Topic: TARA 3 - Episode 3 Discussion Thread ****HOT spoilers--beware!****

[georgiapeach]

This thread is for discussion of Episode 3 and can be posted in immediately when  the show begins airing at AXN, based on Singapore time. That will be Thusday 9/25 at 9 PM Singapore time, or Thursday at 9 AM EST for those of us in the US.

Please read the posting guidelines HERE    BEFORE you post in this thread please.

Those who will have not seen the show yet will need to ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! There will be spoilers about who won, and who was eliminated for sure, and other details about the leg.

Many, many THANKS to our live updaters, uploaders, and recappers who are making the wait bearable for those of us not able to see the show live! 

[georgiapeach]

From Episode 2:

So the final order of finish:

1. Henry & Bernie - Winners of a year's supply of petrol from Caltex
2. AD & Fuzzie
3. Vince & Sam
4. Niroo & Kapil
5. Geoff & Tish
6. Ida & Tania
7. Natalie & Pailin
8. Mai & Oliver - all the way down from 1st

What happens next?? Here's our best guess:

Teams leave in the order above, there may be an additional task in Saigon, or not...

The first group of teams can possibly leave as soon as 6-7 AM, while the last 2 may not be released until close to 12N.

Bunching occurs when the teams are instructed to travel by train to HUE, Vietnam.

The SN6 takes about 19 hours, and the TN4 just under 24 hours.



The first teams will take the SN6 ?

The second group will need to take TN4?

Reaction??


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What we knew before, thanks to puddin:

anticipating LEG 3 here ...

Here you can see the American version The Amazing Race season 3 Vietnam Episode video thanks to creatv , Ho Chi Minh to Hue.

Hue~

blog~

(This entry was posted on June 1, 2008 at 9:47 am)


I went to the Citadel that afternoon since I have time. Went into the Imperial City. It was so-so, perhaps because I have no guide, perhaps I should have studied harder when we were studying Chinese influence in Vietnam then, anyhow, I saw Allan Wu. Then I realized that they were filming a leg of the Amazing Race Asia there. Haha. I walked past him nonchalantly. He’s no Takeshi Kaneshiro.
A team asked me for direction. I told them a very general direction. I hope they didn’t get lost, otherwise I would always be that cursed Asian tourist. Haha.

As promised, here is the picture taken by Shirley. Thanks Shirley.

 

Here is the new time for the bridge shot (new calculation needed due to source shot being inverted):

This shot was taken between 2:52 and 3:21 pm (assumes May 25th).

Although it is covered by a cloud, this is a Panoramio shot that has been pinned to this location.  See how the lamp posts are the same.   

Shirley, our delightful blogger from Hue, has responded to JonLover's and my questions in a joint email  --we both seem to have asked her lots of questions about the teams she saw...so hope it's okay if I share this reply!

From JonLover's previous post:

.

It was 25 May. It was about late 2pm to 3pm. I remember I was starving then.

I saw Allan Wu and his crew in the imperial palace. After I left the imperial palace, right outside the gate, I saw a Caucasian pair, (they are quite big) running towards the imperial palace. Included a bald, clean shaven Caucasian, now thought to be Geoff/Tisha

Following behind them were two ladies, they are quite big, carrying their backpacks. I was carrying a bottle of water, and she asked if that was hers. photo ID'd as AD/Fuzzie

The third team I saw (I think, I can't remember with the time lapse) was cycling/riding a cyclo (a traditional mode of transportation in Vietnam). They had to ride the cyclo to the destination I think. I saw them hold a TARA slip, possibly the clue. These teams were quite close to each other. two women, unable to ID them by pics

Then as I was walking across the Perfume River, I saw another team. I was quite tickled so I stopped to take a picture. That's the only picture I took. It was actually the guy cycling/riding the cyclo, but he stopped where I was to change with the girl. That's the team who asked me for direction. I pointed them to the flag of the Citadel (which was the general direction they were headed for). There was a cyclo driver/rider behind them. He looked at me and we laughed together, tickled by the fact that 'tourists' were riding the cyclo. This team is quite a distance from the rest. Say, about 1km or so. Mai/Oliver

It's quite easy to spot the teams. There's always a slow-moving jeep/4WD following and filming behind them.
As I was walking away from their destination, I saw another jeep/4WD. But I didn't see any participants with them.

