The Race is On!!!

At last, Season Three of The Amazing Race Asia is off and running.  So what did you think of the first episode?  I know all the teams and production are really excited that the show is finally "On Air"...and earlier this year too!  We've definitely got a completely different bunch of contestants this season, and I know they'll more than hold their own to the previous two seasons. 

I'm really happy to be back working on this show, and we really enjoyed starting the race from Bangkok, Thailand.  I had to do the opening sequence from a helicopter pad.  Even though the shot was cool, I was totally "hot" and sweating like crazy because we were right next to all the hotel's industrial air condition units...

Once I flagged off the race and the teams started moving, I was also off with my host crew to Wat Phai Rong Wua.  The teams would have to search for their clues in the dark, but I got to shoot my links still with some daylight it was nice to see the many Buddha statues...

Once we've done the necessary links, it's off to the next location because there's never much time with the teams on the move...

And the next thing you know, we're all setting up for the very first pit stop of the new season at this beautiful flower garden in Chiang Mai.

I told the teams that this would be a "tough race," and the first pit stop surely was not easy by any means.  The teams had to run all the way to the temple at the end...

...and WITH their heavy backpacks on their backs the entire way!  Maybe that's why you didn't really see any of the teams running up the long path.

Of course, when the teams do finally reach the pit stop, they can find solace in knowing that they've just completed the first leg of the race...

...and Paula Taylor from Season Two is also waiting to greet them!  Oh...that's Ariel, our story producer, in the pic too...

Wow.  And just like that, the first episode is all done...and it also happens to be really "done" for Neena and Amit too, who are our very first team to be eliminated in the first episode. 

Of course, the remaining nine teams will need to rest up for the next leg cuz I really don't think it's gonna get any easier for them.    And don't forget, the second episode is a ninety minutes long...and after you watch all the drama that goes down, you'll know why!

Now, I just got an important call so I'm outta here!!  Hope you've enjoyed the first episode and we'll catch up again!