Old Dubai as we know now has been for thousands of years as the central of trading. Trade has been Dubai’s lifeblood. Merchants traded goods from as far as Iran, India, China, the west Arabian, and the east African ports of Mogadishu, Mombassa and Zanzibar.
Old Dubai located at creek side, Burr Dubai is the saltwater river which divides Dubai in two. You could reach this creek from Dubai airport within 10 minute, its north side of Dubai airport. You can travel by taxi, or bus or even just walking, in cool season many travelers enjoy the road to old Dubai.
Creek side as known for visitor as Burr Dubai, on the city’s south bank sits another legacy of merchants, it’s called the Bastakiyah Quarter. Long ago this place formed the residential hearth of Dubai’s merchant community, many of them were descended from immigrants who lived on Persian coast. They built their coral house, decorated with plaster moldings, as known as wind tower now.
Now days, Dubai is no longer content with merely merchandising, and has reached out a highly respected niche as a leading Middle Eastern financial market and leisure place. But inside the Bastakiyah, sign of the past obviously linger on. Beside the creek, traditional teak dhows are still available for goods or passenger along the creek side. You can enjoy the ride along breathtaking view in creek side.
Wind tower to beat the heat.
However the house with wind tower still could be seen in Bastakiyah. These houses were built to beat the Middle Eastern heat. Characterized by wind tower as the landmark, or perhaps the most distinctive feature of traditional Middle Eastern architecture. You could see these kind of houses in neighboring Dubai, like in Ajman, Fujairah, as the sign of the past.
The wind tower is soaring seven meter above the rooftops, at least half of the height of a wind tower is comprised with an enclosed air-well. And designed before the advent of electricity or air conditioners, the opening of wind tower on four side to catch every possible whiff of the hot dessert current and cooler sea breezes alike. Through a simple process, the air funneled down into the living room, its temperature will drop significantly on the way. During summer Dubai’s weather’s really very hot and humid.
Usually families gather in the first floor room, which were cooled by wind tower. In milder weather, family usually sleeps on the roof, where that place also used for other activities, such as preserving foodstuff. Most Bastakiyah houses had courtyard for keeping animal, such as chicken and goats. Even they plant vegetables, fruit trees on that courtyard.
Teak dhows tour in creek side.
However you can walk along the riverside, or sitting on the garden. Many travelers spent their evening on this garden. Usually during Dubai shopping festival, this creek side and garden will be full of visitor, because many electronic shops open until midnight.
After midnight you can still enjoy Dubai, don’t worry this place is very safe. Tea shops usually open until morning, you can enjoy tea and some foods, such as suwarma, this kind of sandwich. You can choose either suwarma chicken or beef, those foods are very tasty.
