- 2 days ago
S06E05
Category
šŗ
TVTranscript
00:25It's got a mix of different styles of architecture.
00:37Halfway into the 12,000 kilometre race to Mongolia, all four teams gather in Georgia's capital.
00:53Despite all the buildings been so old, it's a very young city.
00:56It's such a street vibe to it, isn't it?
00:59There's a sculpture or something, isn't there?
01:01Oh, yeah, what is that?
01:02In the heart of Tbilisi, the Tamada or Toastmaster.
01:07Is he singing a song or is he having a drink?
01:09Are you enjoying that? Tasty.
01:10A symbol of hospitality for nearly 3,000 years, embodying the Georgian belief that every
01:17guest is a gift from God.
01:19Hello.
01:20Hello, everybody.
01:21Tasty.
01:22Fancy beating you all here.
01:24Imagine.
01:26Such an amazing place for a halfway line.
01:28Yeah.
01:29It's such a milestone.
01:30I have no clue what to expect in the next couple of countries.
01:34No idea.
01:34The map is pretty empty.
01:38The teams are entering a new phase of the race.
01:40As they prepare to cross a changing landscape, the leaderboard also shifts.
01:46Mark and Margo have leapt into the lead, while Katie and Harrison trail by nearly 20 hours.
01:52We've dropped from first fourth quite dramatically.
01:56Ah, bottom's terrible.
01:58Like, we had great experiences last time, but I want to make up time.
02:01I think it is just about finding that balance between race and experience.
02:05We clearly haven't found extreme one or the other.
02:08We've proved we can win a leg.
02:10Actually, we've stumbled into winning a leg.
02:12We've gone up and up and up the leaderboard.
02:15Trying to stay at the top now?
02:16Yes!
02:18Due to the land borders being closed between Georgia and Azerbaijan,
02:22it is not possible for the race to continue over land.
02:25You must fly to Akhtar, Kazakhstan.
02:28Wow!
02:30Kazakhstan.
02:31That's a big one on the map.
02:33That is.
02:33It's huge.
02:34Oh, my God!
02:35That's going to be amazing.
02:37What's there?
02:38Vast open spaces and grasses everywhere, no trees.
02:43Jeepers.
02:45I'm quite apprehensive.
02:46I know a little bit about the stands, but Kazakhstan, I've got no idea at all.
02:52It's going to be a wild ride, and we're up for a wild ride.
02:54We didn't sign up for things just to be regular, safe.
02:57I can't believe I'm going to Kazakhstan.
03:00It just feels mental.
03:02I don't know what to expect.
03:03I literally couldn't tell you.
03:04I don't know what these countries are like for English,
03:06but I can't imagine that you're going to rock up and go like,
03:08you all right, bro?
03:09Do you know what I mean?
03:11It very much feels like the unknown now.
03:15The End
03:15The End
03:44Well, I'm going to need my sunglasses here.
03:46Look at that. Let's get out into Kazakhstan.
03:49Welcome to Kazakhstan. Here we are.
03:52After their flight from Georgia, the four teams have touched down in Akhtau.
04:03Set between desert and sea, a Soviet-era city engineered solely for industry.
04:11This is the gateway to Kazakhstan.
04:16The world's largest landlocked country.
04:19One of vast horizons and challenging landscapes that have shaped a culture of both endurance and generosity.
04:29It looks good here, though. Look at that.
04:31Yeah. See, just for miles.
04:33I've been on a prairie.
04:35Race leaders Mark and Margot are the first to depart.
04:38Your fifth checkpoint is Zamin National Park.
04:43Ooh, that'll be glorious.
04:45Let's have a look.
04:47Zamin.
04:48Uzbekistan.
04:49Well found, Margot.
04:50A journey of around 2,200 kilometers into the soaring peaks of Zamin National Park.
05:00Part of the Turkestan mountain range, and nicknamed the Uzbek Switzerland,
05:05its alpine meadows and hidden valleys shelter rare birds, lynx, and Siberian ibex.
05:13Home to some of Central Asia's most dramatic scenery.
05:17A contrast to the arid plains that lead here.
05:21Whoa, the route's going to be wild getting there, I think.
05:23I think so.
05:24I mean, you could go round this way, via Kazakhstan.
05:27That is considerably longer.
05:29I think the best way to go to Uzbekistan...
05:31Go through Uzbekistan.
05:32Yeah.
05:32That's the most direct route, isn't it?
05:34For their longest leg yet, the teams must choose between two countries.
05:39They can make an early crossing into Uzbekistan,
05:43following ancient Silk Road routes through bustling cities.
05:48Shorter in distance, but transport may be less reliable.
05:51Or they can stay in Kazakhstan, tracking north-east across remote lands
05:57dotted with Soviet-era settlements,
05:59all connected by a 16,000-kilometre railway network
06:04that offers slower but steadier travel.
06:07We've only just got to Kazakhstan.
06:09I'd like to see more.
06:11I think it's going to be very much like this, you know,
06:13quite boring, visually.
06:14Mm.
06:15Kazakhstan sounds a bit, like, more crazy and wild,
06:18like the Wild West.
06:19Mm.
06:20Mark has had a lot of choices so far.
06:22I've enjoyed the things we've done,
06:24but we've made decisions that were right for him.
06:26But as race has continued,
06:28I've realised that I have to have my turn of choosing things.
06:31So let's have a little look in the directory,
06:32see what jobs are on offer.
06:33OK, yes, yes.
06:34Look at this, Mark, look at that one.
06:36The horse farm near Turkestad.
06:38I love horses.
06:39You do?
06:40Yeah, do you?
06:41Mm.
06:42I'm not too keen on horses,
06:44but I think Mongolian and Kazakhstan horses,
06:46I think they're quite small.
06:46Are they?
06:47I might be OK with them, yes.
06:48Joyful horses, yeah.
06:50Coming first, I think we've got the chance to take risks.
06:53Even though it looks further to travel,
06:55I feel it's going to be faster,
06:57but I've got nothing to base it on.
06:59It's a gamble.
07:00Yeah, it's OK.
07:01Let's gamble and go through Kazakhstan.
07:02Roll the dice.
07:03Yeah.
07:03We want to get to...
07:05Train station.
07:06To keep the race on track,
07:08the in-laws are planning a Kazakh adventure,
07:10heading north-east from Akhtau City by rail.
07:14Oh, sorry, do you speak English?
07:15The train station.
07:17If I want to you...
07:19He will take me.
07:20Great, yes, yes, yes.
07:22Oh, thank you.
07:24My name is Janice.
07:26Genghis, the man.
07:28I'll go in the front with Genghis.
07:30Lovely.
07:34Welcome to Kazakhstan.
07:36Hey, Akhtau.
07:39Look at this.
07:40It is like the Wild West, Mark.
07:42It is, isn't it, yeah?
07:46Train, choo-choo, choo-choo.
07:48Caspi-si.
07:49Mm-hmm.
07:50Caspi-si, paton, vaxal.
07:52No, we want the station.
07:54Oh, I think you want to show us the Caspian station.
07:56Yes, Caspi-si.
07:57We've got a bit of a tour here.
07:58I'm not sure about this, Margot.
08:01This is what we like, adventure.
08:04The adventure of a lifetime.
08:06Kazakhstan.
08:0990 minutes behind.
08:10There's a train route that goes straight through Kazakhstan.
08:13I'm sick of buses.
08:15Joe and Kush debate their options.
08:17I think it's going to take longer than it's worth, in my opinion.
