- 10 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:01Singapore.
00:02The furthest point from the UK by road and rail.
00:07Normally a 12-hour plane journey.
00:10But could you get there for just the price of the airfare
00:15without taking a single flight?
00:17What am I doing?
00:18Holy moly, that's going to be tough.
00:20Every second counts.
00:21Four pairs of ordinary Brits
00:24are attempting just that.
00:26Most people would go from A to B on a plane
00:28but then they'd miss all this.
00:30Oh, man.
00:31In an extraordinary race.
00:33Come on, come on.
00:34At ground level, they'll cover over 12,000 miles.
00:38Look at that.
00:39It's amazing.
00:39Everybody wants to get to Azerbaijan.
00:43Who will finish first?
00:45We do not have time to miss a mile one.
00:47As they leave behind the trappings of modern day life.
00:5034 hours on one bus.
00:53Without their bank cards.
00:55We're going to run out of money at some point.
00:56And their smartphones.
00:57I don't want to argue about it.
00:59Time's ticking on.
01:00You can't finish the race if you're dead.
01:03It's almost like I'm questioning my purpose.
01:05What is it that I want?
01:07It's just a bit much.
01:11The reward is great.
01:14This is where you get to find out about yourself.
01:17As the first team to Singapore will claim the prize of £20,000.
01:25In a race across the world.
01:28Shift your butt.
01:29Go on.
01:3150 days.
01:3250 days.
01:32Blood.
01:32Sweat.
01:33Tears.
01:38Previously.
01:41The teams raced across Central Asia.
01:44This may well be a tough part of the journey.
01:46Five days stuck on the Caspian Sea.
01:50Everybody is getting cabin fever.
01:53Pushed Alex to the edge.
01:55The longer we're on here, the more we'll struggle.
01:58It's just a bit much.
02:00But on dry land, he and his estranged dad Darren started to click.
02:06And reached the third checkpoint in first place.
02:09Oh, wow.
02:10Give me some.
02:11Best friends Josh and Felix headed into the unknown.
02:15This is what we were searching for.
02:17We're making the most of the experiences.
02:19While Tony and Elaine.
02:21My rear end feels like it's been pummeled.
02:24Developed an expensive taxi habit.
02:26Taxi Tony.
02:27We've overspent.
02:29That doesn't bode well.
02:30A 728 mile lift from a good Samaritan saved Natalie and Shamima money, but cost them time.
02:37Home. Quick.
02:39Leaving them in last place.
02:46Tashkent.
02:47Capital of Uzbekistan.
02:50And third checkpoint in the race to Singapore.
02:547,000 miles still to go.
02:56For some, budgets are running perilously low.
02:59And relationships are being severely tested after nearly a month on the road.
03:07We've got to get going.
03:10First to find out where the fourth checkpoint will be.
03:13Hello.
03:14Darren and Alex.
03:16Your next checkpoint is on you.
03:18It sounds China, but I don't got a clue where it is.
03:22Almost 4,000 miles from Tashkent lies the ancient town of Wangyao in southern China.
03:30Its karstic peaks, meandering rivers and old stone bridges have earned it the nickname, the Garden of Dreams.
03:40In order to reach it though, the teams must navigate vast distances, culture, customs and language barriers.
03:51You can go until the border to Almaty.
03:54So we'll be crossing the border here.
03:56Yeah.
03:57And then we'll probably catch a taxi to the train station.
04:00From there we will catch a train to Almaty.
04:03That's fantastic.
04:04That's fantastic.
04:04Come on, Dad.
04:06The teams will leave the checkpoint in the order they arrived and race through Kazakhstan to the Horgos border to
04:13cross into the fourth largest country in the world.
04:16China.
04:17I'm excited.
04:18We're going.
04:19Great Wall, deserts, mountains, jungles, we've got everything.
04:23So many unspoilt, beautiful things to see.
04:25I can't wait.
04:28With travel comes new experiences, it broadens your horizons.
04:32I think it makes you a better person.
04:34That's what I want for my son.
04:37Hopefully I get to see some amazing things.
04:39My personal opinion wouldn't be to go to a city.
04:42Mine would.
04:44What I want to do is go to a big city, hopefully live in a bit more luxury.
04:50You can get luxury or comfort and good food in Bradford.
04:55I want to go down the Yangtze River on a bamboo raft.
04:59Exactly.
04:59But sometimes you need to think that we are in a race.
05:03China's got a lot more to offer than cities.
05:06Well, if your attitude's going to be like this for a little, like, we're going to have a tough luck.
05:12Well.
05:17It's got to be China.
05:18Leaving the checkpoint three hours behind the race leaders are husband and wife, Tony and Elaine.
05:25And just behind them...
05:26Hello, friends.
05:28...Josh and Felix.
05:29Where are we going, eh?
05:31China!
05:31China!
05:32Make sure you just keep behind us, all right?
05:34We've all got to get through Kazakhstan first.
05:36Two more countries in the way.
05:37Two days to get through them.
05:39Yeah, yeah, yeah.
05:40I mean, if you're going the slow way.
05:41I'm sure.
05:43We're going to tie our shoelaces together, Tony.
05:46There's going to be next to no Europeans.
05:50We're going to have problems getting around.
05:52It's going to be a cracking challenge, this one.
05:55Uzbekistan.
05:55Kazakhstan.
05:56Border.
05:58With less money remaining than any other team, Tony and Elaine talk tactics.
06:04These trains, yeah.
06:06But they'll be expensive.
06:07We'll maybe have to not take them.
06:11The fast ones, maybe take a slower version, which takes longer.
06:15Cost versus speed.
06:17A horse and a cow.
06:17Well, that would be nice.
06:20Yorkshire people are really, really frugal and tight.
06:24They don't overspend, they don't waste.
06:28They'll travel the cheapest way possible, sleep the cheapest way possible
06:32and be really happy about that because they've saved money.
06:36They have now.
06:36And that's every Yorkshire person's dream.
06:38So this journey, in a way, is perfect for Yorkshire people.
06:43Taxi.
06:44Hot in their heels, best mates and business partners, Josh and Felix.
06:49Very, very excited to go to China.
06:51Terracotta armies and bullet trains and spicy hoe fun.
06:53We've got our wang in our pocket and we're ready to go.
06:57First, we have to negotiate getting to Almaty.
07:00Yeah, that's the hard bit.
