Group A: Leg 1 → Leg 2 → Leg 3 →
Group B: Leg 1 → Leg 2 → Leg 3 →
Leg 25.02 (Group B) – “Sinadya mo yata ihulog ako!”
The second Leg of the Race begins as Group B teams fly via Bangkok to Siem Reap, Cambodia!
Teams will begin the Leg at the entrance to Royal Independence Gardens in Siem Reap. Each team will depart the Pit Start alone, three minutes apart.
These beautiful woven decorations are part of the celebration of Cambodian New Year. Teams will choose one of these decorations on the bridge and then search Royal Independence Gardens for one with a matching lantern. When they confirm they have a pair of matching lanterns, teams will receive the next clue.
That clue points teams to Psar Chas, the old market in Siem Reap. Teams will be given a list of items they must purchase, written in Khmer, which they will keep until further notice. When their items are confirmed, they will be given the next clue.
The production of silk in Cambodia dates back centuries with the art of silk weaving being passed down through generations. Cambodian silk is known for its intricate patterns, rich colors and traditional methods to create the fabric. After the Khmer Rouge nearly caused the loss of Cambodia traditional crafts, recent efforts have been made to preserve cultural heritage including that of traditional silk weaving. For this Detour, teams will choose which type of silk harvesting they will experience.
In Pick and Pull, teams will head to this Lotus Pond where they must wade through the water to pick 75 lotus stems. They will take them to the workshop where they will craft their own silk. Teams must then make a six-meter long thread of smooth lotus silk by cracking open the stems, drawing out the fibers and rolling them together.
In Boil and Pull, teams will head to Angkor Silk Farm where they will boil silkworm cocoons and then carefully unravel the silk fiber and then spin them into long strands.
After the Detour, teams will head to Bambu Stage in Siem Reap. Shadow puppetry, known as Sbek Thom in Cambodia, is one of the country’s most celebrated traditional art forms and is deeply rooted in Khmer culture. It dates back to the Angkorian era and has ties to Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Teams must learn how to and then successfully carve a small piece of leather to replicate the intricate puppet designs. When approved, teams will receive the next clue.
For the Non-Eliminated team in the first Leg, they will encounter their Speed Bump here. That team must learn a short section of dialogue and then perform it using the puppets before being allowed to continue racing.
The next clue directs teams to Bayon Temple.
Here, teams will learn one of the world’s oldest existing martial arts – bokator. The term “bokator” means “pounding a lion,” referencing a legend where a Khmer warrior defeated a lion using this fighting technique. It’s a highly technical martial art, involving a mix of striking, joint locks, and grappling, along with the use of traditional weapons.
For this task, teams must learn and properly demonstrate a sequence of four moves in order to receive the next clue.
That clue directs teams to Preah Ang Kmao Pagoda.
Spirit houses, known as “Neak Ta” or “San Phra Phum” in Cambodia, are small shrines commonly found outside homes, businesses, or even at public places like markets and temples. They are built to provide a dwelling for spirits, often to honor ancestors or local protective spirits, ensuring their goodwill and avoiding misfortune.
For this Road Block, teams must study a completed spirit house as an example. They will only have 30 seconds at a time to study its design, placement of decorations and offerings. Using the items they purchased at the Old Market, teams must replicate the spirit house exactly. When approved, they will receive the next clue.
Teams must now head to the iconic and legendary Angkor Wat where they will collect an offering and then search the sprawling complex for a monk to give it to.
They will know it is the correct monk as he will be near a Race flag. If teams give the offering to the wrong monk, they cannot take the offering back and must go back to the main gate to collect another one.
The monk will hand teams the next clue revealing the Pit Stop: Terrace of the Elephants.
The first team to check-in here will win P200,000 courtesy of Shell V-Power Nitro+.
The last team to check-in here WILL be the first All-Star eliminated from the Race!
“Director’s” Commentary
So this is really our first example of how this split Race will play out for the first half of the Race. Some shared tasks. Some parallel tasks. Same Pit Stop. Not all Legs will have all these elements. But basically, we will try to find ways to make the Legs equal, but not the same for the two groups of teams.
Like at the beginning of the Leg, we have the same Pit Start and first task.
Then for Group B, we have teams purchasing items at the market. This task parallels (mirrors?) the bookstore task for Group A, but also the language task as well. Group A learned Khmer words at the school. Group B will learn through this typical TAR shopping task. Plus, it’s also a trademark TARPHDME “keep until further notice” task as well.
The Detour is half-recycled from TARAu7. I thought the silk task was great from that season. But Google scouting also introduced me to silk worms too! So two different silk tasks, but both challenging and tedious for teams I think. That makes a great Detour.
For the puppet task and Speed Bump (since Race Tracker reveals a team picked out the Speed Bump penalty lol), it’s an extra task that I think makes up for Group A having to travel to the Tonle Sap and then within the Tonle Sap as well. Which is an extra challenge that Group B wouldn’t have staying in Siem Reap most of their Leg. Both simple tasks, so I think it’s a good way to match Group A’s challenges.
The bokator task is too good not have both groups do it. lol
And another TARAu7 recycle, the spirit house was the other side of the bokator Detour. But making it a Road Block is perfect here. It could cause some teams to become frustrated after a long day. And being one of the last tasks of the Leg, could provide some great drama.
Finally, Angkor Wat of course. And then the Pit Stop. Both Route Markers and task shared with Group A.
Overall, I think this Leg is a great urban Leg. It contrasts with the Tonle Sap-focused Leg of Group A. But both showing the wonderful culture and life of Cambodians!