HaMerotz LaMillion 1

Avenue Hall near Ben Gurion Airport was the very first Starting Line of HaMerotz LaMillion.

Differing from most of the other franchises of the series, the last leg of the Race was not filmed back-to-back with the previous legs. It was filmed on 30 May 2009, months after the penultimate leg had been filmed; during the broadcast of the actual show. The theme song was different than the original US version theme song, and it was in the style of Israel.

Maya & Amichay separated not long after the season aired, and Maya married Israeli actor Ron Shahar, who would become the show's new host in 2011, on August 28, 2010.[1] The couple had one daughter and separated April 2019.[2]

One team member had to bungee down Bloukrans Bridge near Nature's Valley in the Garden Route, South Africa for the first Roadblock of the Race.

Airdates: February 5 & 12, 2009

• Kfar Truman, Central District, Israel (Avenue Hall) (Starting Line)
• Central District (Ben Gurion Airport – Terminal 3 Issta Stand)
• Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport) to Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Port Elizabeth International Airport)
• Port Elizabeth (Kragga Kamma Game Park)
• Nomathamsanqa (Fruit Stand)
• Tsitsikamma National Park (Overnight Rest)
• Garden Route National Park (Khoisan Village)
• Garden Route National Park (Bloukrans Bridge)
• Stormsrivier (Storms River Mouth)

The Detour was a choice between מים (Meym – Water) or שמים (Shemeym – Sky). In Water, teams had to rappel down a waterfall and add up the three numbers posted on the side to receive their next clue.. In Sky, teams had to ride a frightening zip-line to receive their next clue.

In the first Roadblock of HaMerotz LaMillion, one team member had to perform the world's highest bridge bungee jump off of the Bloukrans Bridge to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the beginning of the Race, teams had to find an Issta stand in the airport and randomly pick one of ten envelopes containing tickets to one of two flights to Port Elizabeth, each with seats for five teams and arriving two hours apart.
• At Kragga Kamma Game Park, teams had to follow a marked course over swamps and then attach a log to their car using a rope. Teams then had to drive a further distance dragging the log behind them to get their next clue.
• In Nomathamsanqa, each team member had to carry a bowl of fruit on their head to the Sangoma priestess without dropping any to receive their next clue.
• At the Khoisan Village, teams had to throw a tribal weapon known as an "Intonga" to break a pot held up by rope to receive their next clue.
• At Storms River Mouth, teams had to correctly build a tent to sleep in for the night before they could run to the Pit Stop.

The Rhodes Memorial was the second Pit Stop of the Race.

• Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth International Airport) to Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport)
• Cape Town (Table Mountain)
• Paarl (Nelson Wine Estate or Valley Gun Club)
• Atlantis (Atlantis Dunes)
• Cape Town (Killarney Motor Racing Complex)
• Cape Town (Langa – Rubber Cash Store)
• Cape Town (Langa – Tabani Street)
• Cape Town (Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – Nobel Square)
• Cape Town (Rhodes Memorial)

The Detour for this leg of the Race was דרך היין (Derkh HaYayn – Wine Road) or דרך הכוונת (Derkh Hekhvenet – Through the Sight). In Wine Road, teams had to rive themselves to Nelson Wine Estate and bring an empty barrel uphill to a wine vat. Then, they had to use buckets to fill their barrel with 400 litres (110 US gal) of wine to receive their next clue. In Through the Sight, teams had to drive themselves to Valley Gun Club. There, one team member had to launch clay targets while their partner had to use a shotgun to shoot down six targets to receive their next clue.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to drive a Formula One car on the Killarney Race Track and complete four laps with an average lap-time of two minutes or less to receive their next clue. If team members could not complete the task within the allotted time, then they had to serve a five-minute penalty before making another attempt.

Additional tasks

• At Atlantis Dunes, both team members had to slide down the dune on a sandboard through a set of flags at the bottom of the dune to receive their next clue.
• At Rubber Cash Store, the shopkeeper would give teams a bag of Epsom salt and their next clue, which instructed each team member to pick up a "Smiley" (Sheep head) outside the store and bring it to Tabani Street. There, the Smileys would be roasted with salt and each team member had to eat a head to receive their next clue.
• At Nobel Square, teams had to perform a local gumboot dance with a troupe of dancers and earn R30 to receive their next clue.

In Leg 3, teams had to go to Bến Thành Market and sell flowers to locals.

• Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport) to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Tan Son Nhat International Airport)
• Ho Chi Minh City (Bến Thành Market)
• Cái Bè (Mr Tu Hai Rice Field)
  • Cái Bè (Tân Vinh Restaurant)
• Cái Bè (Trai Ga Chicken Farm)
• Cái Bè (Trại Rắn Đồng Tâm)
• Ho Chi Minh City (Nha Tian Theatre)
• Ho Chi Minh City (Hùng Vương Temple)

In this Detour, teams had to choose between בוץ (Botz – Swamp) or קפוץ (Qefots – Jump). In Swamp, teams had to complete an obstacle course through a bog to receive their next clue. In Jump, teams had to cross a river by jumping between large floating platforms in the river without falling to receive their next clue.

