The Amazing Race Asia 2

Development and filming

The second season of The Amazing Race Asia covered 50,000 kilometres (31,000 mi) in 24 days. This season had teams racing across 4 continents. The show adopted newer rules in the US version, such as the non-elimination penalty where the team who checked in last must make it to first place in the next leg or else incur the 30 minute penalty. Production made the Race more competitive by imposing more self-driving and reducing the chance of teams being bunched up on the same airplane flight.

This season had two different penalties for coming in last on a non-elimination leg. While Edwin & Monica were marked for elimination for coming in last on the first leg, Henry & Terri were stripped of all their money and will begin the next leg with no money after coming in last on the seventh leg. Racers were not told that the original non-elimination penalty was still applicable. This twist led to an argument between Henry and host Allan Wu at the Seoul finish mat, when the former was unwilling to give up his team's money. In the following leg, the penalty reverted to the 'marked for elimination' penalty after Terri & Henry finished last consecutively.

Cast

This season featured 10 teams chosen from 2500 applicants, including racers from the original US series. Final applications were accepted 13 April 2007 (two weeks after the original deadline). This season was also open to the Japanese, who were ineligible for Season 1. Final interviews were held sometime in April or May 2007. Filming took place sometime in June or July 2007.

This season's cast included reunited siblings, childhood friends, and dating couples. Notably, Adrian is the first hearing-impaired contestant in The Amazing Race' franchise. It also featured a large number of local media personalities or their relatives. Monica represented Toronto, Canada and won the 1997 Miss Chinese International Pageant, while Paula is a Channel [V] VJ. Vanessa and Pamela are the sisters of famous Malaysian singer Vince Chong. Kinaryosih is a famous Indonesian movie actress and model, who has also won a Citra Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2006. Sophie is a filmmaker for the Discovery Channel, as well as a correspondent for the Asian Film Festival. Marc is a model and host of the Philippine sports show Sports Unlimited, while Rovilson is a host for another similar show, Gameplan and an editor for Maxim Philippines.

This season features three non-Asians. One is Henry, a former US Navy Petty Officer, who races with his Filipina wife Trinidad (better known as Terri). The other is Aurelia, a Frenchwoman residing in Hong Kong who races with her Singaporean ex-housemate Sophie, while Brett is of Australian nationality.

Henry Reed died in his sleep on May 21, 2013. He was 53 years old.

Marketing

The second season of the show had six official sponsors: Aviva, Caltex, Nokia Nseries, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific, Bintan Lagoon Resort and Standard Chartered Bank. The sponsors played a major role in the series by providing prizes and integrating their products into various tasks. Two special episodes acted as bookends for this season; the first subtitled Racers Revealed was shown three weeks before the season premiere while the second, Memories aired one week after the season finale. The former contained racer introductions and production insight into the casting process. The latter featured the racers sharing their favorite memories and highlights of the Race, similar to that of Season 1.

Results

The following teams participated in the Race, with their relationships at the time of filming. Placements are listed in finishing order:

A red team placement indicates that the team was eliminated.

A blue team placement indicates that the team was the last to arrive at a Pit Stop in a non-elimination leg of the race:

An underlined blue placement indicates that the team was "Marked for Elimination"; if the team did not place 1st in the next leg, they would receive a 30 minute penalty.

An italicised blue placement indicates that the team had to relinquish all of their money and were not allotted money for the next leg.

A green ƒ indicates that the team won a Fast Forward clue.

Matching coloured symbols (orange +, magenta ^, and brown ~) indicate teams who worked together during part of the leg as a result of the Intersection.

A yellow > indicates that the team chose to use the Yield; < indicates the team who received it; <> around the leg number indicates that the Yield for that leg was available but not used.

Italicised results indicate the position of the team at the midpoint of a two-episode leg.

Prizes

Individual prizes were awarded to the first team to complete a leg.

Leg 1 – Nokia N95 and N73 mobile phones, one for each team member.

Leg 2 – $5000 Credit Card issued by Standard Chartered Bank for each team member.

Leg 3 – A one year's supply of fuel sponsored by Caltex.

Leg 4 – A Sony Handycam SR7 for each team member.

Leg 7 – $5000 Credit Card issued by Standard Chartered Bank for each team member.

Leg 8 – A Sony Handycam SR7 for each team member.

Leg 9 – Nokia N95 and N73 mobile phones, one for each team member.

Leg 11 – A safari trip to South Africa with whale watching, courtesy of Caltex.