08:20Kazakhstan looks way shorter.
08:22Our number one priority is the race.
08:24So, I want to take the faster route, regardless.
08:27I can't lie.
08:28It is wacky.
08:29But I think overnight train will be sick.
08:31An amazing experience.
08:32I want to do Kazakhstan.
08:35Kazakhstan does look more efficient.
08:36It does look quicker.
08:38But I'm not thinking about efficiency.
08:39I'm thinking about the experience.
08:41Ah, through Kizlodra.
08:43Is this travelling through Kazakhstan?
08:45Yes.
08:46Oh, bro.
08:46So, from 8.30 a.m. tomorrow, we can get from Aptal to Kizlodra?
08:50One day, five hours.
08:52Oh, wow.
08:52OK.
08:5329-hour train.
08:54We're going to cover so much distance by this one overnight.
08:57Let's go, Kazakhstan.
08:58Clinching the argument for Joe.
09:00Bush.
09:02The best friends have found a cross-country train leaving in the morning,
09:05taking them a hugely beneficial 1,400 kilometres deep into Kazakhstan.
09:1129-hour train is going to be bussed.
09:14We are super, super stoked.
09:16Tomorrow, we are covering more distance than the length of the UK.
09:19That could be safe.
09:28Caspian Sea.
09:28Wow.
09:29Caspian Sea.
09:30We'll see the Caspian Sea, we'll see.
09:33Spanning an area the size of Japan,
09:35the Caspian Sea isn't a sea at all, but the world's largest lake.
09:40Gorgeous.
09:40Didn't think we'll get to see this, did you?
09:42No, I didn't.
09:44Five nations share its vast shoreline.
09:47Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan.
09:53Ah.
09:54This is beautiful.
09:58I am liking Kazakhstan so far.
10:01Already get a sense of the pride they've got in their country.
10:04Caspian Sea.
10:04Caspian Sea, yeah.
10:06Without you, we wouldn't have seen it.
10:09Station.
10:10Choo-choo.
10:11Yes, ticket.
10:13Ticket.
10:14What's he telling you?
10:15Oh, 6.30.
10:17Oh, dear.
10:18We missed it.
10:20So if we'd come straight out, we could have...
10:23Yeah, we might have done it, yeah.
10:248.30 tomorrow.
10:26Yes, OK.
10:28Eyeing up the same long-distance train as Joe and Cush...
10:32It's going to be a long, hard journey, I think, for us.
10:34Just zip it, man.
10:36This journey's going to be a triumph.
10:38They will also need to wait until morning,
10:40losing their lead before they've left Actow.
10:44No matter what the consequences, I'm glad we've done it.
11:03Thank you, my friend.
11:05This is Cushney.
11:08Hey, look at these, Mark.
11:118.30 in Actow.
11:13I've just seen Mahamadu.
11:15Did you?
11:15Yeah, they're on the same train.
11:18Gee.
11:19That's mad.
11:20We've closed that gap.
11:21Looks like it's go time.
11:24Wow.
11:25The efficiency.
11:27Leaving on time.
11:28Two teams set off on their long-haul train journey,
11:32bound for the vastness of Kazakhstan.
11:34It's going to be interesting, isn't it?
11:36Ask me that in 29 hours.
11:39First carved over a century ago,
11:42these Russian and Soviet tracks
11:44skirped the sparse Ustjord Plateau.
11:49Outside, some of the most remote terrain on Earth.
11:53Inside, the carriages are famed for their village-like community,
11:58where the Kazakh spirit can turn strangers into family.
12:06I have no clue what this game is.
12:08I don't know what it's called, I don't know how it works.
12:09What's going to do?
12:10Whips out the board and started pointing.
12:13Not a single word spoken yet.
12:15Who's in front of us?
12:18Oh!
12:20Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
12:21Wait, you can't.
12:22I know, yeah.
12:23I'm probably getting battered right now.
12:25I don't know what the score is,
12:26but it is fun just, like,
12:28interacting with someone in a different way.
12:30Oh, wait.
12:31I think he's shown me.
12:32Oh, my God.
12:33He won second in the championship.
12:36Why?
12:38Oh, my God.
12:40You're playing with a master job.
12:43It's the strangest sausage I've ever seen.
12:45Yes, isn't it?
12:46Very old sausage.
12:48Right, you're going to have to help me with that.
12:49No, no.
12:49Hazek spam.
12:51Got to eat it.
12:52Keep your strength up.
12:53I was a vegetarian for 20 years.
12:55I'm becoming a vegetarian again.
12:57Not on this trip, you weren't, please.
12:59Blokes over there are having vodka with their breakfast.
13:02Do you think we should get some vodka with our breakfast?
13:04I am not having vodka with my breakfast, no.
13:06It must be a tradition,
13:07a Kazakhstan tradition, Mark.
13:09Oh, let's have a vodka.
13:10No, no vodka first thing in the morning.
13:12I'm going to ask if it's traditional, okay?
13:14Okay, you can see.
13:15I'm going to ask them about the culture.
13:17What?
13:18English?
13:19No, no.
13:19No, no.
13:20What was the name?
13:22Margo?
13:22Margo?
13:23Margo.
13:24Margo.
13:24My name's Sultan.
13:26Sultan?
13:26Sultan.
13:27Do you have vodka for breakfast?
13:30Is this usual?
13:42This is a good tradition.
13:46Oh, Mark, I'm having a great time.
13:48Yes.
13:49Hypnotise.
13:50Give me your vodka.
13:52I give me your vodka.
13:55Mark, you don't want to come round and join us?
13:57No.
13:57No?
13:58I'm happy here.
13:59Oh, sorry, sorry.
14:00Sorry.
14:00Is that all it?
14:01I don't drink vodka at all, really.
14:03It's not my drink.
14:04He wants to marry me, does he?
14:06No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
14:08You're a very naughty boy.
14:10I'm on trend, Joe, actually.
14:11I like to look out the window and see the landscape.
14:14Let's go.
14:15It's always.
14:21As two teams advance further into Kazakhstan.
14:26Look at that.
14:27Look, that is just unreal.
14:28As far as the eye can see, nothing.
14:32It sounds silly, but, like, you can see why people think the earth is flat.
14:36Third to get going, Andrew and Molly set out their plan.
14:40I really want to do a city.
14:43I love the idea of being in and around people and culture.
14:47Uzbekistan is synonymous with the original Silk Road.
14:50Some of the most beautiful cities in the world.
14:53I think that could be dead fun, if we could.
14:58Opting for a route east through Uzbekistan,
15:01the pair set their sights on an ancient city, Kiva.
15:07You all right?
15:08Yeah.
15:09OK.
15:10Where's the train?
15:11We're trying to go to Uzbekistan.
15:15Through Ben, you.
15:16You know?
15:17Yes.
15:18No, no, no.
15:21Determined to reach Uzbekistan today,
15:23they must first make the five-hour trip to Benu,
15:26aiming for an evening connection across the border.
15:30How much to go to Benu now?
15:33I think we missed a train to Benu,
15:35where we know we would have got a connection to Uzbekistan.
15:39So we're kind of racing the clock a bit,
15:41because I really want to go to Kiva City.
15:4450?
15:45Molly.
15:46Yes.
15:47Guys willing to take us for $50?
15:49Yes.
15:49All right?
15:50To Benu and we'll be there for 4 o'clock.
15:52Jeez, that'd be great.
15:54I think we take it.
15:55OK.
15:56Go, go, go.
15:57Go, go.
15:58Are you happy with us, yeah?
