Amazing Race Canada 2 - Week 4: Macau

Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, one of Macau China's most famous sights

It was another exciting week for the teams. If you missed the episode, check out 'Amazing Race Canada' Season 2, Episode 4 Recap: Macau Mishaps for an interesting take on some of the week's highlights.

Want to go where the teams did, and do what the teams did?

The pitstop for Week 3 was located in Hong Kong, so it was from there that the teams set off on Week 4's adventures.	Layover City: Hong Kong
The teams travelled from Hong Kong to Macau, China by turbojet! This is the main means of transportation between Macau and Hong Kong and it takes about 50 minutes.	Macau Excursion from Hong Kong with Turbojet Full-Day Tour Macau Full-Day Group Tour from Hong Kong
At A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Mui), in the Historic Centre of Macau (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), teams performed an ancient ceremony: lighting firecrackers - meant to ward off ancient spirits.	See A-Ma Temple
Are you one of those who craves to do EXACTLY what the teams did? Then you can, indeed, bungy jump at Macau Tower.	See Macau Tower Bungy Jump at Macau Tower
If you want the thrill of seeing Macau from upon high, but aren't ready to bungy jump, here's some other things you can do at Macau Tower:	Sky Jump at Macau Tower Macau Tower Skywalk Macau Tower Climb Macau Tower Climb Express
If you want to find happiness in Macau, or just the almond biscuit shop the teams visited on Happiness Street (Rua da Felicidade), take the Hop On Hop Off bus.	Macau City Sightseeing Tour
Beginning at the Ruins of St Paul's Cathedral, teams that chose "Stamp It" scoured the streets looking for 6 shrines, stamping their scroll with an ancient Chinese symbol at each.	See the Ruins of St Paul's Cathedral	The façade of St Paul's in 1854
In the charm of Senado Square (Senate Square), teams who chose "Stomp It" joined a Macanese folk dance troupe to learn a complicated routine.	See the Historic Centre of Macau
Gambling in Macau is central to the economy, so it's not surprise that the teams had to learn how to deal a game of Fan-Tan at the Grand Lapa Hotel. Fan Tan gambling houses first opened in Macau in 1867, and today the game is one of just 27 game types permitted to be played.	See Casino Lisboa	The game of Fan-Tan is very old
Next up, teams raced to the Grand Lisboa Hotel. From there, they navigated Macau's underground passageways to reach the pit stop.	Macau and Hong Kong Attractions Pass See Macau Attractions Pass Macau 30-Day City Attractions Pass
The pitstop for Week 4 was located at Praça de Ferreira do Amaral, in the heart of the casino action in Macau.	Private Tour: Macau Day Trip from Hong Kong

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No airports visited this week, but you can fly to Macau, of course.

Here are some things you may not know about Macau International Airport (MFM):

• MFM is the only airport serving Macau
• The runway is built on a strip of reclaimed land
• The terminal building is located on Tapai Island
• As in Hong Kong, Macau has its own immigration policies and is a separate customs territory from mainland China
• Transfer passengers headed to Mainland China or Hong Kong, and not staying in Macau, can take advantage of the "two customs, one checkpoint" service (in-transit passengers use a bus shuttle directly from the airport to the New Macau Ferry Terminal or the Taipa Ferry Terminal without passing immigration)

If you go, the easiest way to get to/from Macau Airport (MFM) is by bus or taxi.

As always, we welcome your feedback. We'll see you after Week 5. Go teams, go!

Related resources:

• Amazing Race Canada Season 2: Week 1 (YYC, YYJ), Week 2 (YYJ, YAZ), Week 3 (YVR, HKG)
• Amazing Race Canada Season 1 airports recap
• Macau International Airport (MFM) transportation guide 
• Layover ideas and things to do in Macau
• Layover ideas and things to do in Hong Kong

Amazing Race Canada 2 - Week 3: YVR, HKG

Welcome to Hong Kong!! The Amazing Race Canada teams landed here in Week 3.

