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One by one the teams leave the Pitstop with only 30 minutes separating first (Zev & Justin at 11:57 a.m.) and last (Ron & Christina at 12:28 p.m.). The clue directs them to fly from Sydney to Tokyo. Despite them employing different methods for bookings (straight to the airport counter, through a travel agent or using Amazing Race sponsor Travelocity’s site), there are only two options – a direct flight that gets in a 6:15 a.m. or a connecting flight through Hong Kong that gets in 15 minutes earlier.

There is much debate about the merits of each but I have to side with the teams that like the assurance of no delays with the connection. So, if I was racing I would be on the same plane as the Globetrotters, the cowboys, Gary & Mallory, Ron & Christina and Kisha & Jen. Oh, and I would be hating life, too, because Mallory is essentially channeling Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
As the other flight lands in Hong Kong...wait for it...there is a problem with one of the engines and “They’re unsure of exactly how long it’s going to take to fix it.” So basically Murphy’s Law has jurisdiction well beyond the US borders. It looks like a good time for a commercial break and in case this was the incentive you need, CBS Cares about you getting a colonoscopy.

Back on the tarmac, Zev gives us a report that they have been sitting there for over an hour and there is no update on when they are leaving. On the other flight, apparently the captain knows that they are racing because he announces over the loud speaker that their flight will now be the first one to arrive, which it does as scheduled at 6:15 a.m. The teams dart out of the airport to a parking garage/vending machine to get their clue and transportation. As you can imagine, a car can’t be too big to fit in one of these parking structures and there isn’t much chance that the nearly seven feet of Big Easy will comfortably cram into a Nissan Versa.

The teams have to drive themselves through Tokyo to the Yabusame Dojo. The roads and signage aren’t exactly easily to navigate or read to a bunch of Americans. Father Ron & patient daughter Christina get helpful directions from a fellow driver but Ron complains that this person may have just sent them in the wrong direction. Angry Dad Ron really needs to dial down the surliness and trust his daughter, who will be the only reason they get anywhere in this race. Gary & Mallory, the Globetrotters and Kisha & Jen are also making their way to the dojo but behind Ron & Christina. Jet & Cord on the other hand have driven in the completely wrong direction. Upon realizing they should have been going south, they adjust their course and just drive south, apparently hoping to stumble on the dojo.

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