07:0380 miles in front, having crossed the border into Kazakhstan,
07:07Darren and Alex arrive in Shimkent.
07:11They're aiming to catch a train to Almaty,
07:14just four hours from the Chinese border.
07:18Which one is the next train to Almaty?
07:21No, no, no, no, no, not good, not good.
07:24OK, thank you.
07:25With no trains leaving until the evening,
07:27father and son consider their options.
07:30Train leaving late or taxi?
07:33As soon as possible.
07:34Which one do you want to do?
07:36Train.
07:38Hello?
07:39Er, train to Almaty?
07:41Is there a sleeper?
07:42You can sleep but you can only sit.
07:45It's not going to be very comfortable.
07:47Is there any faster train?
07:49It's very fast.
07:51Alex, your decision.
07:53Let's do it.
07:54You sure?
07:55Let's do it.
07:55We'll get to China sooner.
07:58You're welcome.
08:00We weighed up our options and thought,
08:02if we get a taxi there tonight,
08:05we're going to have to pay for accommodation
08:06when we get to Almaty.
08:07We've got four hours to waste,
08:09we're going to go for some food,
08:10we're going to enjoy the place
08:11and see what there is.
08:14With Alex calling all the shots,
08:16he takes his dad for some authentic
08:18Kazakh fried chicken.
08:20So good.
08:24Alex's decision to wait four hours
08:26for the express train
08:28has allowed their rivals
08:29to eat into their lead.
08:33Oh, look who's there, Tony.
08:34Tony and I.
08:37Whatever the cheapest we will take.
08:39Yes, because we have very little dingy.
08:42Saving on accommodation costs,
08:44the two teams have booked tickets
08:45for a sleeper train to Almaty,
08:48which leaves 45 minutes before Darn and Alex's.
08:52We could have had a sleeping cabin,
08:53but we decided the price difference
08:56we should try and skimp and save,
08:58so we're sitting up in a corridor.
09:02So are you on the same train as us?
09:036.47.
09:04Yeah.
09:05Oh, we're in second class.
09:05It's only a pound more.
09:07Than sitting in the corridor?
09:09Yeah.
09:09Are you sitting in the corridor?
09:10Yeah.
09:11No, guys, why?
09:13It's time to add.
09:14I mean, I know you've taken a lot of taxes,
09:16like a pound.
09:17You can't go from taxes to sitting in the corridor.
09:20It's laughable, really,
09:21but we, you know, we're worried about money
09:23and this will help.
09:25Every little helps, as they say.
09:30With more money than any other team...
09:32So we thought going through Kazakhstan
09:34was going to be long.
09:35Look, look at that distance.
09:37But last to leave the checkpoint,
09:39lifelong friends Natalie and Shamima
09:41have had a different strategy.
09:42OK, so we have to go to Almaty
09:45to cross over the border anyway
09:46and it would be rude to not go and visit Almaty.
09:49And they've got an ice rink.
09:51Oh, my God.
09:53Natalie and I have been friends
09:54since we were nine, a 30-year friendship
09:55and when we're together,
09:57we're almost nine years old again.
09:59It's the highest ice rink in the world.
10:03I wasn't raised in a loving environment
10:05from a young age.
10:07I'd always wanted to go travelling,
10:09but I didn't have the means
10:10and I felt like I didn't have the ability to do it.
10:14This is our money situation.
10:17The benefit in China
10:19is that they've got really high-speed railway.
10:21So you saved all this money,
10:22we're going to be able to use it on high speed
10:25and catch up.
10:27There's many incidents in my life
10:28that have taught me that life is too short.
10:31I know that I've always had to rely on myself.
10:35Travelling has meant
10:36I have been able to appreciate the world
10:39and appreciate people.
10:41We've grown up with each other,
10:42we know everything about each other.
10:44I see her as my sister,
10:45she's my family.
10:48I need to pee.
10:49Why am I always peeing?
10:50It's like nervous pee.
10:546.30pm.
10:56Excuse me.
10:57Oh, home sweet home.
10:59As Josh and Felix settle down
11:00in their luxury cabin...
11:02This is like a home away from home.
11:04Compared to when we were in coaches
11:05and we were like bent double
11:06and spent all night
11:07just being woken up with arguments,
11:09this is absolutely the Ritz.
11:11At least we're travelling through the night.
11:12And then hit the border.
11:13All right.
11:14We got it.
11:16At the less salubrious end of the train...
11:20Tony and Elaine are getting to grips
11:22with third class.
11:27Oh, no.
11:33There's absolutely no way
11:35I would be going in there, I guess.
11:38Don't take your shoes off.
11:40You're squashing the fleece.
11:43Back in Shemkent...
11:45All aboard.
11:46Aramati.
11:47Darren and Alex board the express train.
11:50Despite leaving 45 minutes later,
11:53they'll arrive in Almaty
11:54over three hours before their nearest rivals.
11:58I personally think we picked the right decision.
12:00I feel quite a bit of pressure
12:01that the fact that we had three hours difference
12:03on two groups and six hours on the other.
12:05I don't want to lose that gut.
12:16Nessled in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountain range,
12:20Almaty, Kazakhstan's former capital from the Soviet era.
12:25Its name derives from the Kazakh for apple,
12:28and the area is thought to be the ancestral home of the fruit.
12:339am
12:34First to arrive, Darren and Alex
12:37First things first, we get to the border
12:40The Chinese border is over 200 miles away
12:43And it closes at 6pm
12:46A fact the local cab drivers are all too aware of
12:50No, Zolly, how much?
12:52£35,000
12:54Too much
12:55Just trying to rip us off
12:56Let's get the ticket off of something, where it is, how far
12:59We need to go to New Zolly
13:03Too much
13:04Right, well, we've had two different people give us that price
13:07So maybe it's a lot further than we think
13:11That's dollars, $81
13:15No
13:20Travelling, Alex will not be able to cope
13:22He's going to struggle
13:24And I'm going to try to let Alex
13:27Do as much as he can
13:28Because he will benefit
13:29I need Alex to make mistakes so he can grow as a person
13:33And learn from their mistakes
13:36We just don't have to do it
13:40We've got a deal?
13:42Rack, man
13:44Let's do it
13:44Dad!
