Series 5 - Episode 4 Recap

Leg four was the first to take us outside of China, traveling through Nepal into India bringing quite a different feel to the journey. 

Because of the mountains (and/or Chinese restrictions on traveling and filming in Tibet) the teams had to fly to Nepal to start - causing some social media complaints that use of a plane ruins the show. It certainly shortened this leg, but it's main effect seemed to be highlighting which journalists run with social media “outrage” without even the diligence to look up that they also had to hop on a plane during the last series (Ironically around China, also because of filming restrictions!)

But the shorter distance did give us more time with the teams, and a chance to see their trips through Nepal which was amazing, and such a different spirit and ‘personality’ to China.

Teams could go south to India directly, or head west to see more of Nepal, which almost all of the teams took some time to do. 

Brian & Melvyn were first to leave, with their 24 hour lead from last week. They decided to head west to Bandipar for free bed and board and to explore some of Nepal. They started poorly with Brian accidentally haggling a bus ticket up in price with all the confidence of an early firee from the Apprentice. Then their choice of homestay farm involved mucking out a buffalo - one of the most disgusting hands on experiences seen on the show so far.

They did have some highlights as well - Melvyn took them both to a zip line, which for any other team might have been described as a hair raising experience!

Along the way the brothers discussed more about their childhood and their relationship with their mum - for as much as the two are always laughing, there’s a clear sadness there, and I hope the journey finds them the closeness they’re looking for.

Not quite as distant, but still struggling to connect as a team, Elizabeth & Leticia decided to head directly south to Bodh Gaya, a Buddhist holy site. While they connected well with the women running a restaurant Panauti, they seemed to struggle with each other, Elizabeth having a lot more fun in this leg while Leticia got very quiet.

Having to head back to Kathmandu because of unreliable roads heading further south, Leticia seemed very uncomfortable in the rather basic bus on the rather basic ‘highway’. They did eventually make it to the Bodh Gaya, but as a team they seem a little disconnected right now, hopefully they will work it out as they were very strong working together in the first legs.

Far stronger as a team were Caroline & Tom, although once again it felt like Caroline was doing most of the work. They planned to go straight to India, but took a homestay in Pokhara to see more of Nepal first.

There some of the mystery of Tom's anxiety was revealed, as he brought up the issues of having cerebral palsy in his right hand - an awkward problem in a house where everyone eats with the right hand only. 

Despite traveling one of the longer routes, the mother and son found their way quickly, and ended up the first team to enter India. They also were the only team to work more than one job, helping out in a restaurant in Uttar Pradesh, which might give them more advantage with their budget.

Far less budget conscious have been Finn & Sioned, who have apparently been staying in hotels the whole journey so far. This week they also spent ‘big’ on a Safari trip in Nepal, taking a 7 hour bus to visit Chitwan National Park.

This did mean however they took the leap to stay in a hostel which didn’t seem to sit well with Finn, although Sioned seemed happier socializing and working behind the bar.

By the time they got to India though, Sioned was getting very overwhelmed by the noise and chaos of it all. Brian & Melvyn described Nepal as more colorful and bubbly than the more rigid China, I’m not sure how they’d describe the even more buzzing India, but it’s clearly a long way from the calm Welsh world the couple are used to.

Not that we’ve seen much of it yet, as the teams entered the new country it was a race between Brian & Melvyn and Caroline & Tom. The brothers took a slight tumble in the foot race, while mother and son seemed to get stuck in the back-roads behind some cows.

The show didn’t reveal what the time difference is between them, although it seems likely to be only 3 to 4 hours. However with the younger teams not checked in yet, and no budgets given, it’s really anyone's guess for the next leg!

Might the brothers make it three legs in row? Will Caroline & Tom continue climbing up the results table? Maybe Finn & Sioned will race faster to get out of the noisy cities? Get your prediction in before the next episode!