I've attached the photo I took. Hope it's of some interest.

Shirley

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I tried to put a number for reference to the teams she saw--and this is what she replied about each team:

Team 1: "I saw a Caucasian pair, (they are quite big) running towards the imperial palace."
     

The first pair I saw, I vaguely remember a bald/clean-shaven Caucasian man. I can't remember his companion.

     

Though I can't remember much of the first team,

Team 2: "two ladies, they are quite big, carrying their backpacks"
     

The second pair I saw was 2 ladies. One of them has curly short hair

   
Team 3: "The third team I saw (I think, I can't remember with the time lapse) was cycling/riding a cyclo" "had a slip"
     

The slip, if I don't remember wrongly is yellow.

     

the third team or rather the team I saw with the slip and riding the cyclo was made up of two women. I don't remember seeing many Asians that day, possibly the 2nd team of 2 women carrying their backpacks, had an Asian. I remember the lady asking me for water is quite big-sized, I am not quite sure of her companion right now.

Team 4: The ones in the photo that she gave directions to...

And more answers about where the teams were and re Allen Wu and where/what he was doing:

The first three teams I saw was rather close to each other. The first and second teams were on foot already when I saw them, possibly about 200-300m away only. The one that I saw third on the cyclo was further away. Possibly 500m away from the second.

The team that asked me for direction, the lady in the team asked, "do you know where is the imperial palace?" The imperial palace is just across a small road from the citadel where there is a Vietnam flag. So I pointed to the flag and told them to head that way.

Allan Wu was talking to some of his crew while others were setting up the equipment. They had lotsa packed food there. And they travelled in pretty nice vehicles for a country like Vietnam. Can't remember the make of the cars but they looked pretty big.

There was no mat there when I was there. It could be because they were still setting up. But I didn't see anything that looked like it's a mat.

And:

No, I didn't see any pit stop mat, or any mats on the floor for that matter.

I sent her this photo and  a few others but none of mine looked familiar to her 

I am sorry I can't quite recognize any of the people in the picture.

But she did say:

The one in the yellow box could be the 2nd team I saw. I cannot confirm, so sorry about that.

Perhaps JonLover knows which photo this might be??


Many thanks to Shirley for her time and generosity in sharing! 

Peach, this is the picture I sent to Shirley. She's referring to the girl in green scarf or bandana.



I also sent her pictures of rumoured racers like Natalie Glebova and Miss India Sindhura Gadde; and the lady in a flickr picture taken in Hong Kong (http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,15379.125.html) but she could not recognize them as well.

Just when you think there are no more spoilers  :sucks
May 25, 2008 (data:DateTime : 2008:05:25 15:53:22 )

The Amazing Race being shot at the imperial city. That chick took herself mad seriously.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preview: thanks to puddin:

[/quote]

--------------------------------------------

Stealing puddin's map



Possible route?

Arrive Hue train station
Pedal cyclo across Perfume River to Imperial Palace
 
Take local bus to Emperor Khai Dinh's tomb (Roadblock)

----------------------------------------------
Not everyone pedals smoothly:



-------------------------------------------


Puddin finds this:

Could also be Hai Ba Trung High School/ Dong Khanh
...

----------------------------------------------------
Fuzzie is overcome by the heat:

This is within the Citadel (from what I remember of Vietnam at least). Why so tired? More searching the grounds?

Heat stroke? Dehydration? IIRC, Fuzizie asked Shirley (our blogger) if she had any water... [/quote]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teams do a roadblock:

  Found it.  They're at Emperor Khai Dinh's tomb in Hue, Vietnam.

Maybe with a GPS?


-------------------------------------------------------------------
And most likely use dragon boats to either go to or from the Tomb: posted first by puddin on 9/20:

Not a spoiler, more like a wish, that they use the dragon boats

You might get your wish puddin!!

Look here:

http://www.igougo.com/attractions-reviews-b102752-Hue-Dragon_Boat_Trip_on_the_Perfume_River.html

Tours depart at 8am from the main wharf and return at about 4pm. There are numerous identical Dragon boats that all depart at the same time. You can be picked up from your hotel for no additional charge.
The trip visits Linh Mu (Thien Mu) pagoda, Hon Chen Temple, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb spending between 45 minutes and an hour at each stop. This is definately not enough time for a true temple junkie but it is a good way to get your bearings as to the historical sites in Hue.

