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Archive => RFF Archived Boards => The Amazing Race 19 Spoilers and Speculation => Topic started by: schwarzmoor on June 03, 2011, 07:50:22 AM
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Dear all,
I just googled to see if there is any news about The Amazing Race 19 and I found the following web site in Chinese posted it today.
http://5i01.com/topicdetail.php?f=364&t=2187819&last=28352949 (http://5i01.com/topicdetail.php?f=364&t=2187819&last=28352949)
The message is about a sponsor request for Dragon Boat organization/team? to participate in the show.
The request mentioned the 1st leg will start at Taiwan. 11 teams will go to Riverside Park? (in Yilan County?). TAR teams will become a helsman and drummer and work with the dragon boat teams (which they are now requesting) to race to the finishing point.
Estimate date for shooting is on June 20...And they will do the test on Jun 18 & 19.
I am not sure if this is a solid information...but i just want to share what i found.
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Here's the English translation of the webpage he linked to:
Hello
I just call you Miss Huang
The attachment file is a program business case shot
Please refer to
Helmsman and the drummer which is served by our program participants
Outright other hand, would like to invite your organization assisted oar
Dragon Boat on to invite you to participate in
In addition to the TV than you can make some pocket money 啦 ~ ~
And promote the image of Taiwan, oh ~ ~ Sports
Basically, to be first than the left end
Do not need a full day in the field ~
If outstanding issues welcome letter / e contact
Could you discuss with your team members after
Reply thanks again
Subject: U.S. CBS TV The Amazing Race "Adventure Challenge" shoot demand
◆ Program Name: The Amazing Race "Adventure Challenge"
◆ Host: Phil Keoghan ◆ Type: Reality TV ◆ Length: 60 minutes per episode ◆ Country: U.S. CBS television
◆ Taiwan Channel: AXN Channel ◆ Taiwan Language: English
◆ broadcast countries: 9 countries, including Taiwan, to January 2011, a total of seven countries or regions create their own version.
◆ ratings: 1 quarter from the U.S. to the 18th quarter of the average ratings of 8.8 to 13.5 (unit: millions)
◆ Official Website: http://www.axn-taiwan.com/ ◆ Synopsis: The United States began in 2001 CBS television broadcast of the reality show quarterly record number of players in the global competition for the month.
The program is divided into several stages for which the knockout section of the last out until the last three on the players left to complete the final showdown, the winner Keyihuode $ 1,000,000 in prize money. Starting point for all games in the U.S., after the middle of the world countries. Teams must be given by producers around the world route guidance information, and the race complete the task.
"Adventure Challenge" from 2003 to 2009, the 7th row to get the best prime-time Emmy race class winning reality show (Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program), beat the "I want to live "and" American Idol "and other influential reality show. The program in some other countries in the world, regional television stations also aired in, and some broadcasters have been authorized by United States copyright side the production of local versions of "breathtaking challenge."
◆ Programme requirements:
Location is the first leg of competition this season in Taiwan, eleven group participants to the Riverside Park will be dragon boat races, the scene of the dragon boat team dragon boat races to help participants to. Helmsman and the drummer from the program in which players as with the dragon boat team Gongtongnuli program to end.
Dragon boat race team to assist totaling 12 teams
◆ expected shooting date: June 20, 2011 (a), June 18 (Sat) and 19 (days) for the test of time, a total of three days.
1. Need numbers: 18 people per team
2.6/18 (f): 6 teams, 6 / 19 (day): 12 teams and 6 / 20 (a): 12 teams. (6 teams to be to 3 days, and the other 6 teams to 2 days)
3. On the spot to provide Apparel
4. Reward: 6 / 18 6 / 20 $ 54,000 per day; 6 / 19 6 / 20 two days $ 36,000.
5. Need not be a long day in the field, the game is completed you can leave.
Thanks for taking the time with your organization, please reply, thanks above
Contact: Linda
Seems possible but on the other hand easily fabricated. Who knows? :duno:
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If true, it looks like they will be heading westbound again, which means probably a west coast starting line. How many places are left in LA that they haven't used for a starting line? Maybe O.J's old house?
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Maybe not TAR 19 and an international version ???
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Thanks so much schwarzmoor!! Keep us updated if you see more??
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The race could start in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Hawaii, San Diego, Anchorage, or Phoenix other than LA.
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I think we will see a Seattle start. Interesting that we will be see Asia first.
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Schwartmoor,
Thanks for the intelligence on AR19. I noted "Reward: 6 / 18 6 / 20 $ 54,000 per day; 6 / 19 6 / 20 two days $ 36,000" as a lot of money if in U.S. dollars. I assume that that reward is being quoted in New Taiwanese dollars and not U.S. dollars. The NT$ is currently worth 3.5 U.S. cents, so these rewards for a team of 18 people would equate to U.S.$ 1890 for 6 teams and $1260 for the other 6 teams. Does that seem to be appropriate compensation for a dragon boat team, U.S.$105 and $U.S.60 per individual?
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Maybe not TAR 19 and an international version ???
There is no news of TARA and I think its too early for another season of TARAus. TAR Israel just finished. I don't think China Rush will visit Taiwan..
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Maybe not TAR 19 and an international version ???
There is no news of TARA and I think its too early for another season of TARAus. TAR Israel just finished. I don't think China Rush will visit Taiwan..
I can be sure this is Not China Rush.
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Coming soon! :hearts:
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If teams are en route to Taiwan now.
They will most probably be connecting from Hong Kong. (Kowloon, China) :groan: (I was there just a few days ago!!)
Flight is most likely from JFK to Hong Kong to Taiwan via Cathay Pacific.
Right? I'm checking up the flights. :tup:
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There is a 2 flights scheduled to leave literally in ten minutes for Hong Kong.
Its actually the same flight that is crosslisted between two different airlines. But I still don't believe that fb message (and I haven't been able to find it on fb).
I'm more interested in those flights that go to the Caribbean (there are flights to Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the next six hours).
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I think there might be other flight options, but this is a viable option too.
SCHEDULED ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM JFK
(http://i53.[banned image hosting site].com/2uxuvco.jpg)
Scheduled arrival at 4.46am - 5.15am. And if teams take another flight into Taiwan, it will be in the day and great for an entire leg in the day, without HoH.
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The race has really started.. quite suddenly, if you ask me. But someone knows that all along. :lol:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. NVM :lol:
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Let me begin with the statement that I have no special information. Everything below is based on my analysis of flight possibilities. The most obvious connect point into Taipei is, as RealityTVistheBest indicates, from Hong Kong. Here are the flights that have not happened yet because it is only 4am Saturday there and because the arrival of the flight indicated by RealityTVistheBest, BR231/CO9623 from JFK is expected at 458am +1. It would then connect to any of a number of flights to Taipei:
KA486 0815+1 1000+1
CX474 0835+1 1025+1
CX530 0910+1 1055+1
CI2928 0950+1 1110+1
The HKG TPE portion has several options (typical of World Race Productions), but the JFK HKG portion if true has only the one above.
A standard connect point from the U.S. into eastern Asia is Tokyo's Narita airport. Here are the flight possibilities at the relevant times, which for this route would be the standard WRP early afternoon departure:
For JRK NRT a 6-code-shared flight led by NH9 1253 1525+1 or the 3-code-shared flight led by JL5 1325 1611+1 would apply.
For NRT TPE a 4-code shared flight led by NO1089 1825+1 2000+1 or a 3-code-shared flight led by UA850 1810+1 2045+1
Another unusual possibility that works because it is the only day of the week that it is possible is through Anchorage. KE358 departed JFK at 0356am (26 minutes late) this morning and arrived ANC 0633. From there one can connect to ANC TPE on either CI5321 0950 1313+1 or CI5233 1125 1305+1. Because it is diabolical to depart for Taipei from the U.S. East Coast, if Taipei is the first leg destination, then I expect that WRP used the more diabolical and difficult to spot route, which is through Anchorage.
Take your pick until we have real sightings.
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Another unusual possibility that works because it is the only day of the week that it is possible is through Anchorage. KE358 departed JFK at 0356am (26 minutes late) this morning and arrived ANC 0633. From there one can connect to ANC TPE on either CI5321 0950 1313+1 or CI5233 1125 1305+1. Because it is diabolical to depart for Taipei from the U.S. East Coast, if Taipei is the first leg destination, then I expect that WRP used the more diabolical and difficult to spot route, which is through Anchorage.
KE358, CI5321 and CI5233 are cargo flights.
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If in fact, Race 19 is using JFK as the first airport out of the country, I can think of an appropriate and fitting start line. Unfortunately, the 10th anniversary of the premiere falls during Labor Day weekend and the following Sunday is the 10th anniversary of 9/11; so I suspect we're not going to get a true "anniversary" episode. But like I said there is a location for a TAR start line that would be extremely appropriate if the teams are flying out of JFK.
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I think you can give up on the JFK info, the poster admitted it was a
"joke" LIE.
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Here are some options for teams to make assuming that they start this afternoon on the West Coast.
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230232464&airline=CI&flightNumber=5&departureDate=2011-06-18
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230230818&airline=AA&flightNumber=7967&departureDate=2011-06-18
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230318198&airline=CI&flightNumber=5383&departureDate=2011-06-19
Of course these do not include the possibility of a myriad of connections through Asian airports such as Shangai, Hong Kong, etc.
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Here are some options for teams to make assuming that they start this afternoon on the West Coast.
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230232464&airline=CI&flightNumber=5&departureDate=2011-06-18
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230230818&airline=AA&flightNumber=7967&departureDate=2011-06-18
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230318198&airline=CI&flightNumber=5383&departureDate=2011-06-19
Of course these do not include the possibility of a myriad of connections through Asian airports such as Shangai, Hong Kong, etc.
San Francisco has flights to Taipei too. UAL853 @2:40pm or connect through Narita.
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It looks like Denmark is our first stop. Hopefully. :yess:
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This is the earliest direct flight to Copenhagen they can make if they are on LH 451:
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=230338394&airline=LH&flightNumber=830&departureDate=2011-06-19
Interestingly it is also Lufthansa so a possible connection?
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Everyone, NOTHING is confirmed, let's wait till we have more facts before getting carried away please??
WE DO know that misleading us all would bring someone great joy, so be cautious please before jumping on the destination of the minute list. We'll know soon enough!!
We have already had FOUR false leads in the last 20 hours!
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Frankfurt-Copenhagen False
China Airlines - Photo Confirmation - True
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Frankfurt-Copenhagen False
China Airlines - Photo Confirmation - True
since i am chinese, i am excited once again. it bugs me when i watch and teams struggle with the language barrier when in china. i just want to jump thru the tv and translate!!
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Hsi Lai Temple was founded by Xingyun Master(星云大师），a famous Buddhist monk in Taiwan.He now lived at Foguangshan Teample(佛光山）in Kaohsiung.
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Teams will arrive at 5.50 PM on Monday June 20 Eastern Time in Canada/New York 5.50 AM local time
There is also EVA Flight 1 that is scheduled to arrive at 6AM on Monday. It departs 20 minutes after the China Air flight.
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Darn...was looking forward to Denmark...oh well.
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So Leg 2 is most likely to be in - China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Viet-Nam, Hong Kong, Singapore or Thailand. Other possibilities are Cambodia, Indonesia or Macau.
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So Leg 2 is most likely to be in - China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Viet-Nam, Hong Kong, Singapore or Thailand. Other possibilities are Cambodia, Indonesia or Macau.
based on this fb post: "Looks like I'm flying to Vietnam with the new season of Amazing race!
55 minutes ago via iPhone · ·", the first leg could even be in vietnam. that green team may have taken a connection through taipei into vietnam.
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So Leg 2 is most likely to be in - China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Viet-Nam, Hong Kong, Singapore or Thailand. Other possibilities are Cambodia, Indonesia or Macau.
based on this fb post: "Looks like I'm flying to Vietnam with the new season of Amazing race!
55 minutes ago via iPhone · ·", the first leg could even be in vietnam. that green team may have taken a connection through taipei into vietnam.
Didn't think about that...you have a good point there. If Viet-Nam most likely to be Cambodia/Thailand/Laos/Malaysia etc.
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Correct me if I am incorrect but isn't the first flight out of the US always direct in the race?
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Correct me if I am incorrect but isn't the first flight out of the US always direct in the race?
No. Several times (especially in non LA starts) teams have had a connecting flight in the first leg.
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This is where it began (or pretty nearby ;) )
Anybody recognize somebody in this shot?
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/22f7c926.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/cb4f3a05.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/aef0602f.png)
edited to embed photos
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Hello PHIL!!! Great Work Chateau - WoW! :yess:
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Okay Chateau, just how many times have you witnessed a race starting. OUT WITH IT! :lol3:
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I'd bet my life that's Phil, or a very clever CBS exec. trying to throw us off :lol:
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Teams will arrive at 5.50 PM on Monday June 20 Eastern Time in Canada/New York 5.50 AM local time
There is no 36 hour time difference between Taipei and U.S. East Coast. It is only 12 hours. The 3 flights (CI7, BR1, BR15) are expected to arrive Taipei 550am 600am and 620am local time about 11.5 hours from now.
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A lot of people were wondering what's going on here :duno: :snicker:
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/56603e75.png)
edited to embed photo
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But they didn't have to think too much because this gives it all away! :lol3:
Driving back and forth about 19 times :groan:
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/3af35252.png)
edited to embed photo
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Correct me if I am incorrect but isn't the first flight out of the US always direct in the race?
No. Several times (especially in non LA starts) teams have had a connecting flight in the first leg.
It depends on what the destination is and whether there are any nonstop or direct flights to it from the departure city. Most times, using connecting flights is an accommodation to the reality of which flights can get you from point A to point B, not a policy to always use nonstop flights (which I bet they do whenever possible except for certain airline partner obligations that are not a factor for AR19).
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Are we sure that the temple definitely wasn't the starting line? Where is the info that suggests otherwise?
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what is the destination where Phil is standing?
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This is Pt. Mugu
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/e0ae573f.png)
edited to embed photo
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Isn't Point Mugu at the north end of Malibu? That looks familiar, though it's been many years since I was there.
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Teams will arrive at 5.50 PM on Monday June 20 Eastern Time in Canada/New York 5.50 AM local time
There is no 36 hour time difference between Taipei and U.S. East Coast. It is only 12 hours. The 3 flights (CI7, BR1, BR15) are expected to arrive Taipei 550am 600am and 620am local time about 11.5 hours from now.
Flightstats is estimating that BR15 will land earlier than scheduled. At 5:31 local time.
Also BR1 is estimated for 5:18.
Which flips CI7 to being the last to arrive at 5:52. Who knows if this will hold :duno:
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Actually this was because FlightStats hadn't posted a gate arrival time, so just posted the runway landing time.
If you look at the extended details, you'll see that all 3 flights are due to arrive plus or minus about ten minutes of their original scheduled times.
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hello I am new here on RFF...
I chat with some people on a Taiwan forum. ...
the first flight will be landed on 5:07am (Taiwan time)
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anyway it's quite sure Taipei is the first destination, hope they can take some photos
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edited.... location info can be shared later after teams arrive. But welcome!
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Thanks for your work!!! :bigwelcome to RFF Macanese!!!
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:bigwelcome to RFF, Macanese! Thanks for the info!
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One more thing to add: How did they get to LAX? What were they driving?
I talked with staffers at the parking lot who said it was a bunch of these: White Ford Explorers
(http://www.fordlineup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ford-Explorer-2011.jpg)
Several teams including the Blondes took a shuttle to Tom Bradley at about 7:55 pm.
This shot was taken at 9:09 pm
(http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=25519.0;attach=172011;image)
This shot was taken at 8:36 pm (first Team back to gate area)
(http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=25519.0;attach=172016;image)
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Everyone, just like the start location...no info on the starting task should be posted until the teams arrive and the task is underway. You may re post the info then, okay?
And unfortunately that is a private group of photos, am waiting to see if we can share them.
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We have to reign in a little bit, this has gotten so good on here that we know the coming tasks before the racers do! :lol:
I would find it hilarious if some of the racers already knew about that unmentionable task because they saw it on RFF a few weeks ago.
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I found this...in Apr
location...Budapest
I believe that was the Amazing Race Israel. Good try though!
and...
:bigwelcome
Yes, thats the TAR Israel Season 2, it was mentioned that they Hungary for thier edition.
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I wasn't reading TAR 19 threads a few weeks ago, so I don't even know what that rumored task was, but I'll point out that the producers are able to change a task or a location on very short notice; in fact the samba task in Rio on the first leg of TAR 2 was a task that had to be moved at the very last minute.
I would not presume that whatever that rumor was would necessarily be what is done now. (Another example was the Camp Casey task location in Korea, while used in TAR 17 the original reports about it were seen in connection with the filming of TAR 15, IIRC.)
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Let's try SPECULATING in the spec thread and using this for thread only for confirmed locations? That will be a help!
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Teams have landed in Taipei, Taiwan
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I am a new comer here~~
There are a group of people chasing the teams to Da-Jia Riverside park, and another group of people waiting at Da-Jia Riverside Park
According to them, teams went to 忠孝復興 MRT station by bus (5:40 a.m.)
And there are three teams just spot at 西門町 (Xi-Men Ting) (7:20 a.m.)
We are still waiting for further information.
There is a dragon boat task at Da-Jia Riverside Park for sure !!
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I am a new comer here~~
There are a group of people chasing the teams to Da-Jia Riverside park, and another group of people waiting at Da-Jia Riverside Park
According to them, teams went to 忠孝復興 MRT station by bus (5:40 a.m.)
And there are three teams just spot at 西門町 (Xi-Men Ting) (7:20 a.m.)
We are still waiting for further information.
There is a dragon boat task at Da-Jia Riverside Park for sure !!
忠孝復興 is Zhongxiao Fuxing Station in English
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongxiao_Fuxing_Station
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:welcome: to RFF, truereality!
Can someone explain why they went to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station?
Or maybe they took a bus to Zhongxiao Fuxing and then the metro to Ximen?
That doesn't even make sense.
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So teams took a bus from Taiwan Tayouan Airport to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station
Where they took the train to Ximending - the Shibuya of Taipei (quite amazing!)
And are now on their way to Dajia Riverside Park (about 40mins away) where a dragon boat task is being set up...
Are photos being taken, truereality? Well done, by the way!!!
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No, that idea of mine makes no sense now that I looked at the metro map. There is no point in going there to catch a metro to the Ximending.
Here you can see the station for Ximen and the direction of the airport as well as the other station he mentioned. Maybe someone is lost?
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Teams are doing what they believe is best, on first arriving in Taipei, without the use of a computer etc.
I'd bet Ximending is the first stop, followed by Dajia Riverside Park - for a Detour possibly??
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No, that idea of mine makes no sense now that I looked at the metro map. There is no point in going there to catch a metro to the Ximending.
Here you can see the station for Ximen and the direction of the airport as well as the other station he mentioned. Maybe someone is lost?
MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Station is the terminal station of the bus from airport to Taipei city.
I think that is why teams go to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station before Ximenting.
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Well if that is the only way the airport shuttle works then it makes sense. Thanks for the help! We will look forward to more goodies!
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Thanks!!
Here is a quick update:
refer to the first few posts of this thread.... for the full original info on this task.
Teams scheduled to go to Taipei, one task scheduled to be Dragon Boats with one team member the Drummer and one the helmsman (my dragon boat friends tell me that the helmsman position is NOT easy).
Location>as per the MaP in Dajia Riverside Park.
Things we may see today: (from the practice run yesterday) NOT from today:
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/525b4d1c.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/baad5c8f.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/6a40772a.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/5e16106e.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/6eb08c86.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/86725cd7.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/2626650c.png)
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Dragon%20Boats/5528c69f.png)
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:welcome2: to RFF truereality and Macanese!! Glad to have your help!!
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According to PTT,
First team just arrive at dragon boat task !! (around 9:00 a.m.)
