Dubai passenger ferry taxi, called an ABRA

It is always interesting to see how other water cultures make their boat. This abra taxi crossed the Dubai Creek to the old souk, or market place. It is made of wood and holds 20 people, who pile on as the abra hits the dock. The drive stands in the motor hold and has a car seat on the upper deck. When he is in the car seat, he steers with his foot. The trip takes about 15 minutes and costs 20 Eurocents. The Dubai Creek was a shallow foot crossing in the 1950's but the former Sheik of Dubai borrowed $20 from Kuwait and had the creek widened, deepened and expanded. Now, Arab douws get loaded here and travel all over the Arabian Gulf. The prevailing wind sweeps down the Creek toward the sea and makes the crossing choppy, but the skippers are experts and the trip is fun.