With the weather cooling down, more and more people are planning their visits to Expo 2020 Dubai. The world's fair recorded 2.35 million visits during the first month of opening, and with the cooler season upon us, it’s only going to get busier.
However, anyone who has visited Expo 2020 knows one thing – there’s far too much ground to cover in a single trip. In fact, you need several visits just to get a feel of the vast space, which is bigger than the Principality of Monaco, never mind the many pavilions and hidden gems to be found.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution for those wanting to get their bearings in the most efficient way possible: signing up for a tour.
Expo 2020 has daily bicycle tours to help visitors “explore the world” in an hour. The guided tour is available in English and Arabic, and is free to book. There are two morning and two evening tours available daily, which can be booked here.
The cycling tours are open to all, 12 years and above, and will have participants cycling across 191 country pavilions, with commentary from the leader. The tour also takes cyclists across all three districts - the Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity Districts.
The initiative is part of the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub at Expo 2020, which aims to provide visitors with a programme of physical activities throughout the duration of the fair.
It’s also in line with the ethos of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which began on October 29, that encourages participants to get in 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. For those planning on participating in the upcoming Dubai Ride, this might provide some welcome practice.
Walking tours available at Expo 2020 Dubai
For those not confident on two wheels, there are walking tours available daily. There are separate tours available for the Sustainability, Opportunity and Mobility District, for private groups or individuals willing to join a bigger group of 12.
Signature Tour Sustainability
The Expo 2020’s Sustainability District is all about shining a light on advanced technology, what countries are doing to champion sustainability and how humans can live in harmony with nature in a high-tech future.
Visitors opting for this half-day tour can explore the futuristic vistas – complete with solar energy trees, making for a picturesque backdrop. There will be five stops in between including Al Wasl Plaza and one of Expo’s parks. Visitors also get to explore Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. Apart from delving into issues such as climate change and solar energy, The Sustainability Pavilion houses three plant-based restaurants by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney.
Tours are available in English and Arabic. A half day (3.5 hour) guided walking tour can be booked for Dh65 per person; private group of two to 10 people will cost Dh1,100.
Signature Tour Opportunity
The Opportunity District focuses on how our lives and actions are interconnected, and highlights people whose ideas are shaping the future.
There will be five stops along the way, including Al Wasl Plaza and one of Expo’s parks. It will also include a visit to Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion, where visitors are encouraged to join a global mission or make a pledge for a better future.
The tour of the Opportunity District is available for individuals in English, Arabic and Spanish for Dh65 per person; private groups of two to 10 people can be conducted for Dh1,100 and is also available in Russian.
Signature Tour Mobility
The Mobility District is all about the connections that drive the world forward. Visitors to the district get a chance to see “mobility devices in action” on a mobility track, ride autonomous vehicles and learn about the latest developments in space exploration, including the UAE National Space Programme and the Emirates Mars Mission.
This tour will also have five stops, including Al Wasl Plaza and one of Expo’s parks. It will also include a visit to Alif – The Mobility Pavilion, home to the world’s largest lift, amongst others.
The tour is available for individuals in English, Arabic and Spanish for Dh65 per person; private tours are available for two to 10 people in English and Russian for Dh1,100.
All the tours include information from a tour guide on Expo 2020’s theme, history, facts and figures, and an overview of the country pavilions. There’s a lot of walking involved, so comfy shoes are encouraged. There will be a 15-minute rest stop in between, but refreshments are not included in the price of the tour. Participants are requested to be at the assigned starting point 10 minutes before the start of the tour.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Results
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP5
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