It seems teams get stuck in the traffic jam, or there is still another location before the dragon boat
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Are photos being taken by these magnificent spoilers?...
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The drummer is going to keep the time for the rowers. If he messes up they are probably instructed to follow whatever beat he gives them. And the helmsman controls all the steering and directions of the boat.
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pitstop:martyrs' shrine (忠烈祠）
Three teams just checked in !!!
(info by PTT)
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Route:
Ximen Ting-Confucian temple-Taipei living mall-Dajia Riverside Park-Martyrs' shrine (PS)
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Route:
Ximen Ting-Confucian temple-Taipei living mall-Dajia Riverside Park-Martyrs' shrine (PS)
Do you have an exact time when teams checked in??
Got this info on PTT,he post this at 9:49am(local time).
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Photos will come later I am sure!!
Hopefully we will hear WHO is checking in soon!
Thanks guys for the info, keep it coming!!
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yea no kidding, the helmsman position is very hard are requires a lot of concentration and coordination. i have been on a dragon boat before. pretty cool. also, the festivals in china and taiwan are going on around this time of year so the dragon boat task makes a lot of sense.
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Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wi Jie in Chinese falls on June 6th this year. (2011)
They're late by just a few days but the mood is still there, with all the decorations and some after races going on.
Now I've been to Xi Men Ding but i'm not sure if the shops/crowd is there that early in the morning before 9am?? :umn:
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Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wi Jie in Chinese falls on June 6th this year. (2011)
They're late by just a few days but the mood is still there, with all the decorations and some after races going on.
Now I've been to Xi Men Ding but i'm not sure if the shops/crowd is there that early in the morning before 9am?? :umn:
Maybe they went to Xi Men Ting to red pavilion for a route marker?like TARA S3...since they visit Core Pacific City later,I don't think they go to any shop of Xi Men Ting.
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Rough Taiwan Map (Not the map king, which Neobie will be making one soon I guess, but here's a rough guide)
(http://i53.[banned image hosting site].com/9usm0x.jpg)
Chinese characters are provided just so that the Detectives can search for clues easier
1. Ximending (西門町)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ximending
2. Taipei Confucius Temple (臺北市孔廟)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei_Confucius_Temple
3. Core Pacific City Living Mall (京華城)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_Pacific_City
4. Dajia Riverside Park (大佳河濱公園)
http://sinotour.com/tourguide/taipei/dajia-riverside-park.html
5. National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine (國民革命忠烈祠)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Revolutionary_Martyrs'_Shrine
Hope this helps abit! :tup:
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You will realize that it's all in the same district and that travelling within the district is extremely easy with either subway or taxis.
The only problem I can see teams having trouble with is the pitstop, which the cabbies could have brought them to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, which is TAR 12's pitstop or any other memorials for other Chinese historians, which I think the city of Taipei itself has a few.
To the team who got lost: Really really bad luck. Taiwanese usually speak A LITTLE English these days. It's easier to converse to the people in Taiwan than in Hong Kong, IMHO.
&... while they're at Taipei and so near to the location, i'm quite shocked they didn't go to the Taipei Arena! :ascared
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You will realize that it's all in the same district and that travelling within the district is extremely easy with either subway or taxis.
The only problem I can see teams having trouble with is the pitstop, which the cabbies could have brought them to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, which is TAR 12's pitstop or any other memorials for other Chinese historians, which I think the city of Taipei itself has a few.
To the team who got lost: Really really bad luck. Taiwanese usually speak A LITTLE English these days. It's easier to converse to the people in Taiwan than in Hong Kong, IMHO.
&... while they're at Taipei and so near to the location, i'm quite shocked they didn't go to the Taipei Arena! :ascared
I am surprised more teams didnt get lost bc anyone that speaks chinese and isn't bilingual, usually speak very little english. well, at least the relatives i have speak little english. communicating with the cabbies would be very difficult in taiwan i would imagine.
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anyone that speaks chinese and isn't bilingual, usually speak very little english.
Quoted for truth. *snark*
Looks like they had good weather today! There was a tropical depression I was a little worried about.
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anyone that speaks chinese and isn't bilingual, usually speak very little english.
Quoted for truth. *snark*
I feel it's the American accent sometimes. I have problems with understanding some words spoken at times as well. :-[ :-[
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Some get trouble in traffic maybe when they arrive it happens the most crowed time in Taipei, esp it's Monday. As to the weather, maybe a little but not a big problem tomorrow if they move south as go to HK or Guangdong. If their destination is Vietnam, then the effect may less.
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Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Wi Jie in Chinese falls on June 6th this year. (2011)
They're late by just a few days but the mood is still there, with all the decorations and some after races going on.
Now I've been to Xi Men Ding but i'm not sure if the shops/crowd is there that early in the morning before 9am?? :umn:
Nah, like most things in Taiwan (except for the convenience stores like 7-11 / Family Mart, etc) most stores only open until after 10h30am~11am-ish. But we might have some crowds from people already working.
I'm surprised they're doing Taipei again not another city in Taiwan, specially due to the Temple clue in LA. Back in 2009, got to visit the actual FoGuangShan which is the southbound region of Taiwan, and saw some projections of the upcoming renovations then, don't know how much is ready now, but it would be gorgeous to be seen in HD.
However the chances of teams bumping into other foreigners that might have a better grasp at English or young people who will attempt to speak are bigger than in other cities.
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Oh! My original source just delete everything in his post...but it's too late!
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there is some information about the first leg in this web page: http://tieba.baidu.com/f?z=1113870366&ct=335544320&lm=0&sc=0&rn=30&tn=baiduPostBrowser&word=%BC%AB%CB%D9%C7%B0%BD%F8&pn=180
The website is the No.1 serch engine in China.
There are some photos, the order and checking time of all teams. Teams will go to Indonesia.
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there is some information about the first leg in this web page: http://tieba.baidu.com/f?z=1113870366&ct=335544320&lm=0&sc=0&rn=30&tn=baiduPostBrowser&word=%BC%AB%CB%D9%C7%B0%BD%F8&pn=180
The website is the No.1 serch engine in China.
There are some photos, the order and checking time of all teams. Teams will go to Indonesia.
They got all info from RFF,and I am one of them :groan:
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So teams are now traveling from Jogja to Jakarta to Bangkok to Phuket and have arrived. Thailand is one of the premier destinations for beaches South Asia.
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So teams are now traveling from Jogja to Jakarta to Bangkok to Phuket and have arrived. Thailand is one of the premier destinations for beaches South Asia.
Actually, from the posts what we know now is that ONE team has travelled to Phuket. We do not yet have evidence for "teams" right? Could easily be for ES.
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So teams are now traveling from Jogja to Jakarta to Bangkok to Phuket and have arrived. Thailand is one of the premier destinations for beaches South Asia.
Actually, from the posts what we know now is that ONE team has travelled to Phuket. We do not yet have evidence for "teams" right? Could easily be for ES.
Ah good point. Wasn't a Thai island the ES for last year?
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I'm a little confused by that sighting because FD3031 departed BKK at 19.00 and teams could not arrive until 20.00
Did I miss something? Hopefully he can ID the team he saw.
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I'm a little confused by that sighting because FD3031 departed BKK at 19.00 and teams could not arrive until 20.00
Did I miss something? Hopefully he can ID the team he saw.
Perhaps it is the case therefore that the sequestered team was sent earlier than the racing teams to BKK before heading on to Phuket. BKK itself might be the leg, or a transit airport.
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So teams are now traveling from Jogja to Jakarta to Bangkok to Phuket and have arrived. Thailand is one of the premier destinations for beaches South Asia.
Actually, from the posts what we know now is that ONE team has travelled to Phuket. We do not yet have evidence for "teams" right? Could easily be for ES.
Ah good point. Wasn't a Thai island the ES for last year?
Yes....Ko Samui. I still think that ES will be the same one used last season. It's most accessible for the early teams getting booted, and later in the race (after about the 5th elimination) the remaining teams are used as decoys and never go to ES. When I posted this spec earlier on a different thread, someone said that it wasn't likely because it would depend on where their final destination is, but that doesn't make sense because last season they were kept in Thailand and then flown to Rio then Miami, which is about as far and out of the way as you could ever get. In the end it all comes down to money, and Thailand is extremely affordable, it's geographically close to where the early teams are getting the boot, and it's easy for them to arrange and coordinate since they just used the same spot last season. And again, it's cheap, certainly a LOT cheaper than anywhere in Europe.
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Do we know if eliminated teams usually travel to ES with a camera crew in tow as described by that traveler on FB? That's the part that makes me wonder if this is a team that has managed to pull ahead by making some very close connections.
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Do we know if eliminated teams usually travel to ES with a camera crew in tow as described by that traveler on FB? That's the part that makes me wonder if this is a team that has managed to pull ahead by making some very close connections.
I would highly doubt that teams traveling to the ES would have a camera crew with them. What use would they have for the footage? I could see the camera crew taking the same flight as the eliminated team if the team goes to ES and the now unneeded camera crew heads back to the USA. However, I doubt the camera crew would be taking their equipment with them in that case. If the FB traveler saw a team and camera crew filming then most likely they are a team that has gotten ahead of other teams (or at least is taking a different route).
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Well, there is QZ 7744 from Jakarta to Phuket arriving at 18.50. However the spotter said they were on a flight from BKK.
Otherwise if someone departed early enough they could make QZ 7138 straight from JOG and arrive in Singapore by 10.45 then connect to TG 404 and arrive in Bangkok at 12.47. and from there take PG 273 to arrive in Phuket at 15.20
This sequence does not seem extremely likely but it shows that there are other options that could be narrowly made.
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Sure they can have a crew! IF we are going to see ES this season :lol:
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Sure they can have a crew! IF we are going to see ES this season :lol:
I was figuring we wouldn't have ES this season. :( I still don't see why they would need footage of the eliminated teams traveling to ES. The ES would have it's own film crew for post elimination confessionals, etc. if they do have an ES.
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The FB post purportedly said this:
He was part of the filming Crew for the amazing race.
Maybe he was just the "Handler" that travels with teams to ES. It doesn't sound like the poster saw cameras, etc.
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Not sure if Elimination Station would be in Phuket or Koh Samui, but a team being transported to Koh Samui will not be flying towards Phuket.
That said, I'm surprised there're no sightings in Phuket?
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Not sure if Elimination Station would be in Phuket or Koh Samui, but a team being transported to Koh Samui will not be flying towards Phuket.
That said, I'm surprised there're no sightings in Phuket?
You're wrong. To get to Ko Samui, you fly through Bangkok or Phuket. There are several cheap non-stop flights that go from Phuket to Ko Samui. Just do a kayak search and see for yourself.
And again, there are no sightings in Phuket because the race isn't going to Phuket. This is an eliminated team going to ES in Ko Samui.
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We THINK. ^^ :tup: Not yet 100% confirmed either way...
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I think Neobie's point is that why would you fly from Bangkok to Phuket and then continue to Koh Samui when you could have just got straight from BKK to Koh Samui?
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I think Neobie's point is that why would you fly from Bangkok to Phuket and then continue to Koh Samui when you could have just got straight from BKK to Koh Samui?
For the same reasons I have to fly through Chicago or Denver to get to New York, even though I could go straight from LAX to NYC on a nonstop flight.
-availability
-price
-convenience/departure times
Of course we'd all love to fly nonstop whenever it's an option, but often times we don't for any or all of the above reasons. Production doesn't have an unlimited budget and the nonstop flights from Phuket to Ko Samui are very cheap ($89).
ETA:
Here's an example to illustrate my point. Flight search for a one way ticket from Jakarta to Ko Samui departing later this week:
$664 is cheapest option, and all flights with this price are via Phuket
$995 is the price to fly to Ko Samui on a direct flight from Bangkok (!!) and this itinerary would be ~6.5 hours, only around two hours shorter than the cheaper option through Phuket (~8.5 hours)
I think if WRP could save $1000 by having a team and one production person take the first option, it makes perfect sense.
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They had already made a lot of stops on this journey. WRP rarely plans that many stopovers.
Jogja > Jakarta > Bangkok > Phuket > Koh Samui seems unlikely. BTW where did the Koh Samui spec come from anyway?
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Koh Samui spec come from anyway?
As I understand it, there's a belief that because that was where last season's ES was, that TPTB would be using it again because of the location of the first five or so eliminations. It is also speculation.
I'm not persuaded that Phuket is or isn't a TAR location this time around; we'll have to wait and see what solid information emerges, and when.
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They had already made a lot of stops on this journey. WRP rarely plans that many stopovers.
Jogja > Jakarta > Bangkok > Phuket > Koh Samui seems unlikely.
Do a flight search yourself and see what you come up with. Nearly every flight out of Jogya is to Jakarta or another city in Indonesia. There's one to Kuala Lumpor, but even that one would still go through Phuket. Any flight from Jakarta will involve stops, and the ones that go through Phuket are hundreds of dollars cheaper than those that go directly from Bangkok to Ko Samui. See my post above for an example.
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I think Neobie's point is that why would you fly from Bangkok to Phuket and then continue to Koh Samui when you could have just got straight from BKK to Koh Samui?
For the same reasons I have to fly through Chicago or Denver to get to New York, even though I could go straight from LAX to NYC on a nonstop flight.
-availability
-price
-convenience/departure times
Of course we'd all love to fly nonstop whenever it's an option, but often times we don't for any or all of the above reasons. Production doesn't have an unlimited budget and the nonstop flights from Phuket to Ko Samui are very cheap ($89).
ETA:
Here's an example to illustrate my point. Flight search for a one way ticket from Jakarta to Ko Samui departing later this week:
$664 is cheapest option, and all flights with this price are via Phuket
$995 is the price to fly through Bangkok (!!) and this itinerary would be ~6.5 hours, only around two hours shorter than the cheaper option through Phuket (~8.5 hours)
I think if WRP could save $1000 by having a team and one production person take the first option, it makes perfect sense.
That's odd ?
I get a routing from Jakarta to BKK to Koh Sumui for $974 that looks like this
Thai Airways – Flight 434 3h 30m
Take-off Fri 12:35p CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
Landing Fri 4:05p BKK Bangkok, Thailand
Coach | Airbus A330-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 3h 30m | 1444 miles
Connection BKK Bangkok, Thailand 4h 55m
Bangkok Airways – Flight 199 1h 00m
Take-off Fri 9:00p BKK Bangkok, Thailand
Landing Fri 10:00p USM Ko Samui, Thailand
Coach | Airbus A319 (Narrow-body Jet) | 1h 00m
And the only routes that do include Phuket also happen to go through KUL and those are coming in at $664. They look like this:
Malaysia Airlines – Flight 710 2h 00m
Take-off Fri 11:10a CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
Landing Fri 2:10p KUL Sepang, Malaysia
Coach | Boeing 737-800 (Narrow-body Jet) | 2h 00m
Connection KUL Sepang, Malaysia
3h 00m
Malaysia Airlines – Flight 790 1h 15m
Take-off Fri 5:10p KUL Sepang, Malaysia
Landing Fri 5:25p HKT Phuket, Thailand
Coach | Boeing 737-400 (Narrow-body Jet) | 1h 15m
Connection HKT Phuket, Thailand
1h 40m
Bangkok Airways – Flight 258 0h 55m
Take-off Fri 7:05p HKT Phuket, Thailand
Landing Fri 8:00p USM Ko Samui, Thailand
Coach | Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 72 (Turbo-prop Plane) | 0h 55m
But since we know the racers were spotted on a flight from BKK and not from KUL we can conlude that they were not continuing to Koh Sumui.
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Amazing Race
Amazing Race "Yogyakarta" is a reflection of The Amazing Race which is one of the most prestigious programs in the world games. Amazing Race "Yogyakarta" is an event for participants GMAD 2011 for travel as well as run games with the route on Jalan Malioboro. Jalan Malioboro is a famous icon in Yogyakarta. This road to Sultan Palace so that participants can simultaneously travel around the Jalan Malioboro and Sultan Palace.
Amazing Race "Yogyakarta" have games involving every aspect related to Yogyakarta. It aims to introduce the culture of Yogyakarta in a much more enjoyable. Games are related to social and environmental concerns. This is done as a form of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). It should be an event not only celebration, but also must be balanced by activities in the form of CSR.
http://feb.ugm.ac.id/en/agenda/205-gadjah-mada-accounting-days-2011.html (http://feb.ugm.ac.id/en/agenda/205-gadjah-mada-accounting-days-2011.html)
I found it and I have no idea.. :duno:
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Amazing Race
Amazing Race "Yogyakarta" is a reflection of The Amazing Race which is one of the most prestigious programs in the world games. Amazing Race "Yogyakarta" is an event for participants GMAD 2011 for travel as well as run games with the route on Jalan Malioboro. Jalan Malioboro is a famous icon in Yogyakarta. This road to Sultan Palace so that participants can simultaneously travel around the Jalan Malioboro and Sultan Palace.
Amazing Race "Yogyakarta" have games involving every aspect related to Yogyakarta. It aims to introduce the culture of Yogyakarta in a much more enjoyable. Games are related to social and environmental concerns. This is done as a form of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). It should be an event not only celebration, but also must be balanced by activities in the form of CSR.
http://feb.ugm.ac.id/en/agenda/205-gadjah-mada-accounting-days-2011.html (http://feb.ugm.ac.id/en/agenda/205-gadjah-mada-accounting-days-2011.html)
I found it and I have no idea.. :duno:
That press release (or whatever it is) was dated March 23, 2011 and talks about some kind of seminar in May 2011 for accounting students in Yogyakarta. The Amazing Race portion appears to be some kind of fun activity for the accounting students at the seminar to learn about the local culture of Yogyakarta. Local Amazing Race versions for students are very popular in Indonesia and other parts of Asia. I see them frequently when hunting for real TAR information.
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YAY!!
Thanks to zacz, we can look forward to a MALAWI leg 6!!
This fits perfectly...some of us have been tracking rumors of a Kenyan leg.
So (without any sightings sadly) Kenya would still fit beautifully between Phuket and Malawi!!
And since Kenya is my special place of my heart, I am ecstatic at the thought!! I have been grieving for that "lost" Tanzanian leg for years!
Phuket=leg 4
Kenya (unconfirmed) =leg 5
Malawi =leg 6
Now...if they will only go on and redo the leg 1 bungy at Victoria Falls for leg 7 my joy would be complete!! :hearts:
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Possibilities from the safari website:
http://www.landlake.net/index.php/general-info/malawi
WORTH A LOOK!
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After looking at the 'land and lake safaris' website I've noticed that they do alot of tours in Zambia as well - So it is possible that they are talking about the Zambia side of Lake Malawi
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Updating the timeline!
It's extremely fortunate that zacz found this leak on FB because Malawi is among the world's least developed countries and I highly doubt we would have gotten any sightings there.
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Before Facebook, that safari place probably would have had a webpage; we've found wuite a few locations that way before FB and Twitter.
I'm glad to know that they are headed to Africa, although I admit I wouldn't have thought of Malawi. But it borders several Africa countries the Race has visited, and I agree with Peach that a leg in another east or south African country would be highly probable from a planning perspective. (Among other things, after the fiasco with airline flights during TARAS, TPTB must have a leg planned after Malawi (or provided transportation) so the teams can get out of the region. Could that be where Johannesburg comes in?)
One other thought. Michele Obama and the First Daughters are in southern Africa taking in a safari (which is why nothing has been in the news since after the day they spent with Nelson Mandela)
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I did look into the opportunities over on the transport thread. They can pretty easily get to J-burg if that is the next leg destination. Also they could go back to NBO and get to Europe if that is where they are headed.
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I believe during the All stars season or Season 5 not sure which one a leg in Malawi was planned and axed in the last minute.
All Stars, but it was Tanzania.