For the Fast Forward, one team had to eat a serving of cooked rat to receive the Fast Forward award.

The Roadblock had one team member collect 5 snakes from an enclosure and transport them into a bucket nearby to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Bến Thành Market, teams had to sell flowers to locals on Vietnamese bicycles. Once they made enough money from selling them, they would get their next clue.
• At the Trai Ga Chicken Farm, teams had to gather 20 chickens in a basket and deliver them to the Cái Bè Market to get their next clue.
• After delivering the chickens, teams received a duck which they would have to carry until they reached the Pit Stop.
• At the Theatre, teams had to watch a performance while searching for Hebrew letters on the performers' fans. Teams had to write down the message correctly to receive their next clue.

The coastal city of Vũng Tàu was the locale for this leg.

• Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Thong Motorcycle Shop)
• Ho Chi Minh City (Central Bus Terminal) to Bà Rịa
• Bà Rịa (Ruộng Lúa Hợp Tác Xã Quyết Thăng)
• Vũng Tàu (Vũng Tàu Market)
• Vũng Tàu (Ao Sen Cô Phương)
• Vũng Tàu (Vũng Tàu Promenade Park)
• Vũng Tàu (Tran Hung Dao Temple)
• Vũng Tàu (Ha Long Street Promenade to Villa Blanche)

In the Roadblock of this leg, one team member had to choose a carabao and then lead it around a muddy field to plough it in a figure 8 pattern to receive their next clue. Their path was marked by posts and Race flags, and teams had to lead their carabao back to where they started in the correct direction to receive their next clue. Teams were taught beforehand on some of the common vocal commands they may give to help control their carabao. If teams need help, they may ask for it, but will have to return to the starting line again if they do.

The Detour on this leg was סירה במים (Syrah Bemeym – Water Boats) or לדווש ברגליים (Ledvesh Bergeleym – Pedal Feet). In Water Boats teams take a basket boat across the river to get a dangling clue. In Pedal Feet teams took a bike laden with shrimp baskets and travel 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to a house where they would get their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Motorcycle Shop, teams had to assemble a motorcycle using an assembled motorcycle for reference to receive their next clue.
• At Vũng Tàu Market, teams had to count the number of fish in a basket. Once teams got the correct number, they would get their next clue.
• At Vũng Tàu Promenade Park, teams had to perform a local dance known as "Mua Sap" correctly, which involves jumping over sticks on time. Once they did it correctly, they would get their next clue.
• At the Temple, teams had to solve a large Tower of Hanoi puzzle to receive their next clue.
• At Ha Long Street Promenade, one team member had to transport their partner to the next pit stop on a Cyclo.

Upon arrival in Tokyo, teams had to make their way to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and find their next clue on one of the screens.

• Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) to Tokyo, Japan (Narita International Airport)
• Tokyo (Shibuya – Shibuya Scramble Crossing)
• Tokyo (Shibuya – J-Pop Cafe)
• Tokyo (Shibuya – Geinu Kodansha School) (Overnight Rest)
• Tokyo (Shinjuku – Shinjuku Station) to Gotemba (Gotemba Station)
• Gotemba (Forest)
• Gotemba (Mother Village)
• Yamanakako (Lake Yamanaka – The Big Swan)

In this Detour, teams had to choose between ללמד (Lelmed – Teach) or ללמוד (Lelmod – Learn). In Teach, they had to teach schoolchildren who did not speak Hebrew to memorize ten words of Hebrew. If the child could pass a test from a local teacher, teams would receive their next clue. In Learn, teams had to learn from the local schoolchildren ten words in Japanese. If they could pass a test from a local teacher, teams would receive their next clue.

The Roadblock required one team member to go through three rows of archways, going through the correct archway in reach row, to receive their next clue. If they passed the wrong archway, they were sent back to the beginning by ninjas. If team members did not get the numbers correct within 3 tries, they would be sent to the back of the teams waiting to complete the task.

Additional tasks

• At the Shibuya Crossing, teams had to find their next clue on one of the large screens. This would lead them to a woman wearing a kimono who would give them their next clue.
• At the J-Pop Cafe, teams had to look around the cosplaying girls for one with a specific kanji character on clothing to get their next clue.
• At Mother Village, teams had to endure 7 minute pedicure treatment given by baby piranhas and then solve a puzzle box encompassing the next clue.
• At Lake Yamanaka, teams had to take a swan boat and paddle out to the Pit Stop, The Big Swan.