13:46We're doing it
13:46That's a massive hit in our budget
13:50Less than $1,000 left
13:54But maybe even today we should be in China
13:57Which is very exciting news
14:0512.15pm
14:06Tony and Elaine are closing in on Almaty
14:09A bit bushwhacked this morning
14:11I had two or three hours sleep
14:13It would have been nice to have four
14:17A lighting from the same train
14:20Best friends and business partners Josh and Felix
14:24China
14:25This experience comes at a juncture
14:27Our business has been going for about five years
14:30But now it's coming to an end
14:31So we're looking for something new
14:33Being able to gain perspective on what the next ten years might be like
14:37Is going to be really invaluable
14:39One of the reasons we travel really well together is
14:41That in the darkest moments we pick each other up
14:44And we get on with it
14:45We know that we have always got each other's backs
14:48This is not the worst person to go to
14:50No, no, I was just asking
14:51I was going to ask several people
14:53We're always going to be involved in each other's business
14:55Or each other's lives
14:56Because we know that we complement each other so well
14:59It's like you're much stronger as a team
15:00Than you are as individuals and we know that
15:02Cargos?
15:03Cargos
15:045,000 total?
15:06No, no, no, it's too much
15:07Let's just go get a minibus
15:08Will we have time to get to the border tonight?
15:10Will we pay $60 if we just get there?
15:12Let's have a look around to see what's in the area
15:14Sorry
15:14Sorry
15:15Rachmit, Rachmit
15:16Is there a minibus service?
15:18Bus, yes
15:18Where is it?
15:22They don't hang on a bus
15:23They don't hang on a bus
15:25While Josh and Felix weigh up their options
15:27Border, crossing
15:28Continuing their economy drive
15:30Tony and Elaine decide to play hardball
15:33Too many dengue
15:35We leave it
15:35We only have little dengue
15:37At this moment in time
15:38I'm done with taxis plotting high prices
15:41I'm done with it
15:42I just need to find a cheaper way
15:44So we're not going to make the border tonight?
15:48Right
15:49I'm not paying that price
15:51So we go on the bus tomorrow then?
15:55It's quarter past one now
15:56I think we've missed the boat on getting to the border in time
15:58Unless we get a cab right now
16:00Yeah
16:01I want to get in the cab because I want to be in China today
16:04After almost two hours of haggling
16:06Josh and Felix manage a £15 reduction in their fare
16:10Before the border closes
16:114,000
16:12Alright, this is good
16:14It's going to be incredibly tight to get to the border in time
16:16Because it closes at 6
16:18And it's four hours away
16:19And it's currently 2.08
16:20So we're on track to get there just as it closes
16:23So we're freaking out
16:27Darren and Alex and Josh and Felix
16:29Are en route to the Chinese border in taxis
16:33Tony and Elaine are hunting cheaper options by road and rail
16:37And Natalie and Shamima
16:40After taking a later train
16:42Are the fourth team to arrive in Almaty
16:48With more money than any other team
16:50They're planning to splash out on bullet trains
16:53I think it's snowing
16:56We're going to be ice skating in the snow
16:59But before they rocket across China at 200km an hour
17:03A special detour for Natalie
17:05Oh my god, it's so pretty
17:08Over 2,000 metres above sea level
17:10The ski resort of Shimbulak
17:13A magnet for wealthy Kazakhs
17:16And after major investment
17:18Is attracting visitors from farther afield
17:20Including Prince Harry
17:23I never liked the idea of going skiing
17:26Or anything like that
17:27Because I had that fear of being cold
17:30Look how high it goes
17:31Oh my god
17:34I've got a car on one of those cable cars
17:37Oh my gosh, amazing
17:39I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia
17:42When I was 2 years old
17:44Mine affected my lungs a lot
17:46Which is why I had pneumonia
17:48When you're a sickler
17:49You've always been told that you have to keep warm
17:53When other children
17:54My brothers could go out and play in the snow
17:55And stuff like that
17:56I was never allowed to do it
17:57And as I said
17:58I remembered
17:59When I was 5 years old
18:00Nursery
18:01And it was like
18:02It started snowing
18:03And everybody went out to build a snowman
18:05And I wanted to just go and do it as well
18:08And I got so cold
18:09That I had a crisis
18:11And I had to go into hospital
18:14So it's definitely a protective measure
18:17But higher than the world's highest ice rank
18:19It's like
18:20Magical
18:23Natalie was one of the first people in the UK
18:25To receive a bone marrow transplant for the disease
18:29It's eye opener to holiday destinations
18:32That I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy
18:36Purely just because of cold
18:37So I can do this
18:39At her side throughout
18:41Her best friend
18:42No
18:43Put it down
18:44It's hard
18:48Oh shit
18:50When you've known each other
18:51For as long as me and Shamima have known each other
18:54You're going to share a lot of life events
18:57Shamima was at the hospital
18:59When I had a bone marrow transplant
19:01At the age of 14
19:03Oh my god
19:04I feel like I've got heels on
19:05There you guys
19:06Shamima was one of the first people in the class
19:10To see me after I'd had chemotherapy
19:12And I didn't have any hair anymore
19:17We've been through so much together in our life
19:19This is just only part of our adventure
19:21And it will just continue
19:22And she's forever with me
19:26It's ours
19:30So this is my perfect first date
19:32For anyone who wants to know
19:34Take me ice skating on the first date
19:36It's a winner
19:39While Natalie and Shamima make the most of Almaty
19:43Josh and Felix race towards the Chinese border
19:45And a bid to catch up with Darren and Alex
19:49It's going to be tight
19:51It's 20 past 5 and we need to get there by 6
19:53We've still got quite a long time to go
19:55Hopefully across tonight
19:59Next stop is China
20:01Thank you
20:01The first team make it through to China
20:04Now I am absolutely buzzing
20:06Thank you
20:08Well we're here
20:08We're at the Chinese border
20:10With just a few minutes until the border closes
20:12We might be about to shut up
20:15That's it, let's go
20:17Josh and Felix make a run for it
20:20Please, please
20:22Hold on, Shabba
20:24Shabba
20:24Shit
20:24It's closed
20:27Urgh
20:29Well we're fucked mate
20:30Looks like we're staying here then
20:36We don't know where we're going
20:37We don't know anything
20:38Go, let, Felix
20:39We also don't have enough money
20:40Like we don't have
20:41We've got 2,000 Dengos
20:42So
20:43Like
20:46We're not able to cross the border
20:47So we have to look for a hotel
20:49Very frustrating
20:53Darren and Alex have crossed over to the western region of Xinjiang in China
20:57Where filming is prohibited due to major restrictions by the central government
21:03All teams must travel non-stop for 24 hours through this autonomous zone
21:08Before reaching Ganshu province
21:10Where filming can resume
21:12Welcome in
21:13Thank you
21:14Josh and Felix
21:15Will have to cross tomorrow
21:17Urgh
21:18Niet
21:18Sleep
21:19You got the $10?