Both Tu Duc and Khai Dinh tombs require a moto-taxi once you get there, and the drivers are quite notorious for doubling the negotiated price for the return trip. Each site has an entry fee of between AU$1.50 and $4. Having paid $2 for the boat trip is hardly cause for complaint. A basic cooked lunch is included in the price with the option of paying for extra dishes. The boat itself is basically a decoratively covered barge with plastic garden chairs there is no commentary or guides at the sites.

and here:

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Vietnam/Tinh_Thua_Thien_Hue/Hue-1481131/Transportation-Hue-BR-1.html

A dragon boat cruise down the Perfume River is the best way to see the imperial palaces, tombs and temples of Hue. It costs just 25,000 VND for an all-day cruise, starting at 8am and returning at 3pm.

A minibus will collect you from your hotel and take you to the landing stage. This is included in the price, as is a simple lunch and drink. Entrance fees are not included. Also, you will need to pay extra for a motorbike taxi to take you to any site that is not close to the river.

The route takes in Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Hon Chen Temple, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb. The boat will drop you at the the Citadel at the end of the cruise, if you request it.

You can buy a ticket at any travel agency in Hue, including Sinh Cafe

.

so we still see two kinds of buses--a local city bus and another....where are they coming from/ going to?




[/quote]



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buses are involved, where is not clear... 

Perhaps bus TO the Tomb? Or are they going on to one further location>. perhaps Danang or China Beach as was done in TAR3??



And is this a long distance or a local bus with the flat?



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHat is this:


Pitstop? Yield? 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Confessional:



Hope they aren't toast here...

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[calv_10]

can't wait for episode 3 to start. 15 minutes left. Watching keith barry at the moment on AXN.

[georgiapeach]

Morning!! Can't wait either!

PLEASE tell me they take a train, lol!

[calv_10]

those bus were the ones they took to HUE... 25 hour trip. woot! 4 buses.

[TARAsia Fan]

Buses!!! Oh my!

[georgiapeach]

NO TRAIN???  

[TARAsia Fan]

What happened to jonnal and beyondbreak?

[georgiapeach]

Okay I'll try to piece together what I am seeing at AXN:  thanks to the live updaters there!

Buses to Hue
Bus 1 has a flat
teams arrive Hue and go to a Caltex service station H of Op
choose a jeep w/ a driver
change tire
Sam and Vince in the lead
Khai Dinh Tomb
Niroo & Kapil team no 2

[georgiapeach]

RB place coins in correct order

if wrong --go back to Emperor Minh Mang tomb ()

Geoff not popular

Detour Sticks or Stalks

Henry first--helps Vince

[georgiapeach]

Henry & Bernie team no 1, going to Quoc Hoc Park

Nat and Pailin QUIT the roadblock!!!!

cyclos

falls

[calv_10]

writing my recap now. hope i'll be able to finish it within the hour. henry and bernie were amazing!

[bikermama]

Henry and Bernie are first again.
Natalie and Pailin are eliminated.
And all of you made Geoff cry...boo-hoo!

[georgiapeach]

Pitstop order:

10 Henry/ Bernie
2) Sam/Vince
3) Ida/ Tania
4) AD/Fuzzie

[georgiapeach]

5. Tisha and Geoff
6. Mai and Oliver
7. Niroo and Kapil

BQ's ELIMINATED

[georgiapeach]

bikermama!! Thank you SO MUCH!

[TARAsia Fan]

And all of you made Geoff cry...boo-hoo!

Can you elaborate, bikermama?

[TARAsia Fan]

Niroo is the father, Neobie.

[EagleSpirit0]

If you can get the Chinese characters, I can understand Chinese.

Ugggh at activation e-mail, I was going to come and tell you that they did not take a train from Saigon to Hue .... the train ride lasts about 20-22 hours on the fast trains and much longer on the slow trains.  The trains in Vietnam are wonderful though (well, as long as you don't have a drunk Vietnamese guy snoring to you, which has happened a lot to me -_-)

Long time fan of the show .... am an American citizen that has lived in Bangkok since I was a baby and go to unnie in the states now.  Very glad Pailin and Natalie were eliminated, Natalie especially was cringeworthy representing my 'adopted' country.

[georgiapeach]

EagleSpiritO--we will be glad of your help!!

