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JHolme
  • 22 hours ago
Race Across the World S06 E06 (2026)

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🏖
Travel
Transcript
00:06You
00:18Look at this
00:20What a stunning view
00:22It takes my breath away
00:24Yeah, wow
00:26That is so gorgeous, isn't it?
00:30Look at the striations of the rock
00:32The way they're going on the lines
00:33The rock formation, look to see it's going down
00:36Older men talking about rocks
00:37Look at me
00:41Peeking at 4,000 metres above sea level
00:45Zaman National Park
00:50Uzbekistan's oldest nature reserve
00:53Home to more than 800 species of plants and herbs
00:57Some with medicinal qualities
01:00The juniper forests are believed to have such powerful healing properties
01:05But in the 1970s the Soviets built a sanatorium
01:08A health resort for lung patients perceived to be in need of its curative air
01:18The sound of the water
01:20Exactly
01:21It's so smoothing
01:22Yeah
01:23Taking their own therapeutic break before the next leg
01:27Mark
01:28Margo
01:29And Andrew
01:30I think what's going to make a difference going ahead
01:32Is budget
01:33Yes
01:34And our budget is cooked
01:36Look me in the eye
01:37Are you telling me the truth or no?
01:40With just three legs remaining
01:42Funds are dwindling
01:44While Andrew and Molly have the healthiest budget
01:47While Andrew and Molly have the healthiest budget
02:14In the second let her go and make those calls
02:16And live and die by those consequences
02:23Do you think youngsters will be doing that?
02:25Oh, I hope not
02:26Oh, I hope not
02:26Oh, I hope not
02:28Oh, that looks so good
02:29Oh, that looks so good
02:31Oh, that looks so good
02:32This looks incredible
02:33Do you reckon we could finish all this?
02:35No
02:35Joe, if anyone can, it's you.
02:38Yeah, come on. Go on, Lois.
02:40It's quite nice that the young'uns are together.
02:44It's really fun, I have to admit.
02:45It's a bit different, travelling with your dad.
02:48We get on really well, and I'm very lucky for that,
02:51but I can find that it is different and it can be difficult at times.
02:55Like, there's always that kind of his final say because he's the dad.
02:58In this life, there's only a few people you can rely on.
03:00Best friends and family.
03:02Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look at his plate!
03:04That's a quarter of a sheep.
03:07I mean, all I can know.
03:09Saved the budget.
03:10Have you got another sheep on the way coming after that?
03:15That's the only leg you're going to win.
03:16Oh, God.
03:18Oh, bro!
03:325.30am.
03:33It's super early.
03:35Shouldn't be asked to leave a hotel before breakfast.
03:38First to leave with only a 40-minute lead, Katie and Harrison.
03:42This is for you. Thank you so much.
03:44Here we go.
03:45Hello.
03:46Your zip-tap print is Almaty.
03:50I know exactly where it is.
03:51Back to Kazakhstan.
03:52Exciting!
03:53Let's go.
03:54We've only got a 40-minute lead, so I hope there's something
03:57at this conversation for us.
03:58A journey of 1,500 kilometres into the east of Kazakhstan, Almaty.
04:07A stark contrast to the vast steppe of the west,
04:10the city sits in the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains.
04:15Founded as a Russian frontier fort, an influence that remains visible
04:19in the orthodox churches and Soviet-era sculptures dotted throughout the city.
04:24Since gaining independence from the USSR in 1991,
04:29it's evolved into the country's cultural and financial hub.
04:33With over 2 million residents, it's the largest city in Kazakhstan.
04:39Right.
04:40Now we get into Almaty.
04:42Looks like we could partially head through Kyrgyzstan,
04:45or we just go round the top of Kazakhstan straight to Almaty.
04:51To get there, teams face a choice of going through one of two countries.
04:56They could head north into eastern Kazakhstan.
05:00Travelling through the country's major cities,
05:02linked by a reliable, but potentially costly, rail network.
05:07Alternatively, they could cut through Kyrgyzstan,
05:11a country rarely visited by western tourists.
05:15With mountains dominating over 90% of its landscape
05:18and communities spread thinly across the rugged terrain,
05:22transport is affordable but limited.
05:26It's an absolute no-brainer for me.
05:28I'd love to go to Kyrgyzstan.
05:30I want to really feel like I'm not in the touristy part of that country.
05:35And I feel like this is going to give it to us.
05:37And in the bigger cities, they'll have the student hostels as well.
05:41Yeah. I think it's going to be more budget-friendly.
05:43So stick to bus routes, which I think are going to be a lot cheaper.
05:46I'm so glad that we're taking off another country.
05:48Like, I'm genuinely buzzing.
05:50Let's go to Kyrgyzstan.
05:51Let's go to Kyrgyzstan.
05:53Kyrgyzstan, we are coming for you.
05:56Venturing east through Kyrgyzstan,
05:57they're looking for a true traveller experience on a budget to match.
06:01But with two borders to cross,
06:03getting into the country quickly is of the essence.
06:06Bus today?
06:08Tashkent.
06:09Tashkent.
06:09Tashkent, here?
06:10Yeah.
06:11I don't know.
06:12No?
06:13So, Tashkent, taxi?
06:16Taxi.
06:16OK.
06:17I know very little about Kyrgyzstan,
06:19but I am very excited for it.
06:21Oh.
06:22I'm hoping less expensive taxis and more direct bus travel.
06:28What is your name?
