Expo 2020-An Expedition to Explore the Extravagance of World Countries

Abel Vinu, Class- 5, Indian English Academy School ( Don Bosco)

Monday, November 28, 2022

A very quickly planned trip just to meet my grandparents who were at Dubai, turned out to be a memorable time for us.

Excited and overwhelmed, we- me, my sisters-Michelle and Vianna were dancing out of joy, till my mom told us to go to bed.



We woke up by 5:30am and I could see my Appa, Amma, uncle and aunty doing the final packing and preparation. The one-year old-Vanessa and 8-month-old-Arianna seemed to be excited as they were giggling and smiling like anything.

On 21st March 2022, we boarded the Jazeera flight from Kuwait to Dubai 9:30 am Kuwait time. I watched a movie which my Appa had downloaded and kept for me and had some snacks which for me is mandatory for my air trips.

We reached Dubai by 1:30 pm. After the immigration formalities we boarded the airport taxi arranged by our tour planners and reached Hotel Hilton Garden- which would be our home for next few days.

Expo-2020 hoardings and logo adorned all the places, which is the largest World Expo ever created. My father told me It is quite literally the Greatest Show on Earth. Being a person who loves to learn about countries their culture and custom, Expo-2020 was a luring opportunity.

The word Dubai itself fills me with happiness, as my trips to Kerala, always were transited at Dubai lounges.



Happiness and excitement overloaded, I hugged and kissed my grandparents, while my grandfather whom I call ‘Daddy’ was explaining the schedule for the trip-which included visits to Expo 2020, Emirates Mall, Burj Khalifa, desert Safari and Miracle Garden. We had decided to be in the hotel for the day and to take rest.

I looked out of the windowpane, I could see the buzzling Dubai and the most exciting sight was that of the Emirates planes taking off and landing. After having a grandeur lunch, we had a nap after which we headed to have pool time indeed our favourite part of the trip.

After a sound sleep, on 22nd March we all got ready and had the breakfast to dash off to the Expo village as the tour planners’ taxi would come by 10:00 am.

While rest of my family of 8 members were getting ready, I did a google search of Expo 2020.It said despite being postponed due to Covid-19, organizers decided to keep the name Expo 2020 for marketing and branding purposes. Kickstarted on 1 October 2021 the expo will conclude on 31 March 2022 with 192 countries participating at Dubai Exhibition centre, I asked my Appa if we would be able to visit all the pavilions. Appa said hardly with 2 half day visits, we may be able to visit a maximum of 15 as there will be queuing time because of the final days. The thought of atleast getting a chance to visit the expo made me happy.



We reached the expo site by 12:00 noon-with red hot son overhead, people from different parts of the globe and soothing expo theme music echoing all around, I sang “This is Our Time”. Thanking Appa a million times and after the check-in formalities, I ran to the first pavilion. Though there were many suggested countries, because of the time required to stay in the queue, we decided to visit the Mobility centre pavilions which would be comparatively free.

And the first one was Russia. The exterior of the pavilion looked very appealing with multicoloured spirals going around a massive dome. The exposition there pays tribute to the human brain. We enjoyed the LED floor that mimics neurons in different colours. I could see kids of my age getting their expo passports stamped.

We then stepped out to see the Expo-2020 water feature which my Amma had shown me earlier in Instagram. She told me that giant sheets of water tumble down vertical walls high that by day cascade into a multi-hued circle of fire and by night seemingly defy gravity by flowing upwards accompanied by orchestral score.



Hearing some speaking high on Thailand pavilion, we decided to visit, but the security said it may take one and half hour to get inside. My parents said it will be difficult for so long with 2 little cranky babies though with sadness we moved ahead to visit Uruguay and Argentina pavilions which seemed to be less crowded.

In the Argentina pavilion I scribbled down on my note pad about the Patagonian glaciers, the Puna, the Calchaquies valleys and the Iguazu falls which was projected on 360º.

The Paraguay pavilion highlights has its projection of Itaipu Hydroelectric project and learnt that Paraguay is home to one of the world’s largest dams. The cultural riches of the country also got my attention.

Though getting tired of walking in hot sun, the enthusiasm of people around me made me energetic and the Baskin Robbins ice-cream Appa bought for me cooled my spirits.

We then visited Tanzania pavilion, in which we had a walking journey through the bustling cities and a virtual safari. The pavilion also portrays the vision of Tanzania becoming a trading hub.



With that we decided to wind up by 3:00 pm as the trip advisors were waiting for us. Getting out of the pavilion I just looked around with eyes wide open to see the magnificence Dubai has created for the rest of the world. On my way back home, I had handful of queries for Appa to answer regarding what I saw in expo.
After a very joyful night, we were all set for an eventful day. When Amma told we are stuffed for the day, I asked Amma where we are heading to. She showed me the schedule for the day.

At 10:00 am, as scheduled we all set out to see the tallest structure and building in the world since 2009. We first entered the Emirates Mall and afterwards proceeded to the outdoor observation deck on the 124th floor which is at 452 m. I viewed through the electronic telescope. Which helped me to view the surrounding landscape in real time. I was so excited and the sights from there reminded me my trip to Al Hamra tower in Kuwait where my mom’s office had been.

Then we headed to visit the underwater aquarium. My Appa told me that it’s the largest suspended aquarium that houses several hundred marine species over 10 million litres. I could see sharks, rays, starfish, sawfish, jellyfish. octopus over there.

The next in the schedule was the desert safari. I didn’t get much thrilled on going out for a safari on a hot day, but anyway decided to go. We had to go in 2 vehicles as there were another group also. I went with Appa and was dozing off till we reached the destination. Very similar to Kuwait, nothing got my attention over there. I was super hungry, my uncle bought us some snacks.

And woohah…it was an exciting drive through the desert, where the dunes were bashed which lasted for about 1 hour. I felt I was in roller coaster rider. And then we left for the camping site, where there were some entertainment dance and BBQ dinner were served. Not as excited as expected, our day ended with the desert safari and by 8:30 we returned to hotel.

On 24th March, I was super excited as we had Miracle garden scheduled first followed by Expo-2020. We got little late as in we could get into the car only by 11:00. By 11:30 we reached the garden. It was really magnificent to be in the miracle garden-the floral clock, umbrella tunnel, floating lady, hill top, 3D floral design, smurf village, flower adorned Emirates A380….I felt I am in an imaginary world sweet scented and picturesque.

After spending a few hours there my parents had a confusion whether to proceed to Expo as it was hot. But I insisted them to go there because I loved being there and exploring the countries.

We reached expo site and made a very quick visit to Chile, France, Malaysia, Poland, Nepal, Iran, Barbados pavilions. Though a detailed visit as done on the first day was not possible, I felt like I had flown to these countries. I asked my father if it will be possible for us to visit the next Expo at Japan to ensure that I visit all the pavilions. His nod with a smile quenched my blues for not being able to be in all the pavilions. We had to reach back hotel early as we had some relatives coming to visit us.



After a short and beautiful vacation, we were all set to fly back to Kuwait.

We boarded the flight by about 12:45 pm. I took my travel diary and could see the memories scribbled down and made up my mind to write my first travelogue as suggested by mom.

As John Steinbeck said people don't take trips, trips take people.

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