[georgiapeach]

Putting it together from earlier:
Departures:

Henry Bernie 5AM

Travel to Hue
search bus station for next clue

AD/Fuzzie 535AM

Vince Sam 540AM

Niroo-Kapil 602

Geoff-Tisha 635AM

Ida/Tania 708AM

Natalie/Palin 1130AM

Mai/Oliver 1138AM

Bus 1: henry/bernie, Niroo/Kapil,

Bus 2 Vince/Sam, AD/Fuzzie, Geoff/Tisha

Bus 3 Ida/Tania

Bus 4? Nat/Pailin, Mai/Oliver

Bus 1 has a flat but I think still arrives first
Bus 2 also has a problem?
Bus 3 arrives second?

Go to Caltex and change a tire>>hours of op  teams bunch

[Boingo]

   BTW, where exactly was the pitstop in the Hue leg?   And where exactly did they ride the cyclos to/from?  Thanks.   

[bikermama]

Well, I'd hate to spoil Calvin's fun, so he can do the nitty gritty on locations and clues, while I focus on the editorializing. In a nutshell:

The teams are forced to take a 25-hour bus ride from HCM to Hue. Despite the first bus getting a flat, it still manages to arrive in Hue ahead. The first task is the changing of tires and oil at Caltex. Henry & Bernie take the lead, but leave on a jeep with a faulty alternator. So at each stop (and there are several!), they need to jumpstart their vehicle.

They go to a park (sorry, am bad at names and places) where they must collect 7 brass disks and information about 7 Viet emperors. Only thing is most of the racers are so caught up in getting the disks that they forget to gather information.

This shortsightedness cost Neero/Kapil and both Thai teams big time, because when they return to cluebox, they must arrange the disks in order of the emperors' reigns. The first set of teams actually start paying each other forward, by sharing the correct answer, but somewhere along the way, the chain of favors breaks. This leaves Natalie so frustrated that she defaults on the challenge (knowing that her team is last and must suffer a four-hour penalty).

Anyway, this half of the leg is so tedious that the some of the racers actually find time to tell Tish to get her boyfriend fixed (or else).

Next, the racers choose between threshing of rice and rolling of incense sticks. All but Geoff and Tish pursue the incense sticks. Geoff, being impatient as usual, gives up and drags his girlfriend to rice field. Luckily for him, the last 3 teams (the Thai teams and Niroo/Kapil) are so far behind, his change of heart doesn't do his team much harm.

After the break, the racers are directed to take rickshaws--or cyclos, as they're called--to the pitstop. In a fit of overthinking, Henry/Bernie, Vince/Sam, Ida/Tania, and AD/Fuzzie completely miss the clues, which sit right on top of the vehicles.

As we've all seen in the previews, everyone sucks on cyclos. Except maybe for Geoff & Tish, whose ride is so uneventful, it's barely even shown. Henry/Bernie do take a nasty spill, but to their credit, they get back on the saddle and pedal to First Place.

As for the rest of the teams, you've seen the ranking. Fuzzie could have gotten her team in a better position, had she not taken a breather before walking to the Pit Stop--although I recall AZ doing most of the cyclo-driving.

Anyway, Natalie and Pailin arrive last. Queen Nat, perhaps thinking that this leg would be a NEL and that a 4-hour penalty would not be fatal, realizes her mistake and is sent home.

So there. All in all, Henry/Bernie and Vince/Sam seem to be the Team Marvil and The Boyfriends of Season 3. Bernie gets teary-eyed with relief, proving that Henry does not own the monopoly on tear ducts. Also: Geoff finally cracks under the pressure he has brought on himself and allows himself a "manly" cry (as opposed to a Henry-type sobbing).

Lastly, if I made a mistake by putting my recap here, Ms. Peach, feel free to move this to the right thread.




  

[calv_10]

way to go bikermama. it took me longer than expected write mine up.

if you guys are looking for a longer version than that of biker, here's my post:
http://www.calvinshub.com/2008/09/26/the-amazing-race-asia-3-episode-3/

G'night everyone!

[georgiapeach]

Thank you calvin as always!

That is perfect bikermama!! Thanks!

[TARAsia Fan]

Good job with the recap, Calvin.

[Boingo]

   about time we moved the leg 4 preview spoiling/speculation to The Amazing Race Asia 3 Spoilers/Speculation thread ?   