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The All Stars flight fiasco was in Mozambique- accordign to the Guidos, production didn't check the local calendars and what should have normally been fairly uncrowded flights were slammed with every affluent Mozambiquan family trying to get out of the country for either school holidays or the Hadj pilgrimmage. (large Muslim population there.) Eventually everyone ended up in Zanzibar, Tanzania after the most blatant hours of operation bunch in TAR history- Charla and Mirna with the 'conditions too hazardous for the boat ride' delay, even though the water at the time was utterly flat and was actually rougher the following day when the Chas caught up with them.
As long as production knows their school and religious holidays, I can't see a repeat of that chain of events.
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I believe during the All stars season or Season 5 not sure which one a leg in Malawi was planned and axed in the last minute.
All Stars, but it was Tanzania.
Didn't they do a leg in Tanzania in All stars?
Last I looked Dar-Es-Salaam and Zanizbar Island were both in Tanzania. What got axed was a planned pit stop only in the Arusha area so teams could have flown out of Kilimanjaro International Airport there. That was relocated back to Stone Town after the fiasco with Hajj pilgrims tying up all the flights out of Maputo.
I recall that 2 teams did connect through Malawi in AR11, Ian and Teri and Joe and Bill.
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Heee...all of Nairobi seems to be freezing!!
Temp? 57! :lol:
Lilongwe: 74
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A trip down the Luangwa would be fantastic to see! I've trekked down it myself, albeit on the Zambia side and can safely say there will be no shortage of fantastic scenery, though there isn't exactly a lot of practical things to do for tasks along the way!
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Frankfurt-Copenhagen False
China Airlines - Photo Confirmation - True
since i am chinese, i am excited once again. it bugs me when i watch and teams struggle with the language barrier when in china. i just want to jump thru the tv and translate!!
……yes……
especially when Kisha&Jen doing Chinese waiter （S14）……
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But they didn't have to think too much because this gives it all away! :lol3:
Driving back and forth about 19 times :groan:
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/ga--peach/TAR%2019/Start%20line/3af35252.png)
edited to embed photo
emmy award……
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As far as possible European destinations go, I think we can safely rule out Greece. The protexts over the EU austerity plan have become sufficiently chaotic that I wouldn't deem it safe for the teams or production.
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some atmosphere!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/QYgblcNK9cU (http://www.youtube.com/embed/QYgblcNK9cU)
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I'm kind of surprised that TAR is working with a tobacco company in Malawi but the Limbe Leaf website (shown in the Live Sightings thread) shows them to be doing "social responsibility" work - raising trees for farmers to plant and donating supplies to children, that sort of thing. That could be the tie-in here. We may see TAR help build a school or something like that. That might mean staying an extra day here to give something back to Malawi.
Or maybe they will just go to a warehouse and count bundles of tobacco. :lol:
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Schistosomiasis (also known as Bilharzia) is present in most lakes and rivers in Malawi, including Lake Malawi. The Department of State recommends against swimming, wading or bathing in fresh water.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_959.html (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_959.html)
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This page (http://malawibook.com/industrie/tobacco/?area=Lilongwe) lists the Limbe facility (as well as other tobacco firms) at the Kanengo industrial park (http://wikimapia.org/6910782/Kanengo-Industrial-Park) north of town. The teams might be processing tobacco, or they could just be shuffling stuff around for the auction floor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9R4UO4qwAQ). Some background here (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malawi/lilongwe/sights/museum/tobacco-auction-floors).
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They probably wont be going here.........
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hKzbNqljd3JbiKiBplsZ-0fqtTQA?docId=CNG.3b2a97da447af215dfb9265efa629ac2.451
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I found this posted on a Fb page a few days ago and sent to Peach. She suggested to post it (hope this is the right spot!) to see if anyone in that area might know if it's something relevant to maybe ES .. or just a local thing. Thanks. :)
"Amazing Race in Baguio City! :D
am sooo happy!"
And she posted it sometime on Saturday .. July 2nd.
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I found this posted on a Fb page a few days ago and sent to Peach. She suggested to post it (hope this is the right spot!) to see if anyone in that area might know if it's something relevant to maybe ES .. or just a local thing. Thanks. :)
"Amazing Race in Baguio City! :D
am sooo happy!"
And she posted it sometime on Saturday .. July 2nd.
i don't know if that's a part of TAR 19 or a rumor about the upcoming of The Amazing Race Philippines or just a hoax? :duno:
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topaz,
The longest an amazing Race has done in one transportation leg is I think the Argentina to Moscow approximately 7000 miles in AR5. The thought of going from Europe to the Philippines, a bit further, is not credible at all.
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believed to refer to a local race. :)
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New info:
Panama City, Panama MAY well be the last leg before the Finale.... :tup:
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Here's the flight that just barely works:
For July 10th
Delta DL 392 leaving PTY at 8:30 am and arriving at ATL at 1:34 pm (scheduled) 1:27 pm (actual)
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Any flights between Brussels, Belgium and Panama City?
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Panama City's a regional air hub, it could be anywhere within the general region.
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There are only two airports in Europe that serve PTY, and no others in Panama as far as I can tell, and both of these routes arrived early in the evening, so this is an unlikely route.
PTY is the busiest airport in Central America. So the most logical assumption is that if indeed the preceding leg was European, that they flew on a connecting flight through either the US (is this possible in the race?), Mexico or South America (though I'd imagine this would be the long way round).
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The only time I remember then connecting though the US was way back in TAR3 when the connected in the US on the way from Mexico to England
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Direct flights to Panama City, Panama from Europe via Amsterdam or Madrid. These flights arrive approx 3-6:00pm, (1500-1800h). Other alternate intineraires, depending on when WRP wants them to arrive in Panama City, with intermediate stopovers outside the US at Toronto, Cancun or Mexico City.
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I'm kind of surprised that TAR is working with a tobacco company in Malawi but the Limbe Leaf website (shown in the Live Sightings thread) shows them to be doing "social responsibility" work - raising trees for farmers to plant and donating supplies to children, that sort of thing. That could be the tie-in here. We may see TAR help build a school or something like that. That might mean staying an extra day here to give something back to Malawi.
Or maybe they will just go to a warehouse and count bundles of tobacco. :lol:
TAR AU did have to stack pallets of beer....
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Panama City is confirmed. :tup:
And YAY!! A new country!! :hearts:
Hillerřd and Copenhagen, Denmark are confirmed!! More coming!!
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Hillerřd, nearby to Copenhagen, is no doubt for a visit to the Frederiksborg Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederiksborg_Palace)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Fredriksborg_palace.jpg/250px-Fredriksborg_palace.jpg)
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While Panama isn't new for the US TAR, the prior visit was the Family Edition, so......
I'd more or less treat it as a "new" country along with Denmark. Denmark has been on my target list since the early days, and I'm glad to see that one show up as well.
But I am surprised to see Panama to Atlanta as the final leg. When you check flights, Miami or New Orleans could logically be used as one-stop direct flights to get through immigration before arriving in Atlanta. And from what I understand Delta has a ton of flights from Latin America to Atlanta, which ought to make the final flight as well as the sequester flights quite interesting.
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Hillerřd, nearby to Copenhagen, is no doubt for a visit to the Frederiksborg Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederiksborg_Palace)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Fredriksborg_palace.jpg/250px-Fredriksborg_palace.jpg)
Now that the location is known, I found some information that strongly suggests that an American TV show was filming at Fredriksborg Palace on July 4th. I wonder which show that was? :)
Update:
What I found was the story that Caper had already found and is posted over in the Live Sightings thread.
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While Panama isn't new for the US TAR, the prior visit was the Family Edition, so......
I more or less treat it as a "new" country along with Denmark. Denmark has been on my target list for the early days, and I'm glad to see that one show up as well.
But I am surprised to see Panama to Atlanta as the final leg. When you check flights, Miami or New Orleans could logically be used as one-stop flights to get through immigration before arriving in Atlanta. And from what I understand Delta has a ton of flights from Latin America to Atlanta, which ought to make the final flight as well as the sequester flights quite interesting.
There is a direct flight as well.
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Hillerřd, nearby to Copenhagen, is no doubt for a visit to the Frederiksborg Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederiksborg_Palace)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Fredriksborg_palace.jpg/250px-Fredriksborg_palace.jpg)
Now that the location is known, I found some information that strongly suggests that an American TV show was filming at Fredriksborg Palace on July 4th. I wonder which show that was? :)
Update:
What I found was the story that Caper had already found and is posted over in the Live Sightings thread.
I've been there! :ascared
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While Panama isn't new for the US TAR, the prior visit was the Family Edition, so......
I more or less treat it as a "new" country along with Denmark. Denmark has been on my target list for the early days, and I'm glad to see that one show up as well.
But I am surprised to see Panama to Atlanta as the final leg. When you check flights, Miami or New Orleans could logically be used as one-stop flights to get through immigration before arriving in Atlanta. And from what I understand Delta has a ton of flights from Latin America to Atlanta, which ought to make the final flight as well as the sequester flights quite interesting.
There is a direct flight as well.
with atlanta being a primary delta international hub, it makes sense, and codeshares will allow the non-stops to be there
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Let's be clear on airline terminology, notagoodname. A nonstop flight is a direct flight with no intermediate stops. That stands by itself. The use of codesharing flight numbers just allows other affiliated partner airlines to claim that nonstop as one of their flights for fare calculation purposes.
I just finished a trip on which I took 5 Qantas nonstop flights (two connecting in LAX). 4 of them were Qantas operated and code-shared with its One World consortium partner airlines American Airlines and British Airways. One was an American -operated flight codeshared by Qantas.
Code-shares do not "allow nonstops to be there." Those nonstops are already there but can have fares easily calculated on partner airlines as a result of code-sharing.
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While Panama isn't new for the US TAR, the prior visit was the Family Edition, so......
I'd more or less treat it as a "new" country along with Denmark.
Same here. I guess they finally got over their Family Edition anxiety. :)
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Just posted an interview with Phil here:
http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,13250.msg648435.html#msg648435 (http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,13250.msg648435.html#msg648435)
..." Indeed, Keoghan says that last season, "in one day the whole world turned upside down in the place that we were at and we had to pull together our show ... and the race kept rolling [even though] we had to completely change course; quite literally change course. And it's a testament to the skill level of the people that we have on the show."
In the video, it is about at the 900 mark...
Video: http://blip.tv/play/AYLNoVIC (http://blip.tv/play/AYLNoVIC)
He clearly says in this last show that we just finished filming...
If this indeed relates to TAR 19, then can we take a closer look at our locations and see what may have happened?
My guess would be in the Thailand to Malawi range... so it would be interesting to see if we can spot any political or geographic turmoil in that time frame that might have caused us to miss a leg. :'(
Or was this just maybe Volcanic Ash?? ???
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Well, as he says that, they are playing an Unfinished Business promo :duno: But it could be a throwoff. But if teams were spotted in a particular location, would they not be filming there? ???
But there is the volcanic ash to contend with. This could be what he means.
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It could be the gas shortages and power outages in Malawi that occurred when they were there.
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Yes, but Malawi went on... the legs did take place. I am looking for an actual route change...
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I believe that Phil's statement about "last season" means just that - it was AR18 he was talking about and not AR19. The only course change that I recall in AR18 was in Brazil. The obvious route of a nonstop flight from Rio to Miami on either of these:
AA904 2245 Sunday Dec. 12 - 0348 Monday Dec. 13
JJ8052 2208 - 0332 (with code share United and Continental)
was not taken and nobody has ever satisfied me on the reason why.
If you assume that whatever happened there came up quite suddenly, then taking a long-distance bus was not an option and all but one flight from GIG GRU would have departed. The only possible flight was G3 1661 2250 0001. That connected into the well-known AA 994 GRU MIA which departed and arrived 2 hours late at Monday Dec. 13 0336 0936. Besides that it was the flight number actually mentioned in the finale telecast, albeit twisting the truth to make it seem like it was from Rio.
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As to TAR 19, IIRC,, the speculation about Malawi led to speculation about a leg being in South Africa or Kenya; and as I recall, Kenya was having political and other issues right about then. The other element is that, simply because of the uncertainty about where teams were headed, some teams were seen headed towards Phuket (at the airport right?), and we didn't hear more about them until Malawi emerged. This might mean that Phuket itself was a last minute leg change.
If it's TAR 18, I'd have to go back and see as there was a long stretch of that season that there weren't any spotting (after China or India) during filming.
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:lol: Did you see all those Emmies up on Phil's shelves? :tup:
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I think this is for TAR 19, I think Phuket was planned, dunno between Thailand and Malawi though.
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The way Phil talks about "in one day the whole world turned upside down" makes it seem like it was some conflict or one of the uprisings in the Middle East. What big events happened in June?
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Take your pick -- Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, UAE, Morocco -- Kenya also had problems, and IIRC, Nigeria was having a contentious presidential election right about then.
My earlier comment about Phuket was to raise the question as to whether the way we learned about that locale might have meant it was a switch at the last minute (but one that was on stand-by). I wasn't trying to be definiteive, just asking the question -- same as my first paragraph in this post.
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I think we might be looking at the last week of June....
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Take your pick -- Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, UAE, Morocco -- Kenya also had problems, and IIRC, Nigeria was having a contentious presidential election right about then.
Surely they had not planned a stop in Eygpt, Tunisia or Syria. Those countries had been in a state of chaos for months if not longer.
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The way Phil talks about "in one day the whole world turned upside down" makes it seem like it was some conflict or one of the uprisings in the Middle East. What big events happened in June?
Why would events in the Middle East impact on an Amazing Race 19 route that apparently did not get within many thousands of miles of the Middle East? I'm not seeing how that could be related to a gap between Thailand and Malawi and/or Kenya.
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We are trying to guess at what event Phil might have been referring to that would have caused a last minute change in the Race during filming.
It's is within the realm of possibility that TPTB had planned a leg in the Middle East or north Africa on the way to southern Africa.
The Egyptian revolution had been several months in the past by the time filming the Race had gotten underway; same thing for Tunisia (although the trick there would have been avoiding NATO's no fly zone over Libya) and Syria would have been a possibility earlier int he spring as nothing had broken out there in the spring.
Some of the UAE states did have protests going on, and I'd have to find a site with world news headlines from that late June time frame to see what other places might have fit the bill. Let's not rule things out so quickly, because an event happening that would make filming difficult is what we're looking for.
As to south Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan) I can't think of anything that was happening right at that time but I do need something to look at to refresh my memory.
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In Nepal around that time was protests about Tibet that got violent. (Remember the early Nepal rumors, maybe teams were going there and it was cancelled due to the said reason.
I think we could rule out Pakistan. Sri Lanka had a huge contingent of media there for 2018 Commonwealth Games evaluation committee, so maybe they decided they didn't want to be spotted? :lol: :snicker:
India/Bangladesh were visited pretty recently so I have a feeling it wasn't them either.
As for North Africa/Middle East maybe Jordan which has had random violence through the last year.
My money is on Nepal if the dates between their protests and the race lineup. I have read interviews in which Phil has stated that it is the country that they haven't gotten to yet that he most wants to get to. I think we can rule out the others mentioned due to recent races (Bangladesh and India) and security concerns (no way they go to Pakistan).
One thing to note though, unless I'm reading this wrong, perhaps something else happened that caused a needed change in course. Maybe horrible weather cancelled flights into a place or there was something else less newsworthy than a natural disaster or political upheaval that still caused travel chaos. If that's the case, we may not know for a while what occurred.
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It's definitely TAR19 he's talking about -- he mentions "this last season that we just shot" (or words to that effect), and the interview took place earlier this month, it seems.
My money is on Nepal if the dates between their protests and the race lineup. I have read interviews in which Phil has stated that it is the country that they haven't gotten to yet that he most wants to get to. I think we can rule out the others mentioned due to recent races (Bangladesh and India) and security concerns (no way they go to Pakistan).
Yeah, because they've never visited India in back-to-back seasons before. :groan: :lol3:
Pakistan *probably* wouldn't have been visited anyway, but if it was that general region that was changed could the big news have been Osama's death? I know it was at the start of May but it seems likely they'd have been planning the season at that point.
The middle of June also had the Chilean ash cloud affecting air travel in and throughout Australia as well, though that's also not likely -- but it would have been the likely connecting point between Indonesia and South Africa, so maybe the Phuket leg was planned to get them up closer to the Bangkok/Singapore/Hong Kong area, instead of having half the teams get stuck in Sydney and Melbourne?
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It's highly unlikely, but could it have been Greece? We did have some big rallies and protests at the end of June.
I can't really remember any major event in the world at that time. It couldn't have been Middle East because the biggest unrest there was in the winter-spring.
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It's definitely TAR19 he's talking about -- he mentions "this last season that we just shot" (or words to that effect), and the interview took place earlier this month, it seems.
The middle of June also had the Chilean ash cloud affecting air travel in and throughout Australia as well, though that's also not likely -- but it would have been the likely connecting point between Indonesia and South Africa, so maybe the Phuket leg was planned to get them up closer to the Bangkok/Singapore/Hong Kong area, instead of having half the teams get stuck in Sydney and Melbourne?
If they were stuck in Australia we would have tweets coming from left, right and centre. I think it might be the Middle East or another part of Africa.
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I am pretty sure based on info from Indonesia that Phuket was scheduled.
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I did find it funny they skipped right over India, seeing as they love using it. Bin Laden's death may very well have made them stay away from the vacinity around Pakistan which includes India. The event didn't have to happen right when the race was about to depart to the aborted location.
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They actually have skipped India in the summer filming several times as it is the rainy season there.
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Hmmm...perhaps just before June 23. Thanks WP!
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Here's a site that complies world news headlines that can be checked by date.
Here's the link for June 23rd:
http://rwfracingsite.net/RamrodsWorld/2011/06/23/world-headlines-6232011/
The one that I noticed was that Michele Obama, her mother, and her daughters were on a tour in South Africa; and as I recall, they were then going to be headed to a safari.
If TAR had planned to be in the same area, there might have been security issues that forced a change in plans.....and that would fit in with what we've been trying to find, right?
In any event this can help check the dates immediate before and after the 23rd of June.
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In Nepal around that time was protests about Tibet that got violent. (Remember the early Nepal rumors, maybe teams were going there and it was cancelled due to the said reason.
I think we could rule out Pakistan. Sri Lanka had a huge contingent of media there for 2018 Commonwealth Games evaluation committee, so maybe they decided they didn't want to be spotted? :lol: :snicker:
India/Bangladesh were visited pretty recently so I have a feeling it wasn't them either.
As for North Africa/Middle East maybe Jordan which has had random violence through the last year.
Signs of the trouble appear in this news article in The Himalayan (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=12+Free+Tibet+activists+in+police+net&NewsID=292941). You can pin the date and time of the spark at Wednesday evening on the 22nd of June. The news report went out the next day at 11:48 pm on the 23rd. That would probably be when production learned about it and had to make a decision to forgo the 'cold climate' leg for season 19. Not a decision to be made lightly! (:;) At the time of the news release we have that Teams were in probably still in their Pit Stop preceding the leg that ended in Borobudur.
12 Free Tibet activists in police net
Added At: 2011-06-23 11:48 PM Last Updated At: 2011-06-23 11:48 PM
KATHMANDU: Police last night intervened in a Tibetan exiles’ condolence meeting in Bouddha and rounded up 12 Free Tibet activists. The crackdown came when the exiles were holding a candlelight vigil on the Bouddhanath Stupa premises to wish for eternal peace to Phuntsok (21) and protest the Chinese excesses.
The Buddhist monk had immolated himself near the Kirti monastery in Amdho, eastern Tibet, on March 16 in protest of the Chinese rule in Tibet. The incident sparked a wave of protests in Tibet, prompting the Chinese military to crack down on Free Tibet activists.
Those detained in yesterday’s crackdown are Lopsang Sherpa, Wangdi Gurung, Gato, Yote Lama, Tenzing Lama, Thendup Chhiring, Thumten Ghyamchho, Gyalchhen, Dorjee Chhiring, Rabygyal, Tenzing Phinchow and Dorjee Lama. Of them, Wangdi and Thendup are Nepalis.