06:29Ferdaz.
06:30Ferdans?
06:30Ferdaz.
06:31Ferdaz, ah, Harrison.
06:32Nice to meet you.
06:34Nice to meet you.
06:35With no buses in sight,
06:37the siblings are heading to Tashkent
06:39in a local shared taxi.
06:42I am in the parchment business.
06:44You smell good.
06:46You are very friendly.
06:48I like your accent.
06:51Manchester.
06:52Manchester United.
06:53Manchester United.
06:54Manchester City.
06:54No, no city.
06:56No, no, no, no, no.
06:58He's getting the scores up.
07:00Oh, my God, what a guy.
07:01Oh.
07:01Oh, my God.
07:04Joe.
07:07Joe, are you getting in?
07:08I'm calling another passenger.
07:09Just 40 minutes behind...
07:11OK.
07:13OK.
07:15Joe and Kush are also taking advantage of a shared taxi
07:18as they race to gain ground.
07:21It's about two hours to get to the capital, Tashkent.
07:25Realistically, I think we'd be going more direct
07:27if we go through Kyrgyzstan.
07:29Kyrgyzstan's a new country.
07:30That's sick.
07:31So, we're looking at Kyrgyzstan.
07:32I know of it, but I know very, very, very little.
07:34So, hopefully, it's got quite a low tourist population.
07:37And so, we're hoping it'll be a lot cheaper.
07:38We need to get to Kyrgyzstan tonight.
07:42Following the same route as Katie and Harrison,
07:45the best friends are looking to speed straight out of Uzbekistan
07:48and cross the border by tonight.
07:53I'm really hoping, and I think we can actually get across the border today.
07:56About 45 minutes behind first, I'm very, very close.
07:59And so, it's not much to catch up.
08:01This driver's just charging through everyone.
08:07First to arrive in Tashkent.
08:09Thank you very much. Thank you.
08:11OK.
08:12On the edge of the Eurasian steppe,
08:15this ancient Silk Road trading post
08:17retains a blend of Islamic, Imperial Russian and Soviet influences.
08:23Railway ticket office.
08:25Look at that.
08:27Hello, Andujan.
08:29Today, two tickets.
08:32Pressing on, the siblings have secured tickets to Andujan
08:36and are a step closer to their intended destination.
08:40This transport gets us as close to Kyrgyzstan
08:42as we possibly can get.
08:44But Joe and Kush are 40 minutes behind,
08:46so it's very possible that they get here.
08:48So, we have to move.
08:50Thank you for that.
08:53Close behind.
08:55We're trying to get to Ardijan.
08:56What time to arrive?
08:57And you're not here.
08:591 a.m.?
08:59Yes.
09:01400,000, both of us.
09:03That's so much.
09:05We will ask for a taxi because that is very expensive.
09:08So, we're looking at a taxi because 400,000 son for a train
09:11that takes seven hours,
09:12but hopefully a taxi will be 300,000 son for four hours
09:15if we can haggle our way down.
09:18So, we need to know if someone will drive here to Ardijan, please.
09:25First, you should go to the car station,
09:27and then you should get the next taxi driver.
09:31Can you ask if they can take us?
09:33If these guys can drive to Andujan?
09:35No, no, no.
09:36You can't go to Ardijan from here?
09:38No, no, no.
09:39Peter. Peter.
09:40Oh, no.
09:41Having skipped the seven-hour train
09:42in favour of a car straight to the border,
09:45the boys now need to head to the other side of town
09:47where long-distance taxis depart.
09:50I feel sick. I can't believe that.
09:52I mean, we have to commit.
09:54We're not even at the border yet.
09:57Kosh's reaction to stress is quite instant.
09:59Oh.
10:01I know Kosh has that heightened anxiety.
10:05I don't think we have much trace.
10:08He's trying to figure out the best routes
10:10and best decisions to make.
10:13Oh, God.
10:15We could have got straight to Ardijan in the train.
10:17It's going to be a long day.
10:18No, we're not getting to Kyrgyzstan today.
10:20No, I don't think we should assume.
10:23But it is hard for him to look at the bigger picture
10:26and chill out.
10:28I can't believe this first day we've had.
10:31It's f***ing up big time.
10:38Back in Zaman City...
10:39Going through Kazakhstan via some of the major cities...
10:43OK. ..screams out to me.
10:45..the third team to set off, Andrew and Molly.
10:47I would love to finish the Silk Road in Tashkent.
10:51Head on to Shoe and then head to Almaty.
10:53Almaty, yeah.
10:55Maybe I'm taking over this now.
10:56Maybe you are.
10:58Molly's plan...
10:59..follow a busier route and city hop-by-rail
11:02through Kazakhstan.
11:04But first, they must reach the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.
11:09Taxi there. Thank you very much.
11:12Excited for Tashkent.
11:13I love cities, I love people, and after the last, like,
11:16where I couldn't even make a bloody decision.
11:18This is something new, onwards and upwards, to Tashkent.
11:21Let's go.
11:22Yes, let's go! Yes, let's go!
11:26Back in the road.
11:31Leaving in last place...
11:34..Margot and her brother-in-law, Mark.
11:37We'll get into Tashkent.
11:39Binds them a cheap stay tonight.
11:40It comes to me in fourth place.
11:42We used to claw some time back.
11:44Do you think it's your route is through Kyrgyzstan?
11:46I think.
11:48Kyrgyzstan seems the most direct route to go,
11:50so hopefully we can get back to third place if we can.