15:59Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:00We need to get there.
16:03Do you know Benu?
16:04$100?
16:05No.
16:06No.
16:07$100?
16:07No.
16:08Stop.
16:09Well, then, grand, we get the train.
16:11No.
16:12How much?
16:13No, no, no.
16:14I really haven't a clue what to do.
16:16Yeah, we had agreed $50,
16:17and then his mates obviously got around him
16:19and decided that that wasn't the money they paid.
16:21Hey, hey, you don't want that.
16:23I don't want $100.
16:25I want $70.
16:27But Molly's currently in negotiations with about 20 men.
16:30That's OK, yeah, then.
16:31Goodbye.
16:31Goodbye.
16:32You all right, Molly, then?
16:33Yeah.
16:34She's holding her own,
16:35so, but we just have to wait and see.
16:37Yeah, $70.
16:38$70.
16:39Daddy.
16:40He did for $70.
16:42Well done.
16:42That was good.
16:45Right, go.
16:47Stressful.
16:48It means we get the connection tonight,
16:50which is the main thing.
16:52When's the last time you ever had something like that?
16:53I've never had that before.
16:55Never.
16:55Jesus, Molly.
16:56Well done, Kate.
16:57With Andrew and Molly finally on their way to Bennu.
17:01Oh, by the way, we're still in Europe.
17:04We're not in Europe.
17:04We're in Asia, Harrison.
17:05Kazakhstan playing the Euro qualifiers.
17:07Katie and Harrison waste no time in doing the same.
17:11I don't do continents.
17:12I do football confederations.
17:15We're going through Uzbekistan rather than over the top through Kazakhstan.
17:21Immediately, it looks like the direct route.
17:25Chasing the same train as Andrew and Molly,
17:27they look to move quickly across Uzbekistan.
17:31We are 20 hours behind first.
17:34Last leg, we maxed out on experience,
17:36but it did feel like we threw away three lengths worth of hard work.
17:40I just don't want to sign in last again.
17:43We're racing a lot more than the last leg,
17:45but it is about balance.
17:47Whilst we're in these places,
17:49we're going to try and experience as much as possible.
17:52Oh, there's camels.
17:54Oh, my God, there's just camels in the middle of the world.
17:57This is the recall.
18:02Right, let's go. Bye-bye.
18:07What time?
18:0948. And it goes to Nukas.
18:11OK.
18:12Yes. Nukas time.
18:13Tickets secured.
18:15Hello!
18:17Just like the frontrunners,
18:19the bottom two teams are now neck and neck.
18:22Happy days!
18:24Are you getting this one as well?
18:25Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's all sorted.
18:27Yay!
18:28Right, let's get on the train.
18:33There is a race back on.
18:34It's nice to know that we've caught up with someone already.
18:37I'm sure they're not happy to be with us.
18:39Because it means they've lost their lead on us.
18:42There's no other train we could have got,
18:43so we've got what we needed to do.
18:45I'm not worried about who I can see.
18:47Yeah.
18:47I'm worried about who I can see.
18:48Who I can see, exactly.
18:50And if people are around us,
18:51that means we're in the game.
18:52Mm-hmm.
18:53Would you like some bread?
18:54I would have some, and I'd say.
18:56It's a bit like Jesus bread and water, isn't it?
19:00I am starving.
19:02Got no water, no food.
19:04But what we've been doing here is
19:06eat when you can,
19:07because you don't know when you're going to eat next.
19:09Yeah.
19:09The problem is,
19:10it's not that hard to find food.
19:12So every time I eat,
19:13I've been eating like I'm not going to eat
19:15for next 48 hours.
19:16But realistically,
19:17it's the next four to eight hours.
19:20LAUGHTER
19:35Oh!
19:36Don't drink the water.
19:38Thanks!
19:39LAUGHTER
19:40It's not exactly the Orient Express.
19:43LAUGHTER
19:44Give me a couple of times.
19:48Let's just...
19:49Give me a couple of times.
19:51Give me a couple of times.
19:54Who do you?
19:56LAUGHTER
19:56What do you mean?
19:59What do you mean?
19:59LAUGHTER
20:00The girls don't look at it.
20:03That's two.
20:04Mm-hmm.
20:06Mm-hmm.
20:06Mm-hmm.
20:07Mm-hmm.
20:13As the 29-hour train
20:15pulls two teams
20:16further across Kazakhstan,
20:18their rival two teams
20:20have made it to Uzbekistan.
20:22Got a train ticket sorted
20:24for tomorrow morning out of Nukas.
20:25I'm very much looking forward
20:27to getting to explore Uzbekistan a bit.
20:30A nation now dominated by youth,
20:33with 60% of its citizens under 30.
20:35Yet beneath that energy
20:37lies a history stretching back
20:39more than two millennia,
20:41with some of Central Asia's oldest settlements.
20:45How old is this cemetery, then, Katie?
20:48Think of old,
20:49and then think, like, even older than that.
20:52Just outside Nukas,
20:54one of those ancient sites still remains.
20:57Mizdha Khan, a sacred necropolis
21:00in use for 22 centuries
21:02as a burial ground for local communities,
21:05prophets and royalty.
21:07We're getting into someone's grave.
21:10It's kind of creepy, man.
21:12What the...
21:13Wow.
21:15Even the brickwork on it,
21:16it's just...
21:17You've got hundreds of different types of bricks in it,
21:19and they've then been put together
21:20to create a pattern.
21:22Yeah, there must have been such a faff.
21:25I really want one.
21:27Will you build a building for me when I die?
21:29Must be jerky.
21:32It's just cool to go somewhere that's so untravelled.
21:35Part of a world I never thought I'd go to.
21:37I know we're obviously racing this leg
21:39to try and get out of fourth place,
21:41but it's been nice to stop for a second, isn't it?
21:43I'd like to get an appreciation
21:45of what Uzbekistan's about.
21:48Yeah, thousands of years old have I always stood.
21:50Some of them date back to 400 B.C.
21:54And the dinosaurs are out.
21:55Oh, my God.
21:58Are you serious?
22:00Where's the ticket office?
22:02Sorry!
22:04On the other side of town,
22:05at Nuku's station...
22:07Sorry, do you really buy a ticket?
22:09Ticket?
22:10Andrew and Molly have their own plans
22:12to explore Uzbekistan.
22:15I am especially looking forward to Kiva City.
22:18We'd love to see the culture
22:19rather than going out to nature.
22:22Just more daddy things.
22:23But, yeah, that'd be lovely, actually.
22:25We're looking to get to Kiva City.
22:27When is the next train?
22:29About 20 a.m.
22:30Every day.
22:31All right, thank you.
22:33Right.
22:33OK.
22:34Having missed another train...
22:36We seem to keep getting stuck.
22:38...they search for alternative transport.
22:40Hello.
22:41English.
22:42English.
22:43OK.
22:43Is there a bus to Kiva?
22:45Bus, no.
22:46Taxi.
22:47Taxi.
22:48I don't know what to do.
22:49I don't know.
22:50Sorry, just let us stop.
22:51I need to do something.
22:53I want to enjoy today.
22:55Sorry, just one sec.
22:56I don't like having to pay for another taxi.
22:58But I don't want to be stuck at a train station.
23:01I really don't know what to do.
23:02You can see it from the map.
23:03The distances we're covering is going to be a long leg,
23:06a lot of travel.
23:07I think you could get lost very, very quickly in this leg.
23:10Beginning to realise that Molly has the ability to be confident,
23:13but at times she doesn't have that inner self-belief.
