Topic: TAR 30: Speculation and Discussion of the **SPOILERS** WORKZONE!

[geographyknower]

Well NEL’s have been a feature since the beginning, and I’d argue necessary

If we were to have no NEL’s with 11 teams we would only get 9 episodes tops, which is really short, especially for reality television

If we wanted 12-13 episodes without NEL’s, we’d have to have 14-15 teams- you already run the risk of losing teams amongst the sea of contestants when they do a 12 team race

Neither really would work that well

U-turn is just another extra device they implemented to spice things up

I personally kind of enjoy it as a whole, but it is really a bummer when a good/competitive team gets knocked out solely because they didn’t happen to complete a detour as quick as another team

And throughout the seasons there have been plenty of instances of teams being their own worst enemy, and knocking themselves out/losing in the finale- and I find it makes for better tv

Great explanation and reasoning. Thanks!

[Seastars]

http://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/water-cannons-riot-police-out-in-force-in-harare-20171012

This was the first thing that came up for me when I googled Harare.  Water Cannons from the police to clear out street vendors, 2 days ago. 

Next I found an article about how Harare was the worst (or 4th worst) city in the world, written in 2013.  That was fascinating, and according to the author, not his experience.  I'll link it in case anyone else is interested.  https://www.counterpunch.org/2013/03/15/harare-is-it-really-the-worst-city-on-earth/

Several museums, etc.  This should be a great place for TAR, I'm looking forward to it.  IF the Harare destination is true, or course.  Wild life and bird sanctuaries as well. 

[Maanca]

South of Harare, I see there's the ruins of an ancient walled city from the iron age called Great Zimbabwe. It's a UNESCO site.

That for one looks like a great possible location for a task.

[Joberio]

It's a UNESCO site.

UNESCO?  What's UNESCO?

[Maanca]

It's a UNESCO site.

UNESCO?  What's UNESCO?

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Basically it's a classification that all the most important historic and cultural sites around the world receive, and it ensures their preservation.

[Seastars]

https://wikitravel.org/en/Zimbabwe

If you page down here, there are "deluxe" busses running to other locations, flights are also listed by airline and destination, and there is also a train from Bulawayo to the Victoria Falls.  https://www.seat61.com/Zimbabwe.htm 

I hope they do two legs in this area!

Weather should be good, not rainy, but warm.  Still, there are driving warnings about potholes (probably big enough to swallow a large dog or a tire) so if they do any self driving?  It may not be here.  In Harare itself, roads look great though.

[Joberio]

https://wikitravel.org/en/Zimbabwe

If you page down here, there are "deluxe" busses running to other locations, flights are also listed by airline and destination, and there is also a train from Bulawayo to the Victoria Falls.  https://www.seat61.com/Zimbabwe.htm 

I hope they do two legs in this area!

I do, too, but that might be a slim possibility.  Isn't this leg eight by now?  I'm pretty sure they'll want to head out in Asia's direction around leg nine, get a leg or two there (or even three, if they don't want to have at least one South America leg before the final leg).

[georgiapeach]

They could be connecting on the South African Airlines/Swiss Air connection via Johannesburg to Victoria Falls that would arrive at 1230pm 10/15
SA/LX 7241 ZRHJNB 2240 0910‡1                           
SA 40 JNBVFA 1050 1230 

or this nearly identical combination to Harare:
LX 288 ZRHJNB 2240 0910‡1
SA 22 JNBHRE 1045 1215

I can't imagine they'd stay in Vic Falls since they were just there with the Reporters, but from there it's a half hour drive to Chobe, Botswana.           

Okay . So we have ONE set of flights:
Prague>Zurich Swiss Air 1499
And either to Harare or Victoria Falls as above.

Now we need another set for the remaining teams. 

[Plaidmoon]

Dawn Beavers‏ @dawnbeavers  5m5 minutes ago
More
Replying to @dawnbeavers @RealitySteve
They are headed to Zimbabwe!

Has Zimbabwe been confirmed?

The woman was posting pictures of teams from inside the plane going to Zurich. She said in another tweet that one of the teams told her they were going to Zimbabwe. Until we get pictures or video from on the ground in Zimbabwe, this is about the best confirmation we're likely to get.

[Winteriscoming]

https://wikitravel.org/en/Zimbabwe

If you page down here, there are "deluxe" busses running to other locations, flights are also listed by airline and destination, and there is also a train from Bulawayo to the Victoria Falls.  https://www.seat61.com/Zimbabwe.htm 

I hope they do two legs in this area!

I do, too, but that might be a slim possibility.  Isn't this leg eight by now?  I'm pretty sure they'll want to head out in Asia's direction around leg nine, get a leg or two there (or even three, if they don't want to have at least one South America leg before the final leg).