11:54Like two other teams, they are heading to Tashkent tonight
11:58before aiming for Kyrgyzstan tomorrow.
12:01Oh, he's driving very fast. Go on!
12:04Ha-ha! Woo!
12:06Jeez Louise!
12:09As evening sets in...
12:12We've got to get to the border tonight, bro.
12:14..Joe and Kush are still trying to find a cheap taxi to the border.
12:19Kyrgyzstan border for one person, 250,000.
12:22That's a lot.
12:23We need to do for this price.
12:25We need to...
12:25We have little money.
12:27No way. Really, I tell you.
12:29Oh, I feel shit.
12:31Stuck just outside of Tashkent,
12:33with their goal of the Kyrgyzstan border
12:35still 300 kilometres away.
12:38We're not getting to Kyrgyzstan today.
12:40There's no buses and we'd be spending, like, 40 per on taxis.
12:44Can't believe we didn't get the train.
12:46It's getting dark, bro.
12:48It might just be worth staying tonight.
12:51But then we're going to have to pay for accommodation.
12:52We can sleep on the floor.
12:54Oh, no.
12:56We need to stay for very, very cheap.
12:58This one is a cheaper one.
13:00You see the price?
13:01Yeah.
13:02Oh, that's so expensive.
13:04Is there any cheaper we couldn't even do,
13:06like, if we sleep on the floor of anywhere?
13:08We are so sorry.
13:10I literally sleep standing up.
13:12Oh, I'm so stressed.
13:14We have second floor, the sofa.
13:16You can stay there for free.
13:18Aw.
13:19You're welcome.
13:20Aw, Rachmet.
13:22Free of calm, we couldn't get any cheaper.
13:24As good as this is,
13:25I just think we chose the wrong route in general.
13:29And now we're here.
13:30Now we're near the border.
13:33I like to plan, because I like to be in control.
13:37But times like this now, as we've got more into the unknown countries,
13:41we face a lot of difficulty.
13:44It's just not up to us anymore.
13:45So it really depends on transport connections.
13:47Also, you guys can use TV.
13:49Oh, thank you.
13:51I am 100% an over-thinker.
13:54I do experience quite a fair amount of anxiety.
13:58Losing my dad was in the space of, like, a day.
14:01It was zero to 100.
14:04So, a lot of anxiety, I feel, is about the unknown.
14:08It is a everyday struggle still.
14:12Not being able to shut off a thought in your brain.
14:15It's exhausting.
14:17Can't lie, bro.
14:18I'm going to be thinking the entire night.
14:20I'm going to be sleeping, I can't lie.
14:22I'm going to be stressing.
14:23I'm going to be snoring.
14:25It's been such a rough day.
14:28It's been such a rough day.
15:17It's been such a rough day.
15:24It's widely consumed on Thursdays,
15:26a popular day for conceiving children in Uzbekistan.
15:30You're welcome.
15:34It's so cool.
15:35Do you work here every day?
15:37Except five friends.
15:38My father is working 45 years here.
15:40Your father?
15:41He has a big reputation, that's why.
15:43Gotcha, gotcha.
15:44I'm third generation.
15:45You're third generation.
15:47Yeah, which you have to keep going, yes?
15:59I just love being in this kind of environment.
16:03I'm buzzing with it, actually.
16:05Yeah?
16:06Yeah, yeah, it's ginger.
16:07Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:08Irish.
16:10I've got a new mindset coming into this day.
16:13I would like Daddy to see me a little bit more grown up
16:16and as an adult.
16:17To do that, I need to be confident
16:19and stand on my decisions.
16:23Say kebab!
16:25Your daughter, she did so great jobs.
16:27I wanted you to this place.
16:29I did that.
16:30I cut all the onions.
16:32He said that's the highest quality of the place.
16:37You're doing a great job.
16:38I enjoyed it.
16:39Everyone tell me.
16:40Okay.
16:41You're doing good.
16:43Nice to earn a bit of money.
16:45It'll take us across the border.
16:46We'll have enough to get across the border.
16:48All good.
16:49It's valid, eh?
16:52Molly.
16:53Got paid.
16:54How much do you make in taxis?
16:55I made $5,000.
16:56How much do you make?
16:57$10,000.
16:57$10,000?
17:01Where will we get a taxi outside?
17:02From this side.
17:04See you later.
17:06Bye-bye.
17:07Bye-bye.
17:09Our plan is to get to the border and then connect in Shemkent.
17:14As quick as possible.
17:15As quick as possible.
17:16Putting Molly's plan into action...
17:18Border.
17:19Kazakhstan.
17:20The team are splitting from the pack, heading to the Kazakh border crossing and then traversing
17:26north to the city of Shimkent.
17:29To Kazakhstan.
17:31Great job, Molly.
17:32Well done.
17:33That's great.
17:34Shimkent.
17:34Woof, woof.
17:40Kazakhstan would have been quicker and cheaper.
17:46After failing to make it into Kyrgyzstan last night, Joe and Kush are still six hours away
17:52from the crossing.
17:54Do you have any advice for us about how we can get to the border?
17:57Yeah.
17:58The Uber...
17:59Oh, that's right.
18:00And there you can find somebody for cheaper.
18:04Maybe we can help.
18:06Kush hasn't slept.
18:07He's very anxious.
18:08He's stressed.
18:10Ready?
18:10Let's go.
