Speaking of non-elimination, dare I predict another one? I mean, I could do this forever, predicting non-elimination ones until it finally happens. But I think we may be due.
Anyway, when teams arrive in Abu Dhabi, they must find the Sheikh Zayed Mosque to receive their next clue. The ER Docs are confident and rightly so. Unlike some other medical teams in previous seasons, including the first of Amazing Race Canada, this couple can handle the pressure. The Bunnies are next, and are happy as well, getting their highest finish ever. They are followed by the Afghanimals who are excited to be heading back to the "Motherland". Really? Afghanistan is more part of Central Asia than the Middle East; it's almost 5,000 kilometres away from Abu Dhabi; almost is about same distance between Abu Dhabi and Europe. Oh well, if they think it's home, that's okay.
Following the Afghanimals are the Tim and Marie, who say they now have to look out for themselves. Now!? What the heck have they been doing before? Jason and Amy, who had their taxis stolen by the Exes last leg, are right behind. No doubt looking for some payback. Maybe not this leg but later on. We'll see. Trailing behind are the Ice Girls, who are looking to hang onto the Afghanimals and get help from them.
The boys start well with what looks to be the first flight that arrives at 5:50 am which is only 10 minutes before the next one. Not much of a lead but might as well take. Everyone else is on the 6 am arrival. The boys grab a taxi and 10 minutes later there's a scramble for taxis as the other teams arrive. The mosque looks huge and no doubt the female teams, who were wearing only tank tops in Europe, will have to cover up a bit. No shorts for anyone either. At the mosque, Leo and Jamal are told to got to Irani Souk and get their next clue. Yep, the women had to cover up. Not surprised. Nice that most saw the beauty of the mosque instead of complaining about covering up. Especially Tim who said Marie couldn't yell, couldn't run, couldn't be mean. Funny when he said he wanted the rest of the race to be in mosques.
At Irani Souk, it's a Detour: Sort it out. Or Sew it up. In the first, teams must search through a bunch different dates (the food) and assemble an elaborate display. In Sew, teams my assemble a traditional fishing net. Gord and I would probably take Sort because he's an artistic guy. He'd probably draw a picture of the sample to help us. The Afghanimals pick and Leo thinks because his mom made a bunch of similar trays in the past, he can too. This is one of this picky tasks that involve a lot of detail. So you just gotta pay attention, try not to rush and get it done.
The Ice Girls, Tim and Marie and The Bunnies also pick Sort but it seems the boys are almost done by the time the first team arrives. Jason and Amy, and Nicol and Travis pick Sew. And it looks hot for them. And the two ER Docs aren't wearing hats. They should know better. Neither is Amy but Jason's hat is black. Ouch.
Back at the dates, teams work on the display underneath some shade and with the ability to go into an air-conditioned place to view the sample. Better task. Unless you're working with Marie. She yells at Tim constantly ("manhandling" him, says the Afghanimals) which doesn't help when one is doing a highly detailed task. Patience is necessary but Marie doesn't know the meaning of the word. The other teams are also embarrassed by the actions of this "ugly American".
Jason and Amy have it right, focusing on their own individual tasks instead of harping on each other. They have a future, if not in the race, then at least as a couple. Travis and Nicole have difficulty, with Travis saying Nicole did it wrong. They discuss using the Express Pass and then we break for commercial. Will they or won't they. Back after this.
And during the commercial break in Canada, there's an announcement that Amazing Race Canada is now accepting application for Season 2, which will air in the Summer of 2014. Although Season 1 did a great job of showing of the Great White North, teams applying must have a valid passport, which tells you and me and Gord that they are probably looking at visiting other countries. Very interesting.
Back to Season 23 of TAR, the ER Docs decide not to use the Express Pass. At Sort, the Bunnies discover there's a table of dates that no one has seen and are needed for the display. So they sneak over, grab a bunch and get working. The Afghanimals think they are finished but nope; they aren't using the correct dates. They notice the Bunnies have the right dates and ask for help. But wisely, they rebuff them.