Leg 12 – US$100,000

Leg 1 (Singapore → Philippines)

Airdate: 22 November 2007

Singapore (Near Singapore River – Asian Civilisations Museum) (Starting Line)

Singapore (Mount Faber – Merlion Statue)

Singapore (Suntec City – Suntec Towers)

Singapore (Changi International Airport) to Manila, Philippines (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)

Manila (ASEAN Promenade Park – CCP Complex)

Manila (Plaza Miranda)

Manila (Fort Santiago)

The Detour of this leg is "Dare or Stair." In Dare, teams had to take an elevator to the top (45-storey) of the Suntec Tower 3 and then use a rope-and-pulley system to traverse across to the adjacent Tower 4 while suspended 181 m (594 ft) above the ground. In Stair, teams had to climb up 45 floors to the rooftop of Tower 3 and then descend and head to Tower 4 and again climb up 45 floors before receiving their next clue.

Additional tasks

For their first task, teams received a postcard that depicts one of Singapore's many national icons. Teams had to search for a specific taxi cab with the souvenir from their postcard and that taxi driver would hand them their next clue.

At the Mount Faber route marker, teams picked up a Nokia N95 phone and used its GPS system to guide their Taxi Driver to their next location, Suntec City.

At the Plaza Miranda, teams had to eat 8 baluts from an egg-seller's store before receiving their next clue from the egg seller.

Leg 2 (Philippines)

Airdate: 29 November 2007

Pasay (Green Star Bus Terminal) to Pila, Laguna (Pila Municipal Center)

Pila (Rivera Street rice paddy field)

Pila to Ermita, Manila (Caltex Star-Mart)

Ermita, Manila (Ermita Church – Nuestra Señora de Guia Learning Center)

Santa Cruz, Manila (LRT-1 Carriedo Station)

Paco, Manila (Paco Park)

In the first Roadblock of the race, one team member had to choose a carabao and then lead it around a muddy field to plough it in a figure 8 direction. Their path is clearly marked by posts and race flags and teams have to lead their carabao back to where they started in the correct direction to receive their next clue. Teams are taught beforehand on some of the common vocal commands they may give to help control their carabao. If teams need help, they may ask for it, but will have to return to the starting line again. In this Detour, teams had to choose between Heel or Wheel. In Heel, teams have to match 250 pairs of shoes from a messy pile. All the shoes were mixed up. In Wheel, teams choose one of the work stations and fully assemble a bicycle with just the equipment and parts provided.

Additional task

At the Star-Mart station, teams loaded 4 boxes of donation items into a jeepney. Teams had to ride in the jeepney to deliver the donation boxes to an orphanage in Ermita Church before receiving their next clue.

Leg 3 (Philippines → Hong Kong, China → New Zealand)

Airdate: 6 December 2007

Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) to Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong , China (Hong Kong International Airport)

Central (Central Piers)

Causeway Bay (Standard Chartered Bank building)

Chek Lap Kok (Hong Kong International Airport) to Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Airport)

Manukau City (Howick Historical Village)

Auckland (Auckland Harbour Bridge)

Auckland (Birkenhead War Memorial Leisure Centre or Lake Pupuke)

Matakana (Ascension Vineyard Matakana)

Karaka (Spookers Haunted House – Forest of Fear)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to perform a bungee jump of 40 metres (131 ft) from the Auckland Harbour Bridge. In this Detour, teams had to choose between two sports; Wall or Waka. In Wall, teams had to head to the Birkenhead War Memorial Leisure Centre where each team member had to climb the rock wall once to retrieve one flag each. Then, either of the team member must climb the wall again to grab their next clue. In Waka, teams had to go to Lake Pupuke and paddle a traditional waka boat around the lake to collect three flags and then return to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

At the Standard Chartered Bank building, teams had to count the Hong Kong currency on their tables which included a large pile of notes and also a large stack of coins and will only receive their clue once they state the correct amount to the staff. Correct count was HK$135,023.70.

At the historical village, teams had to use a Sony Cyber-shot digital camera to take a picture of three objects representing three different persons in New Zealand culture. Once they're done, they had to proceed to the Howick Courthouse to receive their next clue.

At the Haunted House, teams had to enter the Old Nurses' Hostel, rumored to be haunted and filled with scary characters, and complete the walk through the haunted house to receive their next clue.

