Following the mandatory rest period after the first pit stop in São Paulo, at the Estádio do Pacaembu, as the Estádio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho is usually called, where the team of John and Scott were the last ones there and consequently, the first team to be eliminated, the teams met at the stadium again the next morning.
Arriving in order of their placement, the teams got instructions to find the next clue at the Edificio Copan. They all raced off in taxis, only to arrive at the building to find it didn’t open until 8 am. While they all waited together, the teams of Jeremy and Eric and Danielle and Dani flirt. The guys are determined to make their race adventure also a sexual experience.
The teams could have used the time to find out about the building. Built in the early 1950s by famed Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, in a serpentine design, the building is one of São Paulo’s landmarks. There are 1850 apartments over the first floor stores, and the design creates different roofs. See this areeal view of the building seen in 1968, and this view of thefaçade taken in 1951. Niemeyer also was the major designer of Brazil’s capital, Brasilia and the United Nations building in New York.
Once the building was open, the teams took the elevators to the top where they found their clues: a Road Block in which one member of each team had to climb a very long circular staircase, a frie escape, to the top of the building and rappel 400 feet down the side to get the next clue. This “fire drill exercise” demanded a lot of energy and determination, as the order of arrival at the top determined the order of descent. One by one the racers accomplished this, even though Danielle of team Danielle and Dani, is terrified of heights. Fran of team Barry and Fran comforted her and reassured Danielle that she could do it. She did, quickly, leaving Fran behind on the next part of the race.
From Copan, the teams headed to the Barra Funda Terminal, in the west zone where they could take one of four chartered busses, leaving at different times, to the town of Brotas. 150 km away. See the interactive map from Expedia. Some of the teams enjoyed the ride and the scenery, commenting on the beauty of Brazil.
Brotas is known throughout Brazil for its rivers, springs and waterfalls that bring rafters, climbers and others to the area for the water sports. In Brotas, Volkswagen Beetles await the teams for their next destination. This is a Detour: the choice between
Joseph and Monica scrambled up the rock face like pros. Monica exulted, saying, “I’m filthy and I love it!”. After them, BJ and Tyler climbed up with much enthusiasm if little technique. Followed by Jeremy and Eric, they set off for their next destination, the pit stop at the Fazenda Primavera da Serra, a nearby plantation open to visitors and offering a number of recreational activities.
In the order of arrival:
- BJ and Tyler, who win a trip for two, from Expedia, to Tahiti, and a stay in the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa. Overwhelmed, the guys jump about and shout with joy.
- Eric and Jeremy
- Joseph and Monica
- Dave and Lori, who continue to be enthusiastic about everything they see and do
- Ray and Yolanda
- Wanda and Desiree
- Lake and Michelle, who lose time when they stop to ask for directions only 1 km from the fazenda
- Danielle and Dani, who see Fran and Barry in trouble on the road and speed past them
- Fran and Barry, whose car broke down on the rod to the fazenda and had to wait for a replacement, but were thrilled to make it this far
- Joni and Lisa, the last team in, and the second eliminated from the race. Lisa who had trouble driving their car, stalling out repeatedly and arguing with her sister over the roles they played, burst into tears and was comforted by Joni.
Next episode, the teams leave Brazil for new adventures in Moscow.