The overview of Macau was visited in this leg, including the famous Macau Tower, where teams had to jump 338 meters from the ground.

• Tokyo (Narita International Airport) to Freguesia de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Macau , China (Macau International Airport)
• Freguesia da Sé (Senado Square)
• Freguesia da Sé (Kun Iam Statue)
• Freguesia da Sé (Sai Van Lake) (Overnight Rest)
• Freguesia da Sé (Macau Tower)
• Freguesia de Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Rua do Cunha)
• Freguesia de Santo António (Fortaleza do Monte)
• Zona do Aterro de Cotai (The Venetian Macao)

In this Roadblock the team member was required to freefall 338 metres (1,109 ft) in a controlled descent from the 61st floor of The Macau Tower. Only after the team member successfully executed the free fall, they would get the next clue.

In this Detour, teams had to choose between אטריות (Ateriot – Noodles) or עוגיות ('Eogiot – Cookies). In Noodles, teams prepared dough in the traditional way and make a local variety of noodles. Only after they made a bundle of Noodles, they got the next clue. In Cookies, teams had to bite into 2,000 cookies and find one cookie with meat in it to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

• In Senado Square, the teams had to find dragon head sculpture and take it to Kun Iam Statue, where they found the dragon tail sculpture. After that they needed to walk to the lake nearby.
• In Sai Van Lake, the teams had to put the dragon sculptures in a boat and then complete a lap of the lake in the boat to receive their next clue.
• At Fortaleza do Monte, the teams were given a key and had to find which of the 1000 locks it opened to receive their next clue.
• To reach the Pit Stop, the teams needed to ride in gondolas to the Pit Stop in The Venetian Macao.

Teams finished the leg at Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in the Sha Tin area of Hong Kong.

• Freguesia da Sé (Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal) to Sheung Wan, Central and Western District, Hong Kong (Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal)
• Wan Chai District (Yee Wo Street)
• Wan Chai District (Cosmo Hotel)
• Wan Chai District (Southorn Stadium)
  • Sham Shui Po District (Lai Chi Kok Park)
• Central and Western District (Ko Shing Market)
• Kowloon City District (Kowloon Walled City Park)
• Yau Tsim Mong District (Commander Rock)
• Wong Tai Sin District (Wong Tai Sin Temple)
• Sha Tin District (Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery)

In the Roadblock, one team member had to play ping-pong against a champion child and earn 7 points to receive their next clue.

For this Fast Forward, one team had to shave their hair to win the Fast Forward.

In this Detour teams had to choose between קונג פו (Kung Fu) or ריקוד האריה (Reyqod HaReyah – Lion Dance). In Kung Fu, teams had to learn some Kung Fu stances and perform them for the Kung Fu master. After this, the teams had to break many plates with one punch before they would get the next clue. In Lion Dance teams had to learn the Lion Dance with the lion costume and find the local master to show the moves to him to get the next clue.

Additional tasks

• In Yee Wo Street, teams had to find the answers to the next questions: The number of squares on the logo of PCCW (Answer: 12). The number of triangles on the logo of SOGO (Answer: 2). The price of the daily newspaper South China Morning Post (Answer: 7). The number of the gates on the railway bridge (Answer: 17). The missing number in the elevator of Cosmo Hotel (Answer: 4).
• In Cosmo Hotel, teams had to go to a marked room of the hotel, and take the numbers of the previous mission and make some math calculations to find the number 1748 that opens the safe. In the safe, teams found the next clue and a Visa Card, which they had to take to the Pit Stop.
• In Ko Shing Market, teams had to get ingredients to a Chinese soup in the market and bring the ingredients to the local pharmacist. They then had to eat the soup to get the next clue.
• In Wong Tai Sin Temple, teams had to hear their future from one of three types of fortune tellers to get the next clue.
• At the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, teams had to count the amount Buddha sculptures that have only one hand visible on their way upstairs. If teams came up with the correct value of 54, they would be allowed to check in to the Pit Stop.

While in Sydney, teams visited the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge where they have to climb the top of the bridge.

• Chek Lap Kok, Islands District (Hong Kong International Airport) to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Sydney Airport)
• Sydney (Dawes Point)
• Sydney (Woolloomooloo – Harry's Cafe de Wheels) (Overnight Rest)
• Sydney (Sydney Harbour Bridge)
• Sydney (Sydney Olympic Park)
• Sydney (Sydney Olympic Park – The Sprinter Sculpture)
• Sydney (City Centre – Circular Quay Ferry Wharf to Manly – Manly Wharf)
• Sydney (Manly – Manly Beach)
• Sydney (Hilton Hotel)
• Sydney (The Rocks – Australian Heritage Hotel)
• Sydney (The Rocks – Argyle Pub)
• Sydney (The Rocks – Orient Hotel)
• Sydney (Royal Botanical Gardens)

In this Detour, teams had to choose between ריקוד במים (Reyqod Bemeym – Water Dance) or גלגול בשמיים (Gelgol Beshemeym – Sky Roll). In Water Dance teams had to enter a swimming pool and learn a series of synchronized swimming moves and then perform them perfectly to get the next clue. In Sky Roll teams had to hang on trapeze with their legs and perform a "Catch".

