RACE ACROSS THE WORLD 2024

[TokyoSushi]

Just seen my first advert that it's back!!!! Japan to Indonesia starting 10th April, brilliant, my absolute favourite!

Sorry if I missed something - were they not allowed to use the Bullet Train?

Yes I think they said near the start that they can't use the bullet train.

Not allowed to use the bullet trains.
Which was probably a bit of a blow, but would have made a dull programme and they would have all done the same I suppose?

Thank you both. I thought that must have been the case. A less interesting journey!

I agree with pp about Eugenie and Isabel's budget. They're going to have to work quite a bit. Although I think other countries might be cheaper.

Just so much more enjoyable than Canada.

Yes, it's really interesting so far.

I guess Canada didn’t gave have the language and culture differences, so was more similar to the UK in many ways, but was the first one after Covid so easier to do.

worth watching for the scenery though. Spectacular.

Also, they just kept hitching rides and getting taxis. Plus one father - daughter combo was very unlikable. I think these people seem a bit better as a group.

I like Isabel who has the wit to learn some local language. I think her mum will slow them down and they're burning through their budget and will run out at this rate.

I wonder if there's a rule that if you lose something vital e.g. a map you can't buy a new one? One series there was a couple who lost their wallet of money so they couldn't go on. I was suspicious that was a ruse as they were flagging! There's all sorts of artifice with RATW.

Still getting used to the couples, of course but the lad duo ....they seem quite different in temperament and the younger looking one (shouldn't he be in school?!) has the potential to annoy me, as does 'acquired taste' Steve.

I do get annoyed with women who excuse men's bad behaviour. An "acquired taste" indeed.

I bet his mum is enjoying a bit of calm in the house 😁

I enjoyed Canada the scenery was beautiful, but looking forward to seeing this too.My OH wants to go to Japan but so far it’s not selling it to me.
Why does Stephen keep asking people their age? He reminds me of a more annoying Leon look a like from goggle box except I liked Leon.

I enjoyed it. Japan looks amazing hasn't been on my list of must sees but definitely is now. I like the mum daughter combos and I think they'll wind each other up pretty soon. The two lads are gas only 20 so naive but also brave and confident. That's what you rear your kids for. I think Alfie may have ADHD he reminds me very much of my daughter who does, especially the chaos around him and losing the map!
I definitely think there's a story with the siblings whether it's to do with parents seperating and one living with mum and the other with dad, they say they don't know each other very well.

I sometimes wonder how and why siblings who don’t know each other well end up on programme like this. I get it makes good tv, but there would have been a long application process before this. No doubt they would have written an essay on their experiences, reasons for doing it etc, which they would have discussed with each other. Plus interviews etc. That doesn’t correlate with siblings who don’t know each other.

Wouldn’t it have been simpler to book a weeks holiday together to Rome?

similarly the older couple had a heart attack and stroke between them? I would have thought that would make them a medical risk.

Is it not deemed rude to ask age in Japan especially?

I really like Eugenie and Isabel and love that Isabel has speedily started picking up the basics of Japanese, but gosh, they've really eaten into their budget already and they’re not even out of Japan. Indonesia will be much cheaper but they’ve got to get there first.

They may be slightly glossing over the number of people in Japan who speak English. Older people won’t, much, but it’s taught in schools and most younger people speak it, often to a very fluent level. We always found people incredibly happy and forthcoming to help eg when we were looking for places. I really felt for them at the end, trying to find the final destination at night, as street directions in Japan are incredibly complicated and virtually impossible to work out.

Maybe the boys weren’t allowed to buy another map - otherwise, being in Tokyo, the easy solution would have been to pop into a branch of Tokyu Hands (the most wondrous shop that sells, basically, everything!) and just buy a new one.

Agree about Steven…..🤦‍♀️

I'm surprised the older couple with health problems could go on this show , but obviously insurance wasn't a problem and maybe having a camera crew with them means it's not that risky ?
They seem ok, but I've a feeling they won't win. They don't seem to have the competitive streak

Thanks @Halsall was thinking mates because brothers would know more about each other somehow

A mate of my dp lives in Japan. And he said that he level of English is the lowest of all of the G20/G7 countries and there is a big push to change that. He teaches English in a high school

I think Alfie might be dyspraxic. The organisation and forgetfulness especially in high pressure situations

@awaynboilyurheid I said to my do Stephen reminds me of Leon form googlebox.

What health problems do the older couple have?

He has had a heart attack and she has had a stroke.

It’s a pity they’ve suffered from poor health. They’re not even that old. I’m older than him. And Eugenie's the same age as Stephen - 61.

Variant spelling of Queen mostly used by young women, general term of appropriation for any woman (or gay man) of whom you approve.

We enjoyed the first episode and the scenery is stunning. Getting irritated with the acquired taste bloke already and the moody younger brother/chirpy sister combo too. Also worried about the burning through the budget mother daughter. It's going to take a couple more episodes to choose a favourite couple to root for.

My thoughts:

I'm amazed at Isabel learning some useful Japanese phrases whilst on the bus.

The Older Couple - he is awful and I can barely watch him (or watch him barely 🤣). They rent going to win but they are going to have a great time not winning if he doesn't get into trouble for being rude.

Alfie and Owen - annoyingly competitive. I'm convinced Alfie has ADHD and trusting him with the map was a dumb idea. He always looks so wired!

I have no real thoughts on the other two couples yet.

I thought it was interesting that they all took different routes and ended up at the first checkpoint so close together. I was delighted that Isabel and Eugenie beat the much fitter lads 😂