints--but I think it is only 2 1/2 hours away. For transport/directions:

--- Quote ---Cooperativa Flor del Valle (M. Larrea and Asunción) leaves frequently from Quito (US$2, 3 hours). Also, the best access from Quito to Mindo is via the Calcalí-Esmeraldas road in a turnoff at Km 59 to the left leads you to Mindo
--- End quote ---

In Mindo:

--there is a rickety bridge
---rafting and tubing
---a zipline/cage thingy
--a 30 foot waterfall jump
--and -my favorite--rapelling down the waterfall (in the picture--see the red dot on the upper waterfall? That is the person!)

Still more to come...

georgiapeach:
Mindo waterfall rapel...

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