18:11He's in such a negative headspace.
18:13It feels like he's lost hope.
18:15So, Anderson is here, but we need to go to this border, so, like, maybe a little bit further.
18:23I believe staying positive is the best chances of winning.
18:27Our plan is to help Kush out of this spiral he's in right now.
18:30Oh, we need to get the cheapest, cheapest price.
18:34Yes.
18:34I'm going to pay them.
18:35What?
18:36Are you serious?
18:37Yeah.
18:38Are you serious?
18:39Yeah.
18:39Oh, my God.
18:40Oh, my God.
18:42Thank you so much.
18:43You've been so much help.
18:45Can we take a quick picture?
18:51When we get to Mongolia, we'll send you a picture.
18:53Oh, OK.
18:54We'll send you.
18:54Yeah.
18:55All right.
18:56Thanks to new friend Naima, the boys have a free ride straight to the border.
19:05Naima is a miracle, bro.
19:08I think this morning, this gave me some inspiration, and obviously, Naima taking such good care
19:14of us.
19:15Yeah.
19:16I think we really enjoyed the home stay, doing a job that's outdoors, which we've been wanting,
19:21local and authentic to the area.
19:24Yeah.
19:24Maybe it'll be worth it.
19:27We're going to save money, which means we can sprint to checkpoints.
19:33Inspired by local generosity, they plan to stop for a homestay in Arslan Bob once they
19:39enter into Kyrgyzstan.
19:41We can still do this.
19:42God.
19:44We just can't give up.
19:53Following behind after departing the checkpoint in last place, in-laws Mark and Margo, taking
20:02a picturesque route towards Kyrgyzstan with a train through the Fergana Valley.
20:08It's been a lot in the last hour or so.
20:11Very rookies.
20:12They just look like giant sand dunes.
20:18A highly fertile basin between mountain ranges, stretching from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan,
20:24this agricultural heartland is famous for cotton and silk production, and local life
20:30is deeply rooted in centuries-old artisanal handicraft techniques.
20:36Cockhand, the handicraftest city of the world.
20:39Oh, Cockhand.
20:40Cockhand, Cockhand.
20:41That wasn't on your map, was it?
20:43No.
20:44You could be lovely to explore some of these places, but you can't.
20:49If you want to keep in the race.
20:50No, we can't afford to fall any further behind.
20:53You've just got to push on it.
20:55And look at some lovely beauties from the window.
20:56See, exactly, yeah.
21:00mark and i are fourth and we have got to race but the traveling through is going to be the
21:05experience
21:07and we're going to make the most of it hello hi hello hello mark and i are a little bit
21:15older
21:16people might notice we're a little bit older i'm 60 next year and i really think the best
21:21is still to come any of you speak english no english i'm from liverpool i've got a lot of
21:30energy and i do spend a lot of energy looking after my family but now the kids are older and
21:36especially at such a crossroads of turning 60 it gives me the chance to really reassess things
21:42really look for what i want love this this is beautiful let's get the party started
21:49and do you fancy a sing-song
21:54where are you all from are you all friends
22:25nice to meet you all i like this as the in-laws head to the kyrgyzstan border
22:33which way is the border this way the border this way okay already there after their late night
22:40train katie and harrison i've never done a footboard when you crossed on boat train and bus so far
22:47i think you've walked through and then we're in kyrgyzstan seventh country here we go
22:54one of central asia's most sparsely populated countries kyrgyzstan was settled by nomadic
23:01tribes from southern siberia their legacy of moving in groups across mountainous terrain continues today
23:08with local ride shares known as marshrutkas linking towns and villages
23:16we want to go to bishkek
23:24uh it's nothing at this
23:29taxi 2500
23:31yeah could've got some too much sorry i want to find out if there is a bus
23:38to bishkek because a taxi is just so expensive fingers crossed
23:44determined to stick to public transport they plan to use bishkek on the northern edge
23:49as a stepping stone to the checkpoint after bus this check no thanks
23:59but no buses depart after 6 pm we are on a tighter budget we want to save for the next
24:05two legs
24:06it might slow us down in the race a little bit needs to be more of a risk splashing out
24:12there's no more
24:22today oh
24:23stuck in osh very different from where we've been on the race so far in terms of
24:28greece and turkey buses around all day and all night you can get anywhere you wanted in the country
24:34kyrgyzstan's not turning out to be as we thought
24:37this is man's room men's room perfect having made little progress and stranded for the night
24:44a chance for katie's hostile dream to become a reality did you say you were from toronto
24:52oh wow we're from england
24:55this type of traveling where it can get a bit difficult or you're you're completely out of
25:01your comfort zone is exactly what i wanted to do how long have you been doing this for
25:05two and a half years really not not been home in two and a half years like the mindset just
25:11blows
25:11me like like how you can just travel like not kind of know where you're going to end up next
25:16yeah i mean it's just my life now so yeah happy yes very happy i've been looking for one for
25:26five weeks yay the guys in our room they're so cool yeah he's got like all the countries like on
25:34his
25:34bark they're like proper backpackers yeah this is like feels like the place to be for travelers yeah a
25:40lot of people and i'm here because i'm the traveler yeah i think katie's very good at turning a
25:45situation into a positive um and making the most of it there's so many things that could go wrong but
25:51she just seems to just just go with it it is a good thing that we're seeing tonight yeah explore
25:57more
25:57options tomorrow
26:01what do you do do you just
26:05as the team settle in for the night