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41591000/jpg/_41591168_protest_afp_416.jpg)
image from 2009 protests BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4936198.stm)
My speculation is that, for lack of a better plan, the Phuket leg was turned into a double leg with the second leg happening within Thailand in general.
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I found these news that could have effected TAR route
- More than two million people are reported to have been displaced or otherwise affected by flooding in the Chinese province of Zhejiang. (19th of June)
- The fourth tropical storm of the 2011 Pacific typhoon season, Tropical Storm Haima (Egay), makes landfall in southern Guangdong Province in the People's Republic of China. (23rd of June)
- An 'unprecedented' flash flood hits Beijing, leaving streets and many areas including Tiananmen Square and the Beijing Subway system underwater. (23rd of June)
- Three explosions hit the Myanmar cities of Naypyidaw, Mandalay and Pyin U Lwin (24th of June, but highly unlikely they were going to travel in Myanmar anyways :lol: )
- At least 10 people are killed in clashes in northern Kenya amid a severe drought affecting East Africa. (25th of June)
And then of course all the Arab Uprising news but the uprisings were already on before TAR started to film.
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I would have loved to see Nepal on this season. It ooks like the favourite for the "missing leg".
Is there any way of checking flights that would have left Kathmandu and arriving in Malawi around the time teams were spotted in Malawi? The safari was expecting teams on a specific day, and if the flights from Kathmandu arrive on the same day then maybe it was Nepal.
Already done (http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,25627.msg623441.html#msg623441):
Here's my stab at Phuket to Johannesburg:
- We assume they complete the Phuket leg at 1:00 pm on Saturday the 25th.
- We assume that they are standing in JNB airport at 9:00 am on Thursday the 30th.
Naturally they will want to go to the mountains of Nepal after the Beaches of Phuket. Right? Make sense to me! :lol:
Here is a quick way to get to Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday the 26th: (takes 6 hours and 15 min)
TG 226 leaves HKT at 7:25 am and arrives BKK at 8:50 am
TG 319 leaves BKK at 10:15 am and arrives KTM at 12:25 pm
Teams spend the next 72 hours racing and resting and racing and waiting (one leg) and are standing at Kathmandu airport at 12:25 pm on Wednesday the 29th.
Here is a quick way to get to Johannesburg by 9:00 am on Thursday the 30th: (takes 20 hours and 15 min)
TG 320 leaves KTM at 1:30 pm and arrives BKK at 6:15 pm
MH 781 leaves BKK at 7:40 pm and arrives KUL at 10:50 pm
MH 203 leaves KUL at 1:20 am and arrives JNB at 6:00 am on the 30th
You can substitute SIN for KUL in getting to JNB and still make this happen.
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I know Australia wasn't going to be visited as part of the route, but it seems plausible they could have been expecting teams to connect there while flying from south-east Asia to southern Africa.
Alternately, given that in the past they've tended to move the scheduled legs forward in order to give themselves time to organise things properly (TAR2 moving from Argentina Leg 3 to New Zealand Leg 10; TAR5 moving from Istanbul Leg 5 to Dubai Leg 8; TAR8 moving from Belize Leg 7 to Montreal Leg 12, with additional backtracking around Utah to get additional time to do it right), I'd think we've identified the right time period/region for where the original leg was supposed to take place but the replacement leg may not have turned up until right near the end of the season.
I'd say our route was originally something like this:
Leg 1: LA - Taiwan
Leg 2: Taiwan - Indonesia
Leg 3: Indonesia
Leg 4: Indonesia - Thailand
Leg 5: Thailand - Nepal
Leg 6: Nepal - Malawi
Leg 7: Malawi
Leg 8: Malawi - Kenya
Leg 9: Kenya - Denmark
Leg 10: Demnark - Belgium
Leg 11: Belgium - Panama
Leg 12: Panama - Atlanta
But with the Nepal issues, we may get something like this instead
Leg 1: LA - Taiwan
Leg 2: Taiwan - Indonesia
Leg 3: Indonesia
Leg 4: Indonesia - Thailand
Leg 5: Thailand - Malawi
Leg 6: Malawi
Leg 7: Malawi - Kenya
Leg 8: Kenya - Denmark
Leg 9: Denmark
Leg 10: Demnark - Belgium
Leg 11: Belgium - Panama
Leg 12: Panama - Atlanta
I realise Denmark's probably the most expensive location on the new route this season (although taking the full cast to Taiwan and the logistics of getting to Malawi make it debatable), but there was a fairly decent-sized gap between the Malawi/Kenya spoilers and the remours of Belgium, which makes the replacement likely to have been in Europe somewhere. And if the show's in budget mode it makes sense that they'd just make a second leg for a country they're already headed to rather than scout an extra location on short notice then pay to fly the teams and crews in and out. The other option is land travel from Denmark to Belgium via Germany, but since we got the other three Germanic nations last season it's not likely.
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I think it is unlikely the show would have doubled up legs in a country that was planned for one leg. Among other things, TPTB, from what I have understood, have back-up legs planned so if a leg is needed, they can take those plans off the shelf, have the local producers gear up and get the local crews and casting in place. It's one reason why Bert and Elise and company travel ahead of Phil and the teams.
I haven't figured out exactly hoe production at that level travels (I suspect two of the executive and supervising producers leap frog the legs during filming) but this is the reason why they have to travel with the show as filming proceeds.
And I'm under the impression that Kenya has not been established as a location this season.
We may have to wait until CBS releases pre-season publicity or the episodes air.
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Sadly, There was no Kenya this season, except as a transit airport.
Nepal looks like a likely missed leg, darn it all.
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Phil must have been heartbroken...he has mentioned in every single interview how much he wants to go there. I understand, it is one of my favorite places in the world too!
Oh well...maybe we will see it in Season 20! :hearts:
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Oh, I do hope so, I am so surprised at the amount of new locations they wanted to visit!
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That's never stopped them before. Atlanta?? :lol:
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Weather wise Nepal makes more sense in November than June.
June to September is considered monsoon season. Wouldn't want to be anywhere that's susceptible to mud slides during monsoon. Which would pretty well rule out anything outside Kathmandu or the valley.
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True! And they have LEECHES then! **shudders**
:lol:
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Question:
What is the status of Madrid? I remember it being mentioned in some posts, including a possible sighting, but I'm not sure what happened to it. Is it just a connection point? Or a debunked rumor? or what?
I'm slightly confused on the matter...
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No legs in Madrid anyway...
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Aww. Nepal. :( It might be Phil's teaser country. But since Taiwan <3, Indonesia <3, Thailand <3, Malawi <3, Belgium <3, Denmark <3, Panama <3, Atlanta <33, it is still AWESOME! :hearts:
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It wouldn't necessarily have been an event big enough to hit the newswires to cause the rerouting. It could have been something as maddenngly simple as a bureaucrat on a power trip revoking filming visas at the last minute.
"in one day the whole world turned upside down in the place that we were at"
Could also suggest that they made it to their planned destination, and then they had to scrub their original RB and Detour in favor of their back-up plan because of extremely localized disruptions/problems, rather than having to go as far as to travel to a back-up destination.
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Nepal wasn't all that cold then...after checking the weather. :duno:
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I just put up the official press release in the Media thread. One thing I noticed was it says teams will be riding elephants in the rainforests of Thailand. I don't think there are any rainforests around Phuket. Maybe this could clue us towards the second Thai leg?
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Lots of elephants up around Chiang Mai...and since TARA used it, it would be an easy fill in spot as well.
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I GOT BELGUIM RIGHT!!!
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So did our spoiler sighting. :lol:
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This shot was taken between 5:52 and 6:06 pm (assumes June 18th).
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hey guys!
so excited to find out that belgium is true!
i think the team im going to root for this season is marcus and amani!
from the clips ive seen i think the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights is the STARTING line for our race. but im not sure how point mugu ties in with this :duno: maybe there could be a challenge there which triggers the hazard
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hey guys!
so excited to find out that belgium is true!
i think the team im going to root for this season is marcus and amani!
from the clips ive seen i think the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights is the STARTING line for our race. but im not sure how point mugu ties in with this :duno: maybe there could be a challenge there which triggers the hazard
I think point mugu just film Phil's opening of this season.
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YESS!! :yess: I found my first thrue spoiler with Belgium!! So glad of myself!! lol :wohoo:
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Not exactly....
for one thing, Nepal is PURE spec. At the moment we have no proof that that was ever intended.
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I'm not under the impression that can be said to be the final list; there are some assumptions in there because it's still likely we have 12 legs (or their equivalents) as has been the case in every recent season and with only 7 countries listed there would have to be five countries with double legs (or the equivalents).
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So 7 countries
Taiwan
Indonesia
Thailand
Malawi
Belgium
Denmark
Panama
I think you are right. Double legs anyone?? :lol:
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Well, we know there's one in Indonesia. Another leg in Malawi or somewhere near in Africa? There is always the possibility for a double in Denmark, Belgium, or both. What are the odds of a missing European country? Seems like they usually visit more than that.
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So 7 countries
Taiwan
Indonesia
Thailand
Malawi
Belgium
Denmark
Panama
I think you are right. Double legs anyone?? :lol:
I would include Germany as a good possibility for some activities as the race may have gone by land form Denmark to Belgium: :waves:
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That's what I was wondering too...there may be another European country. :duno:
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Panama was the only country Leafs listed that hasn't been confirmed by the CBS press release. I'd be very surprise that CBS would let all of the country out of the bag before the season even started.
I think there's still a good chance for another non-European country either just before or after Malawi, and possible another European country. Otherwise the amount of time used just to get into and out of Malawi as a proportion of the 21-22 days of filming would be a lot, even if there are two legs there.
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Little Earthquake here in LA about 30 seconds ago :ascared
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(http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7577/icap1.jpg)
(http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3787/icap3.jpg)
(http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5538/icap2.jpg)
Are these all from Indonesia?
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We have that cave sighting...
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Yes, from pictures like this one (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/35350250) you can tell that this location is definitely Jomblang Caves.
This site (http://www.jogjatrip.com/en/424/jomblang-cave) has some more pictures and a lot of great info. As you can kind of see from the promo it is a vertical cave with entrance by rappelling only. At the bottom is access to a tunnel that is quite large. That must be what they are in.
Also it is 2 hours from Jogja.
But I don't know if this pic (http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7577/icap1.jpg) is in that cave. It doesn't seem the same.
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WHAT are they crawling on? Little bones? Mushrooms? What? LOL
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WHAT are they crawling on? Little bones? Mushrooms? What? LOL
Looks like the stuff you put in the bottom of a hamster cage. :lol:
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(http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7577/icap1.jpg)
(http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3787/icap3.jpg)
(http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5538/icap2.jpg)
Are these all from Indonesia?
Yes, and I think these ones too :js:
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3264/theamazingrace19promo1y.jpg)
(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3264/theamazingrace19promo1y.jpg)
(http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/3264/theamazingrace19promo1y.jpg)
(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3264/theamazingrace19promo1y.jpg)
(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3264/theamazingrace19promo1y.jpg)
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Thanks, Prama! :<3
I'm pretty sure this is the entrance to Jomblang Cave. http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3264/theamazingrace19promo1y.jpg
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Yeah, the shots of Liz and Marie and Andy and Tommy in taxis are in Indonesia because Taiwan drives on the right and Indonesia drives on the left.
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I just got back from a field trip to the city where this mermaid lives:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/mermaid2.jpg)
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Chateau is HOME!! :hearts:
CLASSIC picture!!
:popcorn:
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I have my photo with that mermaid! She's still looking as good as ever. :lol:
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The cable program guides are now listing this episode with a description mentioning Ethan/Jenna, the Hazard and Taipei, but there is no episode title shown.
I've just checked the CBS corporate website, and no press release with the episode description has been posted yet.
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An opportunity to travel to Copenhagen came up :hoot: {{{}
Since CBS has listed Denmark as one of the visited countries for TAR19 I decided to do some good old fashioned detective work! :spy:
I checked countless locations in and around Copenhagen to find out if the Race had come through. On the first day, September 3rd, I took a 3.5 hour tour with Mike's
Bikes to get a feel for the city. It's a great tour. And if the girl from Dublin ever reads this please contact me! :-[ Her bike broke down before I could get a name (:;)
Back to the detective work: Starting with what we know (not the actual time order of investigation)
Hillerřd It's to a castle I will take you! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxp0fop1iMA)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1517.jpg)
The local press had already reported seeing Amazing Race filming at Frederiksborg Slot in Hillerřd so I took the 25 minute metro ride out there and started asking around about the filming that happened there on July 4th. I found out that many Danes are currently watching TAR18 on their cable channel (the latest episode had Luke drinking all the tea). Here is what I found out about TAR19:
Teams arrived the morning of July 4th. They drove their own cars past the usual parking areas and came right up to the castle. They went running up two levels of spiral stairs and went to the Great Hall. Here is a video of doing that:
http://www.youtube.com/v/qg6QMfZwq-Q?version=3&hl
I could not make sense of the arrival order. The two teams that stood out were Zac & Laurence and Marcus & Amani. The rest of the teams became a big blur.
The task in the Great Hall involved wearing medieval clothes and doing dance routines. One team member waited and watched while the other one did the task. So we know this was the Roadblock. Nobody could figure out what the helicopter was looking at.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1520.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1527.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1548.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1547.jpg)
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Oh BOY!!! :wtg:
Chateau's Copenhagen Tour!! :jam:
What a beautiful hall! So I guess the Castle was closed that day? ???
I love our Detectives. :<3
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Wow, great work Chateau! :jam: It's detectives like you that make this site great! :conf: :hrt:
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Should I update the timeline with the information? :-[
Oh yeah. :lol:
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Should I update the timeline with the information? :-[
Oh yeah. :lol:
All updated to the best of my knowledge. WHat colour is Zac/Laurence? (on the race)
Team color? Black.
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Aww. It's a half-good news for me. That castle <3333 Knowing 2 teams that made it that point </3. It was my own fault, anyways. :groan: :lol:
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OOOHHHH Chateau, very nice indeed!!! :hrt: :yourock:
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Should I update the timeline with the information? :-[
Oh yeah. :lol:
All updated to the best of my knowledge. WHat colour is Zac/Laurence? (on the race)
Team color? Black.
Like teams are assigned colours right? for the race and they typically wear that colour during the race.
It has to do with the bandana on their bags.
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Even before my visit to Copenhagen last week I had already spent one day there with my teenage son the previous summer.
Continuing the Led Zeppelin motif (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9TGj2jrJk8)
Such boys cannot be bothered by anything cultural or historic. The one and only one thing he spotted and actually said "Let's go see THAT!" was the Vor Frelsers Kirke (http://www.vorfrelserskirke.dk/english)
It really does stand out!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_0105.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_0118.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1640.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1614.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1618.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1630.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1632.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1634.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1637.jpg)
And this is at the top:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_0120.jpg)
So I went there again to make some inquiries: Various staff on hand confirmed that Racers were there on July 4th. :tup: It turns out that the date is easy to pin down because there was a massive deluge rainstorm the day before in Denmark. And everybody remembers that day. The Teams had arrived the night before and parked their cars in the churchyard. So it looks like it was a big Hours of Operation Equalizer. (:;) (:;) Probably designed to obliterate any lead gained by Teams finding the fastest flights out of Malawi.
Video of climbing at the top:
http://www.youtube.com/v/cINoERizdB4?version=3&hl
And just because it usually matters, the official number of stairs is 319. But I counted 235 steps indoors and 147 steps outside. :duno:
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One of the benefits of going on a bike tour of Copenhagen was the discovery of a classic TAR Pit Stop scenario!
Queue the music: Pirates (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQrYEEfgbG8)
BTW the bike tour was this one: Bike Mike (http://www.bikecopenhagenwithmike.dk/) and it is the first thing you should do if you ever visit Copenhagen!
Remember this TAR6: Af Chapman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Af_Chapman_%28ship%29)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Af_Chapman.JPG/800px-Af_Chapman.JPG)
Directly opposite Copenhagen's new Opera House is Larsen's Plads. This is a street along the water like the French quai.
Street view here.
(http://maps.google.com/maps?q=larsens+plads+copenhagen&ll=55.682932,12.598915&spn=0.031356,0.070038&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&gl=us&t=m&z=15&vpsrc=0&layer=c&cbll=55.684873,12.596756&panoid=8BioQ8kxQ8vehE2cBILC3g&cbp=12,177.64,,0,15.11)
Well, on this plads there are three classic old sailing ships. And yes, that is the Vor Frelsers Kirke in the background!
The three ships are the Lillian Dan, the Halmo, and the Havet:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1574-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1573-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1420-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1422-1.jpg)
I went up to the ships, asking if anybody saw any filming going on Larsens Plads on July 4th, the day after the big storm, I got a mixed response. Some sailors said "yes", some said "no". The timing of the sightings was afternoon into early evening. But the "yeses" pointed to the place where I got the "no" so by process of elimination, the Havet would be the Pit Stop. Nobody could ID the Teams so I have no arrival order :'(
Interestingly enough, it is the Havet that appears in the Google Maps Street View! :lol:
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Just to add to Chateau's great photos.
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/kikisak/DSC00958-1.jpg)
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/kikisak/DSC02714-1.jpg)
These photos were taken in August 2008, then there were only two boats at that spot. The big dome you see at the back is Marble Church. It's very close to Amaliemborg Palace.
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Just to add to Chateau's great photos.
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/kikisak/DSC00958-1.jpg)
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/kikisak/DSC02714-1.jpg)
These photos were taken in August 2008, then there were only two boats at that spot. The big dome you see at the back is Marble Church. It's very close to Amaliemborg Palace.
You were there in August 2008? I was there in June! :lol:
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My first post at RFF even though I've lurked here for years.
As per this week's TV Guide, it a ppears that our missing TAR 19 country is Tunisia. Here is the direct citation:
"These 11 teams - which include Survivor alums Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, a pair of professional snowboarders and two male flight attendants - all had at least one thing in common; Nobody could handle the heat and humidity they enocuntered in Tunisia.
First visit to that country since the first race.
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My first post at RFF even though I've lurked here for years.
As per this week's TV Guide, it a ppears that our missing TAR 19 country is Tunisia. Here is the direct citation:
"These 11 teams - which include Survivor alums Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, a pair of professional snowboarders and two male flight attendants - all had at least one thing in common; Nobody could handle the heat and humidity they enocuntered in Tunisia.
First visit to that country since the first race.
:bigwelcome to RFF! Wow, Tunisia, wasn't expecting that. I thought due to the Libyan and Egyptian riots Tunisia wouldn't be touched.
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:bigwelcome to RFF, tullfan! So glad you stopped lurking.
I think the theme for this Race is new locations. :hearts:
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Do you have a link for where it says that? I can't find it. I wonder why they would write such a thing in TV Guide? ???
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Yes, in Copenhagen :tup:
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If tullfan is right about Tunisia, here is the rough route:
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Well, if Tunisia is visited, it does not fit between Malawi and Denmark. We had a sighting of Racers on a flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam that took off on July 2nd and landed on the 3rd.
The start of the Malawi activities was from another sighting on a flight from Jo burg: Teams arrived in Lilongwe Jun 30 around noon. That does not leave enough time for Malawi and Tunisia.
I thought we had this all timelined out. Right?
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Besides, I can't find the "direct quote" he used anywhere on the internet and Tunisia has been enveloped with political turmoil all year. It also didn't seem the most likely thing for TV Guide to mention. :umn:
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Well, if Tunisia is visited, it does not fit between Malawi and Denmark.
Corrected :tup:
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I think Tunisia and Taiwan were confuses in the TV Guide. They both start with the letter T and Taiwan is really close to the equator.
This would be a huge error, but then again I don't think TV Guide would list a later location AND some of the teams that were still in the race. Average high in Taiwan is about 32C, not really too hot.
Until someone else can verify this, I don't see it as genuine
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Tunisia could fit as the country visited before Panama as outlined above, but if it was that late, the quote that all teams couldn't take the heat wouldn't make sense.
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My first post at RFF even though I've lurked here for years.