If there are 6 teams left and there has only been one NEL than this would be leg 7.

[ianthebalance]

I've seen people talk about a missing leg, but I don't see why that has to be the case. The Prague leg was on October 12, the 12th day of the race, which is not unusual for the sixth leg to be.

[georgiapeach]

Right. The Prague leg was the 12th.

Where were they for the next 48 hours??

I think we could have missed one during that time.

[Joberio]

Right. The Prague leg was the 12th.

Where were they for the next 48 hours??

I think we could have missed one during that time.

That's what I'm saying.  Two weeks in now?  Two-thirds of the race just has to be over by now, or about to be.  I'm really thinking that there was another Czech Republic/Czechia leg for maybe a F6 NEL as the seventh leg, and now, this Africa leg is the eighth leg and the F6 elimination leg.

[ovalorange]

I think if we're finally having a big jump now that some form of an extended PS needs to be considered after Prague.

[ianthebalance]

Right. The Prague leg was the 12th.

Where were they for the next 48 hours??

I think we could have missed one during that time.

If its a jump from Prague to Zimbabwe as we expect, then it would make sense for a rest day and teams arriving on the 15th. Its common for long jumps.

[georgiapeach]

Right. The Prague leg was the 12th.

Where were they for the next 48 hours??

I think we could have missed one during that time.

That's what I'm saying.  Two weeks in now?  Two-thirds of the race just has to be over by now, or about to be.  I'm really thinking that there was another Czech Republic/Czechia leg for maybe a F6 NEL as the seventh leg, and now, this Africa leg is the eighth leg and the F6 elimination leg.

Agree except no proof or evidence for a F6 NEL right?

Leg 6 Prague finished approx. 3PM?? 12th (using 3PM as example)
Released about 3AM 13th
Leg 7 3am to 3pm 13th
Pitstop 3PM to 3AM 14th
Gives them close to 12 hours to get back to Prague for Swiss Air flight dep 755PM 14th

This is way too much time for an extended PitStop...IMO. 48++ hours??
Can't rule it out...but regardless we have to consider that it remains a possibility.


Keep in mind we still need a second set of flights for remainder of teams...

[georgiapeach]

If its a jump from Prague to Zimbabwe as we expect, then it would make sense for a rest day and teams arriving on the 15th. Its common for long jumps.

It isn't ONE rest day though...it is 48 hours. Right?

[ianthebalance]

Didn't they start traveling on the 14th?

[Seastars]

Right. The Prague leg was the 12th.

Where were they for the next 48 hours??

I think we could have missed one during that time.

considering that water cannon police stuff on the street vendors in Harare was happening on the 12th?  I suck at judging times nearly half way around the world, but it's possible they took an extended rest in Prague to 1) See if things calmed down there, or 2) have production talk about / arrange alternative destinations if need be. 

Just a thought.

[Zack.]

fwiw this season is pretty much on pace with the last two (TAR 29 finished leg 6 on day 12 and had leg 7 on day 13; TAR 29 finished leg 6 on day 11 and leg 7 on day 12), hence why I suspect there's a second leg near Prague.

It would be a tight fit for Phil (unless it's a KOR where teams are held up somehow for a day) but manageable I think.

[georgiapeach]

Didn't they start traveling on the 14th?

The swiss air flight was the 14th yes. That's what I said. 755PM

assume they want them in airport by 5 ish PM.

[ianthebalance]

I guess it just seems rather normal to me, but I guess there could of been an extra leg then.

[georgiapeach]

Bottom line is we don't know unless we find something. 29 had a very extended leg in Korea.

Last season ran 23 days right??, expecting about the same here, maybe +1.

[Zack.]

They could be connecting on the South African Airlines/Swiss Air connection via Johannesburg to Victoria Falls that would arrive at 1230pm 10/15
SA/LX 7241 ZRHJNB 2240 0910‡1                           
SA 40 JNBVFA 1050 1230 

or this nearly identical combination to Harare:
LX 288 ZRHJNB 2240 0910‡1
SA 22 JNBHRE 1045 1215

I can't imagine they'd stay in Vic Falls since they were just there with the Reporters, but from there it's a half hour drive to Chobe, Botswana.           

Okay . So we have ONE set of flights:
Prague>Zurich Swiss Air 1499
And either to Harare or Victoria Falls as above.

Now we need another set for the remaining teams. 

Does it have to be from Zurich? If not, then

LH 1401 PRG FRA 1849 1944
ET 707 FRA ADD 2204 0600 (10/15)

and either of
ET 873 ADD HRE 0925 1230
ET 829 ADD VFA 0835 1215

[georgiapeach]

It has to be from Prague  based on the other teams leaving from there.

 just saw Addis too...but wonder if production would allow a transfer there right now?

Thanks Zack!!!