26:11assalamu alaikum what is your name
26:14kush it's one best thing about skulls accents is you can pronounce names a lot better
26:18yeah 200 kilometers to the north a direct taxi has pushed joe and kush into the lead as they arrive
26:25in the rural village of arslan bob are we working tomorrow in the morning yeah yeah where they're
26:32staying with walnut farmer abdu razok bon appetit for you bon appetit
26:39and this is like fresh bread oh that is fresh i'm very fresh
26:49feeling a lot better it's our first time in kyrgyzstan today i guess not so many tourists
26:56come in kyrgyzstan compared to like maybe thailand and spain 25 000 population everybody know each other
27:05so you know maybe 25 000 friends sounds sounds like liverpool everyone knows everyone you know
27:11it's the same okay everyone knows everyone and everyone's happy to help each other and so it is
27:16his boss we love it i mean what boss mean boss boss is like really good yeah like very good
27:23like
27:24like this food is boss we have some words about like like this buzzer joe buzzer joe yeah like very
27:31cool it's green tea buzzer joe and it's boss because of your hair that's right you're welcome
27:41two two skulls at abduro's boss i mean we've had such a lucky run in with um with people that
27:48we
27:48meet there's just a sort of really really generous energy about them but i'm feeling a little anxious
27:54still is proper off the beating track i already think that we're gonna be behind everyone else to get to
27:58the checkpoint in 9 30 you can start to the forest yeah that'd be so good oh that's fast nice
28:05is it
28:06that's boss boss yeah it's good
28:17this is fab isn't it i love a dramatic flag after crossing the border last night
28:25andrew and molly have reached kazakhstan's third largest city shimkent hello but they're already
28:31looking for a way out we need the earliest train to chew with plans to move swiftly onto shoe a
28:39city 450
28:41kilometers closer to the checkpoint one no earlier trains no taxi just to see what it is price was
28:51uh taxi three zero zero zero okay okay okay thank you what is the difference in that price between
28:59the taxi and the train jesus yeah it's 15 times 15 times the value 225 yeah i didn't get the
29:09train
29:09train yes there's no there's no questions while andrew and molly wait five hours for the train
29:18on the move there's like 10 seats on here but there's like 30 people on there it's great in kyrgyzstan
29:25just feel like you look like it's so many just local people like going to work whatever
29:29it's brilliant yeah great and it's cheap as ships finally on the move using public transport katie and
29:38harrison are setting a course to the capital bishkek oh now
29:48quite hectic on the roads but getting this closer yeah we're making progress yeah
29:56oh my god traffic jump
30:07no idea what's going on oh great one simple road that won't be a simple road
30:20well there's worse places to be stopped by road i suppose if anyone's traveling up through kyrgyzstan
30:26today they would have done it quicker than us ow ow ow ow
30:36this silly beast stuck to my feet having now caught up with the siblings margot we can't coming
30:47mark and margot get across the road now because it's going to get busy
30:53it's been clear we're moving now let's get back on the bus we're moving i don't want the bus to
31:00leave
31:00without us
31:04thistle prongs that was really really stupid one of the stupidest things i've done on this race
31:10so far who does that you do that i think today is going to be a very long day
31:19bishkek tonight we're doing it
31:24this is a very impressive landscape
31:28very dramatic i will remember it dramatic and extreme isn't it yes
31:57this is what we came for
32:03i reckon having done this i reckon we could be with a good chance of keeping him with the pack
32:08we're very short of money we've had three days of real travel tomorrow let's see if there's any
32:14work in bishkek yes we deserve some time off
32:20it looks like the magic kingdom from disney i've never seen it come like this no this is very cool
32:47the kurgis forest of arslan bob the largest natural walnut grove on earth
32:56it's so hard to find i thought to be like proper easy leaving their homes en masse every autumn
33:03local families head on to the mountain slopes to camp harvesting up to 1500 tons of walnuts
33:10every year the precious crop is not only stored year round for food but used as currency in the town
33:18with nuts of different values being traded for goods and shops
33:23this cheap one again cheap one yeah i'll find some but also good
33:30joining abdurazak's family to pay off their bed and board joe and kush
33:35in the market so why do you want to say expensive this little cheaper how is it different like sweet
33:43nice different one you know joe there's loads here come get your walnuts
33:49so nice to actually see the mountains i think that one of the best views we've seen
33:54bad out of joe there's a job nice one for staying up with me last night so good made a
34:02big difference
34:03you know i actually couldn't i wouldn't have been able to go to sleep yeah i know you just chatting
34:06to me i'm like bro just shut up and go yeah yeah i just need to head to shut up
34:14for a minute
34:14you know how i get i wouldn't say it surprised me no it's like part of your personality
34:23i do think kush can be glass half empty which is understandable since he has gone through a lot
34:32so i understand where that negative state comes from
34:40you can't expect to go on a journey and expect it to be all fine but i know you're benefiting
34:45from
34:47just talking yeah so i kind of do let him rant get him off his chest and i'll be like
34:55okay let's look
34:57at this from a different point of view when kush is not feeling good we link up we go on
35:05walks we go on
35:06bike rides park play footy honestly any activity as long as we're doing something i can tell improves his mood