As per this week's TV Guide, it a ppears that our missing TAR 19 country is Tunisia. Here is the direct citation:
"These 11 teams - which include Survivor alums Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, a pair of professional snowboarders and two male flight attendants - all had at least one thing in common; Nobody could handle the heat and humidity they enocuntered in Tunisia.
First visit to that country since the first race.
Hi tullfan! :welcome: to RFF, am glad you finally de-lurked!!
But I too am having trouble finding that quote...could you possibly link to it if it is online or scan it for us if it is in print? I made a quick drugstore run and didn't spot it on a fast read...
But based on our spoiler info, there does not appear to be enough time for a new leg. Our one gap is nicely explained by the substitution of Thailand II, we think.
It is odd though...especially as there were some early hints about Tunisia out there...although once that area of the world heated up those rumors disappeard.
Wonder if some writer misread Indonesia for Tunisia? ??? ?
Anyway would love to see the quote!
All I could find was a big spoiler from BVM....
apparently in Indonesia racers strangely begin speaking weird Spanish!! Shades of Mirna!! :lol:
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The race would have been in Tunisia on about the 7th of July if it's true. The travel information from that date suggests the country had stabilised almost to the point of not requiring travel warnings (ie. it would have been safer than it was, but not without risk), and I doubt it's on the route given they would have been planning the season right around the time there were all the protests.
Maybe about this time next year, Tunisia would work. Right now, no.
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I think Tunisia and Taiwan were confuses in the TV Guide. They both start with the letter T and Taiwan is really close to the equator.
Maybe they when to Tanzania... :lol: :lol: :lol:
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I was in Tunisia for a month (about the time of the Europe sightings) and I didn't hear a peep about the race being there...
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I'm also a long time lurker, but first time poster. Just registered to say this:
I got my issue of TV guide in the mail yesterday, and the quote from TV Guide is correct. It is the Sept. 19 - 25 "special issue" with Simon Cowell on the cover. It's previewing the new fall shows. I just looked for the article quoted, and it is there. The (short) article about TAR is on page 91 (no page number on that page, but the next page is numbered 92). It is in the weekend highlights section, on the opposite page from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with a big picture of Ty Pennington and Michelle Obama.
The TAR article has a picture of Ethan and Jenna at the top.
The paragraph quoted is the second paragraph, and yes, it says TUNISIA!
"These 11 teams - which include Survivor alums Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, a pair of professional snowboarders and two male flight attendants - all had at least one thing in common: Nobody could handle the heat and humidity they encountered in Tunisia."
TV Guide may have got it wrong, but the quote is correct. Hope this helps.
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THANK YOU!! That is a big help! The only issue I saw was the 12 to 18th one so will go looking today!!
:bigwelcome to RFF!!
Now....is Tunisia HUMID?? :lol:
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:welcome2: to RFF, knomad! Great description!
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"These 11 teams - which include Survivor alums Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, a pair of professional snowboarders and two male flight attendants - all had at least one thing in common; Nobody could handle the heat and humidity they enocuntered in Tunisia.
I was half dead last night and did not fully absorb this...
But that cinches it....we know that the ONLY places that had all 11 teams were the start, Taiwan and Yogyakarta. After that we are down to 9 ...
SO some one clearly confused INDONESIA with TUNISIA, and there is no missing leg.
Thanks for sharing this with us Tullfan, GREAT find!! And thanks to knomad as well! :jam:
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Thanks peach!
The TV Guide could certainly be wrong even though it is accurate about all the other countries that it mentions. It certainly is humid and hot in Indonesia. It is hot in Tunisia but I don't know about it being humid. For the second leg in Tunisia, the TAR 1 racers were racing in the middle of nowhere in the Sahara desert, LOL!
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Here are more of the Copenhagen locations I visited and inquired about filming on July 4th: {{{} :spy:
Kastellet
Little Mermaid (spoke with nearby snack venders)
Nyhavn canal (waiters)
Tivoli (ride captains)
King's Library
Amalienborg (Denmark's Buckingham Palace complete with changing of the Guard)
National Museum
Marmorkirken
The Playhouse
The Opera House
Tycho Brahe Planetarium
The Wonderful World Hans Christian Anderson
Kunstindustrimuseet
Absalons
Kronborg Slot
Rosenborg Slot
Kronborg Slot
Christianborg Slot
Fredericksberg Slot (in town)
even the Elephant Tower at Carlsberg Brewery
There were no sightings. It was as if the Race was never there. :duno: So I thought about food! :colors
A special feature of Copenhagen is the food! It turns out that there are lots of Michelin Stars in Denmark (http://www.visitdenmark.dk/uk/en-gb/menu/turist/inspiration/nydlivet/gastronomi/michelin-restaurants.htm):
Star-dusted Danish restaurants
In 2011 Copenhagen's restaurants have once again been showered with stars. The city currently holds 11 Michelin stars and maintains its position as northern Europe's gourmet city. Copenhagen is also home to the world's best restaurant, Noma, and the world's best chef, Rasmus Kofoed, head chef at highly acclaimed restaurant Geranium.
I checked both Noma and Geranium, asking staffers about filming on July 4th.
But I still got no hits. :groan:
However, I had also heard about the Roskilde Viking Museum (http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/boatyard/) !
queue the music: Karen O (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVLvMg62RPA&feature=youtu.be&t=8s) or Robert Plant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOZPX1iGvz0&feature=related)
We come from the land of the ice and snow
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new land
To fight the horde and sing and cry, Valhalla, I am coming
On we sweep, with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore
We come from the land of the ice and snow
from the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
How soft your fields, so green
can whisper tales of gore
of how we calmed the tides of war
We are your overlords
On we sweep, with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore
So now you better stop and rebuild all your ruins
for peace and trust can win the day despite of all you're losin'
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1591.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1593.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1595.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1600.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1601.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1596.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1598.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1602.jpg)
It's about a 30 min metro ride out of town much like going to Hillerřd.
I spoke with several staffers on hand and learned from some that they had filming going on "around that time". I could not get them to be certain about July 4th. And not everyone was talking. But this place is so perfect for TAR. It just has to be so damn it! :lol: They have fully functional boats with oars and sails. Sunderlands anybody? They have on-going stations for boat building, metal working, rope making, everything! :jam:
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oh no do think they do dennmark
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Chateau, I also notice the predominance of red and yellow, which is often a color scheme that TAR likes to have in the locales they use in filming.
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I was curious on the claim that a 2 star restaurant would be acclaimed "the best in the world", high praise indeed but what about the 3 star restaurants. The Restaurant World ranking did not include el Bulli, which was out by self-choice due to a multi-year shutdown of its restaurant. Here is a 2009 article on Noma from foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/noma-copenhagen/ which I find very impressive:
"There is a movement (for lack of a better term) in gastronomy towards a cuisine that is, above all, natural, but also generally fiercely local, seasonal and with a focus on superior ingredients. It is a style that was enabled by institutions such as Bras, l’Arpčge and Mugaritz and is now embodied by the likes of Ubuntu, Mirazur and noma. These ‘New Naturals’ are unique restaurants offering a special insight into the terroir they occupy.
It is the last of those, noma, which concerns this account and its story begins with Claus Meyer. Little known outside of Scandinavia, Meyer is Denmark’s most famous foodie. First television chef, now restaurateur, business man and farmer, this venture is his vision.
For more than two centuries, the Grřnlandske Handels Plads in Copenhagen’s Christianshavn quarter was a busy centre for trade with Iceland, the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. Hence, it was common for immigrants from these lands to take their very first footsteps upon Danish soil here; thus it was considered, at the turn of this century, a fitting site for what would become Nordatlantens Brygge – North Atlantic House – a shared address for these northerly neighbours. To accommodate this grandiose project, one of the harbour’s most impressive structures was selected – the five-story, seven-thousand metre-squared former warehouse that resides at the end of the Strandgade.
It was the wish of those masterminds behind this undertaking that it ought also to encompass a gourmet restaurant that showed off the culinary wares of these nations. Henrik Pedersen, the well-respected chef at Babette, was offered the chance to make this happen. However he, although interested and having already drafted in Claus Meyer to assist him, had to pull out over his concerns about running two restaurants simultaneously. Meyer, on the other hand, with Pederson’s blessing, remained very much involved – the attraction for him ‘had much more to do with the possibility of generating…a compellingly stringent and beautiful culinary concept, which the world had never seen before.’
As Pedersen’s replacement, Meyer approached Paul Cunningham. The Englishman was more than curious, but had already agreed to open a new restaurant in the Tivoli Gardens – a deal he was unable to free himself from. In his stead, he recommended two others. One was Bo Bech, who had just ended his partnership with Jan Hurtigkarl. The other was René Redzepi.
Redzepi, at that time, was sous chef at Kong Hans (1*) in Copenhagen and had spent several years working in the finest kitchens overseas, but, in truth, had sort of strayed into a career as a chef. Half-Danish, half-Macedonian, he spent his childhood between the two countries, often spending months at a time with his father’s family in the Balkans. There he lived the more bucolic life: ‘if we wanted a chicken my uncle had to slaughter it. If we wanted milk my aunt had to milk the cow.’ Although unappreciative of the experience as a child – ‘I was very embarrassed about it’ – now he values those times. Although, it was not this intimate connection with food that inspired him to cook; at school, undecided on what career to pursue, he enrolled in cookery college because his best friend had done so. Nevertheless after just two days there, during a cooking competition, he sensed a ‘sudden feeling that this was exactly what I wanted to do.’
Upon graduating, he joined Pierre André (1*) in the Danish capital, where he spent four years studying classical French cuisine. This inspired him to make the move, in 1998, to France and the Pourcel brothers’ Jardin des Sens (3*) in Montpellier. Disappointed to find ‘a lot of shouting in the kitchen. A lot of aggression,’ he left soon enough. However, before he did that, he visited a restaurant just over the Franco-Catalan border that he had heard great things about; it was in Rosas, it was el Bulli. ‘I was blown away. It wasn’t the specific dishes that did it. It was the sense of freedom. Up to that point I had assumed all grand cooking had to be French.’ He soon returned, but this time to cook; in fact, he was so eager, he worked the 1999 season unpaid. Redzepi spent the subsequent year in miscellaneous consulting positions prior to a summer spell in 2001 at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, in California. After this, he was back in Copenhagen working under Thomas Rode Andersen at Kong Hans, which is where Meyer found him two years later.
Seemingly keener than Bech, it also quickly became apparent to Meyer that Redzepi’s and his own ambitions were similarly aligned; he therefore offered him the role and a partnership in the business. However, the chef had a condition; he wanted to have an old friend from école hôteličre days – Mads Refslund – join them as a partner and his sous. Meyer acquiesced.
The team’s first task was a four-week fact-finding expedition through the North Atlantic; they were seeking new ingredients and new methods native to the Nordic region that they could take back to noma. Their trip was fruitful – treasures they unearthed included huge, forty-five-year-old horse mussels in the Faeroe Islands; biodynamic pearl barley, arctic char and rye bread steamed underground in Iceland; and, in Greenland, six-year-old shrimp, small and fatty capelin and crowberries. Furthermore, it left an immense impression on Redzepi: ‘Here, where we are, nature is as it wants to be and I began thinking about how to reflect that nature, express it on the plate.’ Once home, they opened noma in November 2003.
‘They called us the stinking whale,’ the chef remembers. ‘Everybody thought Scandinavian cuisine was a joke when we started.’ Coupled with the tremendous difficulty realised importing all the incredible products they had uncovered, the restaurant faced a challenging initiation. But Redzepi was undeterred and less than ten months later had even organised a special symposium to which the region’s leading chefs were invited. At this event, the New Nordic Kitchen Manifesto – a set of ten commandments specially scripted by the chefs – was penned and a quiet gastronomic revolution engineered.
Soon people paid heed. Supply lines were secured. Success followed. In 2005, noma was awarded its first Michelin star and, having been bestowed an espoir the next year, subsequently won its second in 2007. Now Redzepi has a network of producers three times as strong as the average Danish restaurant whilst also employing five foragers to scout the area for new produce. Additionally, the chef was further recognised with his appointment as ambassador for the New Nordic Food program by the Nordic Council of Ministers and also his selection as the president of Denmark’s Bocuse d’Or team.
Křbenhavns - Strandgade Křbenhavns - Strandgade 2 Křbenhavns - Strandgade 3
Noma’s address could not be more apt: the restaurant reclaiming Nordic cuisine sits on an island of reclaimed land. In the early seventeenth century, Christianhavn was created as a merchant town that provided protection to Copenhagen proper. With its canals and tall, bright, multicoloured buildings (and today its bicycles too), the town built by Dutch architects was modelled on the Dutch capital. One hundred years on, this was where the Royal Greenland Trade Enterprise could be found; the focal point for shipping and commerce between Denmark and her former colonies of Iceland, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland as well as Finnmark. Another hundred years later and these same streets were those favoured by Kierkegaard on his long walks – and he certainly liked to walk.
Noma 3 Noma 4
Nowadays, the old warehouses that line the waterfront have been refurbished. This includes the afore-mentioned culture and arts centre, Nordatlantens Brygge which, once housing salted herring, whale blubber and skins, spelt and dry fish, is now home to the Icelandic embassy and permanent representations for Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, along with noma of course.
Noma 5 Noma 6 Noma 7
The rough-hewn, mottled gray brick building with pitched red-tile roof and narrow, sandy yellow stucco skirting was constructed in 1766 by master-builder J.C. Conradi. It is a formidable, but beautiful frame for the restaurant. Noma’s entrance itself is discreet and distinguished only by a pair of upright pikes in front of the door, carrying caged gas candles, and the noma name stencilled in three-dimensional, lower-case letters to one side of it.
Noma - Spisesal Noma - Spisesal 2 Noma - Spisesal 3
The interior is quintessential Nordic. Created by Signe Bindslev Henriksen, the space marries old-world charm with clean, uncluttered modernism. ‘I knew that this was the place, it had such a warmth about it with its wooden beams. I was sick of luxurious, palatial restaurants,’ tells Redzepi. Indeed, woods dominate. Floorboards of Pomeranian pine; ancient and limed pillars supporting rugged exposed timbers; with grainy, smoked oak tables, seats and serving stations, together form a warm counterweight to the seriousness of the cracking white-washed brickwork walls. Floor-to-ceiling, arched windows set in arched recesses, encircle the space allowing in plenty of sunlight and imparting impressive views out over Křbenhavns Havn.
Noma - Spisesal 4 Noma - Tabel Noma - Spisesal 5
Well-sized tables are well-spaced and surrounded by spindly, sixties-styled Scandinavian chairs; most unusually and authentically, each bears a fluffy, white sheepskin. Extravagant excess is eschewed; naked tables are topped sparingly with Royal Copenhagen china, Spiegelau stemware, wild Danish flowers and a thick-cut candle. Away from the dining area, besides the doorway, stands the more contemporary, stainless steel kitchen which, although behind paned glass, is nonetheless easily accessible by eye.
Noma - Syltet og rřget vagtelćg Noma - Syltet og rřget vagtelćg 2 Noma - Syltet og rřget vagtelćg 3
Amuse Bouche 1: Syltet og rřget vagtelćg. An oversized brown and tan-speckled porcelain egg was placed at the table. Instructed to consume the contents within just ten seconds of opening the container, one lifts the lid. At once, an aromatic cloud of smoke sluggishly floated up and away, revealing a single, little quail’s egg nestled upon straw bedding. Eaten entire, the small, pale amber ovule, pickled in apple vinegar before smoked over apple wood, quickly burst to imbue the whole mouth with its warm, unctuous yolk whose mild smokiness was tinged with fruity tartness.
Noma - Rugbrřd, kyllingeskind, stenbiderrogn og rygeost Noma - Rugbrřd, kyllingeskind, stenbiderrogn og rygeost 2
Amuse Bouche 2: Rugbrřd, kyllingeskind, stenbiderrogn og rygeost. Smřrrebrřd, the traditional Danish open sandwich, was turned on its head, literally: the ritual rugbrřd base became the topping with chicken skin the bottom and hay-smoked cheese blended with dill and lumpfish roe in betwixt the two. Once again, the appearance of this amuse was superb with the matted gold folds of skin and russet gleam of the toasted rye interrupted by bright white cheese interspersed with pinkish rose pearls of roe that mimicked the grains of the bread above it. The smoky, salty, sweet savours of the filling balanced excellently whilst its creaminess, punctuated by the poppy eggs, contrasted against the grainy, brittle rye and super-crispy skin. This last element was the highlight here – deliciously rich, it was a reminder of [my] childhood when one does not needs not think twice about devouring such wicked items like the fatty crust of a roast chicken. Although instantly familiar, like this the skin also tasted brand new. And although a little naughty, it was of course very nice.
Noma - Radiser, jord og urteemulsion Noma - Radiser, jord og urteemulsion 2 Noma - Radiser
Amuse Bouche 3: Radiser, jord og urteemulsion. Planted upon the table, a terracotta garden pot came filled with dark soil from which sprouted large, vibrant leaves. With cutlery withheld, one is informed that everything within is edible. Holding onto one of the leafy tops, a radish was easily extracted, exposing, as it came out, brilliant green cream beneath the earth that still clung to the root. Peppery and almost sweet, these snappy radishes were from Lammefjord and belonged to Sřren Wiuff. The foamy herb emulsion that they had been buried in was composed of sour sheep’s yoghurt flavoured with tarragon, chives and chervil; it was an addictive match with the crunchy malt, beer and hazelnut crumble that covered it.
Noma - Toast, vilde urter, pighvarrogn og eddike Noma - Toast, vilde urter, pighvarrogn og eddike 2
Amuse Bouche 4: Toast, vilde urter, pighvarrogn og eddike. An undulating layer of crisp bread was sprinkled with vinegar powder and dotted with turbot roe cream; each of these spots was pierced with precisely placed wild herbs and their flowers. This little cracker was a lesson in contradiction: delicate and surprisingly light, the flavours it offered were surprisingly strong. The first bite of the wavy wafer unleashed a small mist of vinegar dust that filled the air about the mouth. It was also extremely tart, although not unpleasantly so, before being quickly assuaged by the faintly buttery roe – a Finnish speciality – and herbal, flowery plants that had been freshly foraged.
Noma - Brřd og Smřr Noma - Brřd Noma - Brřd 2
Brřdet: Spelt og Manitoba. A square-shaped felt pouch was brought to the table; its leather ribbons were unravelled. Inside its cloth-lined belly sat two sorts of bread. Both were baked onsite and both were piping hot (as they remained for some time). One was Manitoba sourdough which, made with hard, highly refined wheat, was crunchy and dense. The other, spelt, had nice crust and fluffy middle. Alongside these, a platelet of organic Danish butter was served. Whipped through with skyr – a cheese from the fermented milk of Icelandic cows, a breed traceable to the time of the Vikings – this had great lightness and soft tang.
Noma - Blćksprutte og grřnne jordbćr; Flřde og dild
Entrée 1: Blćksprutte og grřnne jordbćr; Flřde og dild. Almost translucent, ivory ingot of raw squid, deftly diced into identical, little squares, its contrary corners crowned with a couple of green strawberry slices standing upright against each other whilst a small mound of their granita rested on another, was topped with dill and toasted rye kernels; the shellfish sat in fresh cream laced with dark green dill oil. A picturesque plate already, it also suggested something of Scandinavian springtime: the rolling landscape; the green breaking through snow white; the snow itself…Furthermore, to most interesting effect, this recipe indulged the Danish love of berries and cream. Combining seafood and dairy is uncommon, but the cream worked delightfully well with the tender Danish west coast squid. The milky former enriched the latter whilst unripe strawberries added an exact acidity and the uplifting oil, subtle herbiness.