21:21I got it
21:22Spasibo
21:23Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
21:24Okay, turn it off otherwise you're going to die
21:27Really, really frustrating
21:28And it's those moments when you just think
21:29Like I'm in a bleak Kazakh car park in the middle of nowhere
21:33Erm
21:34What am I doing here?
21:36Instead I'm just like batting my head against the wall
21:38We've lost 18 hours on Darren and Alex
21:41We will try and cross the border as early as possible tomorrow
21:487am
21:48Did you sleep well?
21:50Having travelled overnight from Almaty
21:51Tony and Elaine reach the border
21:54Looking forward to leave Kazakhstan behind quite honestly
21:58The toilet's gross
21:59Young lads swaying it around willy-nilly
22:02So to speak
22:07Finally, Josh and Felix
22:10I'm pretty frustrated at not getting off the border last night
22:13But determined to give ourselves the best shot possible
22:15Hence the early start today
22:17Into China
22:18And then find a way of cutting Darren and Alex's hamstrings
22:23Oh, I bet those toilets are amazing
22:25The excitement's starting to grow as we get close to China
22:28But I just don't really know what to expect
22:34Three of the teams have made it into China
22:36Josh and Felix and Tony and Elaine are neck and neck
22:40Making their way through the autonomous zone
22:43But there's still one team yet to leave Kazakhstan
22:46We are finally in a Bentley
22:49Going in style
22:50All black windows
22:51Red leather interior
22:54Thank you very much
22:56Hopefully see you on the other side
22:57Yeah
22:58With the autonomous zone behind them
23:00Alex's train strategy has extended his and his dad's lead
23:04By over 2,000 miles
23:06But it has come at a personal cost for father and son
23:11Alex chose a city
23:13He could have gone out of his comfort zone
23:15Which he's been slowly easing out of
23:18But it's almost like
23:19We've gone to a fire now
23:20And ran back in
23:24I've always wanted to come to China
23:25It's one of the places on my bucket list
23:27The history, the culture
23:29Everything I'm just fascinated by
23:31And to go to a city
23:33If I'm being honest
23:34Yeah, I'm disappointed
23:38I wanted to go off the beaten track
23:39I wanted to explore
23:43China was outside
23:44But you picked Chengdu
23:46But personally, Chengdu stood out for me
23:50Yeah, it might be
23:51A bit of a home comfort level
23:54Of picking a city this time
23:55But I wanted that this leg
23:59The last leg, our bond got a lot stronger
24:02Compared to when we started this journey
24:04But the fact that
24:05I've picked something he's not happy with
24:09I feel like it might start to
24:11Deteriorate and be a bit of friction
24:14It has caused a rift between us
24:16I hope I don't live too
24:18Resenting because of it
24:20I'd be lying if I said I still wasn't good today
24:23I am
24:25Things are just getting a bit tough at the moment
24:27But we have to enjoy ourselves while we're here
24:29Because we're not going to be here again more than likely
24:32We'll both have to do some compromising
24:35So I will try to make the best of what I think is a poor decision
24:43Oh wow
24:44That's a pretty spectacular temple
24:51China, the most populous nation on earth
24:54And one of the world's oldest civilisations
24:57With high tech cities, ancient traditions and diverse landscapes
25:03It's a striking mix of old and new
25:06Now this is cold
25:07This is proper China
25:09It's sick
25:10It's something new
25:11Who would have thought a year ago today
25:13We would have been in China
25:14This shit just got real
25:21Changdu
25:23The traffic's fucking mental here
25:26A city of 14 million people
25:28Famed for pandas
25:30And red hot Szechuan street food
25:32Who is wearing a mask?
25:35Why do people wear these masks?
25:37We have some money
25:38But we need more
25:42Through the jobs directory
25:46Darren and Alex are scouting for work
25:49At a wholesale flower market
25:53Hello, nice to meet you
25:54My name's Darren
25:55Nice to meet you
25:56My name is Vicky
25:57They're met by 21-year-old shift manager Vicky
26:00This is my son, Alex
26:02Alex
26:05Oh, yeah
26:06Oh, this is our shop
26:07This is your shop?
26:08In here you will have your jobs
26:11This?
26:11Yeah, please
26:12You speak perfect English
26:16I'm...
26:16Perfect
26:18Okay, follow me
26:21This way
26:24We offer you the accommodation for today
26:27We offer you 120 RMB
26:30The tomorrow's time is 4 o'clock to 9.30am
26:35Sounds good
26:39When I found out about waking up at 4am
26:42I felt like awww
26:44He's a bit work shy
26:45Nah
26:46The money we earn
26:47Could make the difference between
26:49Getting to Singapore or not
26:54With the need to earn money outweighing the need to keep moving
26:58Thank you
26:59Thank you
26:59Darn and Alex are shown to the workers' accommodation
27:03It's okay?
27:05Yes
27:06Yes, perfect
27:07Thank you
27:08We've got the sleeping bags
27:09Oh, yeah
27:11Okay
27:12That's fine
27:12That's good
27:14How's the kitchen, Alex?
27:16There's even mould in the sink
27:18No, that plastic thing on the floor
27:20I just don't open it
27:27Even thinking about it, it's making me sick now
27:29What do you think it is?
27:30Shit
27:31Human?
27:32I don't know
27:33I'm certainly going to be keeping that hand sanitiser very close by
27:37I imagine it to be
27:40Bloody hell
27:40Be careful, Alex
27:41The bed's going to fall down
27:43You're going to turn the light off
27:44Do you know what?
27:45I can probably reach it from here with my leg
27:47No, Alex, the bed will fall over
27:50Alright, well
27:52Fuck you now
27:53Yeah, it's definitely the worst place I've ever stayed in
27:58400 miles behind the race leaders
28:00Josh and Felix and Tony and Elaine
28:03Have arrived in Xi'an
28:09Oh my god
28:12This is like Blade Runner mixed with every single sci-fi film
28:14Mixed with Wes Anderson
28:16This is incredible
28:20Also in Xi'an
28:21This place is totally bonkers
28:23Tony and Elaine
28:24What's it called?