23:17The f*** is she ever going to Kiva?
23:20Um...
23:21So my job is to remind her that there's a time to put the skates on.
23:25OK, sorry for being a bit indecisive.
23:27I'm just overthinking, probably.
23:30I'm going to have to make a call.
23:31Yeah.
23:34Kiva City?
23:36Yes.
23:37OK, OK, yes.
23:42Molly's Kiva City dream has cost them another taxi ride.
23:47Good call, yeah?
23:48I think it's our call.
23:49I don't know if it's a good one.
23:51You all right?
23:52I'm just kind of stressed.
23:55At least we should get there in a couple of hours and enjoy Kiva.
23:58Yeah.
24:00As father and daughter make the last 190km push to Kiva,
24:05two teams are still racing along the rails
24:08through Kazakhstan's Kizilorda region.
24:10An open desert steppe where settlements are scarce
24:14and the horizon seems never-ending.
24:17Look at that.
24:19Bit of flatland.
24:20Oh, my God.
24:21You see that?
24:21It's a rock.
24:24How do they survive on this landscape?
24:27To start off with it,
24:28it was actually quite a variety of terrain.
24:30Mm-hm.
24:30But it's now just flattened out into a vast steppe.
24:34I have not seen one tree since 8 o'clock this morning.
24:37Wake me up if anything interesting happens.
24:40I think you're pretty safe.
24:50On the edge of the Karakum Desert
24:54lies Kiva,
24:57a gateway for Silk Road traders to rest and recover
25:01before facing the vast sands of Central Asia.
25:05Within it lies Itchen Kala,
25:07a maze of narrow streets and blue-tiled minarets
25:11enclosed by towering clay walls,
25:14still perfectly preserved today.
25:17Oh, look at this, Molly.
25:18Wow.
25:20You OK?
25:21Just a bit fed up.
25:23I just feel like we've taxied this whole...
25:26Yeah, I know, I know, I know.
25:27...journey and...
25:28Andrew and Molly's city stopover
25:31has cost more than a day and a half's race budget
25:33on taxis alone,
25:34a modern reminder of just how remote
25:37this outpost is to reach.
25:40Kiva.
25:41Yep, it's just lovely.
25:43Eventually got here, but...
25:45Honestly, very deflated.
25:47Very deflated.
25:48Kind of annoyed.
25:53Of course, there's a lot of money to get here.
25:55And we're going to have to spend money
25:57to get out of here, more than likely.
26:00Or we just sacrificed the race.
26:03It's...
26:05It's something I wanted to do,
26:07and...
26:08It's not worked out very well.
26:11So I'm got a guilt with that.
26:16You all right?
26:18I'm not fed up.
26:20Sorry.
26:22Yeah, do you want to...
26:23We go for a walk?
26:24Have a bit of...
26:25A bit of us time.
26:27I'd love to go for a walk.
26:28All right, kid, yeah?
26:29I like that a lot.
26:29You OK?
26:29Yeah.
26:30Go on a walk.
26:34It is stunning, isn't it?
26:36Kind of like Aladdin, that kind of...
26:38It is.
26:38It is absolutely Aladdin.
26:40Yeah.
26:41Just look at it.
26:41It's amazing.
26:42It is crazy.
26:44I don't really know why I'm upset.
26:46I'm trying to prove myself that I'm independent,
26:49but I really do overthink things.
26:52I'm always kind of going,
26:53oh, could I have done that better?
26:54Could I have gotten it for cheaper?
26:56Where's the best place to see it, Molly?
26:58Up on the walls, no?
27:02Oh, wow.
27:04That's beautiful.
27:08I wish I could stand on my decisions with pride.
27:13Beautiful, beautiful spot, then.
27:15Amazing.
27:16But I'm scared of negatively affecting people.
27:19And with this race, it's daddy.
27:21I don't want to disappoint him.
27:24That's lovely, actually.
27:26I probably need to trust my God.
27:28I know that is within my power.
27:31So I think this is what I need to do from now on in.
27:36It is beautiful.
27:37Happy we did it.
27:39Good call, all right, Molly?
27:42But the thing that's fascinating, I always find,
27:44is that, like, the sun goes down
27:45and it always comes back up again.
27:47I know.
27:47Yeah, no matter what your day is like, at least.
27:49It'll come up tomorrow, yeah?
27:51That's the thing.
27:51I think that's what we need to think about.
27:53We need to think about it, yeah.
27:54It's kind of a nice round-up.
27:58Tomorrow will be a better day.
27:59Yeah.
28:05The noise!
28:07Oh, look at that colour.
28:09That's beautiful.
28:09It is lovely, isn't it?
28:11In Kazakhstan, after more than a day's travel...
28:15This is us, Kizlodha.
28:16Yo, Joe, is this us?
28:18Joe.
28:19Oh.
28:20Joe and Kush and Mark and Margot
28:23alight in Kizilorda,
28:24more than halfway to the checkpoint.
28:28We need a hotel.
28:30Should we try and find our fella?
28:31See if he's here.
28:32To bed in with Kazakh culture...
28:35Bigzat, my name is.
28:36Bigzat?
28:37Kush.
28:38Lovely to meet you, my friend.
28:39Joe and Kush have arranged a homestay
28:41with local businessman Bigzat and his family.
28:45Wow.
28:45You've got a very nice space.
28:47Welcome to my house.
28:50This is my family.
28:53Hello.
28:54This is my father, my mother.
28:57Assalamualaikum.
28:57Waalaikumussalam.
28:59Waalaikumussalam.
29:00In Kazakh tradition,
29:02the national dish of Beshbermak
29:04is served on special occasions.
29:07Its sharing platter,
29:08a symbol of unity and hospitality.
29:24It's so good.
29:25Mmm, it tastes amazing.
29:29Sport?
29:30Oh, sport?
29:32Me, basketball.
29:34And of course, Thai boxing.
29:37Thai boxing?
29:38Thai boxing.
29:39Judo, judo.
29:40Judo.
29:40Judo.
29:43Judo, my nose at ball.
29:44My father, he fight Muay Thai.
29:48Me, Muay Thai.
29:48Father?
29:49Father.
29:49What's that?
29:50My biological dad passed away when I was one.
29:54My mum was alone with me and my older brother.
29:57And she met my dad slash stepdad Matt.
30:01He was a fighter.
30:02He's coached me and my brother for as long as I can remember.
30:06Muay Thai, Thai boxing.
30:08Thai boxing.
30:09As a kid, I remember doing pads in the garden.
30:11That's a big one.
30:12He'd do round the pads with us
30:14and then make us do press-ups
30:16while the other one does the pads.
30:17Even though we're not blood,
30:20he never once shied away from treating me as his own.
30:26So, growing up with him as someone strong to look up to,
30:30it means the world.
30:32New medals.
30:32New medals.
30:36Bro, what are you saying?
30:39Champion.
30:40Number one.
30:41Champion.
30:44There's a language barrier,
30:45but I can sort of relate to the journey
30:48that they've grown up with,
30:49watching their dad and being inspired
30:51to then pursue the same passion.
30:54Hey, you've done this.
30:56You know Muay Thai.
30:57I think this guy's got a lovely family.
30:59It's so lovely all of it.
30:59It's so sweet.
31:00Oh, my God.
31:03Ha, ha, ha.
31:07In Uzbekistan.
31:09Taxi.
31:10Taxi.
31:11Train station.
31:13Train.
31:15English.
31:17Ah, I meant the choo-choo noise.
31:20Train.