In this Roadblock, one team member had to perform a face-first rappel from the roof of the hotel. After teams completed the rappel, they received their next clue.

Additional tasks

• At Dawes Point, teams had to use binoculars to find their next destination.
• At Harry's Cafe de Wheels, teams had to eat 6 pies, including 1,000 calories per pie. After eating the pies, the teams would receive their next clue and a departure time for the next morning.
• At Sydney Harbour Bridge, teams had to learn a cheer song and then climb the bridge. After finishing the climb, teams had to sing the cheer they learned before to get their next clue.
• At Manly Beach, teams had to find a "Sheila" in an "Aussie cossie", a woman wearing a swimsuit with a design of the Australian flag on it, to receive their next clue.
• At Australian Heritage Hotel, teams had to pour three cups of beer in the Australian way and take the beers on tray to the Argyle Pub. There, they had to pour three more cups of beet and then go to the Orient Hotel. Finally, they had to give the tray to the bartender to check the beer level. If the level of the beers is good, the teams would receive the next clue.

Teams visited the Hobbiton Movie Set near New Zealand's Matamata town, one of the locations used for filming The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

• Sydney (Sydney Airport) to Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Airport)
• Auckland (Westhaven Marina)
• Matamata, Waikato (Hobbiton Movie Set) (Overnight Rest)
• Matamata (Shire's Rest Farm)
• Rotorua (New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute)
• Rotorua (Rotorua International Stadium or Pikirangi Village)
• Rotorua (Hell's Gate)
• Auckland (One Tree Hill)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to herd three sheep into a small fenced area to receive the next clue.

In this Detour, teams had to choose between לחטוף (Lechtof – Snatch) or לתפוס (Letfos – Catch). In Snatch, teams had to play Rugby against professional Rugby players. The objective was to run with the ball 22 meters while trying to avoid the players' attempts to touch in order to spike the ball. Then they would have to kick the ball through the field goal to receive the next clue. In Catch, teams had to learn the Māori dance known as titi torea and perform it perfectly to receive the next clue.

Additional tasks

• At the Issta travel agency, teams would receive tickets for their next flight.
• At Westhaven Marina, teams had to prepare a yacht to sail. Teams had an example yacht to study. After the skipper approved that the yacht is ready, he would give the teams the next clue.
• At the Hobbiton Movie Set, teams had to find 2 items from the film trilogy The Lord of the Rings (Gandalf's staff and the one ring), and bring the items to Gandalf to receive the next clue.
• In Hell's Gate, teams had to enter the mud pools and find 2 Maori totems, which they could exchange for the next clue.

Teams had to take a clue while riding in the Shotover Jet.

• Auckland (Auckland Airport) to Queenstown (Queenstown Airport) via Israel
• Queenstown (Shotover River)
• Gibbston (Peren Farm)
• Queenstown (The Bakery)
• Queenstown (Lake Hayes)
• Queenstown (Deer Park Heights) (Overnight Rest)
• Queenstown (Queenstown Airport – Actionflite)
• Gibbston (Kawarau River)
• Gibbston (Dennis' Farm)
• Nevis River (Nevis Highwire)
• Otago (Black Rock Valley)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to ride in an airplane with a stunt pilot, enduring some wild moves with heavy g-forces, to receive their next clue.

The task at the Nevis Highwire was presented as an additional task, but it was actually a Detour. In the one aired choice, קפוץ יחד (Leqefotz 'Yeched - Jump Together), teams had to ride the famous swing jump. After both team members fell, they would get their next clue.

Additional tasks

• In Shotover River, the teams had to ride on an extreme jet boat and find their next clue hanging along the way.
• At Peren Farm, teams had to find their next clue hidden in a haybale from 50 different haybales.
• In The Bakery, teams had to decorate four Pavlovas and then sell them for a combined total of NZ$50 to get their next clue.
• In Lake Hayes, teams had to cut nine pieces of wood with a large saw, including two pieces that had to be cut by a single team member. They then had to use them to answer a questionnaire about the Race and get correct answers to get the next clue.
• In Kawarau River, teams had to go riverboarding down the river to get their next clue.
• At Dennis' Farm, one team member had to answer questions about the teams. The other team member then had to answer the same questions and try to match their partners' answers. When the team members' answers matched, they would get their next clue.
• In Black Rock Valley, teams had to roll a 250-kilogram (550 lb) globe using a set of three logs. Only after the teams finished rolling the globe, they could run to the Finish Line.