28:25Shan
28:26Shan
28:26Shan
28:29With a population of over 12 million people
28:32The city is often described as the cradle of Chinese civilization
28:37And home to the terracotta army
28:40More than 8,000 sculptures depicting soldiers of the first emperor of China
28:46Shinshu Huang
28:48And buried with them
28:49To offer protection in the afterlife
28:52I didn't know you could drive a motorbike on a pavement
28:56This is our first venture out into the world of China
29:01And it's just a crazy, wacky, whoopey place
29:05China is a massive culture shock
29:08I've never been anywhere like this
29:10It's so busy, there's no slowness
29:13It's all very fast
29:14You know, we might be a bit old and doddery for this place
29:18Yeah
29:20This is unreal, man
29:23I just want to get out there and immerse myself into a culture which I've never been to before
29:27This is the perfect time to arrive at night as well, lit up
29:31We have to spend some time exploring here
29:33Especially as two people that potentially want to open a kind of like
29:37Bar inspired by this journey
29:39Like, we've got, this is obviously, this is where the old and the new meet
29:43The Muslim Quarter is where all the street food is and I think we should probably head there
29:46Yeah, I just want to eat everything
29:48Business partners Josh and Felix
29:513-1, 3-1
29:53Seek inspiration for their next venture together
29:56That's what adventure's about, bringing something back
29:58Yeah, we want to find a taste and take it home and share it with everyone else
30:01Oh, draw the line of testicles
30:04Josh and I are at the stage where our current business is coming to an end
30:06And we're thinking of the next thing
30:08And we're going to use this experience as like the best research
30:11Thank you
30:13Let's soak up a flavour and distill it into our own unique thing
30:20Look at that
30:23You've just got to try lots of things, I think
30:26If we can't find inspiration here then our eyes and taste buds are dead
30:31Whale's eggs on a stick, yeah?
30:33Absolutely bloody fantastic
30:36I'm happy
30:37Thank you
30:38What is it?
30:41This is a very small rodent, it's probably guinea pig
30:43I mean it smells nice
30:46It's just, what is it?
30:48It's not the best thing I've put in my mouth
30:51It's sheep, oh sheep
30:52Bah!
30:53Going to any lengths in the name of research
30:56Next up, sheep's trotter
30:58I thought he was going to cook it
31:01This isn't what I expected at all
31:03Nothing you should eat should come with a plastic glove
31:07You have to eat all of it
31:14You can smell the foot on it
31:23One of the worst things I've ever put in my mouth
31:25I thought he was going to fucking barbecue it or something
31:28Even for hipsters this is a step too far
31:35Watch you, don't fall over
31:38Planning their next move, Tony and Elaine
31:41We're in a race here
31:43Tomorrow we need to be on the move again
31:46Train tomorrow to...
31:48Guilin
31:50Looking to cover as much distance as possible
31:53They are aiming for the city of Guilin
31:56Almost 800 miles away
31:59They can choose between a 26-hour slow service
32:02Or a 12-hour bullet train
32:06How much plays the yen?
32:08One, three, five, five each
32:10Thank you for your help
32:13Bullet trains are so expensive
32:16But obviously they would be the way to travel here
32:18If you're going to not have a budget
32:20We've gone and booked this long, slow, overnight job
32:24The faster one was probably about another £25 each
32:30We're just doing what feels right for us
32:32You know, if you can get there cheaper, do it
32:35Yeah, we've made the right choice
32:40It's way too early for this
32:424am
32:44Changdu Flower Market
32:46Don't cry
32:52Not horizon
32:52At an angle?
32:53Yeah, like this
32:55Do they all have to be even?
32:57No, they don't have to be even
32:58They just have to be cut at an angle
32:59So they absorb water better
33:01I honestly wonder what my straight credit is going to be like
33:03When this is done
33:04You try to imply that you had some?
33:07I had lots
33:08Don't miss me
33:10You know you like to think you're some sort of gangster
33:13Smell good
33:16Since leaving school two years ago
33:19Alex hasn't had a stable job
33:23Alex has got into a bit of a rut
33:25He always takes the easy option
33:27He does sort of like, oh, can you just do that?
33:29Oh, can you just do this?
33:31Partly we're to blame because we do it
33:34He needs to step up
33:35It's going to be an experience trying to get Alex to push himself
33:42It'll make him realise
33:43If he can do this trip
33:45He can do anything
33:47Well normally, before this trip
33:49I'd stay up really late
33:50And sleeping
33:52But now, it's hardly any sleeping
33:54But, body's getting a bit used to it
33:56Which, I don't think it's good for your health
33:59But, oh well
34:00It's the sort of things you've got to do if you want to come first in this race
34:03It's
34:04King
34:05King
34:05Queen
34:06Princess
34:07I'm learning
34:08I like that
34:09This one?
34:10Yeah
34:10Pink pineapple
34:12But this is cute
34:13It's smaller, but this is a big one
34:15But you can't eat it
34:16You can't eat
34:17I try and eat it
34:19Same old, same old
34:20I'm working hard
34:22Alex is chatting away
34:24Having a good time
34:28Yeah
34:28So, do you do this as part-time job?
34:31Yes, I have the summer vacation
34:33And I have the part-time job in this time
34:36Yes
34:36Then you study at university?
34:38Yes
34:38School?
34:39What do you do in your country?
34:41I'm a bit confused with what I want to do after, when I go back home
34:45Yes, so am I
34:46I don't know what to do after my graduation, you know
34:50Yes, you're a bit confused like me
34:52Yes
34:53You need to pick the right thing for you
34:56Yes
34:56And I think the happiness is the most, you know
34:59Yes
34:59It's happy to meet you
35:01Yes
35:01It's the same with you
35:03Yeah
35:03It's happy to know that
35:05The same problems in England
35:07Happen the same problems in China
35:09Yes
35:09We have the same problems everywhere
35:12Why will you have someone?
35:14So, what's your response?