The Daters think they are done first with Sewing, and they are. Surprising. You think one task will be easier but it's a team doing the other side that gets done first. Jason and Amy are told to get to the Al Bandar Marina, take a luxury cruise to the Yas Marina. Yes, a nice break after the nitpicking task in the sun. Finally, Leo and Jamal find the right dates. Unfortunately, they aren't quiet about it and everyone notices.
But they get done first and head to the marina. Nicole and Travis are done with their fishing net around the same time. The Ice Girls are wrong with their dates, but so are the Bunnies. Another surprise is the Tim and Marie get it right, despite their shouting. After a bit the Ice Girls are done but again the Bunnies are wrong.
Leo and Jamal arrive at the marina first and get on the yacht. They are quickly joined by Jason and Amy. Now the Bunnies are done and race on. Nicole and Travis get on the yacht by themselves. The Exes and Ice Girls get on one with the Bunnies running down the pier hoping to jump on. But they miss it by seconds and will be 15 minutes behind.
At Yas, it's a Roadblock: Who wants to drop in a hot lap? Either they have to do a lap dance or they are jumping out of something. Seeing this is Abu Dhabi, I don't think there will me much lap dancing. So it's a drop of 200 feet and rappel off the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. Then they have get in the passenger seat of a race car and do a lap around the circuit. While they drive, they have to look for the name of the circuit's record holder and his time. When they deliver that info, they get the next clue. Fun but tough.
Despite their agreement that Amy would do everything with heights, Jason takes it on. Leo assumes the task as well. They zip out half way out on a line, pull out a pin and drop. Hope they took a leak before cause that can become embarrassing. Leo gets in the car first, races around (more fun). Jason is right behind. Leo sees a time, but forgets to check the name. So out he goes for a second look. Jason gets it wrong because he was only expected one sign. Didn't read the clue?
The Docs pull in and Travis takes on the task as Leo goes around the second time. He's got the time and name right. They're off to the pitstop. On their way out, the Afghanimals tell Nicole that there are three teams behind them, so the Docs won't be using the Express Pass. I would have said nothing, made them think, made them worry enough to use the Express Pass. But the Afghanimals don't play that way. Jason gets his second lap done, but he's got one number wrong. So out he goes, now with Travis behind him. And for the first time, the Afganimals are Team #1. They get a trip to Paris. Which includes a spa. I think they just add that in just to hear Phil say "Spah" in his Kiwi accent. Love it that he can't Americanize that word.
Jason finally gets is right and they make it to the Pitstop in second. These guys are pretty consistent, fourth time in second for them. The other two teams arrive with Ally and Marie taking on the task. Marie drops faster so gets in the car quickly. But Ally is not far behind. Travis is having fun but paying attention. He gets the info after the first lap. And the ER Docs are in third. They feel disappointed but heck third is a great spot to be in. Stop complaining.
Marie sees a name but is surprised to see more. She gets it wrong. Ally forgets what she's supposed to do and she's out. The Bunnies arrive and Kim takes on the task. Marie gets it the second time around and they are fourth. Ally gets it wrong and is sent out, again. Kim jumps in the car, terrified of the speed. Ally arrives, wrong again. This doesn't look good. If Kim gets it right the first time, they could pass them. But Kim doesn't even get a name so out she goes. Ally is close but no cigar. Out again. The same for Kim.
Finally, Ally gets it and it doesn't look good for the Bunnies. But Kim is right behind and she gets it. Is there a race to the finish or does the editing only make it look close? It's the editing. The Ice Girls easily finish in 5th and the Bunnies in last. Are they gone? By the way Phil pauses and allows the girls to talk about their disappointment and cry before he eliminates them, you can tell he's holding something back. Yeah, Phil, I can see right through you.
It is a non-elimination leg and the Bunnies are still in. That's good cause I like them. Speed Bump next time and it might be tough, cause there's another Double U-Turn.
Now to work on my audition video.