ReView May 2012

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To the Khor

Winding its way from the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Creek is at the cultural heart of the emirate with old wooden dhows plying its waters both day and night. We shine a spotlight on this historic waterway and find out how best to explore its rustic charm

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Modern wonder Today the Creek is a mixture of old and new. Sail its length and see wind towers – the original form of air conditioning – pepper the tops of low-rise buildings flanked by towering skyscrapers. At dusk, located next to the Old Souk abra station while the Spice and Gold Souks are just a one- dirham boat ride away If you’re keen to explore the city’s old markets, the Textile Souk is

f all the attractions Dubai has to offer, Dubai Creek is almost certainly the most culturally rewarding. While the rest of the emirate oozes five-star luxury, this

Festival City and finishes at the Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary, south east of the Burj Khalifa. Forebears of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, settled on the banks of the Creek in the 19th century and over time it became a small port with dhows sailing to and from India and Africa carrying wares such as spices, rice and fabric. By the turn of the 20 th century, the Creek was also used for fishing and pearl diving. It wasn’t until the 1960s, however, that it reached its full commercial potential. Until then its waters were shallow, limiting the size of vessels that could enter. And so it was dredged, allowing seven-foot boats access across all parts. It was cleared again in the late ’60s and once more in the ’70s, attracting trade that would otherwise have visited the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah.

saltwater inlet and the area around it is noisy, dusty and, with scores of old wooden abras and traditional dhows weaving their way across the water, at times chaotic. But that’s all part of the fun. Spend an afternoon at the Creek and see an altogether different side of the city. From tradesmen unloading the cargo from their colourful dhows to seagulls fighting for scraps at the water’s edge, Dubai Creek is a hive of activity and well worth a visit. The 14-kilometre waterway divides Deira and Bur Dubai, the oldest parts of the city, before it winds its way around Dubai

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