[georgiapeach]

Sure! I can move stuff later if we need to...

You have stuff to post, Boingo!

[Chateau d If]

So, where where they when we saw the pink outfits behind the counter?

[apskip]

I have done some simple factorial math to determine the dimensions of a trial and error approach that Natalie could have used to solve the order of the 7 coins. There were 7! = 5040 different orders possible. To have a 50% probability of success, this would have required 2520 tries. At one each 10 seconds(my guess at the time required to reset the order and have it judged), that would take 25,200 seconds or about 8 hours to reach the half-way point if she did not solve it along the way. Compared to the 4 hour penalty the penalty appears to be a good choice.

However, that is only true if you assume that Natalie is so bad in logic and writing things down that she cannot carry the simple (at least after finding out exactly what the requirement is) task of correct ordering. After knowing that it was based on the time span of the reign of each of the 7 monarchs, how hard could it be to go back and get the right information that she needed? Perhaps the fatigue over the race got to her and perhaps she just decided to underperform enough to be eliminated. One other thought is that Natalie may have been betting on the approximately 38% chance (based on 5 remaining elimination legs and 3 NELs that episode 3 would be non-elimination. However, Michael McKay has clearly been interfacing a lot with Bertram van Munster and one result is that ARA3 has opened with multiple elimination legs. That cuts the costs for the staff covering teams when they go to sequester where only one camera/sound crew is really needed.

[georgiapeach]

Ticket counter at the Saigon bus station, lol...

[TARAsia Fan]

Now that I've seen this episode, I'm glad to see Natalie out of this race. She didn't do anything. Pailin was a very good racer, but her partner did not do a damn thing for this team in the second and third legs. I had some high hopes for them after the first leg, but Natalie shut down in the Bangkok Airport. I just shake my head.

In regards to Geoff, he didn't seem that bad after the last episode, but the intervention by Tania and Bernie might have opened Tish's eyes. Maybe his cry after this leg will change him like Ronald in TAR12. We'll see.

I love Henry & Bernie, AD & Fuzzie and Ida & Tania. Vince & Sam look like a fun team as well. But I'm not so in love with Niroo & Kapil, Geoff & Tisha and Oliver & Mai. I'm happy to see another trip to Taiwan. Hopefully, TARA will not label Taiwan as "China" like TAR did last season. And Taiwan in that time of year is quite humid like Vietnam. We'll see if more teams wilt under the pressure.

[georgiapeach]

I feel so sorry for Pailin--she did a fabulous job and could have gone so much further with a different partner. Kudus to her!

[calv_10]

yeah my thoughts are the same on Pailin. She has the competitiveness that makes a good racer. Just not lucky with her partner.

how bout oliver doing a good job carrying their team? Mai thought king's ransom involves suicide or something like that. hahaha.

[Alan]

I think everyone feels the same way about the BQ ll(as TARFan Asia calls them). We all felt sorry for Pailin and wished she could have kicked some ass, whereas with Natalie, I prefer not to comment on the negatives. I even told her that on facebook, so I hope she gets the love and respect she deserves.

[Anthonyctf]

The Preview of Next Episode
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6vgi1_preview4_travel

I don't know how to paste the video anybody help me?

[georgiapeach]

Thanks Anthony! I meant to do that yesterday myself and forgot, so thanks.

We are now talking about  the spec for next week in the main spoiler thread, and it is up over there too.

Here is the embed trick though for next time:
http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,17621.msg353240.html#msg353240

[georgiapeach]

I sent Shirley (our ever so helpful blogger for this episode) a thank you with some viewing info and asked if we might see her on the bridge. In case you were looking for her like I was--she replied in part:

I enjoyed watching them too, it brings me back to the time I saw them there. Unfortunately, they cut me out completely!

[bangun]

I'm a new member, so maybe I've overlooked something, but is there a thread that focuses ONLY on the episode in the topic?

I don't want to be spoiled at all, and if like half the posts in the specific episode thread deal with what the next location will be and what the next challenge will be, while being not offical statements, count as spoiler for me. According to the rules that should take place in the general spoiler/speculation thread, but is obviously not the case (and rarely has been in the others threads either).

an okay episode, and they even found a halfway decent way to incorporate that obnoxious product placement. The beauty queens were rightfully eliminated, refusing to complete a task that wasn't even physically demanding or relied on pure luck was just lame.

