As most of you know, some of us took part at the N.E.X.T challenge 2008 ('amazing race'). It was a tough and dirty game, but we would still like to share parts of our journey through the race. Feel free to guess with us ...
Checked in, and wait ...
and wait ...
captain briefing (Alan) ... and yup, we waited ...
Alan's back ! ... you got it right, we waited somemore ...
That was the last shot before the flag off ... we had 'happy new year' and 'national day' cheers as well as random cat calls at the strating line, which was hilarious! Oh, our first clue was:
My father was first born in 1939, and he was the first cinema in Singapore to have air-conditioning within it's premises. I'm only two years old ... Though my dad has since left me, I now stand proudly in his place. Many say I do have his resemblance.
Our guess: The Cathay or the cinema at Chinatown
After much deliberation, we decided to head over to The Cathay. Due to the long bus ride to the NEL station, the unconfirmed decision haunted us constantly. To clear or doubts, we borrowed a phone from a very kind gentleman who also plays volleyball for leisure !!
A long sprint to Hougang's NEL, we missed the first train but that left us time to catch our breath. Boarding the train, all we can do was wait ...
Clearing our challenge there, our next clue was:
Centre of financial activites in Singapore, where you will find that the Greenback is not the only thing that is green. The Chevron is where my House is.
Our guess: Istana park or Raffles place
Because the Istana park was closer, we made a mad rush around the Istana park but failed to find the pitstop, so off to the Raffles place we go ...
We reached Raffles place only to encounter a sudoku challenge. Unfortunately, we failed to complete it within the time limit and was faced by a time penalty.
so we waited ...
Our next clue:
Situated on the sounthern tip of Singapore, where music and concerts play we go. Something something underground blah, blah, blah ...
Our guess: The Esplanade
Rushing down to the MRT, we made time for a shot before we board the train which just arrived ...
Completing the task at The Esplanade, we were handed our next clue:
A place of diverse range, ranging from concerts to basketball matches. Facing a bridge that skethes into the night, come here and be cosy.
Our guess: Cosy bay, next to the Singapore Sports Stadium
It was already late and we could not catch anymore buses nor train, so we walked ... and yes, it was loonnngggg ...
Due to the lack of photos it would be very hard to understand the next part of our journey, so I shall summaries.
Our next clue was:
Tom stays at Aspinal's Hotel. He was sound asleep when his wife woke him up at 3am and wanted to buy a gold necklace.
Our guess: Little India
Being slightly worn, we decided to take a cab there. While looking for one, we caught a glimpse of how dirty this race was ... fortunatly, we found a cab ...
We were faced with a riddle, but it was swiftly solved by our team ...
Our next clue: Built for the ruler of Singapore for religious purposes, something something, blah, blah, blah ...
Our guess: The Sultan Mosque
We took a walk there along with a 15 minute break at Macdonalds to re-energise ... yum ! Upon reaching there, we were faced with another mind blowing question:
Using matchsticks, form the below equation and balance it by moving only one matchstick: 14 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 4 (4 = 3 matchsticks)
With some generous hints from the sentinals, we completed the task and our next clue was:
From a gate on top a hill, something, something to do with love ...
Our guess: Fort Canning park
Suspecting an inspection there, we had to clear our dirty laundry before reaching there. Once again, we borrowed a phone and made a disturbing call to our hero: Mr Kyle/cow/moo moo.(It was about 2-3am then) A lift we got as well and quickly, we got lost as the creepy darkness of Fort Canning demoralized our spirits. Going round and round, we finally found our location and was faced with another task:
Using an A4 paper, the whole team must go through it. You can cut, tear, rip the paper, but it must still keep it's edges.
Tired and worn, we failed to deliver and faced the time penalty. Our next clue was:
Go to PA HQ
We quickly found the location but was sadly faced by the fact that it was near impossible to reach. Walking there would be a killer, considering the distance as well as the conditions that we are in. A cab would be too expensive, considering the midnight charge and a police road block up ahead. We had a long debate before deciding to withdraw from the race. We went to Macdonalds to chill out and had a hearty breakfast before a generous lift home by Mr Alan.
That concludes our journey in the race. It was a great eye opener to work, suffer and enjoy together as a team in such conditions despite the overwhelming odds. Although we withdrew, I think we did the right thing and hey, we get to go TBCC to play later !! We no Me ...
Brought to you by Team Nakama ...
