The Amazing Race Philippines: DryedMangoez Edition Season 23 Race Tracker – Leg 9

Leg 23.09

Tugdan Airport (Romblon) to New Manila International Airport (Bulacan)
New Manila International Airport (Bulacan, Philippines) to Auckland Airport (Auckland, New Zealand)
Government Gardens (Rotorua)
Tamaki Maori Village (Rotorua)
Taupo Bungy (Taupo)
This Honey Farm (Taupo)
Waitomo Caves (Waitomo)
This Farm (Matamata)
Hobbiton (Matamata)

Before departing New Manila International Airport, teams were given a mini-challenge for a chance to get more Google Maps time in this Leg. Unfortunately for them, they fail to correctly spell out NEW ZEALAND before 20 seconds are over.

But anyway, the Leg begins in Rotorua. Jacob & Jerika, wanting to give themselves a cushion for their Non-Elimination Penalty Automatic Rewind, decide to use their Pit Start Pass to enable themselves to depart with the first pair right at 7am.

Teams have no problems figuring out the next Route Marker is down the block. But they have a bit of a problem figuring out what they need to do to find the right warrior with their clue. Ehra & Michelle are first to stumble upon the right warrior while Jacob & Jerika are close behind.

Some minor shuffling as teams drive to Taupo and the bungy location. Jacob & Jerika arrive first alongside Ehra & Michelle, but they choose the bungee jump side of the Detour which ends up taking a bit more time. Kakai & Cai, Christian & Sam and Wendell & Saviour also lose a bit of time on that side of the Detour as well.

Fearing falling to last, Christian & Sam decide to U-Turn Wendell & Saviour. But because the father and son had activated the Trigger Point first last Leg, they are immune. Thus, are not U-Turned.

Teams get to the honey Road Block and Elma & Jojo are able to take over the lead. Jacob & Jerika, however, must serve out their Automatic Rewind Non-Elimination Penalty here and fall to last place.

But the more than two-hour drive to Waitomo trips up several teams. Elma & Jojo remain in the lead, but Ehra & Michelle fall to 6th after getting lost.

The unexpected Road Block further takes teams by surprise and it provides the opportunity for some trailing teams to get back toward the front, including Ehra & Michelle who move up from 6th to 2nd and Jacob & Jerika who move from 7th to 4th. Meanwhile, MM & MJ and Miriam & Ardy fall behind.

At the Detour, MM & MJ have some bad luck with their cows, dropping them to a minute behind Wendell & Saviour and into last place.

Elma & Jojo, who had been leading for the entire 2nd half of the Leg, secure their 2nd Leg win of the Race. The only team, so far, to have scored a repeat win. Ehra & Michelle recover from their wrong turn to Waitomo and finish 2nd. Kakai & Cai, Jacob & Jerika, Christian & Sam and Miriam & Ardy finish 3rd through 6th.

So it is down to MM & MJ and Wendell & Saviour. And it is the twins who are just five minutes faster to the Pit Stop than the father and son who are eliminated.