Noma - Rĺ rejer og tang; Rabarber og urter
Entrée 2: Rĺ rejer og tang; Rabarber og urter. A thin, bright blanket of sea lettuce, beset with beach herbs, cubes of pickled rhubarb and drizzled with the fruit’s juice, concealed underneath small uncooked shrimp from Smögen. Considered Sweden’s finest, these delicately sweet specimens melted in the mouth, their savour countered by the springy, subtly sour rhubarb and barely bitter algae. The surprise was strandsennep or beach mustard, whose blades and blossoms, collected by the chefs from along the seashore, had definite peppery heat.
Noma - Tatar og skovsyre; Aromatisk enebćr og estragonemulsion
Entrée 3: Tatar og skovsyre; Aromatisk enebćr og estragonemulsion. Tartar of Danish beef, arranged in a neat rectangle and besprinkled with toasted rye breadcrumbs and grated horseradish under wood sorrel and rings of onion, left a trail of ground juniper in its wake; a matching belt of vibrant tarragon emulsion shadowed the beef and its hoofprints. To be consumed without cutlery, one uses the heart-like leaves of wood sorrel to clasp the just-chopped meat, smear it through the tarragon then swab it in specks of juniper.
Noma - Tatar og skovsyre; Aromatisk enebćr og estragonemulsion 2
The initial pleasure came from the presentation. Vivid and colourful, there was also simplicity, freshness and purity on the plate. Roughly cut yet trimly set tartar; cluttered though carefully fixed sorrel; coarse, but deliberate sprinkles and daubs presented rustic precision. Additionally, the leaf-topped tartare over the green row immediately evoked a dynamic image of the animal itself grazing across the field.
The beef, mild yet clean and flavoursome, was enlivened by the lemony spark of the sorrel, spicy horseradish and warmth of the mustard oil from Gotland. Aniseed tarragon and stimulating, woody juniper were both distinct and balanced delicately well; whilst the rye added crunch.
This course considered all the senses, pleasing more than simply the palate and provoking sensations both amusing and intellectual. Eating with one’s hands makes this instantly more than just another dish. Foremost, it is fun; a challenge to social convention and expectation too. However, on a deeper level, it also connects the diner to the food – the textures manifest no longer only in the mouth-feel, but on the tips of one’s fingers; or through the lemon scent that stains their hands, for instance. Moreover, there is the romantic vision roused; one realises and appreciates that this is how our ancestors – and/or how the Vikings – long ago once ate. Raw food with bare hands.
Noma - Knivmusling og peberrodssne; Persille og dild Noma - Knivmusling og peberrodssne; Persille og dild 2 Noma - Knivmusling og peberrodssne; Persille og dild 3
Entrée 4: Knivmusling og peberrodssne; Persille og dild. Myrtle cylinder of parsley jelly, concealing local razor clam, came laid across the bowl, leading from its centre to its cusp; a deep, loose line of horseradish snow skirted its length. Tableside, juice from the clam, mingled with mustard-dill stock, was poured. The plating here was very interesting, in particular, the inescapable likeness to a sewage pipe – razor clams are actually an invasive species in the region, thus this suggestion of waste or undesirability could have been a nod to that fact. The tenderness and sweetness of the clam exceeded expectation whilst the parsley wrapper was pepper cool with slightly gelatinous texture. The icy blend of buttermilk and horseradish (once a common companion to raw shellfish), although cold, was unexpectedly potent with an agreeably creamy consistency. The cool effluent was intense and crisp.
Noma - Friskost og akselbćr skud Noma - Friskost og akselbćr skud; Brřndkarse 2 Noma - Friskost og akselbćr skud; Brřndkarse 3
Entrée 5: Friskost og friskblomster; Brřndkarse. Over a bed of fresh cheese, a richly-coloured array of just-picked flowers, interspersed with croutons, was showered; a sauce of watercress and parsley lay in attractive swirls to one side. Both the cheese had been made and the wild blossoms gathered by the chefs themselves that same day. The ethereal, buttermilk-based cheese worked well to showcase the springy assortment of rocket, parsley, nasturtium, mustard and more florae. The watercress, at first dulcet, become stronger and spicier as its savour lingered while the parsley proffered a grassier note.
Noma - Jomfruhummer og söl; Persille og havvand 2 Noma - Jomfruhummer og söl; Persille og havvand 2
Entrée 6: Jomfruhummer og söl; Persille og havvand. A warm basalt stone, plucked from a Gotland potato field, was presented. A single, surprisingly sizeable langoustine from Lćsř lay on it. Randomly placed, bright green beads about the rock were composed of oyster and parsley emulsion and crowned with rye crumbs; grated Icelandic dulse – söl – left sandy magenta streaks across the surface. It was as if the sea had washed up its most prized prawn upon a stone on the seashore; the roasted seaweed dust and barnacle-like outgrowths redolent of the sea itself aided and abetted the analogy. Once again one uses their hands to enjoy the shellfish, which barely cooked, was scrumptious; luscious, fat and so sweet. It was even possible to feel the tiny, tense fibres that encircled the plump body snap as the meat was bitten into. The mineral emulsion and briny söl became almost afterthoughts.
Noma - Asparges og skovmćrke; Skud af bregne, humle og dunhammer
Entrée 7: Asparges og skovmćrke; Humle og dunhammer. Sřren’s white asparagus, chopped to varying lengths then set laid or standing, surrounded sous vide wild duck egg; over all these, fiddlehead ferns, hops and bulrush were strewn and rough rings of woodruff sauce were drizzled. The Lammefjord greens again amazed with the al dente asparagus juicy and tasty, its flavour accentuated by the woodruff and bulrush, to give the dish a surprisingly sweet nature. However, the richness of the unctuous egg had taming effect and proved an excellent balance as did the crisp and subtly bitter hop shoots. Additionally, bulrush and fiddlehead fern – here found as fronds that had been diligently detached from the unfurled, scroll-like head – both share an innate affinity with asparagus which reinforced the vegetable’s distinct essence.
Noma - Aske og porrer; Blĺmuslinger og kongekrabbe Noma - Aske og porrer; Blĺmuslinger og kongekrabbe 2 Noma - Aske og porrer; Blĺmuslinger og kongekrabbe 3
Entrée 8: Aske og porrer; Blĺmuslinger og kongekrabbe. Alternating cylindrical couples of jet black and scarlet-swathed white occupied the centre of the plate. Frothy mussel emulsion was spooned out, almost completely covering these, before golden toasted breadcrumbs were shaken overtop. The two tubes were in fact leek stems rolled in hay ash and poached Norwegian king crab thigh-meat. The latter, so succulent with lovely brininess, seemed almost liquid-filled, whilst the former were startlingly delicious. Using ash as a spice is an ancient Nordic tradition mainly applied to herring and it imparted a complex, intense caustic savour like edible smoky soot; the dark coating then quickly dissolved on the tongue, releasing the leek’s mellow flavour. This was a totally new taste sensation. The mussel sauce was strong and acted as salty seasoning whilst the brittle breadcrumbs bestowed crunch.
Noma - Pighvar og vegetabilsk stilke; Syltede hyldeblomst Noma - Pighvar og vegetabilsk stilke; Syltede hyldeblomst 2 Noma - Pighvar og vegetabilsk stilke; Syltede hyldeblomst 3
Plat Principal 1: Pighvar og vegetabilsk stilke; Syltede hyldeblomst. Tranche of roasted North Sea turbot, its skin appetising dark amber and laden with unripe elderberry, caper and shallot garni, was teamed with stems of watercress and leek, all scattered with sprigs of strandtrehage and strandsennep; celeriac purée and a thin sauce made from capers completed the recipe. The turbot’s breeding season lasts from April to August, during which time, the fish stores more fat in preparation for procreation. A side-effect of this it that its meat is even more mouth-watering than normal and this specimen was indeed rich and toothsome with some of that elusive, excellent melting fattiness to it. The berry and caper garnish brought a pleasingly acidic burst whilst the crackly, moist stems had contrary sweet touch. Beach herbs, with their latent heat and citrus, were also welcomed.
Noma - Rĺstegt hummer og salat root; hybenrose og ribs vin Noma - Rĺstegt hummer og salat root; hybenrose og ribs vin 3
Plat Principal 2: Rĺstegt hummer og salat root; hybenrose og ribs vin. Sautéed Danish blue lobster, blanketed with red currant wine and sat atop lobster jus, was buried amidst roots of salad, shoots of wild beach pea, their little purple flowers and rosehip petals; a streak of lobster coral accompanied. The dish, decorated with different shades of splendid red and lush green, was simply beautiful – and it tasted just as good too. The lissom lobster, very nicely-timed, had juicy, supple flesh and was full of natural sweetness. The tangy rosehip, reinforced by the nearly sugary beach pea, was an splendid bridge between the lovely shellfish and fruity-tart red currant wine. The coral was concentrated and the lettuce, succulent and snappy.
Noma - Lćsřlřg; Lřgkarse og ramslřg
Entremet 1: Lćsřlřg; Lřgkarse og ramslřg. Lćsř’s renown is not limited to its langoustines; this time, its onions took centre-stage. Onion compote, carpeted over with prast ost and encircled with onion slices – half of which were soaked in beer, the other half pickled – was peppered with chive flowers, chickweed, ramson stalks and onion cress; tableside, onion bouillon with thyme and tapioca was served. This preparation was both an ode to onions and its relations whilst the beer-cheese-onion combination insinuated classic pub snack (cheese and onion crisps with a pint of beer). The compote had relish; its savoury, slightly strong skin of a Swedish mature cheese skin akin to cheddar, a natural companion; whilst the warm, pungent, pearly bouillon was fairly intense and gently melted the prast ost, becoming syrupy as it did so. Ramson and chive contributed hints of garlic and the two sets of onion were both crisp, with one rather malty and the other salty-sharp.
Noma - Marv og syltede grřntsager; Krydderurter og bouillon Noma - Marv og syltede grřntsager; Krydderurter og bouillon 3
Entremet 2: Marv og syltede grřntsager; Krydderurter og bouillon. Crudités of various vegetables, pickled in six varieties of vinegar, were arranged in curls and bouquets studded and bestrewn with such herbs as mustard, rocket, leek flowers and pea shoots as well as small rounds of poached bone marrow, all mizzled with a little oxtail stock. Although amounting to only a small cluster upon the plate, this course abounded with colour, vivacity and curiosity. Each bite was fresh, crunchy and subtly tart, but each was different too thanks to the mixture of marinades. The vibrant clutch, dense and solid, also invited one to delve in and thus dig up peppery blossoms or anise leaves that they had not yet already discovered. Shimmering, soft slices of marrow also hiding amongst these tendered some richness whilst the bouillon beneath was deep and delectable. There was a deft balance between sweet and sour here, which also worked to cleanse the palate after the previous onions.
Noma - Puukko kniv
A leather-bound, reindeer horn-handled puukko knife, handmade in Lapland, was placed upon the table. Rustic yet carefully crafted, even the noma knife has become somewhat iconic.
Noma - Moskusokse og mćlkeskind; Spćde hvidlřg og ramslřg Noma - Moskusokse og mćlkeskind; Spćde hvidlřg og ramslřg 2
Plat Principal 3: Moskusokse og mćlkeskind; Spćde hvidlřg og ramslřg. From Greenland’s west coast, a mahogany haunch of musk ox, resting in gamboge jus suffused with ramson, was teamed with alabaster folds of milk skin and grilled baby garlic and cucumber whilst dressed with capers and mini, mauve garlic flowers. The meaty fillet was well-marbled, tender and flavoursome. Its sticky, concentrated sauce was delightful, the ramson linking nicely with the young garlic. The milky skin, literally the skimmed off coating that forms on the surface when cooking milk, was reminiscent of yuba and slightly tart-sweet; this was interesting both texturally and taste wise.
Noma - Birkesaft og birkesirup; Sřdskćrm og honning Noma - Birkesaft og birkesirup; Sřdskćrm og honning 2 Noma - Birkesaft og birkesirup; Sřdskćrm og honning 3
Dessert 1: Birkesaft og birkesirup; Sřdskćrm og honning. Broken birch slates of meringue, overlaying birch sorbet and jelly made from mead and honey, were embedded with bright, baby sprigs of Spanish chervil. This was instantly resonant: the coarse-cut meringues, matching the gray plate, impersonated the stony earth; the sorbet resembled the sap and roots; whilst the herbs were little saplings breaking through and growing forth. The sorbet was mildly sugary and clean; jelly of mellifluous wine and honey collected from a beehive only a few miles away, was stronger; whilst the Spanish chervil like liquorice. The meringues, made using the water in which birch bark had been bathed, were excellent – light, grainy and not at all cloying.
Noma - Rřdbede og skovmćrke; Creme fraiche og syltet hybenrose Noma - Rřdbede og skovmćrke; Creme fraiche og syltet hybenrose 3 Noma - Rřdbede og skovmćrke; Creme fraiche og syltet hybenrose 2
Dessert 2: Rřdbede og skovsyre; Creme fraiche og syltet hybenrose. A circle sat in the dish’s centre, split into two halves. On one side, there were compact maroon crystals of beet and pickled hip rose granité; on the other, pastel green sorrel mousse was crowned with pale hip rose tuile topped with the grated fruit. Crispy, crunchy and smooth; sweet, sharp and earthy – this was more complex than its simple appearance suggested. The subtle savours were also very well poised.
Noma - Valnřdde pulver og is; Třrret flřde og třrrede bćr Noma - Valnřdde pulver og is; Třrret flřde og třrrede bćr 2
Dessert 3: Valnřdde pulver og is; Třrret flřde og třrrede bćr. Walnut ice cream came covered in three crude strips of cream powder, walnut dust and dried blackberries. This was another dessert that seemed more straightforward than it really was. Tasting the three toppings together proved extremely astringent, quickly absorbing away all the moisture from the mouth and leaving just fruity-sour essence before the soft, moussy walnut ice cream quickly supplied gentle succour. Building on the natural relation between walnuts and blackberries, this worked to delicious effect.
Noma - Flřdebolle og kaffe Noma - Flřdebolle
Courtesy of www.verygoodfood.dk ©
Petit Fours: Flřdebolle med rřdbedeskum. Chocolate covered marshmallow treats can be found across Europe in varying national guises, but their widely acknowledged origin is Denmark (and it remains the largest producer of these today – apparently, the average Dane eats fifty a year). Petit fours entailed this traditional dainty, with a twist. Served on a cold stone (for the flřdebolle began to melt as soon as it was touched), thin, fine quality chocolate case and malt cracker base bordered fluffy, mild and yummy, pink beetroot mousse.
Alongside this menu, Ulf served a champagne-heavy flight of wines…
Noma - 2005 Coteaux Champenois Blanc de Blancs, Jacques Lassaigne, MontgueuxNoma - 2006 Domaine de l'Ecu Guy Bossard Muscadet Sčvre et Maine Sur Lie, Expression de GneissNoma - 2004 Riesling Kastelberg Grand Cru, Domain GresserNoma - NV Champagne Brut ‘Reflet d´Antan’, Bereche et Fils, LudesNoma - NV Champagne Brut Blanc de Noirs ‘Inflorescence’ (2005), Céderic Bouchard, Celles-sur-Ource
Noma - 2005 Coteaux Champenois Blanc de Blancs, Jacques Lassaigne, MontgueuxNoma - NV Champagne Brut Nature ‘Dis, Vin Secret’ 2003, Françoise Bedel, Crouttes-sur-Marne, Valle de la MarneNoma - 2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Guiseppe Maria Sesti, ToscanaNoma - 2007 Riesling Auslese ‘Madonna’, TrossenNoma - NV Champagne Rosé Demi-Sec (2005), Beaufort, Ambonnay, Valle de la Marne
I have been very lucky in my dining life so far – not only have I rarely been on the receiving end of substandard service, but I have been subjected to some of the kindest imaginable. Bearing that in mind, the treatment on offer here is some of the very finest that I have seen. I really was impressed by the quality of care and genuine consideration conveyed by all those at noma.
Interestingly, Redzepi encourages his chefs to serve and explain many of the dishes themselves. Not only is this a pleasantly unexpected twist, but it also undeniably adds another layer of openness and intimacy to the restaurant experience. Additionally, given that many in the kitchen are actually British – ‘they are battle-hardened. They are good, strong. Ready for anything,’ Redzepi says – speaking with them was interesting and entertaining.
It was fascinating to watch the front-of-house staff at work. One would expect the introduction of chefs into the dining room to complicate, possibly even disrupt them. But not so. Instead, it was continuously calm and co-ordinated with servers gracefully and confidently wending their way between tables and chairs. They were always relaxed and always made time for the guest. I conversed with many over the course of the meal and all were very affable, engaging and thoughtful – having spoken to Kim, Ulf and Laura most, I single them out especially. Together, they are led by Lau – simply the consummate maître d’hôtel – who is earnestness, charm and niceness personified. Everyone seemed to really enjoy what they were doing and it showed in the little details. For instance, it was a delight to note that not only did the staff smile at diners, but they smiled at each other too. There is a warmth and avidity shared by all – and it is contagious.
Noma - Spisesal 7
Over lunch I was also able to meet and talk a little with René Redzepi. His boyish mien and unassuming nature automatically engendered rapport and admiration. The more we spoke, the more I was overwhelmed by his generous and good spirit. Clearly impassioned and clearly relishing his work, I was certainly stirred by his enthusiasm.
The meal itself was just stunning. The amuses were arguably the most engaging I have ever been served – satisfying taste, intellect and emotion individually and collectively. From the courses that followed, it is difficult to select either my favourites or those I liked least. If pushed, I would pick rĺ rejer og tang; rabarber og urter and friskost og friskblomster; brřndkarse as two that were less memorable than the rest, but again, these were only relatively weaker courses rather than flawed or weak in themselves. Those that I found the most appetising included blćksprutte og grřnne jordbćr, the classic tatar og skovsyre, asparges og skovmćrke (the best asparagus-egg dish I have ever eaten), aske og porrer, rĺstegt hummer og salat root and from the excellent desserts, valnřdde pulver og is.
The first four offerings from the kitchen were delicious and revealing. Starting with the vagtelćg, presented in its Matryoshka-esque ceramic casket that played the shell to the already peeled quail egg, so much was shown with a single, bite-size morsel. Simple yet intelligent and delectable, there was also an element of intrigue, mystery and maybe even magic from the swirling, steaming smoke which, whilst adding animation, almost convinces the diner that the egg is still cooking. Furthermore, essentially Nordic – these eggs are regularly consumed here; pickling and smoking are both basic Scandinavian preparation methods; and apples, staples of the diet – this was a fitting opener. The second course was nostalgic, indulgent and my favourite. Once again, working with (stereo)typically regional ingredients, this was a witty reinvention of something common and customary. Different characteristics of the cooking became evident with the next treat, radiser, jord og urteemulsion. Here, the highest quality raw materials were showcased in amusing, whimsical fashion. The presentation, original, clever but mostly convincing, created a sense of adventure and implied a return to nature; the playfulness patent here may have been nurtured whilst Redzepi worked under his most influential mentor, Adriŕ. In addition, as it so happens, this particular recipe has also been inspirational to other talented chefs, such as David Kinch and Heston Blumenthal. Amuses ended on a delicate note with another item just as reminiscent of the outdoors – a curvy cracker carrying what seemed frost-kissed wild herbs, but which were actually dusted in malty vinegar.
The tatar og skovsyre: aromatisk enebćr og estragonemulsion has become somewhat of a noma signature. It is understandable why. As Redzepi tells it, ‘when [we] first opened, this dish almost seemed a provocation. The Copenhagen restaurant scene really was dominated by these old, fussy French places. And then along comes this restaurant where they want you to eat raw beef with your hands like you’re some Viking.’ The effect of this course is two-fold – it relaxes those unaccustomed to fine dining, whilst teasing amusing those that are. And it does this brilliantly: one really cannot help but laugh whilst feeding themselves finger-fuls of tartar. The dramatic aesthetic, gamesome expression and sensory satisfaction have all already been alluded to earlier, but there is also an inescapable awareness that one is eating something distinctly Nordic. The locally-sourced ingredients, all of ancient regional relevance – juniper and tarragon being both especially bonded to the territory – served naturally with minor manipulation, suggest a specific place as well as a specific time. This was a rare transcendental dish.
