Shanghai Expo 2010

In an age where World Fairs seem to be going out of style, it was fantastic to see China pull out all the stops to stage the most amazing gathering of countries ever in 2010. Hundreds of nations built eye-catching pavilions to lure spectators in, then laid on the charms of national culture, scenery, and products to leave indelible impressions. The Expo grounds were so massive that I went to Shanghai two separate times to try to take it all in, yet even then I felt like there was still so much more to see and do. It is, after all, a big wide world out there...

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The China pavilion, one of the most striking displays of national architecture style at the Expo and one of the few buildings scheduled to remain intact after the Expo closes.

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The Oman pavilion, built in the shape of a giant dhow plowing the seas.

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The distinct design of the Israel pavilion.

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The United Arab Emirates pavilion takes the shape of massive sand dunes.

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Inside the Pakistan pavilion, a beautiful scale model of the Pakistan Monument.

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A couple views of the Saudi Arabia pavilion. The top shows an exterior of what became known as the "Moon Boat" while the lower photograph shows the spiral walkways inside. This pavilion was by far the most popular at Expo and the line wait exceeded several hours. The main draw was the largest 3D IMAX screen in the world; a moving conveyer belt took 10 full minutes to take spectators from one of the theatre to the other.

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Left, national dance on display in the Uzbekistan pavilion. Right, a local girl poses with Buddha at the Nepal pavilion.

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National dress, Turkmenistan pavilion.

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Exterior of the Morocco pavilion.

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The Korea pavilion, made up of thousands of Korean letter blocks, was one of the more unique expo pavilion designs.

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Giant pearl diver inside the Qatar pavilion.

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Inside Iran.

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China pavilion at night.

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Taiwan pavilion at night.

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Mesmerizing underwater ceiling projections in the Indonesia pavilion.

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Left, Indonesian art. Right, painting in the Malaysia pavilion.

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Left, performers in the Philippines pavilion. Right, a giant projection screen in the Thailand pavilion shows off Thai dance.

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Bubbling hot spring pool, exterior New Zealand pavilion.

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Photo in front of faux Havana cityscape, Cuba pavilion.

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Venezuela wins the award for the most confusing message at a pavilion while being the least tethered to reality. A big build up to "individual revolution" leads the visitor to this central square that consists of nothing but hammocks. Huh? Am I supposed to rail against my oppressors or take a nap?

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Staff in the USA pavilion gift shop pretending they like being forced to wear cowboy hats.

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Outside view of the Canada pavilion.

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Tunisia pavilion entrance.

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A combo of horizontal and vertical monitors in the Algeria pavilion gives the impression of a Sahara sojourn.

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Algerian national dress.

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A simple but effective idea from the Algeria pavilion, a handheld video camera walk through random city alleyways that makes you feel like you're actually part of the journey.

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Intricate full-size sculptures from Africa, left from the Nigeria pavilion, right from Angola.

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The Caribbean consists of so many different island countries that a separate building was constructed to house them all together. Below, a couple girls create their own "I'm king of the world!" memory in front of the Bahamas pavilion.

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Taking the plunge in the Antigua & Barbuda pavilion.

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The Caribbean is famous for its many colorful and flamboyant carnivals, and several of the island pavilions showed off the best of their parade costumes. Left, an entry from St Kitts & Nevis. Right, a flashy dress from Antigua & Barbuda.

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The "mud volcano" look of a Trinidad & Tobago carnival outfit.

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One of the oddest pavilion experiences was created by Russia. As difficult to describe as it was to photograph, it seemed to consist of equal parts Alice & Wonderland and psychotropic drugs. Oversized vegetables, weird mood lighting, and displays where everything was upside down (craters on the ceiling?). I stayed in there quite a while hoping to make sense of it all, but the longer I lingered the more lost I became. Perhaps an apt metaphor for understanding Russia today.

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Scandinavia made quite a respectable showing at Expo. Denmark actually flew in one of its most famous icons, the Little Mermaid statue -- the actual Little Mermaid! -- and put her on display for the several months that Expo lasted. I couldn't help but think of all those poor tourists who happened to be in Copenhagen at the same time, guidebooks in hand, walking up and down the harbor boardwalk wondering where she went.

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The Finland pavilion was set in a beautiful reflecting pool.

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Inside the Finnish pavilion, a serene and enchanting simulation of the northern lights.

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A shot from the giant projection screen inside the Finnish pavilion. The background scenery and stills would change with the seasons.

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The Iceland pavilion shimmers with the simplest of designs, a giant ice cube!

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Inside the Iceland pavilion, a floor to ceiling, above and below 360 degree sensurround experience of the country's natural wonders.

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Everyone who visited the Netherlands pavilion was treated to a cup of fresh purified water (a nice gesture on a hot summer day).

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One of the most original and provocative pavilion designs at the Shanghai Expo, the United Kingdom's "Seed Cathedral".

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The interior of the Seed Cathedral was just as captivating as the exterior.