Week 3 of The Amazing Race Canada was beyond amazing.... Do you want to go where the teams did, and do what the teams did? Here's how:

The Pit Stop for Week 2 was the at the crab dock in Tofino... but we bet they didn't sleep in there...	Tofino Crab Dock: What's in a name?
By some mysterious means, the teams mysteriously left Tofino, and mysteriously made their way to an international airport. Why so secret? ... (we jest, but it's fun!)	How did they leave Vancouver Island? Tofino Airport (YAZ) ? Nanaimo Airport (YCD) ? BC Ferries from Departure Bay?
In the kick-off for Week 3 of The Amazing Race Canada, the teams flew to Hong Kong on Air Canada... We're guessing they flew from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)... do you agree?	Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) was the first trip outside Canada for #RaceCDA!
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, the teams were told to make their way up to Lantau Peak. One team even knew which colour taxi to take! Once at the base, the teams took the Ngong Ping Cable Car up to Ngong Ping Village.	Ngong Ping / Tung Chung Cable Car Review
Next stop was the Po Lin Monastery, where each team received a blessing from a monk.	Say om.
From calm into the rush of the race it was, as the teams made the gruelling walk up to the Tian Tan Buddha.	Hong Kong Travel Pass Combo: MTR Pass, Ngong Ping Cable Car and Big Buddha Tour
Back down in the city, it was time to cook up some trouble with Master Chef judge Alvin Leung at his Bo Innovation restaurant. Nicknamed The Demon Chef, it was no surprise that Leung handed the teams a rather strange list of ingredients to shop for at the wet market.	Cooking Class and Wet Market Private Tour
Wrapping up with a little lesson from Kung Fu master Lee... ... and striking some compelling poses for a movie director... ... then it was off to the pitstop for Week 3.	Kowloon Culture and Life Tour Hong Kong Private Full-Day Living Culture Tour

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Now, to the airports...

The Amazing Race Canada visited Vancouver International Airport (YVR) three times in Season 1. If you missed it, we shared some interesting information on YVR in our Season 1/Week 3 blog post.

Of course, this was the first visit Hong Kong International Airport for the Amazing Race Canada. Here are some things you may not know about HKG Airport:

• There is a 24 hour Plaza Premium Airport Lounge (with showers!) located in the Arrivals Hall, beneath Airport Express platform - RESERVE NOW
• Have a layover? See the city with the Private Hong Kong Layover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport

Getting to/from Hong Kong Airport:

• The easiest way to get into the city is by train: the trip takes just 24 minutes, and trains run every 10-12 minutes (more info)
• The Airport Express train station is between terminals 1 and 2 and is well sign posted
• You can buy your MTR metro and Airport Express Tickets before you travel with the Hong Kong Travel Pass
• You can buy the pass bundled with a Ngong Ping Cable Car and Big Buddha Tour before you travel with the Hong Kong Travel Pass Combo
• Prefer a limo? A Hong Kong Airport private car, with meet and greet service, will get you to the city, the port or anywhere else
• There are also good Hong Kong Airport bus services available
• There is a shared airport shuttle to Chek Lap Kok available
• You can find full details on all options (including how to connect to the Disneyland Resort) in our Hong Kong Airport transportation guide

We hope you found our information of value! We welcome your feedback and will see you next week. Go teams, go!

Related resources:

• Amazing Race Canada Season 2: Week 1 (YYC, YYJ), Week 2 (YYJ, YAZ)
• Amazing Race Canada Season 1 airports recap
• Taxis in Hong Kong - advice from IHateTaxis
• Layover City: Hong Kong - advice and options from our sister brand
• Layover ideas and things to do in Hong Kong

Amazing Race Canada 2 - Week 2: YYJ, YAZ

We hope you enjoyed Week 2 of the Amazing Race Canada as much as we did!

Want to go where the teams did, and do what the teams did?