The issue of aesthetic previously touched upon is of special importance. Whether from the rich colours, the minimalist arrangement of elements evocative with imagery and meaning or the eloquent use of empty space on the plate, there is something almost austere here – a noble austerity – that encapsulates the severity, but also the purity of the Nordic terroir. It is as if Redzepi, having tamed the savage, but strikingly beautiful North, has distilled it into his dishes.
Noma is inevitably exciting as it affords one the opportunity to discover unique ingredients such as strandtrehage, strandsennep and musk ox; and taste uncommon techniques like pickling, smoking and spicing with ash. It is an introduction to Nordic cuisine – a new cuisine to many. However, beyond the novelty, there is a fundamental superiority in the creativity and cooking. Not a single misstep in execution was manifest today with thoughtful dishes, cleverly designed and delivered with deliberate care.
But the adventure here does not end with trying new products or methods – one hallmark of noma’s cuisine is that each course is in itself an exploration. As one eats, they uncover different, dynamic and fresh flavours and textures. This is just one trait that characterises Redzepi’s distinctive cooking, though; to gain a good understanding of the others, one need only read that Manifesto he helped author. Some additional qualities that stood out from my lunch were the light saucing of plates, preference for raw foods, precise use of acidity and willingness to mingle modern and ancient cookery. Butter, cream, stocks and wine, standard in most sauces, were shunned in favour of beers, ales, fruit juices and homemade vinegars. The latter have become essential tools, also applied as seasoning (limiting the use of salt) and to produce that sweet and sour profile that is so very Nordic. Elderberries, unripe strawberries, capers and such are included to offer uplifting and bright acidic notes whilst the prevalence of raw ingredients only aids the natural and feral sense of style.
Noma was not always a success; René Redzepi and his partners’ ambitions to create a restaurant solely focused on Nordic cuisine were at first ridiculed whilst the business model proved difficult to implement with sourcing from across the Northern Atlantic much more challenging than expected. In spite of everything though, they persevered, remained resolute in their aims and maintained a strict obedience to them whilst personally scouting out new produce and establishing stable supply lines across the region. Today, few would question how far they have come or what they have achieved.
Possibly forged during those times of struggle, there is a sense of purpose so strong and dedication to it so certain that it suffuses all that noma is. Consequently, one’s meal at noma is about more than only food. When someone first enters, they are immediately confronted by a décor that although contrary to what one might expect to find at a fine-dining restaurant, is incontestably in keeping with the Nordic ideology. This is then reinforced by the compelling details that are woven into one’s dining, such as the felt bread-holder or the hunting knife that arrives with the main course. However, it is really the people that make being here so special and truly an experience. The staff, as said already, are terrifically keen and interested, but there is the added interaction with the chefs too. Breaking down any imaginary boundaries between customer and kitchen, there is also something very emotive and effective about this approach. Chefs, as they proudly present them before the diner, describe their dishes with the natural affection that the maker has for what he has made – and rightly so. After all, what they are achieving with these is worthy indeed: with each plate, they are giving back Nordic cooking its identity.
The consequences of this are not only felt by noma’s guests, but are spread across Copenhagen. Once derided, now the restaurant is congratulated by critics and colleagues. It is a mutual fondness. There is a tremendous sense of camaraderie between the city’s chefs – not only are they genuine friends, routinely cooking for each other and organising charity events together, but they even share suppliers. When one discovers a new ingredient/source, he tells the rest; for example, Lammefjord has been referred to as noma’s garden yet everyone uses Sřren’s vegetables. Noma may be Copenhagen’s catalyst and René Redzepi might have set the bar high, but others are rising to the challenge. This is not news per se yet the quality and consistency across restaurants is still (superbly) startling. Eating around the capital, this fraternity and impetus is truely tangible, inspirational and indeed infectious.
Parallels have been drawn between Copenhagen and San Sebastián, where in the seventies local chefs created nueva cocina vasca, a cuisine that was motivated by nouvelle cuisine, but remained solidly Basque in character. There too existed this same sense of solidarity and unity with chefs working together – traditional txokos were just one illustration of this in practice. However, recently, the spotlight has swung from Donostia onto other regions; principal amongst these being California and Copenhagen. Even Adriŕ has conceded that ‘if Spain was the new France in culinary terms, then Nordic must surely be the new Spain.’ This shift is exemplified by a movement from innovation-based cuisine to ingredient-based ones. And it is the latter of the two, which I believe, to surely be the more sustainable.
On a final note, for someone who lives in London (like I do), noma presents hope. Some of Britain’s chefs have already noticed what is happening across the North Sea – Stephen Harris claims that ‘René makes me feel like a total lightweight. He’s in a different league’; Marcus Wareing describes his meal there as ‘brilliant’, saying it ‘captured Redzepi’s country and his immediate surroundings perfectly’; Jason Atherton believes that ‘every now and then a chef comes along and makes a difference and René’s one of them.’ However, what is really exciting is the thought that eventually, the British chefs working in Copenhagen may decide to come home – after all, Great Britain’s climate and environment is not vastly different to Denmark’s and much of its natural flora and fauna have long been overlooked. Redzepi appears to feel the same way: ‘if the world is going to come to its senses, then we must all develop our own awareness and consciousness of our own terroir. This can happen everywhere, we all have our own resources. England is the same. If we can do it here, it can be done anywhere.’ Implementing the ideas they have learned abroad, these returning chefs might even ignite their own renaissance over here…
Noma - Kokkene
If my praise was not sufficiently purple, be left in no doubt, this was one of the greatest dining experiences I have been fortunate enough to enjoy. As I floated walked out of noma, I knew I had already been won over by the charming staff, René Redzepi’s delicious cooking and by the potential of Nordic cuisine.
René Redzepi is a magician without tricks. There are few others capable of producing dishes so powerful, poignant and so provocative that they are able to leave one at a loss for words (or at least unable to utter anything but a whimper or whispered wow).
Often, as the memories fade, meals are remembered only by a moment or two. My meal at noma was a meal made of such moments. The moment when the smoke drifted out of the speckled egg shell; the moment that I clumsily clutched my beef and smeared it across my plate; quickly followed by the moment I found myself hunched over my warm pebble, using both my hands to pull apart a huge langoustine. And more, until finally, the moment at lunch’s end when I noticed crumbs of malty-hazelnut earth still caught under my finger nails and giggled to myself – that…well, that was the moment I found my hygge."
My conclusion is that Noma will get a 3rd star soon.
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Thanks Apskip! I shoulda made a reservation! Well, maybe I'll go back now. :lol:
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:stare
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Chateau...you are awesome!!
I love all the work ferretting out these locations!! What FUN!!
Roskilde Viking Museum looks like a perfect place for a task!! Love the scenic locatiion, love the boats, love the pictures from you!!
Can't wait to see your nest stop!! :popcorn:
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Here is my next report from Copenhagen on possible locations visited by the Race on July 4th:
What is the never-to-be-missed TAR favorite task subject matter?
:hearts: Animals :hearts:
I asked the hotel concierge about where there are animals in Copenhagen, what kinds of animals Denmark is famous for (nothing came to my mind!), if somebody wanted to work with animals where would they go?
The concierge gave me two places and some hotel guests mentioned a third:
- The Zoo
- Jutland horses at the Carlsberg Visitor's center
- A nearby open-air farm (which I got the name wrong so it was a bit of a chase)
I dismissed the Zoo because I had never heard of it before and I wanted to check the other leads first. The horses sounded very promising. I went. But nobody saw any race activity there. The couple that told me about the open-air-farm were the European equivalent of Anita & Arthur ! :lol: I finally got the name sorted out and much to my delight it started looking like TAR turf and lots of it!.
Fully stoked, I took the metro out to Frilandsmuseet (http://www.nationalmuseet.dk/sw20384.asp) (it was about 15 minutes, really easy). And FREE admission too! It's on 84 acres, has dozens of farms, and lot of animals.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1446.jpg)
Here's the map:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1464.jpg)
wikipedia Frilandsmuseet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilandsmuseet)
The museum features more than 100 buildings from rural environments and dating from 1650-1950. All buildings are original and has been moved piece by piece from their original location save a windmill that is still found in its original location.
The museum contains rural buildings from all regions of Denmark, including many of the small and remote Danish islands like Bornholm, Lćsř. Represented are also buildings from the Faroe Islands, as well as the former Danish possessions of Southern Schleswig in Germany and Scania and Halland in Sweden. The distribution demonstrates how life has been adapted to regional living conditions and availability of materials. Buildings include a farmhouse from the island of lćsř thatched with kelp
Represented in the collection are also all social living conditions, from a manor house to a poorhouse, different types of buildings like farms, mills and workshops, and numerous professions..
The museum include six mills including a post mill from 1662. Some of the mills are regularly operated by a guild of volunteers.
http://www.youtube.com/v/2c35OnJvzJs?version=3&hl
There are sheep:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1451.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1501.jpg)
And goats: (yes, that is an electric fence!)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1486.jpg)
And cattle:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1487.jpg)
And geese:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1581.jpg)
The authenticity and perfection of the relocated farm structures is stunning. I'm thinking this place just has to be a Race destination as I walk around. Look at these buildings! :jam:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1500.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1452.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1449.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1460.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1459.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1461.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1466.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1468.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1470.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1471.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1472.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1482.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1483.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1498.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/Parisinspring/Copenhagen/IMG_1507.jpg)
So, did the Race come to Frilandsmuseet? After walking about it I started asking around if anybody was there on July 4th. Some staffers"remember" some "don't remember".
But there definitely were cameras and chaos going on that day. :tup: :jam: :hoot:
More info coming later ...
Here's a hint at the animal task: queue music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T66Rci3KdrA)
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You're SUCH a tease! :lol:
have no idea what the song means... ???
It is a beautiful place! Reminds me of the gypsy village place....
I never knew Denmark had windmills!
:popcorn:
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Thanks! Just in case you were wondering, I had a lot of fun (and blisters on my feet) doing this. :hoot:
In my investigation of Frilandsmuseet I tried to indicate that on July 4th the Teams were working with animals somehow: like milking, collecting eggs, catching geese, etc. There was no confirmation of any such thing. But there was something because I saw a lot of smiles and masked giggles :lol: ;).
Finally, with a bit of word play and pantomime I was finally able to pull the correct species out of my hat. :lol3:
You will not believe what was going on there. Not in 100 years!
It's called Kaninhop (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaninhop):
Meet Snoopy (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1381464/Bunny-rabbits-compete-jumping-course-Dressage-set-world-storm.html) (for example!)
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/04/28/article-0-0BCE555F00000578-377_634x412.jpg)
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/04/28/article-0-0BCE553B00000578-840_634x594.jpg)
Rabbit Jumping Takes Scandanavia By Storm (http://thewashingtonroast.com/?tag=copenhagen) By Mike
Copenhagen, Sept 5, 2010–The Danish National Rabbit Hopping championship drew millions of spectators as bunnies from all over Denmark and surrounding areas competed the the big prize: a ten foot carrot. Rabbit hopping has taken Scandinavia by storm with millions of Scandinavians taking up the sport. “Schools are empty and virtually no one goes to work,” complained Fredrik Reinfeldt, the prime minister of Sweden. The finance minister of Norway cried, “Our economy is on the verge of collapse. Everyone is rabbit jumping!” Many social and city services are breaking down as more and more Scandinavians are replacing having sex in the snow with bunny hopping as the national sport.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ptyKSiRyQ4Y?version=3&hl
:faint:
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is that means there'll be 2 legs in Indonesia, Malawi and Denmark for TAR 19? :duno:
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BUNNY LOVE!!
But....you forgot the music this time!! :lol3:
http://youtu.be/Dn9hrmyuIzc
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is that means there'll be 2 legs in Indonesia, Malawi and Denmark for TAR 19? :duno:
2 in Indonesia confirmed, 2 in Malawi likely and Denmark is unsure at this point.
Most likely another european country, right? (if theres only one leg in Denmark)
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These are the legs we have to date:
Leg 1: LAX to Taipei, Taiwan
Leg 2: Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Leg 3: Indonesia (Borobudar +)
Leg 4: Phuket, Thailand
Leg 5: Thailand (possible last minute change)
Leg 6: Malawi
Leg 7: Malawi
Leg 8: Denmark
Leg 9: Denmark to Belgium
Leg 10: Belgium
Leg 11: Panama
Leg 12: FINALE in Atlanta, Georgia
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Bunny Jumping? :funny:
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They are all new locations, bar Thailand having 2 legs (which is believed to have supposed to have been Thailand to Nepal, but they had to cut out Nepal at the last minute which would have been another new locale!) that's why they are double legs, because they are new places, and we need to experience them imo!
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We do NOT know it was supposed to be Nepal...just somewhere else. :tup:
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I know, mom, thus why I added the words 'believed' and 'supposed' :lol: :kuss:
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These are the legs we have to date:
Leg 1: LAX to Taipei, Taiwan
Leg 2: Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Leg 3: Indonesia (Borobudar +)
Leg 4: Phuket, Thailand
Leg 5: Thailand (possible last minute change)
Leg 6: Malawi
Leg 7: Malawi
Leg 8: Denmark
Leg 9: Denmark to Belgium
Leg 10: Belgium
Leg 11: Panama
Leg 12: FINALE in Atlanta, Georgia
The season of the double legs. :groan:
Well, there's only Indonesia and Malawi confirmed as having two legs, no?
So Leg 9: Denmark to Belgium is not necessarly in Denmark or Belgium. It could have been in Germany or another european country... right?
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Let's see, teams are in Denmark on 7/4, and teams are in Brussels on 7/6. Then teams are in Panama in 7/8 or 7/9. Think about it.
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Let's see, teams are in Denmark on 7/4, and teams are in Brussels on 7/6. Then teams are in Panama in 7/8 or 7/9. Think about it.
OK.. your right, it's a little tight, but maybe they did a double leg, or two legs in a row without pitstop like last season. :duno:
Or maybe between Brussels and Panama (like in Leafsfan post in the Timeline). It says possible second leg in Belgium but it could be in France.
Ok, I'm falling into speculation now... It's just because they never went under 9 countries visited (I think) in one Race...
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Let's see, teams are in Denmark on 7/4, and teams are in Brussels on 7/6. Then teams are in Panama in 7/8 or 7/9. Think about it.
OK.. your right, it's a little tight, but maybe they did a double leg, or two legs in a row without pitstop like last season. :duno:
Or maybe between Brussels and Panama (like in Leafsfan post in the Timeline). It says possible second leg in Belgium but it could be in France.
Ok, I'm falling into speculation now... It's just because they never went under 9 countries visited (I think) in one Race...
Denmark to Belgium is not yet clear.
Yes, #9 COULD be Denmark to Belgium...with transit via somewhere else ...or just Belgium. We are not 100% here yet.
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Let's see, teams are in Denmark on 7/4, and teams are in Brussels on 7/6. Then teams are in Panama in 7/8 or 7/9. Think about it.
OK.. your right, it's a little tight, but maybe they did a double leg, or two legs in a row without pitstop like last season. :duno:
Or maybe between Brussels and Panama (like in Leafsfan post in the Timeline). It says possible second leg in Belgium but it could be in France.
Ok, I'm falling into speculation now... It's just because they never went under 9 countries visited (I think) in one Race...
If one country has been changed at last minute...then this could be possbile.
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No...this requires no change in the route. It is just that Belgium 1 could be partial Denmark or somewhere in between. :lol:
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From Phil (http://twitter.com/PhilKeoghan/status/120665919918833666) (emphasis mine):
A to Q: Longest time I've waited for last team to arrive? 19 hrs, poland, season 19. 1st team left on next leg before last team arrived.
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I'm pretty sure he meant Season 11
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Yeah, big leads like that are a thing of the past. Production has so many ways to bunch up the racers now and I doubt we'll ever see gaps like that again. (But I really hope we get another Bill & Joe moment one day, stuck 24 hours behind!)
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That could easily have been a season
9 11 typo as well...certainly not meant for 20 !!
or I'll have to make Phil a detective :jam:
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I think Phil did type TAR 19 when he meant 11; as he used 19 hours in that tweet as well. That was also the leg where teams were recovering from the nightmare leg in Africa, and in getting out of Africa to Europe.
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opps that is what I meant too...season 11 LEG 9 :-[
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opps that is what I meant too...season 11 LEG 9 :-[
Peach, I know that you mean well, but here is what I have:
AR11, release from Zanzibar Island, Stone Town ep. 6 following the flights mess getting to Dar-Es-Salaam
Charla/Mirna 420am
Joe/Bill 701pm
difference = 15 hours
AR11, release from Warsaw, Poland ep. 7b or 8 (take your pick; I refer to it as ep. 8)
bus #1 1pm
bus #2 5pm
so, compression down to a 4 hour gap was achieved by essentially holding the first bus an obscene amount of time after their pit stop was completed (Dustin/Kandice were delayed for 14 hours) to have a competitive race
AR11, release from Pieskowa Skala near Krakow, Poland ep. 9
Oswald/Danny and Dustin/Kandice 938pm
Eric/Danielle 322am
difference = 6 hours
AR11, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia finish of ep. 9
My best estimate here is that Uchenna/Joyce's missing their connection in Frankfurt caused them to check-in about 10 hours behind Dustin-Kandice.
So, from this perspective, the jury-rigged delay of the first bus plus the 4 hours after that departure for the second bus took a total of 18 hours (Phil was pretty close). This took place during the beginning of leg 7b or 8 depending on how you count the TBC, with my count indicating it was leg 8.
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I defer.... :lol:
Nice!
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Amazing Race 19 Episode: "I Feel Like I'm in the Circus (Bangkok, Thailand)"
Season 19, Episode 5
Episode Synopsis: The race continues in Thailand. Original Air Date: Oct 23, 2011
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The same two legs from TAR 14. :groan:
(I loved TAR 14, but I would like to see some different places.)
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Remember that it is VERY possible that Bangkok was a last minute substitution for another leg that had to be changed...
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Never mind. Chateau is too fast.
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I hate edited posts, lol!! Now I have to go see what Chateau found....
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We do NOT know it was supposed to be Nepal...just somewhere else. :tup:
And sadly...it appears that NEPAL is not our missing leg after all. :(
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We have one/two? missing country/ies. Usually Amazing Race visits 9 to 10 countries, but we only have 7 confirmed, and Panama speculated. Wonder what is missing?
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All countries are accounted for, and Panama is confirmed.
The only question is the route Denmark to Belgium...if another country could be involved even just in transit.
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This may have been answered already but I have tried to find it in a threat and can't. How do we know or why do we think that there was a country change? Just out of curiosity.
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Weather from what Phil said.
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We have one/two? missing country/ies. Usually Amazing Race visits 9 to 10 countries, but we only have 7 confirmed, and Panama speculated. Wonder what is missing?
A typical Amazing Race is either 11 or 12 legs. There haven't been any 13 leg races since the early seasons. Since we believe this:
leg 5 Bangkok
leg 6 Malawi
leg 7 Malawi
leg 8 Denmark
leg 9 Brussels
leg 10 Panama
leg 11 finale in Atlanta area
That provides an 11 leg race, so nothing appears to be missing.
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I think there is a missing day between Denmark and Belgium, so I believe there's a double leg in either one of those, making a 12-leg race.
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A typical Amazing Race is either 11 or 12 legs. There haven't been any 13 leg races since the early seasons. Since we believe this:
leg 5 Bangkok
leg 6 Malawi
leg 7 Malawi
leg 8 Denmark
leg 9 Brussels
leg 10 Panama
leg 11 finale in Atlanta area
That provides an 11 leg race, so nothing appears to be missing.
If that is a full route, then there is only one more NEL\TBC, which isn't completely impossible, but I would speculate that there are two more NELs\TBCs.
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I think there is a missing day between Denmark and Belgium, so I believe there's a double leg in either one of those, making a 12-leg race.