[georgiapeach]

Hi bangun and welcome!

You have a good point.

We do recommend that everyone who does not want to be spoiled should stay out  of this thread until they see the episode, which would obviously mean you have also seen the preview.  But you are correct in saying that the discussion of that preview should take place in the spoiler thread, and we'll try to do better next week. We got a little excited I think! 

We are trying to be careful that the eliminated team is not revealed anywhere EXCEPT in the episode thread until Sunday 10AM Singapore time= Sat 10PM EST for those of us in the US. But the location of the next stop is something most of us here know and want confirmation of, so I haven't been very vigilant about that.

SO starting next week we will attempt to keep preview/location discussion in the spoiler thread and I will post a reminder to that effect. I unfortunately cannot be here myself every week (darn work)  while the show is airing and we are live blogging, so you may need to give me some time to be absolutely sure any lapses get moved.  (I would think by 10PM of the aired day for sure).  Hope that helps!

[georgiapeach]

VERY interesting comment from the AXN boards: (Question to Michael McKay)

1 day ago, KenshinAsuka says:   
 
 
 Sir, I have a question here. Well, I just knew that my Vietnamese friends saw almost nothing about the third leg since it was the Vietnamese cable operator that censored almost everything just because the third leg happened to feature something negative about Vietnam and probably the leg itself so did you and the rest of the production crew speak to the Vietnamese government before filming everything there?

wonder what was perceived as negative?
 

[TARAsia Fan]

The only thing I can think of is the racers having trouble with the cyclos, but I have to watch the episode again.

[puddin]

Allans blog is up

http://www.alivenotdead.com/allanwu/blog.html?selection_all_page_1

[bikermama]

A lot of Asian nations are notoriously sensitive about their image. Anything that's not picture-perfect, no matter how commonplace, is a no-no.

So the censors were probably instructed not to show anything that may be conceived as primitive or uber-3rd world...say, the run-down buses. Or perhaps they were offended by the racers' reaction to Vietnam, like how everyone thought a 25-hour bus ride was crazy, or how Geoff and Kapil treated the locals.

Even something as inane as Natalie's disgust at her state of "uncleanliness" could be misinterpreted  as "Miss Universe feels dirty because this whole country is dirty."

[TARAsia Fan]

Natalie of BQII has written her version of events in the Window Spaces site where the racers are supposed to chat when they get eliminated. Unfortunately, she was not able to so she wrote down her thoughts. I will include this in my recap (whenever it gets done).

Dear friends!

Well, my amazing race journey has come to an end. And I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the reality that has actually happened in the 3 episodes, as well as my thoughts and feelings. I tried to chat to a few of you last Friday (26 Sept) but there were some problems with the chat engine, so I couldn't say everything I wanted to.

When Pailin and I signed up for this race, as with thousands of other applicants, our intention was to win. It wasn't at all for the prize money or fame. Besides a personal challenge, we both wanted to do something extraordinary. And extraordinary it was - for a multitude of reasons.

Perhaps what I have learned most, is that friendship is not to be taken for granted. Friendship is based upon two people respecting, supporting and trusting each other. I felt that during the race our friendship was tested. And I know from other friends who have been put in similar situations, that friendships become stronger in the long run after a stressful period.

What I'd really like to do in this blog, is try and explain to my friends and everyone who watched us on the Amazing Race Asia, my side of the story, which you didn't see. I will be completely open and honest with my thoughts, in that like every other human being I have said or done things in the heat of the moment that I have regretted.

So here goes...

From the beginning of the race, both Pailin and I were completely pumped up for the race, ready to take on any challenge that faced us. Before the race, we sat down together to watch previous seasons of the show to get ourselves ready and mentally prepared. When the race started, we set off with really high expectations of our team. We ate the bugs (and no, they don’t taste like chicken!), cleaned a huge bus and generally did a great job in the first leg. It was a huge surprise to us how tough this turned out to be. I really would've never guessed, and I do feel that I have hugely underestimated the toughness of this season. Nevertheless, we did come in 4th place and were both very pleased with that. Lesson learned? Don't wear make-up when washing buses

