Tough day for Brian & Ericka

Brian & Ericka started the leg with trouble starting their vehicle. Quite a common problem in this game. And so they ended up reaching the first route marker last. At the roadblock challenge, Ericka had trouble counting the bells in the tower.

All the other teams got it right at their first attempt, Ericka only got it right after 4 trials and several breakdowns. But lucky for her, Brian was so patient and encouraged her not to give up. You really need this kind of positive energy to stay in this game, and Brian just never seems to run out of it, always stays positive and calm, what a guy.

The couple was the last team to leave the roadblock, and chose the dancing challenge at Detour. At this point almost all other teams have completed the detour, only Maria & Tiffany were still working on it. The girls first opted for the golf challenge, but after several tee offs they decided they were not golfers and went for the other one. Oh did I mention the teams have to swim their way across a freezing canal to reach the golf course?

Turns out before the teams started the dance, one team member must successfully hit the bell on a high striker. This was proved to be too difficult for the girls to complete, as after more than 70 hits, none of the girls could hit the bell. After serious consideration, the girls decided to return to the golf course. Yeah, swim across the freezing canal again.

After wandering around in their bulky Dutch wooden clogs for I don't know how long looking for the dance hall, an agitated Ericka was whining again. Brian tried to keep her spirit up, only to discover that they were supposed to ride on a bicycle to find the place, which they never saw, after reading their clue again, dumb mistake.

Finally the couple arrived at the dance hall, and Brian hit the bell at first attempt. Luckily only one team member had to hit the bell, otherwise Ericka would probably waste a lot of time there. After completed the dance, Brian & Ericka were surprised to find that they weren't the last team to arrive. But Phil couldn't check them in yet, as they did not follow the clue and ride the bicycle, and were therefore incurred a 30-minute penalty. Haven't they had enough setbacks for the day?

As the couple were waiting for the longest 30 minute of their life to pass, Maria & Tiffany were still at the golf course, trying their best to complete the task. However the girls just couldn't complete the challenge, given how much more time they would have. In the end Brian & Ericka checked in as team no.5, successfully avoided elimination. And I am relieved, I am rooting for them.