35:15show up your boss bro you've got a leaf blower yeah just had walnut left behind kush means a lot
35:21to me
35:21definitely and i want to show him there's always light at the end of a tunnel you know i hate
35:30to see
35:30you in such a negative space i actually do care for you you know yeah i really appreciate that
35:38in the race every day is a difficult day every day is a struggle you have bad days you have
35:44good days
35:44soft days but every day is hard i'm trying to learn how to function under high stress
35:53but i think it's only in the past sort of couple days that i've realized how much i value having
35:57joe here
35:58i just really appreciate the fact that joe's always up for
36:02for sort of looking after me in a way i don't think joe will understand like the difference it makes
36:15yeah i mean he is he's my best mate
36:27boy you ready keep going in this entire journey i've got nothing just absolutely nothing
36:35that's all but joe
36:40lad
36:45that is home
36:52how much money is that
36:54300 400 nice so good boss yeah
36:59do you know anyone who can drive us tonight for a bit maybe i can drive you to the jalalabad
37:06and we will look there okay thank you we think maybe we should go to kazakhstan border tomorrow we
37:14go the whole way from jill alabad does that sound like a good idea also possible it's possible from
37:19general level many cars go there it's going to be a long long day it's going to be expensive day
37:25bro let's just pray that we can still pull out the bag
37:40look at that look at that amazing house your hat is fantastic
37:47having traveled the breadth of kirkistan yesterday mark and margot are in the capital bishkek
37:53tasty savoury breakfast
37:55better breaks
37:57satches aren't they
38:03at the northern tip of the chewy valley this one small settlement grew into a lush garden city
38:10with residents encouraged to plant trees near their homes
38:15house
38:15today its nomadic heritage is intermixed with contemporary living
38:20fermented mare's milk as well as flat whites are sold side by side
38:26they're very busy aren't they adding to the funds before pushing on to the checkpoint
38:32oh my little friend you must stay here yes the in-laws have found work at a local pet groomers
38:40look at that oh i'd like that myself traditionally seen as working animals pets in the capital are
38:47increasingly kept for companionship whoa with pedigree breeds emerging as a status symbol
38:53what are you telling me i don't speak kirkistan most experiences we've had uh have been tailored for
39:02me margot's in fact very happy to go along with that there we go there's a lot of time for
39:06people
39:06here we go so this is an experience for margot you're doing fine you're doing so well i'm here
39:13don't worry it has been a very exhausting journey so today is a chance for margot to relax and just
39:22forget about the race just for one day don't you like a dog like this mark no so hello this
39:30thing i
39:30would never want to do i don't like animals that smell it dogs rabbits guinea pigs i'm doing it
39:37for margot come on and she loves this oh don't tell my dog bailey what i'm doing you have a
39:46dog
39:46i have a dog oh when my dog sees this she'll be very jealous my bailey will not forgive me
39:55you're not happy with this are you
40:01she can't wait to go home goodbye
40:11today has just been my day in the happiest place i could be on earth i've just loved it she's
40:19very
40:19upset now i know particularly with you i know
40:22well i'm very very pleased marcus doing this job for me oh look and i'm absolutely amazed at how
40:32we've got on so far on the race oh you gentle soul we're just really accepting of each other you're
40:42like our place i'd love to bring my dog here but somehow the two of us have become so supportive
40:49of
40:49each other i'm still getting fur out of my eyes and nose tomorrow checkpoint here we come
41:04we really are in the linear it might slow us down in the race a little bit but that's absolutely
41:11incredible 25 kilometers outside of fish cake after three days of relentless travel katie and harris
41:19have reached the remote village of kashkasu
41:25the siblings will work for husband and wife duo elias and maureen welcome to
41:30gulsar the stables thank you thank you in return for a horse ride through the mountains
41:41it is just such a nice break to come to somewhere like this so serene and peaceful
41:47yeah i couldn't have done another day a chaotic stress it's a nice temperature as well really nice and
41:54warm but windy it's like ideal ginger temperature i really just wanted like a real rustic raw experience
42:02you know this is where i'm like really taking the bucket list off
42:08ajay where are we going where are we going where are we going you can't eat that oh god i've
42:14lost my horse
42:14my horse my horse my horse i've said are you getting walked by your horse my horse doesn't like me
42:23the horses look nice and shiny thank you thank you it's time to reward some light yeah let's get out
42:29there and ride nice and easy boy good boy oh my god i'm on a horse in kyrgyzstan what
42:44it's it's incredible that is just ridiculous this is stunning
43:01what wow
43:08formed over 50 million years ago as the indian and eurasian continental plates collided
43:15that is insane the alatu mountains form a vast chain of snow-capped peaks creating a natural
43:24border between kyrgyzstan and kazakhstan not that this isn't real i feel like i'm gonna painting
43:34absolutely beautiful
43:38but it is the middle of nowhere it's a long way to get to almati
43:53we got the vads in the car with a 570 kilometer taxi through the mountain roads secured for just over
44:0150 pounds joe and cush have their sights set on reaching almati tonight
44:07my god look at that it's insane oh shit where are the snowboards at out of all the stands we've
44:19been to
44:19this is definitely the previous it's definitely the most beautiful drive i've ever been on my entire life