31:21Choo-choo.
31:22Police, police, police.
31:25It works out.
31:26OK, thank you.
31:28No time to mess around
31:30with half-assed train noises.
31:32We're in a race.
31:34Having spent the night in Nukas,
31:35Katie and Harrison
31:37are bound 550 kilometres south-east
31:40to the medieval city, Bukhara.
31:43Going to go travelling all day.
31:44You can't really ask for much more.
31:47To the south in Kiva.
31:49Train to Bukhara?
31:50Andrew and Molly have the same idea.
31:53Two.
31:53Is that the earliest?
31:54There's no earlier one?
31:58Molly, the earliest is two.
31:59It's half-ten now,
32:00and it's going to be a long wait.
32:02The taxis?
32:03How much?
32:04Yeah, it's Ā£50.
32:05It's going to cost several the money
32:06to get the taxi.
32:08This leg, we've taxied a lot.
32:09I think I'd rather prioritise budget
32:11getting to Bukhara.
32:12Bukhara.
32:13So where?
32:14Train's best.
32:14Train's best?
32:15Yeah, that's a good call, yeah.
32:17I need two tickets to Bukhara.
32:20Feeling very good.
32:22Much better today.
32:23The last couple of legs,
32:24I've realised that being last
32:26hasn't been a hindrance.
32:27Paris and Katie were 10 hours behind us,
32:29and sure, they've got the same train
32:30of us out of here.
32:31So I think really,
32:32in the next coming legs,
32:34it's not going to matter.
32:35If we can just stay in the game,
32:37stay as close as possible.
32:39Appreciate it.
32:39Thanks very much.
32:40There's no point won in the first couple.
32:42You only want to win one.
32:43So we keep telling ourselves.
32:47560 kilometres away
32:49in southern Kazakhstan...
32:51You can see some of that
32:52Soviet architecture, isn't it?
32:54..two teams wake up in Kizilorda.
32:59In the 1920s,
33:01it was the Soviet capital,
33:02owing to its strategic position
33:05on the Tashkent railway line.
33:07Well, workers unite.
33:08Look at that.
33:09That's all the good, that.
33:10Circuit propaganda, isn't it?
33:12It's very strong and dramatic.
33:14As Mark and Margot head out of the city
33:17to reach their homestay...
33:18Horses!
33:20Come on, Marko.
33:21Want to go to sleep?
33:27So cool.
33:28Joe and Kush have the opportunity
33:30to explore their host, Bekzat's dojo.
33:33Good to go.
33:34Salam alaykum.
33:39Definitely a random experience.
33:41They were due, though,
33:42in the middle of Kazakhstan.
33:47Kush has been starved from his Muay Thai.
33:50It was nice to see him
33:52let off some steam.
33:56Come to this gym,
33:57it means a lot to me.
33:59It's more than just
34:00throwing and hitting and fighting.
34:02There's a lot of
34:03meaning behind it.
34:06I think back to memories
34:08with my dad.
34:09I found it sick
34:10to do what your dad does.
34:12Being in the gym,
34:13I wonder what he'd be thinking.
34:15He'd be standing on the side
34:16with, like, a particular
34:18sort of smirk on his face
34:19watching me do judo throws.
34:26I remember the day
34:27he passed.
34:29It was lockdown
34:30and it was a
34:32real big shock.
34:33He had really poor
34:34mental health
34:34and he took his own life.
34:41You never sort of forget
34:42that shock factor.
34:51I still think about him
34:52all the time.
34:54Being on this
34:54journey,
34:55it's brought me
34:56little moments of
34:58be boss to tell him.
35:01And I wish,
35:02I really wish
35:02I could
35:03sort of show him
35:05who I am now.
35:07Because when you're 14,
35:08it's like
35:09I didn't know who I was
35:11and I was still a child.
35:13And I made a lot of
35:14mistakes when I was younger
35:15and I feel like
35:17if I could
35:17sort of
35:18show him what I've learned.
35:33Losing Kush's dad,
35:34it was so sudden.
35:37I think
35:38experiencing
35:39them
35:39hardships
35:41like
35:41so unexpectedly
35:42it has affected
35:44Kush's personality.
35:46He
35:46wants to stay
35:47in control
35:48of himself.
35:49You know,
35:50he's never drank,
35:51he's never got drunken
35:52before,
35:53doesn't smoke,
35:55doesn't
35:55do anything
35:56without
35:57checking safety
35:58twice.
35:59Because it was
36:00such a shock,
36:01I guess he doesn't
36:01want anything like that
36:02to happen again.
36:06I'm very grateful
36:07we're doing the race
36:08together.
36:11Like,
36:12we can literally
36:13go to each other
36:13for anything.
36:14We just need to get to Turkestan.
36:15Hopefully we can go to work,
36:17keeping the budget healthy.
36:19I'm always there for Kush
36:20and I know
36:21he's always there for me as well.
36:24Who's Turkestan?
36:25Oh,
36:25perfect.
36:26Sick.
36:29Goodbye.
36:29Ahmed,
36:30goodbye.
36:32Check the jobs directory.
36:35There's a job
36:35saving food
36:36at this
36:37plaza.
36:37That looks sick.
36:39That would be
36:40boss.
36:41As Joe
36:42and Kush
36:43push on south
36:44in search of work,
36:47across the border
36:48in Uzbekistan,
36:49It's tight now,
36:50I don't know how
36:51you're going to do this,
36:51boy.
36:51Andrew and Molly
36:53are finally
36:53on their
36:54seven-hour
36:54train journey
36:55to Bukhara.
36:56I don't know
36:57what you're going to do.
37:00Batman's on top.
37:05Heading the same way.
37:06How is it?
37:07This is scary,
37:09but kind of cool.
37:09This is what I've been
37:10wanting to do
37:11this whole time.
37:12Katie and Harrison.
37:14I feel like
37:14this is an
37:15out-of-body experience,
37:17looking at a desert
37:18outside of a
37:19sleeper train.
37:19Yeah.
37:20I just never thought
37:21I'd be here.
37:22Really pleased
37:23with how we're
37:23racing so far.
37:25We spent
37:25a good day
37:26in Nukas,
37:27but then got out
37:27there as soon
37:28as we reasonably
37:28could,
37:29and now we're
37:30nine hours on
37:30the move
37:31to Bukhara.
37:32He couldn't
37:32ask for much
37:32more, really.
37:34My name is
37:35Faisullah.
37:36Faisullah?
37:37Harrison.
37:37What's your name?
37:38Harrison.
37:39Nice to meet you.
37:40Katie,
37:41where are you
37:42from?
37:42Where did you
37:43come from?
37:45Uzbekistan.
37:45We're from
37:48Manchester.
37:49Manchester United.
37:55Manchester City.
37:56Yeah,
37:57so Uzbekistan,
37:58the centre-back.
37:58He must be quite
37:59good for the
38:00name of Manchester
38:00City.
38:02If you said to me
38:03five years ago
38:03that you'd be
38:04travelling across
38:05the world and
38:06seeing these
38:06places, I
38:07wouldn't have
38:07believed you.
38:08I'm obviously
38:09a world away
38:10from home,
38:12but I don't
38:13feel it.
38:14Before the race,
38:15I certainly
38:15wouldn't be going
38:16up to speaking
38:17to people,
38:18but I think it's
38:18become a second
38:19nature now.
38:20It is very
38:21lovely to meet
38:21you two.
38:22You have been
38:23very kind.