Fisgard Lighthouse, the pitstop for Week 1, is located in Colwood just outside Victoria, was the starting point for Week 2.	Visit Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
The teams flew from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) to Tofino Airport (YAZ), on the west coast of Vancouver Island. OK, one team almost took a taxi, but soon realized their error...	Tofino Airport (YAZ) Transportation Guide Tofino-Long Beach Airport Official Website	YAZ serves Tofino, Long Beach, Ucluelet
There is so much nature in the region, the teams only touched a part, spending most of their time - or should we say surfing time - at Wickaninnish Beach.	Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre and Wickaninnish Beach
While not visited by the teams, Tofino is also the launching point for visitors to Long Beach, Pacific Rim Park and the West Coast Trail. If you loved what you saw, check out these additional destinations!	Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada
Of course, the Village of Tofino played a central role in the episode. So, too, did nearby Ucluelet, another small community tucked next to the beauty of the Long Beach area.	Tofino Tourist Information Ucluelet Tourist Information	Full size map - © TofinoTime
The check-in point for the pitstop for Week 2 as at the Tofino Crab Dock.	Tofino Crab Dock: What's in a name?

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We don't have a lot more to share about airports from this week, so we'll call it a wrap - and we'll see you next week!

Related resources:

• Amazing Race Canada Season 1 airports recap
• Amazing Race Canada 2 - Week 1: YYC, YYJ
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ) transportation guide 
• Tofino Airport (YAZ) transportation guide 
• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada
• Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre and Wickaninnish Beach
• Where to stay in Tofino, or in Ucluelet

Amazing Race Canada 2 - Week 1: YYC, YYJ

Season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada has begun... wasn't that a great episode?

In addition to information on the airports the teams visit, for this season of the race we will also bring you information on how to go where the teams went, and how to do what they did. Just in case you yelled, "I want to do that!" at your TV. Let's start with the fun stuff.

Want to go where the 11 teams did, and do what the teams did?

You saw Jon walking on the breathtaking Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park... want to try it too?	Glacier Skywalk Admission
Yes, you can ride in that cool red and white glacier friendly bus on Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park!	Columbia Icefield Tour from Calgary (or Jasper, or Banff)
Are you brave enough to ride North America's fastest zipline? You saw the teams do it, so you know why it's called "The Monster". Tip: you can also ride the bobsled at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park while you are there.	Zipline at Winsports Canada Olympic Park
Have you ever wanted to skydive? We can't think of a more beautiful spot to do a tandem skydive than Victoria! Of course, you can also take a scenic flight without jumping out!	Skydivers Victoria Panoramic Seaplane Tour
Was your mouth watering? The good news is the servers are very well trained, and Tea at the Empress is a very special experience.	Tea at the Empress Reservations Victoria City Tour - with optional Tea at the Empress
Fisgard Lighthouse, the pitstop for Week 1, is located in Colwood, just outside Victoria. The lighthouse opened in 1860 and was the first lighthouse on Canada's west coast.	Visit Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites

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Unfortunately, we can't tell you how to participate in the emergency drill activities the teams completed at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, as the base is not open to the public. There are occasions when the site is open to the public though, so check out the CFB Esquimalt Facebook page.

Now, to the airports... As you will recall, the teams visited two airports during week 1, so here is information on them both.

The Amazing Race Canada visited Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Season 1. If you missed it, you can read about what we said in our Season 1 Amazing Race Canada - Week 3 blog post.

This was the first visit to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) for the Amazing Race Canada. Here are some things you may not know about Victoria International Airport (YYJ):

• Victoria International Airport was named 8 among the 10 most loved airports in the world in a 2011 poll conducted by CNN on Facebook.
• YYJ is Canada's 10th busiest airport.
• There are direct flights from YYJ to San Francisco, Phoenix, Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, as well as cities in British Columbia.
• Seasonal direct service is offered Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Las Vegas and Honolulu.
• YYJ is located adjacent to the Pat Bay Seaplane Base (also known as Victoria Airport Water Aerodrome).
• The RCAF 443 Squadron operates a heliport here, which they refer to as Patricia Bay Heliport.
• There is a great observation lounge upstairs in the terminal (look for the elevator behind Tim Horton's).
• There is a 9.3 kilometre paved trail that surrounds the airport for walking, running, and cycling.

