Introduction → Meet the Teams → Race Tracker → Leg 1 → Leg 2 → Leg 3 → Leg 4 → Leg 5 → Leg 6 → Leg 7 → Leg 8 → Leg 9 → Leg 10 → Leg 11 →
Leg 24.08 – “This isn’t the Race, it’s the real world!”
Teams begin the 8th Leg at Ran’s Coffe by opening the first clue directing teams to take a train back to Seoul. Teams will depart Geosan at 10:15am and arrive in Seoul at 12:48pm.
Teams must figure out how to get to Seoul Plaza via subway to get the next clue. And that clue reveals teams will be flying to Taipei, Taiwan! Teams will again book their own flights.
Teams will end up on one of three flights: EVA Air arriving at 9:40pm, China Airlines arriving at 10:05pm and Scoot Airlines arriving at 12:25am.
Upon arrival in Taipei, teams head to Taipei 101. But HOURS OF OPERATION! Teams will have to wait until 9am to make their way up to the Observation Deck.
Here, teams will use their Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5’s camera to search below for the next clue.
Teams will find the next clue awaits them at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. This cultural and creative hub in Taipei hosts exhibitions, workshops and cultural events.
Teams will learn about the traditional art of calligraphy. Teams will be given a word in traditional Chinese which they must replicate using traditional calligraphy materials including brushes, ink and rice paper. Teams will first have to grind an ink stone to produce liquid ink which they will use to replicate the word. When both team members have correctly reproduced the word, it will reveal their next destination: 九份/Jiufen. Teams will have to figure out what this means first before being given the next clue.
Teams must now take a train to Ruifang Station and the catch a bus to the Golden Waterfall.
The waiting clue then directs teams to take a bus to Songde Park where they will make their way on foot to either Detour option: Cutting Edge or Center Stage.
In Cutting Edge, teams will learn about the traditional art form of paper cutting. Teams will work with local children at Jiufen Elementary School on how to create specific designs by cutting intricate details into paper. When both team members can get the correct designs, they will receive the next clue.
In Center Stage, teams will head to the historic Shengping Theater and dress in traditional opera costumes including appropriate makeup and then learn and perform a segment of traditional Taiwanese opera. When approved by the director, they will receive the next clue.
After the Detour, teams will make their way on foot to the Amei Tea House in Jiufen. This tea house has a rich history dating back to the Japanese colonial era with its architecture reflecting Taiwanese and Japanese influences.
Here, teams will learn about the different varieties of oolong teas for which Taiwan is renowned for before receiving the next clue.
And that clue is the Road Block: Who can perform this Road Block to a Tea?
For this Road Block, teams will learn about the delicate art of the Taiwanese Tea ceremony. Teams will learn how to and then properly perform every step of the ceremony. First, teams will learn about each of the teaware used in the traditional tea sets including the gaiwan (lidded cup), small teacups, a tea pot and a tea tray. They will then warm the teaware in hot water to maintain temperature. Teams must then place the exact amount of tea leaves in the gaiwan, rinse the tea leaves and then pour hot water before covering the gaiwan with the lid. Teams will then pour the brewed tea into small teacups for tasting. If they have properly performed each aspect of the ceremony with the proper etiquette, they will receive the next clue.
And that clue reveals another surprise Road Block! Who can taste the right tea?
The team member who did not perform the first Road Block must perform this one unless they have reached the 6 Road Block limit. The other team member who did not perform the first Road Block must now identify which of the different oolong tea varieties has been brewed during this ceremony. If teams do not get the correct tea, they will serve a 5-minute penalty until they get it correct.
This is the Trigger Point for this Leg of the Race. If any team incurs 30 or more minutes in penalties, the U-Turn or Yield will be activated on the next Leg.
And now, teams can make their way on foot to Benshan Fifth Tunnel at the Jiufen Gold Museum, the Pit Stop for this Leg of the Race!
The first team to check-in here will win P200,000 courtesy of Shell V-Power Nitro+.
The last team to check-in WILL NOT be eliminated and must now choose a Non-Elimination Penalty envelope.
“Director’s” Commentary
I think this can be a really great Leg!
First, we have some logistics items to deal with. We have to get teams back to Seoul. So I thought of just releasing teams from Seoul Plaza to start. Maybe a simple task here in the evening would be good.
But it won’t matter anyway when it comes to what flights teams will take since they’ll encounter an Hours of Operation at Taipei 101. Hehe.
The task at Taipei 101 is just an opportunity for more Samsung Galaxy promo to keep our wonderful sponsors happy. Hehe. But it’s also a unique take on the usual search from the observatory deck task that usually involves a viewfinder, telescope or binoculars. Using a Samsung Galaxy phone helps to add a fresh twist. And it would help promote the phone’s camera too! Hehe.
Next is a simple calligraphy task because I wanted to have one more task in Taipei before having the teams traveling to Jiufen.
Which brings us to why I have this Taiwan Leg in the first place. When finalizing this route, it was actually around the time when Taiwan held their annual air raid drills. So I wondered, what if the drill happened right on the day teams were Racing through the city?! That would be very interesting. And I think works with one of The Amazing Race‘s unique qualities which is to get an insight into the everyday lives of different peoples and cultures. So having teams get caught up in the drills and having to pause the Race would be amazing television!
Continuing the Leg, I definitely wanted most of it to take place outside of Taipei or other major Taiwanese cities. So when I learned of Jiufen, I definitely wanted to feature it. Especially knowing it was an inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away!
First, a quick Route Marker at the Golden Waterfall to kind of reset this section of the Leg. And another one at Songde Park to set-up the Detour.
I think the Detour is great. Both sides will present unique challenges. The paper cutting can be very intricate. So we want to have teams need to do difficult designs. A tedious and challenging task! Meanwhile, the opera side of the Detour involves performing. So that will definitely challenge the teams too.
Next, we have teams weaving their way through the bustling Jiufen which I think can provide for some stunning scenes.
Amei Tea House is of course a must. So we have these three tasks here. First, teams will learn about Taiwanese tea which of course will play into the two Road Blocks.
The first Road Block is to memorize the different aspects of the tea ceremony and it is an opportunity to respect and learn about this specific part of local culture. Then, the second Road Block can be an interesting task. It might be easy to tell which tea variety they will drink. But adding the penalty aspect could be a good way to add tension at the end of the Leg.
Finally, the Pit Stop at the gold museum and the tunnel. It should be a great location. But I for some reason have “at night” in my notes. Though I don’t know what I mean by that lolol
Anyway, I think a good, challenging Leg. And a good spot for a Non-Elimination!