38:24It's the bit
38:25that I kind
38:25of dread,
38:26but it's
38:26always the
38:27experience I
38:28get the most
38:28out of,
38:29and I'll
38:29come away
38:29thinking just
38:30how wonderful
38:31everyone is.
38:32This is a gift
38:33from me to you.
38:34It is very
38:34precious to me
38:35because it's
38:35my first
38:35achievement
38:36in Knuckles.
38:37Oh, no,
38:38no, no,
38:39no.
38:40You sure?
38:41Oh,
38:42oh,
38:43it's a medal.
38:44Oh,
38:45half marathon.
38:46Oh.
38:47Running.
38:48I have run
38:49a half marathon
38:50two in Manchester.
38:51I can send
38:52you my medal
38:53if you would
38:54like it.
38:55My name
38:55is Faisal
38:56Love.
38:56Faisal Love.
38:57My name
38:58is Harrison.
39:01We are
39:02friends.
39:07Hello.
39:09They're lovely.
39:10Aren't they
39:11beautiful?
39:12Would you
39:12like to get
39:13on one ride?
39:14Not
39:14particularly.
39:16In
39:17Kentau,
39:18just outside
39:19the city
39:19of Turkestan,
39:22Mark and
39:22Margo have
39:23made it
39:24to the
39:24horse farm
39:25run by
39:26Kularnish
39:27and his
39:27family.
39:29OK.
39:31One job
39:32you've got
39:32to do
39:33is shovel
39:33sit.
39:35It's very
39:35ripe.
39:37Mucking
39:37in in
39:38exchange
39:38for bed
39:39and board.
39:40Give me
39:40a wheelbarrow.
39:41I'm fine.
39:41Absolutely
39:42fine.
39:43Do,
39:44do,
39:44do,
39:44do,
39:44do.
39:45I love
39:46wheelbarrows.
39:47Essential
39:48to survival,
39:49horses have
39:50long sustained
39:50life on the
39:51steppe.
39:52As transport,
39:54the source
39:54of kumas,
39:55a fermented
39:55mare's milk,
39:56and as a
39:57vital food source.
39:59Mum loves
40:00horses.
40:01My grandad
40:01loved horses.
40:02Oh,
40:03gosh,
40:03your grandad
40:03was a...
40:04My great-grandad.
40:05Great-grandad
40:05was a horse
40:06trader,
40:06wasn't he?
40:06Yes.
40:07Yes.
40:08So,
40:09what will
40:10we do
40:10with the
40:11horses?
40:12Meat.
40:13Oh,
40:13their meat?
40:14Meat.
40:14Meat bees.
40:15Oh,
40:16Lord.
40:18My dream
40:19has turned
40:20into a nightmare.
40:21Good taste
40:21of reality,
40:22isn't it?
40:25When I thought
40:26about the
40:26Kazakh horses,
40:27I just thought
40:28of them running
40:28wild,
40:29excitedly over
40:30the fields
40:31or something.
40:31Oh,
40:32no.
40:33Are we
40:33all right?
40:34I didn't
40:35really associate
40:36it with the
40:36reality of
40:37it's a major
40:39food source,
40:39and that is
40:40reality of
40:41the way
40:42of life.
40:42But I
40:43want to be
40:43open-minded,
40:44but sometimes
40:44my mind
40:45just doesn't
40:46want to go
40:47there.
40:48Poor
40:48fella.
40:50I'm not
40:50as squeamish
40:51as Margot's
40:53course of
40:54human life,
40:54isn't it?
40:55We eat
40:55animals.
40:57Light's gone,
40:58hasn't it,
40:58now?
40:59Right,
40:59let's go.
41:02I'm here,
41:03am I?
41:03I'm the head
41:04of the table.
41:05There we go.
41:06To welcome
41:06their guests,
41:07the family
41:08has prepared
41:08a traditional
41:09meal.
41:10It's like
41:11a banquet.
41:12I feel like
41:12a king,
41:13Margot.
41:16Oh,
41:17gosh.
41:19Thank you
41:20very much.
41:21Look at
41:22that.
41:23Is that
41:23a goat?
41:25Ram's head.
41:27Ram's head.
41:28For guests
41:29of honour.
41:31Wow,
41:31look at
41:31that.
41:33Oh,
41:34Lord.
41:35What is
41:35this?
41:40It might
41:41feel
41:41impolite
41:42not to
41:42accept it.
41:43OK,
41:44I'll try
41:44a bit of that
41:45to the cake.
41:45Do you
41:48Mmm.
41:49Do you like
41:50it?
41:51It tastes
41:51of succulent
41:52lamb,
41:52yes.
41:54I'm enjoying
41:54this route,
41:55I am enjoying
41:56it,
41:56but it's not
41:57been everything
41:57I'd hoped
41:58for.
41:59It was a bit
42:00of a surprise,
42:01really.
42:02I don't know
42:02why I think
42:04my fairytale
42:05thinking got
42:06me into
42:07another fine
42:07mess.
42:08And what's
42:09that?
42:10I don't
42:10know,
42:11meat.
42:12Mark,
42:13this is why
42:14I brought
42:14you on the
42:14race.
42:15I'm taking
42:15one for
42:16the team.
42:17Hi,
42:18hello.
42:19Hello.
42:19They are
42:20all happy
42:20to see you
42:21in our
42:22home.
42:23Oh,
42:23she gave me
42:23such a hug.
42:24She gave me
42:24a hug.
42:30A wonderful
42:31family.
42:31It's been a
42:32real joy
42:32meeting them.
42:33It's raised
42:34my spirits.
42:35We have
42:35gifts for
42:37you.
42:37Oh,
42:38my goodness.
42:40Oh,
42:42my God.
42:46Someone
42:46like how
42:47I would
42:47imagine
42:47people from
42:48the ex-Soviet
42:49Union to
42:49be.
42:50Yeah.
42:53You always
42:54see images
42:55in the West
42:55of them being
42:56very dour
42:56and grumpy.
42:58This is not
42:58the case
42:59here.
43:02These are
43:03vibrant,
43:04exciting,
43:05lovely people
43:06with big
43:07hearts.
43:08This is my
43:09wife.
43:09This is
43:09Julia.
43:10The brochure
43:11that I carry
43:12with me,
43:12the celebration
43:13of Julia's
43:14life.
43:14So beautiful.
43:15She is
43:15beautiful.
43:16She is very,
43:16very beautiful.
43:17It really is
43:18an eye-opener
43:19of how we
43:20should like
43:20to treat
43:20fellow humans.
43:21Amazing.
43:22The Catholic
43:23way.
43:24Your treasures.
43:25Absolute treasures.
43:27Thank you very
43:27much.
43:28Night-night.
43:30Isn't that
43:31lovely?
43:31Mm-hmm.
43:33That was an
43:33incredible night.
43:34It was.
43:35Not what I
43:35expected.
43:36For a while
43:37there, back
43:37at the farm,
43:39I was like...
43:40I know you
43:40were very
43:40down, weren't you,
43:41about the farm.
43:41I was...
43:42Yeah, but...
43:43They've opened
43:44their hearts
43:44and home to us
43:45absolutely.
43:46You could feel
43:46it.
43:46It was so
43:47genuine,
43:48wasn't it?
43:48This homestay,
43:49it hasn't been
43:49about horses,
43:50it's been about
43:50humans,
43:50it's been about
43:51families and
43:52communities.
43:53And that's
43:53what's been so
43:53wonderful about it.
43:54Absolutely.
44:0040km south
44:01in the centre
44:02of Turkestan.