If you go, the easiest way to get to/from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is by taxi, though there is now a decent YYJ airport shuttle, and even bus service.

We hope you found our information of value, and welcome your feedback. Like you, we look forward to Week 2. Go teams, go!

Related resources:

• Amazing Race Canada Season 1 airports recap
• Calgary International Airport (YYC) transportation guide 
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ) transportation guide 
• Layover ideas and things to do in Calgary
• Layover ideas and things to do in Victoria

Amazing Race Canada - Season 1 airports recap

With Season 2 upon us, we thought we would recap the airports that the Amazing Race Canada teams visited in Season 1.

We started with our Amazing Race Canada - Season 1 Airport Quiz. Did you try it out? How did you do? If not, take the quiz now and check your memory!.

In Season 1, The Amazing Race Canada's visited 12 Canadian airports (the links below go to our transportation guides for each):

Air Canada is The Amazing Race Canada's lead sponsor

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax International Airport (YHZ)
• Iqaluit Airport (YFB)
• Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
• Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Quebec City Jean Lasage International Airport (YQB)
• Regina Airport (YQR)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Whitehorse International Airport (YXY)
• Yellowknife Airport (YZF)

As Season 1 unfolded, we blogged about the visits, and a bit more about the airports themselves. If you'd like to read up, here's a link to all our Amazing Race Canada Season 1 blog posts.

We also did a little feature on Toronto Billy Bishop City Centre Airport (YTZ) as, while the teams didn't visit the airport, they did visit the Toronto Islands, in the city centre, where YTZ is located (read it here).

We hope you will follow along as we blog about the airports visited on Season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada. We'll even tell you about the best ways to get to/from each, in case you are inspired to visit!

Related resources:

• 5 Busiest Airports in Canada 
• Canada's Story - Airport Councils International
• End of Days - YYZ to discontinue bus service 
• Do we really hate taxis?

Amazing Race Canada - Season 1 airport quiz

Hint: the answers to all questions are in our
IHateTaxis Amazing Race Canada Blog

What airports did The Amazing Race Canada teams visit in Season 1? What do you know about them? Test your knowledge with our Amazing Race Canada Season 1 Airport Quiz!

How's YOUR knowledge? Take our quiz to find out!
Click here to start the quiz

Amazing Race Canada Season 2 - starts July 8th!

Oh Canada! The Amazing Race Canada is back for another season!

The new season of The Amazing Race Canada is set to kick off on July 8th on CTV.

Here are some highlights from the official press release:

Back this summer with all-new teams and exciting, edge-of-your-seat challenges, the most-watched Canadian television series on record returns for a second season of action-packed adventure. Season 1 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA raced ahead of the pack with an average audience of 3.5 million viewers each week, and garnered two Canadian Screen Award wins for Best Photography in a Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Program or Series, and Best Writing in a Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Program or Series.

The most-watched Canadian television series on record kicks-off its heart-pounding second season in a new timeslot, airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, beginning July 8 on CTV and CTV GO.

What isn't in the press release is one of the most exciting aspects of Season 2: all applicants were required to have a valid passport and be eligible to travel anywhere in the world. As much as we loved the focus on Canada least year, rumours about international travel on The Race this year are most welcome! 

What we're excited about:

• International travel - we wonder what airports the teams will visit?
• Rex Harrington will be a competitor (the retired dancer)

What we hope to see this season:

• Visits to the Canadian provinces missed in Season 1: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island
• More Canadian flags!

Be sure you follow:

• @AmazingRaceCDA - the official show tweets
• @jonmonty - Jon Montgomery, the show's host (and Olympian!)
• @ihatetaxis - we'll be blogging and tweeting about the airports visited

Related resources:

• The Amazing Race Canada - the official CTV website
• Meet the Contestants of Amazing Race Canada, Season 2
• Read the full press release