35:15God bless you
35:16Thank you
35:16Yeah
35:32Oh my God, he's eating chicken foot
35:34Ugh
35:34Just moving away like a pepperoni
35:381100 miles behind the race leaders, Natalie and Shamima have arrived in the city of Xi'i Guan
35:45Famed for the Xi'i Pass, the largest and most complete part of the Great Wall of China
35:51We are now in China
35:55This is a pretty epic moment that we actually made it to China and I took myself back to the
35:59moment we were in Greenwich
36:00And we saw how far Delphi was but we've actually made it to China
36:04And we're on the same fold on the map as Singapore
36:08Huge
36:09High five
36:12The Great Wall began to take on its epic scale in 200 BC
36:18We're actually going to climb the Great Wall of China
36:22And now spans 13,000 miles
36:27Oh, I could cry because it's that amazing
36:34Yay!
36:36We made it!
36:41I feel like it's moments like this you can't help but think about the things that you have to think
36:46about
36:49This trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to give me some breathing space
36:56Just to focus on myself
37:00I got married young, I was like 21 when I had my first child
37:04When you have children you plan the next 20 years and those 20 years are nearly here
37:12It feels like it's happened all of a sudden
37:15And it feels a little bit like
37:18It's almost like I'm questioning my purpose
37:20Again, because I'm not sure of
37:24What life would be with an empty house
37:27What is it that I want?
37:33In Xi'an, Josh and Felix are still playing catch up
37:37We've just purchased train tickets to Gulin
37:39Now we just want to try and catch up with Darren and Alex
37:43The normal train takes 36 hours and this one takes 13
37:45Anyone who gets the slow train is losing 24 hours on us
37:51A kilometre every 15 seconds
37:53Yeah
37:53You could do a marathon in 10 minutes on this train
37:56We're going to see Darren and Alex on the slow train and we're going to be like
38:01I can't even imagine trundling along on that hard seat for 36 hours
38:05Yeah
38:09It's your ass end of nowhere really
38:15Taking a different tactic, budget conscious Tony and Elaine
38:24We've laid on hard beds in shared carriages on trains
38:28Or with a view to save you money
38:33I don't want to go on another train ever again, I don't think
38:37Don't you like these?
38:41If the other team's been paying for bullet trains
38:44They probably will get there before we do at checkpoint
38:48But then we'll be richer
38:54Pot little man
38:59In Chengdu
39:00Vicky
39:02As his shift comes to a close
39:05Hwangyao, ancient town
39:06Do you know whereabouts it is?
39:08Alex's mind turns back to the race
39:11Hwangyao, yes I know that
39:13If you could do a circle for us
39:15Oh, here
39:16Hwangyao, ancient town is near to the Gwining
39:19Would you have to get bus?
39:20Taxi?
39:21No, trains
39:23Trains
39:24Good
39:24That sounds good to me
39:26Now we know what it is in Chinese, that's perfect
39:31Thank you for everything
39:32It's nice to meet you, my friend
39:35Yes, you too
39:35I will marry you
39:38Yes, definitely
39:39Bye-bye
39:40Thank you for everything
39:42See you later
39:43Is she going to remember you forever?
39:45Maybe
39:46Maybe
39:46I give her my contact details
39:48I'm sure you did
39:50I'm sure you did
39:55Shut up
39:56It's everywhere I look around
39:58Natalie and Shamima have used their charm to get places and get things
40:02There's totally nothing wrong with that
40:04If I could just find someone to work my charm on
40:06It'd be lovely
40:08That's not working with anyone
40:09Yeah, if I could find somebody elderly maybe
40:11Some old, blind, gullible, senile woman
40:16And we'll be laughing
40:20No, definitely the best job so far
40:23Well, it would be for you, wouldn't it?
40:26Whilst Darn and Alex catch the bullet train to Gwilin
40:29Tony and Elaine are crawling along on their economy drive
40:32Still at least 28 hours from the checkpoint
40:36Thank you
40:37Natalie and Shamima are putting their plan into action
40:41What time does the bullet train go?
40:44This one gets there in the morning
40:45It's the high speed one
40:48If they time their connections right
40:50They can catch high speed bullet trains all the way to Gwilin
40:54The closest major city to the checkpoint
41:00Race mode starts again
41:02Well, I doubt we're going to get a lot of sleep
41:05This gentleman here is a snorer
41:09While three teams push for the checkpoint
41:13Oh my word
41:15That's like the coolest thing I've ever seen
41:16For best friends Josh and Felix
41:19A stop off in China's rock climbing capital
41:23Yangshu
41:23There's mountains like right there
41:26Looming behind the neon
41:30One of the reasons that we're going on this trip
41:31Is to have moments which you just can't have anywhere else in the world
41:35Josh and I like to climb together so
41:37Hopefully tomorrow will culminate in something which will be truly epic
41:41Yeah? Yeah, yeah, perfect
41:43Felix and I do a lot of climbing in London
41:45It's all the things we enjoy
41:46It's challenge based, it's problem solving, it's physical
41:48And I would kick myself if I couldn't do something
41:52But the mood is a bit sour because Josh lost his bag
41:57In the kind of chaos I'd managed to put down a small bag
42:00Which had nothing of any great financial value in it
42:03But had a book that I've written a letter to my girlfriend in every day
42:07Since we started this
42:10When you're a long way from home
42:11Anything that links you to home kind of becomes really precious
42:14That was super excited about tomorrow, really excited
42:21The karst peaks of South China
42:24Over 270 million years old
42:27And a welcome distraction for Josh and Felix
42:31I'm terrified
42:33I don't know how anyone can come here and just not be inspired by them
42:36Why would you not want to climb it?
42:38Like that's the most awesome thing I've seen
42:41Like in this entire trip
42:43Not that we can afford to eat ever again
42:45No, we're on rice now
42:46Equally, this stuff's priceless
42:49This is the egg
42:50Most famous climbing place in Yangsou
42:53Wow
42:53Looks like an egg, right?
42:55Yeah, absolutely
42:56All the gear, no idea, as they say
42:59I'm not rushing
43:00Don't rush
43:03Good
43:04This rock is beautiful, man
43:05I've only ever climbed up to like 13 metres before
43:08And this is 30 metres
43:09It's just a whole different ball game
43:11I think that there's something fraternal about me and Josh's relationship
43:14Where we just both trust each other implicitly
43:17You alright pal?