Leg 4 (New Zealand)

Airdate: 13 December 2007

Tirau, Waikato (Caltex gas station)

Rotorua (Okere Falls Scenic Reserve)

Rotorua (Lake Tikitapu)

Rotorua (Hell's Gate)

Rotorua (Te Puia)

Rotorua (Whakarewarewa – Pohutu Geyser)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to enter the Hell's Gate mud bath, which contains sulphur pools at temperatures of 40 °C (104 °F). Once inside, teams had to search for a stick to trade for their next clue. In this Detour, teams had to choose between Flax or Sticks. In Flax, teams had to weave traditional Māori headbands called a tipare out of flax plants and seek approval from the demonstrators of their handicraft before receiving their next clue. In Sticks, teams had to master a traditional Māori stick game called the titi torea in which teams had to pass specially carved sticks to each other with a particular rhythm. If teams dropped the sticks, they had to redo the task.

Additional tasks

Teams had to stop by the Caltex gas station and refuel their cars on their way to Rotorua. Teams had to pay for their fuel using a special Caltex card before receiving their next clue from the cashier.

Before the Roadblock, teams had to perform white water sledging in the cold rapids to receive their next clue.

At Lake Tikitapu, teams had to drive Agrojet Boats, which are 450-horsepower jetboats. One team member had to navigate around buoys on the lake while the other team member instructed them. Teams who managed to complete their task would receive their next clue. If they are unsuccessful, they will have to re-attempt the challenge.

Leg 5 (New Zealand → Japan → South Korea)

Airdate: 20 December 2007

Auckland (Auckland Airport) to Tokyo, Japan (Narita International Airport)

Narita (Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 Station) to Chiyoda (Tokyo Station)

Minato (Shiba Park)

Chūō (Sony Building)

Shibuya (Shibuya Mark City)

Minato (Icebar Tokyo)

Shinagawa (Shinagawa Station) to Fukuoka (Hakata Station)

Fukuoka (International Congress Center)

In this leg's Detour, teams had to choose between You Catch It or You Cart It. In You Catch It, teams had to participate in the traditional game of goldfish scooping, using paddles made of rice paper (which disintegrates very easily when immersed in water) to scoop up 40 goldfish with paddles. In You Cart It, teams had to locate a dry cleaner's store and collect a yukata which they had to deliver to a certain address. In the Roadblock one team member had to decipher an ice block puzzle. The answer would be the name of one of the biggest cities in Japan. Once the team member has figured out the answer, the personnel will hand them their next clue.

Additional tasks

From Shiba Park, teams had to direct a marked rickshaw to the Sony Building.

At the Sony Building, teams had to convince locals to sing a traditional Japanese folk song called "Sakura." While one team member sings along with the local, the other records this on a Sony HD Handycam.

Before the Detour, teams had to use a picture on their Sony Cybershot digital camera as reference to find a cosplaying girl to receive their next clue.

Airdate: 27 December 2007

Fukuoka (Hakata Port Ferry Terminal) to Busan, South Korea (Busan Harbour Pier 1)

Busan (Jongro Academy)

Busan (Jagalchi Market)

Busan (Dongbaek Island – Nurimaru APEC House)

Busan (Yongdusan Park)

Busan (Beomeosa Temple)

In the leg's Detour, teams had to choose between Slither or Deliver. In Slither, teams had to proceed to the Jagalchi Fish Market where they will have to find a marked fish tank filled with octopus. Each team member must retrieve one 100-year-old Korean coin (token) from the bottom of the tank before receiving their next clue. In Deliver, teams had to deliver six meals to three different addresses, some of the deliveries in which might have an ambiguous location. In the Roadblock, teams proceeded to Yongdusan Park and look for a gatekeeper. The team member must then use the key given to search and open one of the locks before the gatekeeper will hand them their next clue. Teams will have to start over if they break their key.

Additional tasks

At Jongro Academy, each team member had to use taekwondo techniques to break three boards by kicking them before receiving their next clue from the taekwondo master.

Upon arriving at Jagalchi Market, teams had to find the Golden Pig statue for the Yield and their next clue.

Leg 6 (South Korea)

Airdate: 3 January 2008

Anseong, Gyeonggi (Seoil Farm)

Suwon (Woncheon Resort)

Yongin (Korean Folk Village)

Seoul (Olympic Park – Peace Plaza (Korean))

In this Roadblock, one team member had to search under the lids of 1,500 soybean jars until they find one which contains their next clue. One of the jars will contain the clue plus a US$50 bonus from Standard Chartered, which Adrian and Collin won. In this Detour, teams had to choose between Too Ho and Too Heavy. In Too Ho, teams had to play a traditional Korean game where they have to throw three bamboo stickets into a cylinder 4.5 metres (15 ft) away. In Too Heavy, teams had to deliver 30 logs in a traditional carrying device and deliver it to a woman somewhere inside the village before receiving their next clue.

