Phil Keoghan's Amazing Race DiaryThe globe-trotting host takes us along on the exotic new season's first leg.thanks to puddin's scan
Day One 6:30 am: There's always this great feeling before the race begins, the calm before the storm. As the teams arrive at Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside Denver, you can't imagine that in an hour and a half this wild animal will be let out of its cage. I like to walk along the line of the teams' bags to see who has planned ahead and who is unrealistic about what they're going to haul around for the next month. While some teams have decided they're on a luxury trip, husband-and-wife team Lake and Michelle Garner have packed light.
11 am: Teams start arriving at Denver International Airport and have to get on one of three flights to Brazil. I put on a hat and sit in the corner to hear what the teams say, since it's the first time they're allowed to talk to each other. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly they give each other nicknames. Instantly, the teams decide best friends B.J. Averell and Tyler MacNiven are
"The Hippies," since they are very hairy guys. Then B.J. and Tyler spot another team, Danielle Torchio and Danielle Turner. It's fair to say the two Danielles are shapely, and Tyler decides they're
"The Double-Ds".
Day Two 9:30 am: We've made it to the Sao Paulo Airport in Brazil and things are already going wrong. The flight that was meant to land first is delayed. And some teams haven't realized the language in Brazil is Portuguese, not Spanish.
1 pm: There are 2 popular ways of getting around in Sao Paulo - motorbikes or helicopters - so the race's first detour is a choice we've decided to call
"Motorhead vs. Rotorhead." They have to either assemble a motorcycle from scratch or take a helicopter over the city and look for a specific roof to land on to claim their clue. There's quite a scene at the shop where they're putting the bikes together. One team has decided to assemble theirs in the street, and the locals are excited about one female team member,
Yolanda Brown Moore, who has the most amazing legs on the race.
4 pm: Many of the teams have finished the challenge and have arrived at a warehouse to watch an indigenous cultural ceremony. The teams are required to take part by lighting a candle and handing it to one of the locals to receive their next clue. Some become visibly affected.
5 pm: Finally, everyone starts showing up at the first
pit stop. Something I often hear from teams at the first mat chat is that the Race is nothing like they expected. Everyone thinks it looks so easy on TV, but are shocked at how dificult it really is. And this is just the beginning. There's more than 50,000 miles to the finish line, and cameras will be rolling every step of the way.
