The wooden abra boats that cross Dubai Creek are from another age, carrying along with them loads of stories, not mere forms of transportation. These modest, motorized boats are cherished icons that represent Dubai’s opulent past in addition to being a useful means of getting from point A to B. They have been plying people across the creek for many years now, seamlessly connecting the old quarters of Deira and Bur Dubai, two places where Dubai’s history really kicked off.
The abra subtly reminds everyone of its origins, providing a window into a more straightforward and grounded era, even in a city characterized by its futuristic skyscrapers.
For locals, a ride on an abra is a quick, easy, and cheap way across the sea, but to the tourist, it is so much more than that. A water ride in an abra is the gateway to another world. The buzz of the motor monotones as it blends with the quiet conversations of passengers and the noise of the busy creek, with the light bobbing of the boat upon the water.
Wafting through the air is the aroma of spices and the salty breeze off the sea, while in one’s mind’s eye, there’s the glitter of the souks, the tall minarets of mosques, and classic wooden dhows sailing by-so enticing. Briefly forgotten are the high-rise skyscrapers and posh shopping centers just a short distance away.
Stories abound in the brook itself. You’ll pass lively souks abra-riding, including the famous spice and gold markets, where traders have been bargaining for years. You might also see the Heritage Village and the Al Fahidi Historical District, both filled with remnants of the past.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is proud evidence of change that has overcome the city and used to be the private residence of Dubai’s royal family. On this side, the creek is not just water; it is a growing, breathing testament to how Dubai grew from a small trading port into a major world city.
What really sets it apart, though, is the bond that the abra creates-not just between the two banks of the stream, but between the past and present. This river was the lifeline of the city long before Dubai was to become the center of architectural wonders. It was here that the merchants arrived in their wooden dhows with their ships laden with pearls, spices, and textiles.
The abra continues this tradition in its own inimitable, simplistic way. It is not so much a crossing but a life ambassador, every passage across the creek a homage paid to the myriad tales told herein.
And the fact that Dubai has retained this tradition in its relentless march to modernization speaks volumes about the spirit of the city. Dubai stands first in every respect for innovation, yet it embraces the past with respect. The abra is a standing testimony to the comfortable coexistence of tradition and progress. Actually, Dubai is so unique owing to the harmony that exists between what is ancient and what is new.
A ride in an abra is not to move from point A to B but sliding through slow speeds, becoming a part of nature and binding with the soul of Dubai. It is to feel the beat of this city for the tourist in quest of having much more than opulent hotels and gleaming shopping centers. There is something enchanted about sitting on that wooden seat with the sun on your face and the creek in front of you, come what may in Dubai. You remember it as a silent reminder that the past is never too far away in Dubai.
