The First Non-Elmination Round

So if you think this season's race is tough, try balancing on a conventional rubber street cone in Stanley, Hong Kong...

Actually, just taking this picture and timing it correctly is pretty difficult so props to my cameraman, who's also Bruce Lee's Homeboy!

With only five teams remaining in The Amazing Race Asia, it was about time we had a non-elimination round.  But even though this has been one tough race, it was great to see how much Tania and Ida showed how much they still wanted to stay in the race at the pit stop.  When you've made it this far, you might as well go as far as you can go.  And believe me...there's still quite a ways too!

This leg in Hong Kong turned out to be pretty fast, especially since there were only five teams left and they didn't have to drive themselves either.  Sam and Vince were able to capitalize off their lead from the earlier leg and took first place once again.  A lot of people always ask me whether teams racing in their home country will have an advantage.  Obviously, there might be some instances where a team might know their native city better then foreign teams.  On the other hand, there's the added pressure of everyone expecting the home team to just kick ass cuz they are racing on familiar ground.  However, I'm sure a lot of us don't know all the sights and sounds of their respective country...including me!  It took me over four years before I went to the Singapore Zoo for the first time, and I still haven't checked out well-renowned Night Safari yet.  Maybe this is my cue!  In the menatime, I'll walk along the edge of the wall at Stanley Gap and do my shots before the teams arrive...

Fortunately, this leg was not yet another "overnight" pit stop like the two in Taiwan, and everyone got a chance to catch up a little on rest.  It's amazing how much older we all look at the end of the race compared to the first day.  On the other hand, all the lack of rest and racing around is worth it thanks to all you fans.  In fact, I just can't stop jumping for joy (or whatever else) this season, especially when I know the teams are almost all checked-in!

Thanks again for all your comments and support, and I'll be back again soon with more juice about the race!