Sailing Through History: The Enchanting Abra Lake Ride in Dubai
Dubai is known for its modern skyscrapers and luxurious lifestyles. Amid the symbols of this opulence, Dubai also has a face of historical charm with its enchanting Abra Lake ride. This serene journey through the scenic waters offers a glimpse into the city’s rich heritage, exquisitely in tandem with its modernity. The splendid traditional journey in the wooden boat (Abras) takes the visitors, allowing them to experience the city’s beginnings and its deep connection to Maraineroots. As the abra glides to the calm waters, the passengers can admire the stunning views, iconic landmarks, and astounding fountain treatment, providing a unique blend of old-world charm and coeval elegance making it one of the fascinating things to do in Dubai. Before glimpsing into the eventual lake ride, let’s get to know the intriguing history behind Abra itself. The History of Abras in Dubai For those who are unfamiliar, an abra, which means “to cross” in Arabic, is a common site in Dubai and falls under a vital aspect of UAE tradition. Way back in centuries, these traditional wooden boats have been a means of transportation in the city, and even in the 21st century, their design and construction have largely remained unchanged. The skilled boatmen who paddle the Abra are proud of themselves for carrying on this ancient tradition, ensuring that visitors can fully experience the cultural significance and culture of Dubai. Evolution Along the Creek: From Trade Route to Modernity Dubai’s growth is closely tied to the creek, which has been functioning for ages. The ancient waterway existed way before the times unknown. As per the ancient manuscripts, legends even connect it to the ancient river Zara. The Creek’s real tale began a few hundred years ago. Previously, in the early 1950s, When the population of Dubai was 50,000, the area of Bur Dubai served as the commercial sport of the city, where the Abra played a crucial role in this burgeoning city, channeling the movements of men and materials between the two shores of the creek. They stood as essential conduits of communication by ferrying people and goods between the bustling markets of old Dubai and more distant places. Gradually, it became a major trading hub where merchants from various parts of the world stayed for a week and left after conducting their business. However, the challenge was the lack of infrastructure. The city hasn’t progressed enough to build a bridge connecting both sides of the creek. And finally, it was not until the Maktoum The Bridge, which opened in 1963, offered a permanent link between Deira and Bur Dubai. Abras: Traditional Design ,Modern Utility Moreover, the eccentric journey served by these wooden boats, with their distinctive designs and alluring decorations, elevates the overall waterway experience in Dubai. The stunning designs of abra are indeed unique and are a fusion of a raft and a boat that is long and narrow, crafted from wood, and powered by a small outboard motor. Therefore, this specific design offers the ability to navigate the shallow waters of Dubai’s creeks and provide smooth and effective transportation for both locals and tourists. Interestingly, these are still used as water taxis to this day and are currently run by the government. Dubai currently has 149 abra boats, which carry more than 16 million passengers annually. What’s more important is not just their convenience but also their affordability. Abras are known for their cost-effective way of travelling, gaining appeal among locals and visitors alike. They let you cross the creeks and vice versa for just one dirham trip. As of now, you can take different kinds of abrasives in Dubai. While all the abras, apart from the creek, are mostly tourist attractions. Motorized Abra Motorised abras are traditional abras that are commonly used for commuting between the creeks of Dubai. Without making any difference in the shape, the motorised abra is run by a motor cranked by a diesel engine. Motorised abra are ubiquitous in the creek. You can enjoy a perfect ride along the iconic Dubai Creek through the Old Souk and other parts of Bur Dubai. These Abras operate between the stations in Bur Dubai and Deira. Route: Al Sabhkha Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk Station and then back to Bur Dubai Abra Station and Deira Old Souk Abra Station Timings: Dubai Old Souk to Al Sabkha Abra, 24 hours, and Bur Dubai to Old Souk, 05:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Abra fare: AED 1 per person for a single trip Private reservations: Abras is available for AED 120 per hour on a private charter for a cruise down Dubai Creek. Air-conditioned Abra Air-conditioned abras are far more advanced than the former ones. Unlike the motorised one, this one provides a much more comfortable cruise ride during Dubai’s summer climate. Unlike their other traditional counterparts, these modern innovations feature glass windows, providing passengers with a comfortable environment on-premise. The AC cruise operates between Festival City and the Creek Metro station. With improved seating arrangements and facilities, these airfares cost a mere 2 AED per trip. You can have a fairly calm and enjoyable trip through the creep while staying cool and relaxed under the scorching sun. Route: Every ten minutes, an abra departs from Al Jaddaf Marine Station for Dubai Festival City (BM2). Timings: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Abra Fare: 2 AED per person for a single ride. Petrol Abra The petrol-abra ride in Dubai preserves the essence of the traditional experience There are usually two types of petrol abra. The first one operates in the creek like a traditional one, ferrying passengers between both sides. The second one is the tourist abra, which traverses through the Dubai Water Canal and offers scenic views of the city’s landmarks. If you wish to have a dinner experience on a wooden boat known as a Dhow Cruise, you can take Dubai Creek, the Canal, and Dubai Marina Dhow Cruises. Embarking on the Petrol Heritage Abras