At the start of the second leg, after a much needed shower and rest time, we set off again in really high spirits. We did the Flight of the Gibbons, which was very cool, and the first road block, where Pailin really proved to be "steady under fire" . Then we were off to the airport, at which point luck was not on our side. Sadly, we had to spend the night at Suvarnabumi airport in Bangkok, which happened to be literally 10 minutes away from my house. I knew that my husband of 6 months was within minutes of me, and I couldn't see or talk to him. At the same time I knew that others had a head start on us, through no fault of our own, and that made us both upset and frustrated. On top of all of that, I had a medical condition that made it all that much harder to bear sleeping on a cold airport floor. Believe me when I say, I had no issue sleeping at the airport or even the street for that matter. Ironically just a few months before this, I had to sleep at the Ho Chi Minh city airport because of a missed connection. So to everyone who thought I was crying because I didn't have a fluffy bed, it was not the reason.

Now I really need to address the comment that I made (and now wish I hadn't) but it was completely out of context to reality. Let me explain please. It was the now-infamous line "I feel like being dirty is the lowest form of human existence." What I was referring to, was myself in that moment in time. We hadn't showered or even brushed our teeth for more than 30 hours, and in all honesty I was feeling grubby and disgusting. However, I understand that some people might have misunderstood me, for which I'm sorry.

We concluded this leg in 7th position and were relieved to find out we were still in the race!

The start of episode 3 saw all of us embark on a jaw-rattling, bone-shaking, excruciating 25-hour bus ride to Hue. As much as Pailin and I tried to sleep it was nearly impossible. And I think both of us collectively slept less than an hour on that trip. So you can imagine getting out of the bus at the end of the journey, and facing a challenge in a 35 degree C heat.

At this point, what you would have seen on TV was Pailin changing the wheels, and I wish they had shown me, under the jeep changing the oil, and getting splattered with it. Pailin and I worked equally hard on changing the wheels and the oil.

The impression given was that this was a turning point in our relationship between Pailin and me. I need to say, it wasn't, and we were perfectly OK heading to our next challenge.

Then we came to the next road block, which I volunteered to do, given that Pailin did the last one. As was evidenced in the airing of episode 3, it was an extremely difficult challenge. I wasn’t the only one who was having problems – anyone who watched the show would have seen that.

It was easily over 40 degrees by that time, and I had been in the sun for more than 2 hours, going back and forth between the park and the tomb to get the correct sequence of the coins. I had to put on a sweater since I burn easily in the sun, and I felt that I was very close to a heat exhaustion and serious dehydration. I also knew that poor Pailin was waiting for more than 2 hours for me to finish and was also very tired. At that point I already knew that we were the last team, so I had to make a conscious decision. One was to persevere and risk spending more precious time getting it right and for sure coming in last, or taking a hit on a 4 hour penalty, but giving us the opportunity not to come in last. And I feel absolutely certain that had I continued with the challenge, I would have passed out and probably needed immediate medical assistance. Believe me, I felt that bad!

This decision about not completing the challenge was taken with the best intentions to give Pailin and I a chance to continue to the next round. It had nothing to do with being selfish, as some have alluded to.

I do, however, feel that I have let Pailin down, and I wish I could have been stronger for her on that challenge.

So this was the end of the road on the race for us.

Can I also add that every single one of those competitors that you've seen in series 3 of the Amazing Race Asia, are wonderful, down-to-earth people. But unfortunately, you – the viewer – didn’t get to see behind the scenes, so you didn’t get the same opportunity to meet and know them like I did. And I’m kind of sad to see so many negative comments about my fellow racers. We all entertained you in one shape or another – be happy with that

All in all, this was an incredible privilege to have met so many wonderful people - competitors, locals, and the production team. It's been a humbling experience.

All my love,

Natalie

http://amazingraceasia.spaces.live.com/

[apskip]

It was nice of Natalie to explain things from her persepctive. However, her quitting the coins roadblock was not the problem for he team. It was her inability to "get it right the first time" and "get it right the second time". Not getting it right the first time was understandable and I don't think she was unique. Many teams shared information, but Natalie and Pailin were there late and did not get the opportunity to benefit from those exchanges. Going back and not having carefully noted the date information on paper was the "last straw" because when that happened they were already in last place. The taking the 4 hour non-completion-penalty was superfluous. The only thing that could save them was a NEL, which as we know did not happen.

[banzai]

http://www.alivenotdead.com/allanwu

They burn the field instead of mowing the lawn.  I'm the worst farmer in the world.