An extended 36 hour pitstop could explain your "missing day", Neobie.
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These are the legs we have to date:
Leg 1: LAX to Taipei, Taiwan
Leg 2: Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Leg 3: Indonesia (Borobudar +)
Leg 4: Phuket, Thailand
Leg 5: Thailand (possible last minute change)
Leg 6: Malawi
Leg 7: Malawi
Leg 8: Denmark
Leg 9: Denmark to Belgium
Leg 10: Belgium
Leg 11: Panama
Leg 12: FINALE in Atlanta, Georgia
What Neobie said. ^^
But interesting... we have seen more double legs in the last few seasons.
Apskip, do you have the total # of countries for each TAR season handy? It does feel like we get fewer countries than in TAR The Early Years. :lol:
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An interesting source that I have never used before is:
epguides.com & TVRage present
The Amazing Race
(a Titles &
Air Dates Guide)
by this TVRage editor
Last updated:
Tue, 18 Oct 2011 1:00
It states that the 12th leg is the finale telecast on 12/11/11.
I consider FutonCritic.com to be a really authoritative source. They SPECULATE that the finale is the 12th leg on Dec. 12. I don't consider this a done deal yet, although I do consider it probable that it will be 12 legs. There is nothing on CBS right now to indicate how many legs or when the finale is.
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OK, Peach, just for all you do. Here is the number of countries for each season as best I can determine it (Corsica/France counts as 1, Sicily/Italy counts as 1, Hong Kong/China counts as 1 and Macau/China counts as 1, U.S. does not count at all, even in AR8):
AR1 - 7
AR2 - 7
AR3 - 10
AR4 - 8
AR5 - 10
AR6 - 10
AR7 - 10
AR8 - 3
AR9 - 9
AR10 - 10
AR11- 9
AR12 - 9
AR13 - 7
AR14 - 8
AR15 - 8
AR16 - 8
AR17 - 9
AR18 - 8
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Guys, Phil said at the beginning of the Race at the start line that there are 12 legs this time. The question has always been whether CBS was aiming for a two-hour episode somewhere, or ending on December 11th, by going straight through 12 weeks.
I've said before that I thought a finale on the second Sunday of December was likely, with Survivor the following week, and Christmas being the weekend after that. Especially now that CBS is not having to deal with scheduling a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation for the holiday period.
I think we have another country with two legs somewhere after Malawi. Which means either Belgium or Panama. I'm not surprised by the number of countries getting two legs, if for no other reason that it helps them manage a budget when there is only one African country, and the time it must have taken to work that in with legs beforehand in Thailand and afterwards in Europe.
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Thanks apskip, cool reference links!
And yes, UNLESS there is a double ep finale, then ours should be 12/11, as theschnauzers points out.
And wow...guess we are pretty close year to year as far as legs go. I guess 8 just feels like a lot less than 10!! :lol: Thanks for pulling that together, apskip!!
And Panama should not be a double leg based on sightings..
Either Denmark, or a transitting episode Denmark to Brussels, or Belgium is our last double leg.
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I guess 8 just feels like a lot less than 10!! :lol:
It's because TAR10 had 12 countries, not 10 (China, Mongolia, Vietnam, India, Kuwait, Mauritius, Madagascar, Finland, Ukraine, Morocco, Spain, France) :tup:
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OK, Peach, just for all you do. Here is the number of countries for each season as best I can determine it (Corsica/France counts as 1, Sicily/Italy counts as 1, Hong Kong/China counts as 1 and Macau/China counts as 1, U.S. does not count at all, even in AR8):
AR1 - 7
AR2 - 7
AR3 - 10
AR4 - 8
AR5 - 10
AR6 - 10
AR7 - 10
AR8 - 3
AR9 - 9
AR10 - 10
AR11- 9
AR12 - 9
AR13 - 7
AR14 - 8
AR15 - 8
AR16 - 8
AR17 - 9
AR18 - 8
My numbers differ quite a bit from yours. Does yours only include Pit Stops?
TAR1: Should we count South Africa as visited? Teams made their way by land from one airport to another in Johannesburg. This would make the total 8 countries.
TAR3: Teams travelled from Portugal through Spain to get to the ferry to Morocco. I make it 11 countries.
TAR7: Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA, so I make this season only 9 countries.
TAR10: flamant is right, there were indeed 12 countries.
TAR11: Zanzibar is a Tanzanian territory, Hong Kong & Macau are both Chinese and Guam is a territory of the USA. Therefore I make this season 8 countries.
TAR1 - 8
TAR2 - 7
TAR3 - 11
TAR4 - 8
TAR5 - 10
TAR6 - 10
TAR7 - 9
TAR8 - 3
TAR9 - 9
TAR10 - 12
TAR11 - 8
TAR12 - 9
TAR13 - 7
TAR14 - 8
TAR15 - 8
TAR16 - 8
TAR17 - 9
TAR18 - 8
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I guess 8 just feels like a lot less than 10!! :lol:
It's because TAR10 had 12 countries, not 10 (China, Mongolia, Vietnam, India, Kuwait, Mauritius, Madagascar, Finland, Ukraine, Morocco, Spain, France) :tup:
flamant777,
You are quite correct. I did get a count of 12 originally. However, my miserable handwriting and the fact the AR10 was squeezed in at the bottom of a note caused me to transcribe it wrong.
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OK, Peach, just for all you do. Here is the number of countries for each season as best I can determine it (Corsica/France counts as 1, Sicily/Italy counts as 1, Hong Kong/China counts as 1 and Macau/China counts as 1, U.S. does not count at all, even in AR8):
AR1 - 7
AR2 - 7
AR3 - 10
AR4 - 8
AR5 - 10
AR6 - 10
AR7 - 10
AR8 - 3
AR9 - 9
AR10 - 10
AR11- 9
AR12 - 9
AR13 - 7
AR14 - 8
AR15 - 8
AR16 - 8
AR17 - 9
AR18 - 8
My numbers differ quite a bit from yours. Does yours only include Pit Stops?
TAR1: Should we count South Africa as visited? Teams made their way by land from one airport to another in Johannesburg. This would make the total 8 countries.
TAR3: Teams travelled from Portugal through Spain to get to the ferry to Morocco. I make it 11 countries.
TAR7: Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA, so I make this season only 9 countries.
TAR10: flamant is right, there were indeed 12 countries.
TAR11: Zanzibar is a Tanzanian territory, Hong Kong & Macau are both Chinese and Guam is a territory of the USA. Therefore I make this season 8 countries.
TAR1 - 8
TAR2 - 7
TAR3 - 11
TAR4 - 8
TAR5 - 10
TAR6 - 10
TAR7 - 9
TAR8 - 3
TAR9 - 9
TAR10 - 12
TAR11 - 8
TAR12 - 9
TAR13 - 7
TAR14 - 8
TAR15 - 8
TAR16 - 8
TAR17 - 9
TAR18 - 8
Dom El,
It is obvious that I made different assumptions and you have done a good job of highlighting them. Transit points where no tasks take place do NOT count in my scheme of things. Therefore,
1. AR1 - South Africa is ignored
2. AR3 - Spain is ignored
3. Puerto Rico is indeed a territory of the U.S. and so is Guam, but I consider both of them as distinct countries for the purpose of counting.
However, Zanzibar Island is definitely part of Tanzania, but I assumed that in my count. According to my rules of counting 9 is still correct for AR11.
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Season 19, Episode 8
Episode Synopsis: The race continues in Copenhagen. Original Air Date: Nov 13, 2011
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Heh, they are telling US? :lol:
Thanks!! :hearts:
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Season 19, Episode 8
Episode Synopsis: The race continues in Copenhagen. Original Air Date: Nov 13, 2011
"I can't wait!!"
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/04/28/article-0-0BCE555F00000578-377_634x412.jpg)
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Cutest task EVER?? :hearts:
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I was visiting this week in Copenhagen and Frederiksborg castle. Interesting to see familiar places visited! And at the castle I was thinking all the time how perfect pit stop location that is :lol:
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Did you ask around? ???
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Did you ask around? ???
I wanted to but I have to admit that I didn't dare anymore when one of the staff started to yell at me because of my too large bag :-[
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1- Taiwan
2- Indonesia
3- Indonesia
4- Thailand
5- Thailand
6- Malawi
7- Malawi
8- Denmark
9- Belgium
10- Belgium / or some other country
11- the same as leg 10 if it wasn't Belgium
12- United States :neener:
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1- Taiwan
2- Indonesia
3- Indonesia
4- Thailand
5- Thailand
6- Malawi
7- Malawi
8- Denmark
9- Belgium
10- Belgium / or some other country
11- the same as leg 10 if it wasn't Belgium
12- United States :neener:
1- Taiwan
2- Indonesia
3- Indonesia
4- Thailand
5- Thailand
6- Malawi
7- Malawi
8- Denmark
9- Denmark/Belgium
10- Belgium
11- Panama
12- United States
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Thanks supah3ro, you have it right.
These are the legs we have to date:
Leg 1: LAX to Taipei, Taiwan
Leg 2: Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
Leg 3: Indonesia (Borobudar +)
Leg 4: Phuket, Thailand
Leg 5: Thailand (=possible last minute change)
Leg 6: Malawi
Leg 7: Malawi
Leg 8: Denmark
Leg 9: Denmark to Belgium
Leg 10: Belgium
Leg 11: Panama
Leg 12: FINALE in Atlanta, Georgia
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OK, Peach, just for all you do. Here is the number of countries for each season as best I can determine it (Corsica/France counts as 1, Sicily/Italy counts as 1, Hong Kong/China counts as 1 and Macau/China counts as 1, U.S. does not count at all, even in AR8):
AR1 - 7
AR2 - 7
AR3 - 10
AR4 - 8
AR5 - 10
AR6 - 10
AR7 - 10
AR8 - 3
AR9 - 9
AR10 - 10
AR11- 9
AR12 - 9
AR13 - 7
AR14 - 8
AR15 - 8
AR16 - 8
AR17 - 9
AR18 - 8
My numbers differ quite a bit from yours. Does yours only include Pit Stops?
TAR1: Should we count South Africa as visited? Teams made their way by land from one airport to another in Johannesburg. This would make the total 8 countries.
TAR3: Teams travelled from Portugal through Spain to get to the ferry to Morocco. I make it 11 countries.
TAR7: Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA, so I make this season only 9 countries.
TAR10: flamant is right, there were indeed 12 countries.
TAR11: Zanzibar is a Tanzanian territory, Hong Kong & Macau are both Chinese and Guam is a territory of the USA. Therefore I make this season 8 countries.
TAR1 - 8
TAR2 - 7
TAR3 - 11
TAR4 - 8
TAR5 - 10
TAR6 - 10
TAR7 - 9
TAR8 - 3
TAR9 - 9
TAR10 - 12
TAR11 - 8
TAR12 - 9
TAR13 - 7
TAR14 - 8
TAR15 - 8
TAR16 - 8
TAR17 - 9
TAR18 - 8
Dom El,
It is obvious that I made different assumptions and you have done a good job of highlighting them. Transit points where no tasks take place do NOT count in my scheme of things. Therefore,
1. AR1 - South Africa is ignored
2. AR3 - Spain is ignored
3. Puerto Rico is indeed a territory of the U.S. and so is Guam, but I consider both of them as distinct countries for the purpose of counting.
However, Zanzibar Island is definitely part of Tanzania, but I assumed that in my count. According to my rules of counting 9 is still correct for AR11.
The show's general rule seems to be that a country must be mentioned in a clue for it to count. (The only exceptions to this are the times identifying the country is part of the puzzle, ie. the Tunisia and Malaysia flags and the "what country is this major African capital city in?" tasks with Ouagadougou and Accra, and the starting countries themselves.)
The official tally, with notes where needed:
TAR1 - 9. Includes South Africa, excludes Botswana and the Vatican (from unused tasks), and the quick zipline across to the Zimbabwe side of Batoka Gorge for the canyon swing.
TAR2 - 8. Excludes Argentina, where the island used for Leg 2's Road Block technically is.
TAR3 - 13. Includes Spain, Austria, and Malaysia (despite the winners skipping Austria entirely), and counts England and Scotland separately.
TAR4 - 9.
TAR5 - 12. Includes Kenya, despite only being used as a connecting airport.
TAR6 - 11. Treats Corsica and France as one country.
TAR7 - 10. Treats Puerto Rico as part of the United States (despite casting not doing so).
TAR8 - 4.
TAR9 - 10. Treats Sicily and Italy as one country.
TAR10 - 13.
TAR11 - 10. Counts Zanzibar as part of Tanzania, the SARs as part of China, and Guam as part of the US.
TAR12 - 10.
TAR13 - 8.
TAR14 - 9. Includes Germany but excludes Italy, which seven out of eleven teams (but not the winners) travel through during Leg 1.
TAR15 - 9.
TAR16 - 9. Excludes Belgium and possibly Luxembourg, which the Portable Pit Stop bus apparently travelled through on its way from Hamburg to Champagne.
TAR17 - 10.
TAR18 - 9.
TAR19 - 8, assuming no non-spoiled countries turn up between now and the end of the season.
TARA1 - 8. Includes Singapore.
TARA2 - 10. Includes Hong Kong and Germany.
TARA3 - 6. Counts the SARs together as part of China, counts Taiwan separately.
TARA4 - 8.
TAR Australia 1 - 12. Includes the Netherlands and Singapore, and counts the SARs together as "China".
TAR China Rush 1 - 1.
TAR China Rush 2 - 1.
TAR Brazil - 2
TAR Latin America 1 - 9.
TAR Latin America 2 - 8
TAR Latin America 3 - 5?
TAR Israel 1 - 7. SARs counted as one, once again.
TAR Israel 2 - 9. Media released as nine, but only seven are currently known.
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Found the 10 episode title quote! "Release the Brake! (Brussels, Belgium)
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Crap,somebody already posted. Sorry.
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Found the 10 episode title quote! "Release the Brake! (Brussels, Belgium)
Thanks! LoveRocked found it too.
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Germany. Unconfirmed country!!!
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Looks like transit only so far...
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Not sure if this has been posted yet, but the Amazing Race has checked in on Foursquare at 'Parc Elisabeth Park'. The marketing guys seem to have a thing for using the the same word twice!
AmazingRace_CBS The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is traveling to Brussels, Belgium! (@ Parc Elisabeth Park) 4sq.com/v5EJvG
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I think my guess is pitstop of Parc Elisabeth Park. I'm not sure.
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My cable channel guide doesn't have an episode title for episodes 11 or 12, but it does have this description for episode 12:
New, HD (TV-PG,L) (2011) The final three teams race to the finish line in Atlanta, where one of them claims the $1 million prize. (reality) (L=Frequent Coarse Language).
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My cable channel guide doesn't have an episode title for episodes 11 or 12, but it does have this description for episode 12:
New, HD (TV-PG,L) (2011) The final three teams race to the finish line in Atlanta, where one of them claims the $1 million prize. (reality) (L=Frequent Coarse Language).
Frequent Coarse Language? :ascared
I'm guessing Andy will sin a few times but fortunately the Lord and CBS will forgive.
I'm going to be on the receiving end of a lightning bolt for that one. :hides
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:lol3:
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I suppose this is the best place to discuss this now that we're no longer "pre-race", but from the pre-race spec thread way back in May:
I could see them doing a leg in southern Africa. Maybe not South Africa specifically, but since it's only the northern countries that are affected at the moment it's very plausible South Africa or Namibia or Malawi or something could turn up.
If they do go to South America, I'd hope for Paraguay (the only non-Caribbean-bordering country still yet to appear), but with Brazil in TAR18 I think Argentina's most likely.
Europe? Hmmm. PIIGS are out since the governments won't spend money bringing the show to them, and we've seen most of the remaining western Europe countries in the past four seasons (by my count only Belgium, Denmark, and the micronations are left), so I'd expect an eastern European country, if any. Probably a new one, since no eastern European countries have been repeated yet (assuming you count Austria as "western"), and hopefully a Balkan state. Serbia's plausible, as is Albania, or maybe even Bulgaria.
Asia's harder. Since Family Edition, either China or Japan has been done in every race except 13, but 18 was the first to have them both, so maybe we might skip them this time? But it's hard to find any regions they haven't hit recently. Kazakhstan was apparently a real pain the first time, so I don't think we're going back or to any other country nearby (all with even worse infrastructure, and some not safe for women in particular). The Middle East is especially Not Safe Right Now, and we've done India and the neighbouring countries twice in the past two seasons, so they're most likely out. South-East Asia's a mainstay, but aside from three new countries (Indonesia, Laos, and Brunei), they've all been done in the past 5 seasons.
In summary, I suspect we'll get about 8 or 9 countries, probably containing at least one Central/South American country (probably Argentina and one other); South Africa (and possibly a country nearby); at least one country that was part of Yugoslavia; at least one of Thailand/Indonesia/Laos/Philippines, probably two; and a North American country.
So, that's Malawi correct, a North/Central American country correct (Panama), Thailand and Indonesia correct, skipping both China and India correct, AND Argentina and Paraguay kind-of correct for TAR20. Is there a "TAR Detective"-like handle available for amazing spec? :P
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I suppose this is the best place to discuss this now that we're no longer "pre-race", but from the pre-race spec thread way back in May:
I could see them doing a leg in southern Africa. Maybe not South Africa specifically, but since it's only the northern countries that are affected at the moment it's very plausible South Africa or Namibia or Malawi or something could turn up.
If they do go to South America, I'd hope for Paraguay (the only non-Caribbean-bordering country still yet to appear), but with Brazil in TAR18 I think Argentina's most likely.
Europe? Hmmm. PIIGS are out since the governments won't spend money bringing the show to them, and we've seen most of the remaining western Europe countries in the past four seasons (by my count only Belgium, Denmark, and the micronations are left), so I'd expect an eastern European country, if any. Probably a new one, since no eastern European countries have been repeated yet (assuming you count Austria as "western"), and hopefully a Balkan state. Serbia's plausible, as is Albania, or maybe even Bulgaria.
Asia's harder. Since Family Edition, either China or Japan has been done in every race except 13, but 18 was the first to have them both, so maybe we might skip them this time? But it's hard to find any regions they haven't hit recently. Kazakhstan was apparently a real pain the first time, so I don't think we're going back or to any other country nearby (all with even worse infrastructure, and some not safe for women in particular). The Middle East is especially Not Safe Right Now, and we've done India and the neighbouring countries twice in the past two seasons, so they're most likely out. South-East Asia's a mainstay, but aside from three new countries (Indonesia, Laos, and Brunei), they've all been done in the past 5 seasons.
In summary, I suspect we'll get about 8 or 9 countries, probably containing at least one Central/South American country (probably Argentina and one other); South Africa (and possibly a country nearby); at least one country that was part of Yugoslavia; at least one of Thailand/Indonesia/Laos/Philippines, probably two; and a North American country.
So, that's Malawi correct, a North/Central American country correct (Panama), Thailand and Indonesia correct, skipping both China and India correct, AND Argentina and Paraguay kind-of correct for TAR20. Is there a "TAR Detective"-like handle available for amazing spec? :P
tarflyonthewall,
It's really better for a third party to grade your performance on your AR19 predictions. So I volunteer the following, taking into account the difficulty of your prediction coming true as well:
South Africa/Namibia/Malawi +
Paraguay/Brazil 0
Belgium/Denmark + a particularly difficult prediction; you didn't predict both but you get extra credit
Eastern Europe 0 a bold prediction that did not come true
No China or Japan +
No India or Middle East +
some of Thailand/Indonesia/Laos/Philippines + actually 4 legs in 2 of those countries so you get extra credit
Central/South America, probably Argentina + that's a huge area, so this is not a high risk prediction
North America (which of course overlaps with Central America) + but can you claim credit twice?
If we look at the actual route, you did not mention Taiwan and did not mention Panama specifically, but you did predict all other countries on the AR19 route. That makes it an extraordinary prediction. I give you an A+.