Additional task

At Woncheon Resort, teams had to search among many swan boats for a marked one in which they had to paddle to an offshore buoy to retrieve their next clue.

Leg 7 (South Korea → Germany → Czech Republic)

Airdate: 10 January 2008

Seoul (Incheon International Airport) to Frankfurt, Germany (Frankfurt Airport)

Frankfurt (Old Opera House)

Frankfurt (Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof Station) to Prague, Czech Republic (Praha hlavní nádraží)

Prague (Charles Bridge - Statue of St. Vitus)

Prague (Little Shop at Karlova Street building number 3)

Prague (Kinský Palace – Old Town Square and Prince's Hotel)

Prague (Praha hlavní nádraží) to Beroun (Beroun Railway Station)

Beroun (Town Square)

Nižbor (Archery range or Rückl Crystal)

Karlštejn (Karlštejn Castle)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to don a full suit of knight armour and then walk around to look for a "damsel in distress", who is standing on a balcony facing the Prince's Hotel. Once teams find her, they have to tie the key to a rope which the "damsel" would exchange for their next clue. In this Detour teams had to choose between Bow or Blow. In Bow, each team member had to hit a coloured red-and-yellow target using a traditional crossbow. In Blow, teams had to travel to Rückl Crystal and use mechanical tools to cut a star-design on a number of glass bottoms.

Additional tasks

Teams had to search the Charles Bridge for a statue with a hole where their next clue is located.

At the town square in Beroun, teams had to search among several people with Nokia N95 mobile phones for the one which has their team's picture. Then, they will have to view a video from home before being given their next clue.

Leg 8 (Czech Republic)

Airdate: 17 January 2008

Beroun (Beroun Train Station) to Prague (Praha hlavní nádraží)

Prague (Petřín Hill Observation Tower)

Prague (Střelecký Island)

Prague (Vltava River)

Prague (Prague Castle)

Prague (Ice Arena Letňany)

Prague (Plavecký Stadion Podolí)

Prague (Vrtbovská Garden (Czech))

In this Detour, intersected teams had to choose between Snap or Roll. In Snap, teams had to take photos of three historic monuments (Statue of St. Wenceslas in Wenceslas Square, Lenin Statue in Museum of Communism, and Estates Theatre) in Prague and submit the photographs as evidence before the personnel positioned in front of the Statue of Josef Mánes would hand them their next clue. In Roll, teams had to locate Hostinec U Váhy and collect two 50-litre (13 gallons) beer kegs and roll it to the Admiral Botel. After the Detour, they are no longer intersected. In this Roadblock, one team member had to climb up to a ten-metre high diving board and jump off it into the pool below to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Upon arriving at Petrin Hill, teams had to count the number of steps leading to the top of the tower. They wrote their answers on a board and if they were correct, the personnel would hand them their clue.

At Střelecký Island, teams had to row a boat 140 degrees southwest to receive their clue. A compass was provided.

At Ice Arena Letňany, the intersected teams had to score 12 goals in order for them to get their next clue.

Leg 9 (Czech Republic → Hungary)

Airdate: 24 January 2008

Prague (Praha hlavní nádraží) to Budapest, Hungary (Budapest Keleti pályaudvar)

Budapest (Batthyány Square)

Szentendre (Magyar Farm)

Visegrád (Extreme Canopy)

Visegrád (Royal Palace – Hercules Fountain)

Visegrád (Solomon Tower (Hungarian))

In this Detour, teams had to choose between Pitch or Pull. In Pitch, teams had to load a large pile of hay into a donkey cart and then go for a ride as a local drives the cart to a nearby farm. In Pull, teams had to milk a goat and obtain 200ml (7 oz) of milk. Then, they had to place the goat in a pen and secure it before receiving their next clue. In this Roadblock, one team member had to experience several legs of flying fox obstacles while adding up several numbers found around the course which would add up to 1,000. Team members that do not get the correct number will have to restart the task and if there are other teams present, will be sent to the back of the line and have to wait their turn till the other teams in front of them are done or have to restart as well.

Additional task

After completing the Roadblock, teams had to identify the landmark printed on the 1,000 Ft note, the Hercules Fountain, then make their way to the fountain itself, which was in the Royal Palace.