44:30oh it's cold
44:36no one dear my hands are cold i've never drove through somewhere like this it's just stunning
44:44we've still got a long long way to go but we're trying to stay positive
44:53unless you can really come to terms with the constant stress of the race
44:57only then can you actually relax and start to enjoy it
45:15that's mental let's go what's our draw if dads are on our side there's a chance to get out of
45:21it's a nice we might have a chance at maybe second or third or it's kazakhstan
45:38have you ever rounded up sheep this way before yeah it's lovely though it's just like walking the
45:42fins at home you couldn't beat it it's just so interesting and just beautiful oh genie mac
45:48after a seven-hour journey from shim kent andrew and molly have arrived in tasutkel
45:55horse coming through my dad my father oh hello nice to meet you nice to meet you hello hello nice
46:03to
46:03meet you nice to meet you they're joining host zalgas and his father in the day-to-day running of
46:10the farm
46:22it's very rare we're in the middle of nowhere we're on a farm and uh i'm loving it actually
46:29did i do good yeah this leg molly's kind of making the decisions and by me stepping back she's able
46:38to
46:38take over you're very good at onions i have discovered that it's lovely to see and lovely to
46:46to see her flourish but in another way i find that quite difficult at times because when i was molly's
46:53age i grew up in belfast during the the beginning of the troubles ways go catholics and protestants just
47:01not seeing eye to eye and it turned to violence you had to care for some of the areas you
47:10went to
47:11what pubs you went to what streets you went to and everybody was an edge
47:19there was bombs going off soldiers walking around with guns
47:27people would have been killed for their religion
47:31and it affects you
47:37particularly as i become father you kind of manifest that onto your children
47:44a lot of my generation has that kind of fear and lack of safety
47:50you can be a bit over bordering and you're probably a wee bit more hyper vigilant
47:57oh my jesus it's just so like nanny's house isn't it uh-huh
48:04seeing molly grow up you're losing her in a way and she's growing up into this independent person
48:11and you're not having that kind of level of control and that's the bit that i'm learning to deal
48:16with at the moment
48:19go on move it they just make school kids they just walk off in their own direction
48:28it's been 24 long years of of looking after somebody enjoyed every second of it
48:41and you don't want to let her go
48:46but that's life
48:49you have to
48:51you guys gonna cook a dinner now dinner okay spoiling us
48:59yeah
49:06wow
49:10very good
49:11excellent
49:12were you a party guard
49:17I like a part of it, yeah.
49:21Oh, this looks lovely.
49:23Wow.
49:24It's your turn to sing.
49:26No, no, sorry, no, no.
49:28What are you saying?
49:29I'll sing badly if you want me to.
49:31It doesn't matter.
49:33This is a song about a girl in Belfast.
49:37I can't believe we're doing it.
49:39Enjoy.
49:39I tell me, ma, when I go home, the boys will leave the boys alone.
49:44They rub my hair, they comb my comb, but that's all right till I go home.
49:48She is handsome, she is pretty.
49:50She is the girl of Belfast City.
49:52She is a courting one, two, three.
49:54Please, would you tell me who is she?
49:56Albert Mooney says he loves her.
49:59All the boys are hoppin' for.
50:00They're out by the door and they ring the bell.
50:02Say, ma, my love, I'll bar you well.
50:05I come some, that's why there's snow rings on her fingers,
50:08bells on her toes.
50:09She is the girl of Belfast City.
50:11She is a courting one, two, three.
50:13Please, would you tell me who is she?
50:15Who is she?
50:17Who is she?
50:18Who is she?
50:22What far?
50:22No, one time only.
50:26I'm so sorry, I'm such a bad singer.
50:29It must be a little.
50:31Aww.
50:42Kazakhstan?
50:43Kazakhstan, yes.
50:44Kazakhstan, yay!
50:46We've made quick time to the border.
50:49Checkpoint!
50:50Following an early start, Mark and Margo have now crossed into Kazakhstan.
50:56Are you ready to run, Mark?
50:59I've got things that might surprise ourselves.
51:01I'm ready to open that book and see a better number there than four.
51:05Oh, Matty, here we come.
51:09I can't thank you enough. Thank you very much.
51:15Close behind them, Andrew and Molly.
51:19We know we have to pay to get there fast.
51:21Using their healthy budget to carry them quickly to the checkpoint.
51:25We need to go fast. Fast, fast, fast.
51:31The former Soviet capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty.
51:36Meaning place of apples,
51:38the wild orchard-covered slopes that surround the city
51:41are believed to be the ancient ancestral home of the popular fruit.
51:45I think we're here. Here we come.
51:50Today, it's also home to the sixth checkpoint.
51:57Make your way to Gogol Street.
52:02Find the memorial of glory behind the eternal flame.
52:07Past the Ascension Cathedral and locate the emblem of Kazakhstan.
52:12On the front of KBTU.
52:15So we need to go to Gogol Street.
52:16So we need to go to Gogol Street.
52:17Lovely day for a walk in the park.
52:19It is, absolutely, yes.
52:21Remember, though, it's a race.
52:22Oh, Lordy, Lordy, yeah.
52:28Come on, we're doing four-minute kilometres.
52:30I can see the skates.
52:32Can I have your skates?
52:34This way.
52:36Oh!
52:37The memorial of glory, that has to be it.
52:39That's one big monument.
52:43It's there.
52:44You see it?
52:45Ascension Cathedral.
52:50It's gorgeous, isn't it?
52:52Beautiful, isn't it?
52:53Keep it low.
52:55Keep it to you that way.
52:57That way.
52:58Wow, thank you.
52:59Oh, is that the emblem?
53:00What an amazing building.
53:02You think it's that one?
53:05Follow the apples and sign in on the Terrence of Almaty Hotel.
53:12Keep your eyes peeled.
53:14There's apples down here.
53:15And there's apples up there.
