A visit to Dubai must include the trip on the traditional boat abra.
Abras used to ferry the people between two sides of Dubai Creek, and remain the primary means of transportation until the new bridges allowed cars and pedestrians to cross the river.
Although car seems to be much faster, in reality the frequent traffic jams during rush hours make the water taxi a competing alternative, as it takes only 10 minutes to reach the other side of the creek. Most of over 100 existing abras operate from 05.30 in the morning till midnight, but several chosen abras operate the full day.
The ferries usually run between six boarding stations on two sides of the river Bur Dubai and Deira, but also can be hired on request.
The traditional abra is made of wood, driven by one operator carrying up to 20 passengers, who seat by 10 on each side. The cockpit is sheltered by the removable canopy of a simple shape.
Although the boats could be easy replaced by modern metal water taxis, they remain as a nostalgic part of Dubai heritage still ferrying up to 20 million passengers individually.
[photo courtesy of Oli/4]