43:20Also, we've worked together so much and we've been through so many really stressful experiences
43:25That we know how each other is going to respond, we know what our strengths are, we know what our
43:28weaknesses are
43:30This journey will allow us to discover a lot about what we want our future direction to be
43:37It feels like there's a constant battle between the race and experience and for us
43:41£20,000 is a hell of a lot of money and it would make a big difference, it would mean
43:45I could see my family more, it would mean I could buy a camper van and spend more time with
43:49Holly and that's something I really really want
43:51It's nice to sit down up here
43:54Oh, thank you
43:56High actually
44:02My life kind of divides into two, there's like the amazing adventures I go on with Felix and that's like
44:08a massively important part of my life
44:10Oy, oy, oy, oy, oy
44:13And then there's the other half of my life which is like my family and Holly, my girlfriend
44:21That's the best thing that's happened in this entire trip I think
44:24When you're in the moment completely, all your other problems start solving themselves in the back of your mind and
44:29in your subconscious
44:29It does bring home to me some of the difficulties of where we are at the moment
44:35I just really want what we build next to not be like we build it for three years, it works
44:40for a year and then we have to do something else, I want it to be like long term
44:44If you want security then become a teacher or a banker or something, like it's, we've never chosen the most
44:52secure path but our whole philosophy is like take a big risk and often fall flat on our face but
44:57occasionally there's a big reward
44:59I guess the hardest thing for me is that I know it's going to take like three or four years
45:03and if I feel like this now
45:05How will I feel in four or five years time?
45:07Want more experiences like this?
45:10I have, alright
45:12Yeah, look at your watch, it's fine
45:13I just, you've been talking a lot and I just don't like, we don't want to say anything
45:24Guilin, a bustling modern city famous for its scenic location
45:29Among high, craggy hills on the Lee River, it's the main hub for the checkpoint Wangyao, the ancient town which
45:37lies 100 miles south
45:41The plan now is to get to the checkpoint as soon as possible
45:44Yeah, we're going to have to run for it, we have 14 minutes, this is rush
45:49Darren and Alex have arrived from Chengdu, looking to make their connection
45:53Alex picked Chengdu to gather information and to work, it was a very smart decision
46:00The amount of information we gathered to help us were phenomenal, affected on race
46:11We can't get through this
46:13We can't get through this
46:18Woah
46:22Woah
46:24Come on, we're running out of time
46:28That was fucking scary
46:32This journey
46:33Two minutes
46:34Alex has changed
46:36He's becoming more decisive
46:38He's becoming more certain of himself
46:41Dad, it's a fast train
46:42That's pretty cool then
46:44Should take an hour and then we're on the road again
46:47Straight to the checkpoint ASAP, it's race day
46:50Let's go
46:54Pushing to make up ground on their rivals
46:56900 miles to the north, Natalie and Shamima are rapidly approaching Xi'an
47:03Are you nervous?
47:05Yeah
47:05We're at the make or break stage, we get into Xi'an and if we get the right bullet train
47:10from the right station
47:12Then the game is ours
47:14Xi'an?
47:15Xi'an, Xi'an
47:16Look at the London Underground
47:17I know
47:21It's that fast train to Guilin
47:24We get a ticket?
47:27Wow
47:28How much is that?
47:3050 pounds
47:30I feel like that's more than we spent the whole trip
47:34Yeah, wow
47:36But it's going to get us in three hours earlier than taking the normal train
47:42I just hope it's worth it
47:48Who's you?
47:50One hour's drive from the checkpoint
47:5540 for one
47:5640 for one
47:58These girls have started out for me
48:01As Darren and Alex head towards the checkpoint
48:04After 27 hours on a slow train
48:07Tony and Elaine finally reach Guilin
48:10We've got our feet on the ground, hallelujah
48:13So the journey has been ghastly, gruelling, grimy
48:19Out of our six days travelling now, five nights have been on trains
48:25They decide to take a much needed break
48:29There's a river called, I think it's River Lee
48:31We would love to go to the river and go down it
48:35I mean, we need to see China now
48:38This is bad
48:39I'd give anything for a flight
48:42Wang Yao ancient town
48:44This is it
48:457.40pm
48:48Make your way up to the checkpoint at Long Inn Hotel
48:52Long Inn Hotel
48:56Come on, Dad
48:57Do you know where you're going, Alex?
48:59I'm going to ask someone
49:00Hello, hello, hello
49:03Long Inn Hotel
49:05I'm in a race, otherwise I won't
49:07Where? Long Inn Hotel
49:09Up
49:11There?
49:12I'm guessing it's rounding up
49:15Alex is taking charge a lot more
49:18Hello, English
49:20Thank you anywhere
49:21Not having as many hissy fits
49:22Do we know what's up here?
49:23But I feel like when we walked past them lanterns we should have walked in there
49:27We're setting to work as an effective team
49:29Do you think it's in here?
49:31I have a feeling it might be
49:33Hotel? This way?
49:35You know?
49:36Please, if you know
49:38I'll give you a big hug
49:41I think this guy knows what he's on about
49:44Oh, this has to be it
49:45Long Inn, my guy
49:47If I had any money I'd buy this man a beer
49:50After all this
49:52Oh, dear
49:54You've saved me
49:55Hello, good afternoon
49:57How are you?
50:00Oh, my God
50:02I was not expecting that
50:05I can't give you a touch
50:07Yes
50:07First twice in a row
50:09Now I am absolutely buzzing
50:11Come here
50:11Having displayed exceptional teamwork ever since crossing the border into China
50:17Darn and Alex have made it to the checkpoint hours ahead of their nearest rivals
50:23Yeah, I must admit, Alex, you did well
50:25Thank you for that
50:26I appreciate it a lot
50:28But hats off to you, you've got me out of comfort zone
50:31I knew you could do this, I knew you'd step up
50:33I didn't believe in myself
50:35Yeah, you'd turn into a far more confident and smarter person
50:40It just, you just needed that nudging
50:43Touch? Or hug?
50:45To...
50:46HE LAUGHS
50:53After travelling on a shoestring, cooped up for days on hard seats
50:57Tony and Elaine are swapping slow trains for the great outdoors
51:02A cruise on the River Lee
51:04It's been a tough leg for us
51:06We're tired, you know, it's been a slog
51:09We've pushed ourselves really hard
51:10Maybe got a bit grumpy ourselves
51:12And maybe that's coloured my judgement of China
51:16We want to complete the race
51:17We don't want to be the old farts who dropped out
51:20With a leg and a half to go
51:23We've just got to get our heads together
51:26I'm going to enjoy this, I think
51:30It is wonderful, wonderful scenery
51:35Oh, look!