53:17Excuse me?
53:19No.
53:20He's lost himself.
53:22Molly, there's apples down here.
53:23There's apples up there.
53:24I know, there's bloody apples everywhere.
53:26No, Daddy, there's more apples this way.
53:28This makes more sense.
53:29Follow the clues.
53:32Like it, Mark.
53:36Almaty Hotel.
53:39I'm wrecked, my God.
53:40You're doing really well.
53:41You're doing really well.
53:41Margot!
53:42Like it.
53:44Irish bar.
53:45Yeah.
53:47Give it everything.
53:51It could be that one up there.
53:53Like it, Mark.
53:54That's it, Mark.
53:55It's looking up in front of you.
53:56Yep.
53:57Hang on for me.
53:58Sorry.
53:58I want a big glass of rosé wine.
54:02Steps.
54:03I love a step.
54:05I'm here.
54:06Hey.
54:08Hello.
54:08I'm glad to see you.
54:10Good afternoon.
54:11Welcome to Almaty Hotel.
54:13Okay.
54:13Please sign in here.
54:15Wonderful.
54:18Congratulations.
54:18You have successfully reached your sixth checkpoint.
54:22Yes.
54:23Please sign in here for a kid.
54:25With a great leg now, alright?
54:29Go on.
54:30Go on.
54:31Go on.
54:32Third.
54:33For second!
54:33Yes!
54:36Oh, that's rough!
54:37Joe and Cush.
54:4014 hours in front of us.
54:41Oh, gosh.
54:42They've made good lead.
54:43Woo!
54:44Ah!
54:51Did this ride?
54:52Yeah.
54:53Woo!
54:55Shit, are you good?
54:56I just hit the curb.
54:58Yeah, I'm fine.
54:59Sure?
54:59Yeah, honest.
55:00Nice one, bro.
55:01Dream team.
55:02Come, bro.
55:02Final sprint.
55:05There it is.
55:06Here it is, Joe.
55:08Joe.
55:09Can you open the box to be last?
55:12Well, I'm gonna be last.
55:14Salaam Alaikum.
55:15Hello.
55:16Please sign in here.
55:18Yeah, bro.
55:18Allow me.
55:19I think it's been so hard, but whatever place, I'm fine with forth.
55:24It just stays what it is.
55:25Congratulations.
55:26You've successfully reached your safe checkpoint.
55:28Please sign in at Overleaf.
55:35What?
55:36Wait!
55:39That's not right.
55:40That's not right.
55:41That's the wrong page.
55:42That's not right.
55:43That's not right.
55:44You sure this is the right book?
55:47Lad.
55:48How did you do that, bro?
55:54You did it, bro.
55:55Best place.
55:56We finally got a taste of it.
55:58I truly think it's thanks to locals along the way.
56:02How much sleep have I lost over this leg?
56:04I can't believe it.
56:06Neither.
56:07I just wanna say thank you for everything.
56:09I know I've been a pain in the arse, but...
56:11Don't worry, bro.
56:12It means the world.
56:14Always.
56:16Bro.
56:17I was really struggling mentally.
56:19I've realised that I can actually rely on Joe a lot more than I originally assumed.
56:25You've helped me so much in general.
56:27Bro, same here.
56:27Goes both ways.
56:28I would probably still be in Palermo somewhere without you right now.
56:32I'm not joking.
56:34Second, fifth.
56:35Third.
56:36Third.
56:37Second.
56:37Second.
56:38Second, second, fifth.
56:40That's a tune that you know.
56:48Next leg.
56:49I'm sorry, boys.
56:50We're coming for you.
56:51We're gunning for you, boys.
56:54We did the we wanted.
56:55We did it our way.
56:56And we've come second.
56:58Second.
56:58And I think we can win.
57:02Let's go!
57:02Yeah!
57:05Oh, Jesus.
57:07You always did very well.
57:08Right on.
57:08Fair play to him.
57:09Fair play to him.
57:11I have thoroughly loved this leg.
57:13I think we communicated well.
57:15And I think we just need to keep it going forward.
57:18We only have to win one.
57:24Come on.
57:29Let's sprint, just for a laugh.
57:31Sprint!
57:35Come on!
57:36Sprint's not in my vocabulary!
57:40Welcome to Almaty Hotel.
57:42Thank you very much.
57:45We knew it.
57:46What time is it?
57:49There's a day behind again.
57:51I am actually a bit devastated from fourth.
57:53I really would have loved second or third.
57:55We tried to save a bit of money, which cost us maybe a few hours.
57:59I do have that regret of that we didn't spend a little bit more money.
58:02But it is the eighth leg that matters for first place.
58:06We've got the extra money to spend now, I think.
58:08So, just spend it wisely.
58:11Really need some, like, insanity moisturizer.
58:14So, yes.
58:16Absolutely not.
58:22Mongolia is your problem now.
58:24Mongolia is a pretty big problem to have.
58:27We need speed.
58:29And we've got the money to be able to spend.
58:31There's no point in being rich losers.
58:32This kind of experience is what I wanted out of Mongolia.
58:36Oh, my God, no.
58:38This is time.
58:39This is the best memories we've had so far.
58:42It's just all going wrong.
58:44Tomorrow's another day, but today...
58:49Holy moly.
58:51This is absurd.
58:53This has been a miscommunication.
58:55Fasten your seat belts.
58:57You're in for a bumpy ride.
58:58Yeah.
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