Leg 10 (Hungary)

Airdate: 31 January 2008

Budapest (Little Princess statue) (Hungarian)

Budapest (Elisabeth Bridge)

Budapest (Buda Castle)

Budapest (Margaret Island)

Budapest (Heroes' Square)

Budapest (Gellért Hill – Freedom Monument)

In this Fast Forward, teams had to count the number of fence posts on Elisabeth Bridge and then with the number obtained, use it to open a safe with the 4-digit figure of fence posts (the correct digit was 2-3-7-7). The first team to open the safe won the Fast Forward award. In this Roadblock, one team member had to take a lantern and search through the dark and confusing labyrinth of tunnels in Buda Castle to search for several chests. However, only one of these contained the team's next clue. In this Detour, teams had to choose between Say It or Play It. In Say It, teams had to correctly pronounce (in full local accent) the names of 14 prominent Hungarian rulers, a potential tongue twister. In Play It, teams had to solve a Rubik's Cube (a Hungarian invention) but were given the option to solve one side by one side (to get the same colour on each side) for all six sides, alternating between team members.

Additional task

At Margaret Island, teams had to travel by pedicab across the island and search for St. Margaret's resting place. There, they had to retrieve a rabbit soft toy, a symbol of the island, and return it to the person standing at where teams had first mounted the pedicab.

Leg 11 (Hungary → South Africa)

Airdate: 7 February 2008

Budapest (Budapest Ferihegy International Airport) to Cape Town, South Africa (Cape Town International Airport)

Cape Town (Signal Hill)

Cape Town (Killarney Motor Racing Complex)

Khayelitsha (Intyatyambo Community Project)

Touws River (Aquila Park Game Reserve)

In this Roadblock, one team member must race eight laps around the Killarney racing circuit on a 450 horsepower (340 kW) open-wheel race car. After four laps, they must enter the pit area for a mandatory tune-up. If the team members entered it within seven minutes he/she could immediately exit and complete the task; otherwise, a five-minute time penalty would be incurred. In this Detour, teams had to choose between In One End or Out The Other. For In One End, teams must prepare 100 kg (220 lbs) of food and feed them to the elephants. Only after the elephants finish the entire meal could teams collect their next clue. In Out The Other, teams must clear the elephant stalls of dung onto a marked area, using only the tools provided.

Additional tasks

At the summit of Signal Hill, teams had to search for the correct clue box, among many, containing their next clue.

Teams had to collect painting supplies from a Standard Chartered vehicle in Khayelitsha and proceed to paint a marked section of the Intyatyambo Community Centre. Teams then had to deliver a R34,500 (about US$5,000) cheque, courtesy of Standard Chartered, to the caregivers of the daycare centre.

Upon arriving at the Aquila Park Game Reserve, teams each must then pick up their next clue from inside a cheetah enclosure.

Leg 12 (South Africa → Singapore)

Airdate: 14 February 2008

Cape Town (District Six Museum)

Cape Town (Victoria & Alfred Waterfront - The Scratch Patch or Waterfront Craft Market)

Cape Town (FC Kapstadt soccer pitch next to Green Point Stadium)

Atlantis (Atlantis Dunes)

Cape Town (Cape Point)

Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport) to Singapore (Changi International Airport)

Singapore (Raffles' Landing Site)

Singapore (Sentosa – Tanjong Beach)

Singapore (Chinese Garden – Rainbow Bridge)

In the final Detour teams had to choose between Search or Assemble (This option was presented as "Sound" in the teams' clue). In Search, teams had to go The Scratch Patch and search amongst thousands of semi-precious gemstones for the three race stones which were yellow in colour and marked with a red dot. They will trade these three stones for their next clue. In Assemble, teams had to go to Waterfront Craft Market and watch a demonstration on how to assemble a wire-frame radio. Once teams had successfully put together a working radio using the tools provided, they would receive their next clue. In this Roadblock, one team member had to grab flags from the ten different countries they visited on the Race and arrange them in the order that they visited them. Once teams got the correct order of correct flags, they may retrieve the final clue.

Additional tasks

At the District Six Museum, they would search for a Sony VAIO laptop and enter the name of a street of District Six which was used as password. When the correct street was entered, the next clue would direct them to read one paragraph from a designated marker before receiving their next clue.

After the detour, teams had to travel to the main venue of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and attempt to score three goals against a goal keeper.

At the sand dunes, teams had to ride quad bikes and travel along a marked course and search for their next clue hidden along the track, with 18 marked areas with a bucket. Underneath one bucket is the teams' next clue while underneath the rest is an hourglass teams have to overturn and wait for the sand to run out before they can continue on.

At Cape Point, after taking the funicular up to the summit, teams had to guess which was the next (final) country they will be flying to - Singapore, to receive the next clue.