44:04Getting
44:04ourselves
44:05dressed up
44:05for the first
44:06time in a long
44:07time.
44:07I like a
44:08smart, casual
44:09fit, you
44:10know what I
44:10mean?
44:11Joe and
44:11Kush are
44:12bolstering their
44:12funds with a
44:13shift at a
44:14luxury events
44:15venue.
44:16I wonder
44:17what celebration
44:17is for.
44:18Today's
44:19celebration is
44:20called a
44:21circumcision
44:21party.
44:22Sick.
44:30The Kazakh
44:31tradition of
44:32sundet toy.
44:35A celebration
44:36of every
44:36boy's journey
44:37towards manhood.
44:39Wow,
44:39these gifts
44:39are lavish
44:40for a...
44:40This is a
44:42really big
44:42deal.
44:43And an
44:44opportunity for
44:44families to
44:45display their
44:46wealth by
44:47spending big on
44:48lavish banquets
44:49and entertainers.
44:51I've never been
44:52anywhere like this.
44:53My team was in a
44:54church, it was
44:55quiet, it was
44:55family and
44:56friends, and
44:57these guys,
44:57they're getting
44:58handed wads of
44:59cash.
45:10Oh my god,
45:11there's an eagle.
45:13Wow, look at
45:14that.
45:14Imagine getting
45:15an eagle in your
45:15party, that would
45:16be lit.
45:17Hello.
45:18Nice to meet
45:19you.
45:20Nazgud?
45:20Yes.
45:21Kush, it's
45:22nice to meet
45:22you.
45:22Yeah, I'm
45:23so beautiful.
45:27I love the
45:28outfits.
45:29Okay, thank
45:29you.
45:31We will watch,
45:32okay?
45:32We will watch.
45:33Yes, okay.
45:34Bye-bye.
45:36Your eyes are so
45:37beautiful.
45:39Give me one
45:40minute.
45:46This job has been
45:49lively, shall I say.
45:50We wanted that
45:51randomness, we
45:52wanted to
45:53experience new
45:53things.
45:54I think this
45:55has ticked both
45:56of them boxes.
45:57I don't know, I was
45:58just blown away that
45:59this type of thing is
46:00happening around the
46:01world.
46:02Like, yeah, it was a
46:03celebration of these
46:04two lads getting a
46:05circumcision, but I feel
46:07like it was, it uplifted
46:09everyone in that
46:09moment.
46:11We're like, yeah, yeah,
46:12yeah.
46:14I said, come find me
46:15after you've finished
46:16dancing.
46:17Sick.
46:17Steady.
46:18Confidence.
46:19Very easy.
46:20This is the best job.
46:23Oh, my God, it's mine and
46:24Joe's calling, you know
46:25what I mean?
46:25We've been talking to
46:26everyone, everyone's so
46:27nice.
46:29It's really made me so
46:30thankful that I listened
46:31to Joe and we decided to
46:32go through Kazakhstan.
46:34I mean, it's such a
46:34beautiful country.
46:35It's got so much heart.
46:36I'm trying to learn to
46:37enjoy the moment a lot more,
46:38trying not to think so much
46:39about the future or the
46:40past.
46:40You've just got to take
46:41it all in your stride and
46:42enjoy it as much as you
46:43can.
46:43And today's been so
46:44enjoyable.
46:45Low-key-do.
46:46Have you seen the
46:47mother?
46:48She's fine.
46:50She's fine.
47:05Oh, Harrison.
47:08You look bonita.
47:10Orange is your colour.
47:11Having arrived last night...
47:13Do you want to get me, Ben?
47:14We've been racing pretty
47:15hard this leg.
47:16We do have time.
47:17We can go and have a
47:18wander around.
47:20Katie and Harrison are
47:21exploring Bukhara.
47:25Another key stop on the
47:26Silk Road.
47:27It was a centre for
47:28Islamic theology.
47:30Unlike the stillness of
47:31Kiva, it remains a city
47:33where ancient madrasas, centres
47:36of higher learning, sit
47:37alongside a modern working
47:39city.
47:41Stunning mosque.
47:42Incredible, isn't it?
47:43At its centre, the 500-year-old
47:46Kalyan Mosque.
47:48So, have you got a scarf?
47:53Incredible.
47:54What a bit of craftsmanship.
47:56You can see that on a new build
47:58in Manchester.
47:58It's grand arches and
48:01geometric detail designed to
48:03evoke a sense of harmony and
48:05balance.
48:07Katie, you stand right in the
48:09middle.
48:10The symmetry of that.
48:11Maybe that's why you like it so
48:13much here, because everything is
48:15symmetrical.
48:16It is.
48:18So, we're going to get some
48:19food.
48:20Yeah.
48:21I'm starving.
48:25It's a little bit of luxury,
48:27isn't it?
48:27Very peaceful.
48:29I wouldn't have done this a
48:30few years ago.
48:31Yeah, you used to be really
48:33boring, so it's just good that
48:35you're not letting yourself miss
48:36out on these types of
48:37experiences.
48:39Really boring is a bit harsh.
48:41You're quite boring.
48:44Without the race, I wouldn't
48:45have allowed myself to go
48:46travelling to see these things
48:48in person.
48:48It's not in the plan I set out
48:50for myself at 17, 18 years
48:53old.
48:55My priorities in life have
48:56been to save money, get on
48:58the property ladder as soon as
48:59I can.
49:00If that's all sorted, then I
49:01think it takes away a lot of
49:02the worries and stresses that I
49:03saw our family grew up with.
49:06We're good.
49:08We struggled a little bit
49:09financially.
49:10There was a lot of moving.
49:11I think I've lived in maybe 14
49:13different houses.
49:14I've loaned money to my family
49:16from the age of 16 since I
49:18started working.
49:19kind of like the bank of
49:20Harrison rather than bank of
49:22mum and dad.
49:24The stresses of financially not
49:26always having enough, that's
49:28what shaped me to be so
49:30financially motivated and
49:32secure.
49:33But I think my mindset on that
49:34is definitely starting to
49:35shift.
49:36A bill here.
49:37It's as much as you thought.
49:40Service charge.
49:42What?
49:43Service charge.
49:44Well, it was very good service,
49:46to be fair.
49:46It was.
49:47Right.
49:48Well, the Taurus Information
49:49Centre over there, get
49:50taxis there to Zamin.
49:53Yeah.
49:54Poised just 430 kilometres from
49:57Zamin.
49:58Sorry.
49:58Do you have any English?
49:59The two teams in Bukhara set
50:02about securing onward
50:03transport.
50:05We are trying to get to Zamin
50:07National Park.
50:09To strike out towards the
50:11checkpoint.
50:13Do you know what I mean?
50:14How much?
50:15$100.
50:16No.
50:18We are on small budget.
50:19Is there a...
50:20No problem.
50:20We don't care about a good
50:22car.
50:22We have cheap.
50:24No.
50:24No.
50:26Finish.
50:26Low, low, low.
50:27No.
50:28Finish.
50:28Okay.
50:29Give me one minute.
50:30Okay, thank you.
50:33It's a killer on the budget.
50:36But we are last.
50:37We need to catch up.
50:38If you're happy with
50:39spending it, then that's fine.
50:42Yeah?
50:42We go to Zamin?
50:43Yeah?
50:43Okay.
50:45It's very clean cars,
50:46to be fair.
50:48Oh, God, it's gorgeous in
50:49here.
50:50As Katie and Harrison,
50:52as well as Andrew and
50:53Molly, plot a route east
50:54through Uzbekistan.