51:37In Yorkshire, we have some spectacular scenery
51:41But nothing quite like this
51:43Nothing like this
51:46It's just a bloody noise and everything round it
51:50Get out left
51:54They should have supplied air plugs on these things
51:58Shut up!
51:59Shut up! Take that, bloody!
52:01Shut up! Bring it in the way down!
52:03Silence, Sharone!
52:06Definitely we could have made better choices for this leg
52:15Oh, wow
52:18Pretty impressive, isn't it? Look at that
52:22This is special
52:24Whilst Darn and Alex enjoy 36 hours of rest and recuperation at the checkpoint
52:30You are taking us to the high-speed train station
52:33OK
52:34The other teams are in danger of falling further behind in the race
52:39We'll just wait for the adrenaline to kick in
52:41As soon as we're off the train, it will be race mode, definitely
52:46Do you think any other teams came during the night?
52:49I don't know, the trains were running quite late, wasn't there?
52:52Yeah
52:52So they could have still got here, even within early hours in the morning, potentially
52:56That's what I think might have happened
52:58Well, I suppose there's only one way to find out
53:00What?
53:01Go and look at the book
53:03Have a sneak peek
53:06The book
53:09Wow
53:10No-one's here
53:11It's a massive lead
53:13And we've only got two legs to go
53:15Could not be happier
53:17What time do you think the team's got in?
53:20Early hours, I would probably say
53:21Two, three, maybe four o'clock
53:23There's still no one here
53:24No one?
53:25There's still no one here
53:26Do they realise it's a race?
53:32Yeah
53:33There's a bus there
53:35Josh and Felix have arrived in Huizhou
53:38A 90-minute bus ride from Wang Yao
53:41How much?
53:43OK, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
53:4530 yen high-speed bus
53:47Seems like a good compromise between haste and money
53:55As night falls in Guilin
53:58We want to take a taxi
54:01Natalie and Shamima are willing to shell out on the fastest way to the checkpoint
54:06Any other route we try to find now will not get us in until tomorrow
54:09We have to get there tonight
54:10This leg is all about taking hits
54:12It's hard
54:13$130 here?
54:14Yes
54:15No, yes, no, we have to go
54:17Thank you very much
54:20This is a third of the price of getting a taxi
54:23So it seemed like the right thing to do
54:26You thought it took me £60
54:29Yeah
54:29Or was I taking a hit?
54:31No, it's this
54:36Second or third is not an option
54:38Imagine
54:39Oh, there's another sign
54:43Both teams are closing in
54:46This looks like the old town, doesn't it?
54:50Sorted
54:51Let's go
54:51Long Inn Hotel
54:55Thank you
54:57Thank you
54:58Thank you
54:59Long Inn Hotel
55:01Where's the rickshaw when you need one?
55:05Long Inn Hotel, is it here?
55:07No
55:08Long Inn Hotel?
55:09No?
55:10Okay
55:11Your mobile phone
55:12Don't have a mobile phone
55:13No
55:14We're in a big rush
55:16Do you know where Long Inn Hotel is?
55:19Yeah, Long Inn Hotel
55:20Come on, listen
55:21Focus, focus, focus
55:21Long Inn Hotel
55:24Can you look on your phone?
55:26Thank you
55:27Thank you
55:27It's already boiling
55:30Quick, quick, quick, quick
55:32We're not in the old town
55:34Might be why the walls didn't look that old
55:37Oh my gosh
55:38I think it's here
55:41Yeah, it is
55:43It fucking is
55:44You know what this is?
55:45What?
55:46Another sign that you should trust your intuition
55:47Unless we're going to our death
55:50Oh, I'm scared
55:51We've come down the wrong way
55:53Oh my God, like literally
55:55We're never going to find it
55:56For fuck's sake
55:57This is beautiful, man
55:59It's this way and then left
56:00It's up there
56:02For fuck's sake
56:03Run
56:05Long Inn
56:07This way?
56:09Thank you
56:09We can do this
56:10We can do this
56:10We can do this
56:11We can do this
56:15Hello
56:16Hello
56:16How are you?
56:17Hey
56:18This is the Long Inn Hotel
56:19Thank you
56:20It's been a long journey to get here
56:21Darren and Alex
56:23They're 22 hours ahead of us
56:25Oh man
56:30Absolutely
56:30Absolutely
56:31Gutted
56:31I've been on coaches and trains for like 25 hours a day for the last five weeks for this
56:36But we know exactly where it happened
56:38Border for China, we just didn't get across it
56:40And the border closed in front of us
56:41It's really, really hard work this
56:45Long Inn!
56:46If we now don't get in first because of all this faffing
56:49I'm going to be pretty annoyed arse
56:51Ah!
56:52Oh!
56:55Fucking hell
56:57I've got you a day ahead
57:01You spent all that money as well
57:02I know
57:04Before, when we've come in third place, we have hardly spent any money
57:08This time, we've come in third place and we've spent a lot of money
57:11We want to have an adventure of a lifetime
57:13But I feel like the game's on now
57:15And we need to play the game
57:17Let them have their first and second place now
57:20When it really matters, that's when we'll come in first
57:22This game is all about connections between things
57:24But that's luck
57:26Darren and Alex could make a massive mistake
57:29We can do this
57:32Darren and Alex have established a significant lead
57:36But with two legs still remaining
57:39Budgets are running dangerously low
57:42And one team is still out on the road
57:47Seems a long time since the last signed that book
57:49It's gone so slowly, this like
57:53Boring, boring leg from a train window
57:58Not a good leg
58:00It's haunting me
58:06With 3,300 miles still to cover
58:09Bye bye China, you've been good to us
58:12Next time, the hunt is on
58:14Darren and Alex are the wounded wildebeest
58:16We are lying in the long grass
58:18As the teams head to South East Asia
58:21Bit of a breeze
58:22Oh my God!
58:24It's just got that real energy
58:26Shit, a snake
58:27Oh my God!
58:28The storm clouds begin to gather
58:30Where do we go?
58:31This way
58:31Flying double, please
58:33And lightning strikes
58:34Let's look at us
58:35Bam! Straight onto the checkpoint
58:38The ramping margin
58:38With for 3-0 db
59:01Th�eis
59:01Things without us
59:02You have to go to the brasile