Old Bastakia

Crossing Dubai Creek in a rowing Abra as it used to be.

Taking a trip on an Abra on Dubai's Creek is an unforgettable experience for locals and tourists alike, particularly at night. Old Dubai Rowing Abras were the usual way of crossing Dubai Creek. Powered Abras only operated between particular crossings. Rowing Abras operated near the mouth of the Creek and went wherever their passengers wanted to go.

Waiting for an Abra

Rowing Abra would wait patiently alongside Dubai Creek waiting for a passenger. Occasionally they waited by some steps where boarding was easy.

More often they floated near the Creek's edge so boarding involved a climb across rocks. If the Abra was not where you were then a wave to an Abra on the other side of the Creek would soon have the Abra hauling its way to you.

Boarding an Abra

Boarding was a ritual with greetings exchanged, 25 Fils handed over together with instructions on where you wanted to go. The Abra was pushed off into the Creek with rudimentary oars then the Rower began the effort of getting you across the Creek. With one foot pushing against a cross beam and short, quick, strong strokes the Rower battled tide, dhows, barges, oil support ships to cross the Creek,

sometimes to the concern of his passengers! Tide and current took the Abra up or down the Creek before the Rower could line up with his destination. Crossing Dubai Creek by a rowing Abra was not the quickest means of crossing.

Disembarking involved farewells unless you were intending to make a quick return. In this case a simple instruction and the Abra would wait for your return, refusing all passengers. That service always cost a little more of course!

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Sheikh Rashid