THEthe journey of Beijing Express 2023 along the India Route it continues into Cambodia. After leaving the capital Phnom Penh and arriving in Oudong in the previous episode, in the semi-final – broadcast tonight at 9.35pm on TV8 – the couples leave from Oudong to reach Battambang. 349 kilometers of tests, obstacles and even unexpected encounters. At the helm, as always, Costantino della Gherardesca and the co-host of this edition Enzo Miccio.
Beijing Express 2023the stages of the ninth episode and the arrival of Jake La Furia
This week too, travelers undergo a series of adventures. In the first mission they have to capture two tarantulas with their bare hands and deliver them to Enzo, who awaits them at the market. Once arrived, they must enjoy a fried one each. Will they be able to overcome any reluctance and try new foods for the good of the couple? Maybe. The rules, however, are clear.
If one of the two contestants refuses to eat the tarantula, the couple is forced to remain still for 10 minutes before being able to leave again. If both refused, the time would double. And 20 minutes in a test can be crucial to its success.
The penultimate episode of Beijing Express 2023then, also includes a special guest. AND Jake La Furia, who comes to the rescue of the game and represents a disadvantage. The winning couple of the eighth episode – namely The Newlyweds – chooses another couple to assign the so-called Jake flag, held by Jake himself. The flag is a penalty and can also be given to another pair. Whoever receives it stops, finds twenty people willing to improvise a rap and starts dancing. If Jake likes the performance, we can leave for the red carpet.
The Italian Americans Andrea Belfiore and Joe Bastianich. (Sky)
Advantage test and final stage
Linked to the success of the first mission is the prove advantage. In the ninth episode it involves the first two ranked couples. They have to reach a houseboat in a canoe. Once arrived, prepare lunch for the school students and they serve it. They all eat except one, who must be handed over to his parents. If they succeed, they receive a fruit basket from them. The couple who reaches the starting point with the fruit basket first wins. It gains a position in the final stage ranking and assigns a penalty to one of the opposing pairs, i.e. a forced 10-minute stop.
The Sicilians Salvatore Schillaci and Barbara Lombardo at “Pechino Express 2023”. (Sky)
In the second mission the couples they gather at Highway 5, specifically on the assignment with Chaeng Rainsey. Here they are called to find the most suitable means of transport – and faster – to get to the red flag. Once this test is completed, we move on to the third mission. In this case each pair is assigned a letter. The objective is to build a Bamboo train, also called norry, which is a particular typical Cambodian means of transport and composed of wood, iron and bamboo. They must build it following the instructions of the components that report the letter assigned to them.
The difficulty becomes greater when, Having almost reached the end of the construction, they discover that to complete it they must find the final piece. It’s about a bamboo board hidden inside the village. Once found and assembled, they also look for the driver to leave for the final flag. However, the semi-final of Beijing Express 2023 it is not yet finished. The couples arrive at the Wat Ek Phnom temple and, before continuing towards the finish line, decide which foil to choose for the final. It consists of a small sacrifice that they will have to observe during the next episode.
Federica Pellegrini and Matteo Giunta in the semi-final of “Pechino Express 2023”. (Sky)
Beijing Express 2023the last couples in the race
There are four couples still competing and vying for victory. Specifically, these are the Italian Americans Joe Bastianich and Andrea Belfiore, The newlyweds Federica Pellegrini and Matteo Giunta, The Mediterranean ones Carolina Stramare and Barbara Prezja e The Sicilians Salvatore Schillaci and his wife Barbara Lombardo.
Italian Americans, Newlyweds and Mediterraneans are certainly the three strongest coupleswho since the first episode have shown that they are tenacious and know how to cope in any situation.
The eliminated couples, however, are the activists Giorgia Soleri and Federica Fabrizio – who left the game at the end of the previous episode –, Mother and son Martina Colombari and Achille Costacurta, The lawyers Alessandra De Michelis and Lara Picardi, The educated Maria Rosa Petolicchio and Andrea Di Piero e Hypochondriacs Dario Vergassola and his daughter Caterina.
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