50:57The priority for today is
50:58to cross the border into
50:59Uzbekistan.
51:00The two teams in
51:01Kazakhstan are ready to
51:02approach from the north.
51:04I feel like the tactics
51:05are the quickest for sure.
51:06I think we should just try
51:08and flag one down here.
51:09Once across the border,
51:11it's a final push to Zamin,
51:13as the routes converge and
51:15the pack comes together.
51:17We're going to Uzbekistan.
51:19So, fasten your seatbelt.
51:21We'll be in checkpoint
51:22in no time.
51:25Wrong way, bro.
51:27He's taken a wrong turn.
51:28He's been told to make a U-turn,
51:29but he keeps thinking
51:30that he's smarter.
51:32It was Uzbekistan this way.
51:36He doesn't know he's gone.
51:38Oh, my days.
51:39I presume he knows
51:41that there's Uzbekistan border.
51:46It should be fine.
51:52We'll get there.
51:53Don't stress.
52:02High in the mountains
52:04on Uzbekistan's eastern edge,
52:07the fifth checkpoint.
52:09Zamin.
52:13Very dramatic, isn't it?
52:15You like a national park,
52:16don't you?
52:16Oh, I do.
52:17Sort of.
52:18Uzbekistan version of Wales.
52:21Poised and ready to go,
52:22the national park opens
52:24and the teams embark
52:25on the final push by taxi.
52:28Just the bit that I love,
52:29but it also stresses me out.
52:31I can't wait to get going.
52:33Get me out of this taxi
52:34and ready to run.
52:35Within the Zamin Mountains,
52:37the Sufa Plateau,
52:39known for its distinct
52:41flat, high plains
52:42and cool, thin mountain air.
52:50Find the amphitheatre
52:51and the way for other instructions.
52:54Amphitheatre.
52:58No idea where it could be.
53:00Amphitheatre.
53:02Is it a man-made amphitheatre?
53:05Over there.
53:06Look.
53:10Looks to be that up there.
53:11Yeah, that's it.
53:12In the opera house,
53:13kind of thing.
53:13Zamin Amphitheatre,
53:15standing nearly 2,500 metres
53:18above sea level.
53:21It's water, is it?
53:24Jesus, it's right up here.
53:25Yeah, it's right up here.
53:27You OK?
53:28Just a sec.
53:29My legs are wobbly.
53:31The altitude has just killed me.
53:35Keep going.
53:35You're doing well.
53:36Don't go too fast, Mark.
53:37I did take my inhaler.
53:38I'm working very slowly.
53:39I might have another go with the inhaler.
53:42I'm in now.
53:44Physical state to run.
53:46Do you want some water?
53:47No, I'm OK with water.
53:48The other heart's pounding,
53:49but we're all right.
53:53Altitude running is not what I'm meant to do.
53:56Almost there.
53:58Seating, stage.
54:00Yeah, amphitheatre.
54:03Rather impressive structure.
54:06Travel by cable car to the lower station.
54:11Travel to the cable car!
54:14I love an echo.
54:15Yes.
54:16There's a cable car.
54:18Cable car.
54:20Oh, wait.
54:21That is a cable car.
54:22Oh, it's over there.
54:23I can see it.
54:23I can see the sea lines down.
54:26Yeah, cable car looks to be here.
54:28I think we've got it the wrong way, Margo.
54:30If it's far to go,
54:31I'm just going to have to have a rest.
54:33Get in front of all the cute people.
54:34Come on.
54:38Two people.
54:39140,000.
54:40Just keep the picket.
54:44Get on.
54:44Get on.
54:44Get on.
54:52Oh, my God.
54:56Oh, look at this.
54:57This is crazy.
54:59Jesus Christ.
55:00Oh, my God.
55:03Probably we're going vertical.
55:05We're going.
55:06Oh, my God.
55:07My view is insane.
55:09This is sick.
55:11So nice to see a hill.
55:18Where do you think the other teams are?
55:21Imagine if they're just in the Cape Carbine.
55:23It's going to be hilarious.
55:24That would be so good.
55:26Oh, my bees.
55:27Wow.
55:30Oh, right.
55:33Find the Checkpoint Hotel and sign in.
55:36Hotel.
55:37Oh, hotel.
55:37What's this?
55:38Hotel is?
55:39It's two.
55:41Oh, there's two.
55:43The Checkpoint Hotel is a little bit vague, isn't it?
55:48That looks like a hotel, no?
55:49Let's try it.
55:52I have no idea if that's a Checkpoint Hotel.
55:55Yeah, this looks nice.
56:00First up, just after.
56:03Better be it.
56:07I don't see a book.
56:11I think it's the wrong hotel.
56:14Welcome to Zemindo Resort.
56:16Please sign in.
56:18I'm 33.
56:20What the hell?
56:22Yes!
56:23What?
56:24We're back.
56:24We're back.
56:25We're back.
56:26Oh, my God.
56:27Oh, sign.
56:29No.
56:31That's fucked.
56:33I'm so happy to be back in first place.
56:35I think Transport lined up really quickly.
56:37Just try to go the direct way through, and it worked.
56:40Confidence restored that we are now to race.
56:44Boss!
56:45I'm so happy.
56:48Let's do this.
56:50Oh, no.
56:52What?
56:53That is so impressive.
56:55How have they done that?
56:56Like, last to first.
56:58The fact Harrison and Katie got here before us does kind of show that Uzbekistan was the
57:03quicker route, but I'm still not regretting going through Kazakhstan.
57:06We have had the best experiences.
57:09Boom.
57:09Hopefully, we're going to stay consistent near the top, and then on the last leg, do
57:13that little sprint to the end.
57:15Third!
57:19Third time being third, but very pleased about it.
57:22Thought we were not going to do as well as what we did.
57:25Oh, Molly.
57:26That was a tough week.
57:27That was very tough.
57:28That was a tough week, Kate.
57:29Pure, utter relief.
57:30Journey to Kiva kind of nearly broke us.
57:33I really struggled this leg, and I'm so pleased everything worked.
57:36Yeah.
57:38That's the entrance, just there.
57:39Up on top?
57:40Yeah.
57:41I'm not walking any further until you're certain we've got it.
57:43We're just going up a fire escape.
57:46Come on up, Margot.
57:47Good evening, please.
57:48Sign in.
57:50Yes, we're fourth.
57:50Fourth.
57:51Yeah.
57:52Well, look at that.
57:52Katie and Harrison are back in the lead again.
57:55Katie and Harrison have had it a lot of times.
57:57Move over.
57:58Let someone share the throne.
58:00It's getting boring.
58:00Boring.
58:01Boring.
58:02We've been fourth before.
58:03We're at four, three, two, one.
58:04We're going forward.
58:05We're choosing better routes.
58:06No more side quests.
58:07No more side quests.
58:08To sea horses.
58:09Let's do it.
58:15Margot, the car coming.
58:19Let's go.
58:20Yes, let's go.
58:21This leg.
58:22I'm letting Monica go over.
58:24Your daughter, she did so a great job.
58:26Margot and I are fourth, and we have got to race.
58:29This could be a white-knuckle ride.
58:31Oh, I'm so stressed.
58:33I hate to see you in such a negative space.
58:36We just can't give up.
58:37Oh, my God.
58:39I'm on a horse in Kyrgyzstan.
58:42This isn't real.
58:43I feel like I'm in a painting.
58:44Woo!
58:49What are you doing, Mom?
59:05So, I'll be waiting.
59:19You're welcome.
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