Despite the obvious absence of difficult challenges, I was a nervous wreck while watching it because my favorite team, Geoff and Tisha from the Philippines wasn't doing well. In fact, they sucked in the 90% of the tasks in this leg. It's a good thing a surprising twist was added in the end, a task that jolted some excitement to this episode and, at the same time, allowed Geoff and Tish to recover.

Episodes 9 of The Amazing Race Asia 3 (TARA 3) is just over and it was another scorcher, with the lead changing hands several times and an anticlimactic 'U-Turn' significantly determining the outcome of this episode, for the last two places at least.

I hope Ida and Tania catch up next week. I don't want them eliminated. They have good energy and such a positive outlook always (same goes for Sam and Vince). I hope another team gets eliminated, probably ________ and ________ ? Guess who I want eliminated.

Focus was the key element in this week's Amazing Race Asia 3 (TARA 3) episode for it played the key to a team's success. Overnight leaders Mai and Oliver lost the lead because they chose to spend the night resting rather than proceeding to the next clue to secure a sequence number for the next task. Other teams chose to trudge on, securing their place in the race that would prove to be mentally, emotionally and physically taxing.

The Amazing Race Asia 3 (TARA 3) premiered today, heralding an eight (?) week run of fun and adventure for the ten teams from all over Asia. It wasn't the most exciting season premier I've seen but I guess the coming weeks will be better as we start to root for our favorites.

After capturing the interest of Asian audiences the past wo seasons, The Amazing Race Asia 3 (TARA 3) casts off next month (September 11 through AXN) with another promise of a thrilling competition.