Dubai Expo 2020 opened in October.... 2021. So, a year later, we were finally able to enjoy what has been advertised since I returned to Dubai in 2018. My friend does a lot of work there and in the months leading up to it, she was extremely busy and had canceled a lot of our usual meet ups - cycling, drinks, hikes, etc. So, to make up for it, she got me a season pass! Yay! I told her I would get her a spa day for when she finally had the time... Anyway, my friend and I made a few trips early on after the opening before he took his sabbatical to Central America and took delight in judging the pavilions. I think we went twice together and I went twice on my own. So, this blog focus on my first four adventures to the Expo, and let me say... they did do a great job!
Our first time there, I drove and parked at the Sustainability section. We got there right when it opened and it was so empty (not the case now). They have bus stops to take you to the plaza entrances, but we decided to
walk - you know, Sustainability. It was less than 10 minutes to walk, but it was October and we were soon sweating. Our first impression, once getting through the security, was wow. Yeah, we were impressed, or at least, I was. Our first stop was the Slovenia pavilion, then we just circled around and briefly saw the Sustainability pavilion, which was not ready at the time (I think - it was not open and there was nothing to see, anyway).
The big flashy pavilions are located on the outside of the main roads, basically about five loops within the footprint of the Expo. You also get a passport, where you can get individual country stamps for each place you visit (as well as the themed pavilions). Most countries have them now, but when we went in October, several were still waiting on their stamps.
Below is a list of the pavilions, including the main themed pavilions. My rankings later, because, yes, of course I have a spreadsheet! :D
Terra - this was our first one to see and it was quite pretty, with giant energy trees and the main pavilion
with a huge canopy, and I guess solar panels everywhere. The exterior had a nice little garden area that was peaceful and pretty. I think it is open now, but it was not at the time we visited, so I will need to go back.
Mission Possible - I went to this one on my own on my second trip and I was actually pretty impressed. There was no real line at the time (around sunset) and when you go into the center, there are three lines to give you a little insight to the various opportunities: The Sun Mama, The Urban Farmer and The Fog Catcher. I went to the Fog Catcher as I had heard about this years ago and was interested to see it finally making its way (maybe??) mainstream. In the hills and mountains of Peru, to help supply fresh water, they utilize what they call fog catchers using material and placing to capture the water droplets and funnel it down to replenish the water supply. It was just as I remember, though more visual. After a few minutes learning about this, you are then directed to a main room where the three
together but still with the three topics in a circular display. Then you move onto another large room with many of the worldwide opportunities in a wheel in the middle while there is a presentation. However, my favorite part were the many examples of people making opportunities around the world summarized on the surrounding wall. Finally, you go into a large room where you make a pledge to help make the world a better place (mine was to start growing more food plants on my balcony).
Alif - This was my favorite and my friends too - he had already gone on his own but still joined when we went back together for my third trip (and I would return too). It was incredible. You start by entering a huge elevator, the largest in the world, which can carry 160 people at a time.
