EXPO2020 DUBAI First impressions

The 1082-acre EXPO site is organized around three key themes: Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity. 192 countries are participating.

These three themes permeate every aspect of EXPO from the pavilion exhibitions to the site layout itself. It comprises three intersecting circles, similar to the diagram we often use to illustrate the three components of sustainability In the middle is Al Wasl Plaza a large dome which becomes a 360-degree screen every evening on which a sound and light show is featured. It's fantastic.

I am staying at the Rove hotel, the only hotel on the Expo site. This is a local chain, normally targeted to the younger traveller, but offering comfortable and clean accommodation and excellent buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While there are so many wonderful hotels in Dubai, it's a perfect choice for someone like me who is here for EXPO.

My first impression is where are all the people. The UAE government spent over $7 billion to create this EXPO but there aren't many people around, especially compared to EXPO 2010 Shanghai, where visitors often had to line up for hours to get into a pavilion. 

Two advantages of media accreditation. I didn't need to line up, and I received free covid tests every two days.

I managed to avoid the line-ups by getting media accreditation and did the same here, thanks to The Vancouver Sun. I will submit some stories but appreciate there is not a lot of room in the paper these days for matters that might best be described as a lower priority!

So here are some pictures of initial impressions. Many more to come.

This is the world's first transportation to run on compressed air.

The Saudi pavilion. Wait till you see how it looks at night!

"Excuse me. I am the manager of security. Please let me pass" And wear a mask. The site felt very safe. Those working there were tested every two days. (Myself included.)

One of the many robots around the site. After 12 days they start to become your friends

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A view down one of the main 'streets'. While vehicles are permitted (max 5km/hr) this is truly a pedestrian oriented enviroment.

A display of early explorers inside the Mobility pavilion. If standing they would be 50 feet tall. And so realistic, I could swear they were blinking!

The Mobility Pavilion. One of the 3 main theme pavilions

Taking a taxi: about $3:50 a trip.

A view from the top of the Garden in the Sky of the waterfall and central plaza