It was a time for emotional farewells and last tours of much-loved pavilions for thousands of visitors who returned to Expo 2020 Dubai for its grand finale on Thursday.
On the 182nd and final day of an event that has captivated millions, visitors looked through their yellow passports with stamps from the many country pavilions they had explored over the months.
Others huddled over large expo maps to figure out which attraction they wanted to revisit or sample for the first time before the gates shut at 3am.
Expo is like home for me because it’s so wonderful and you get to learn so much
Tanmayi Kamath,
Dubai school teacher
Large crowds waited patiently at the gates as the announcer welcomed visitors for the final time. They streamed in and headed directly for their favourite country pavilions, eager to savour every minute of the experience.
For Tanmayi Kamath, the Expo has been a weekend haunt since January.
The 38-year-old school teacher has visited all 215 pavilions, including 192 country pavilions and those hosted by companies and organisations.
After a hectic time collecting stamps and completing a sustainability challenge where visitors pledge to have a positive effect on the planet, Ms Kamath and her son Reyaansh Pai, 7, are emotional about the end of the world fair.
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Final day at Expo: in pictures
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“Expo is like home for me because it’s so wonderful and you get to learn so much,” she said.
“We have been coming here every weekend from January. It’s an amazing place and I’m really proud of Dubai for having put up such a wonderful show.
“Now that we have done all the pavilions, we want to make the most of it. We want to enjoy the parks that we never got to do because we were in such a hurry.”
Expo 'brought people together'
Ms Kamath is at a loss about what to do this weekend with a blank space in her diary that the world fair always filled.
“It has brought a lot of people together. I got to meet so many people, experience so many cuisines and educational games along with my son. It has been a wonderful experience," she said.
Taking photographs under the stunning Al Wasl dome became a ritual for many high-school pupils.
Teenagers completing school this year wore their school colours, cape and scarves to pose for pictures and record videos using the world’s largest projection dome as a backdrop.
Mohamdi Sidi Mohamed, an Emirati student from Sharjah, has visited the site several times with his family and school groups.
Learning about countries and cultures in one place was the draw.
“I love to learn about all countries and see people coming from all countries,” he said.
“I have learnt a lot at Expo. This is also the best place for our final-year school photograph."
Expo 2020 Dubai will put on a party to remember for the biggest crowds of its entire run with spectacular fireworks and a emotional closing ceremony.
Called the 'greatest show on earth', the global gathering has drawn more than 23 million visits with thousands flocking to the site during the final weeks.
The six-month world fair moves to Osaka, Japan where the next Expo will be held in 2025.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
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Rating: 4/5
GIANT REVIEW
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
