Filipino completes epic camel trek to Expo 2020 Dubai

  DUBAI – Filipino Dubai-based sand artist Nathaniel Alapide beamed with pride as he completed his epic 13-day journey while riding a camel to Expo 2020 Dubai. Alapide joined 29 camel trekkers from 21 countries to travel 640 kilometres across the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi to Expo 2020 in Dubai. He proudly carried the Philippine flag as he and his camel strode their way into the Expo 2020 site on Tuesday (December 21), along with other camel trekkers from various nationalities. The camel trek was organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre. The participants were shortlisted from nearly 300 people who registered for the program. “I am so grateful and honored to have made and completed this once in a lifetime opportunity. To experience the old ways and part of the local culture is an amazing experience,” Alapide told Expatmedia.net. “I am definitely not the same person when I started this trek. Journeys like this change you in many ways. You learn more about yourself and other people as well,” he added. The Filipino artist said what made the experience more special was the bond that he formed with the group, which he said “will last a lifetime”. The caravan trekkers were given a certificate of appreciation for their initiative. This was before they received a surprise visit from no other than Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on their way to the Expo site on Monday. ICA/Expat Media
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