Old photos of Dubai Creek show a time long forgotten

Dubai's population is now more than 3.65 million, driven by the emirate's position as a leading global destination.

But for anyone arriving in the city in 2024 it is hard to believe only several decades ago Dubai was a small town centred around the Creek.

These photographs, taken when Dubai was part of the Trucial States, underline the transformation that has taken place since the 1960s.

Shot by British resident David Riley, they show a world lost to time.

An aerial shot of Dubai Creek, photographed by Mr Riley from a Gulf Aviation plane arriving from Abu Dhabi, is particularly striking as it shows the original historic settlement.

Under the wing tip is Deira, then the main business area.

Across the Creek is Bur Dubai and to the right is Al Shindagha, which was often cut off from the mainland at high tide.

Dubai Creek in the 1960s. Photo: David Riley © UAE National Library and Archives

Al Shindagha is where the Al Maktoum family settled and it is from here Dubai began its journey to the metropolis it is today.

The photographs also show the bustling trade on Dubai Creek with traditional wooden abras sweeping across the busy artery. One shows a captain using large wooden oars to row across the water with the old wind towers, once so common on the Creek, visible in the background. Many have since been demolished.

Many people lived in barasti huts made of palm fronds, still used paraffin lamps and drank water taken from wells. Wealthier people lived in coral stone houses with barjeels, or wind towers, on the sides of the Creek.

Mr Riley was a young English banker who spent about two years in Abu Dhabi from 1962 to 1964.

He had been working in the UK when he heard the British Bank of the Middle East needed staff.

"It just appealed to me,” said Mr Riley of his decision to apply. “It was the right time and I hadn't gone to university."

He took a series of remarkable photographs during his journeys across the Trucial States to capture the way of life about to be swept away forever. But the images he took on a 35 millimetre German Voigtlander show that even then Dubai was on the path to modernisation.

For example, the aerial shot of the Creek shows the new sea walls erected at the its mouth.

This project began in the late 1950s, aimed at preventing silt building up in the Creek. This had prevented boats from entering and, in turn, disrupted vital trade. It was the original Dubai mega-project.

Another shows construction on the banks of the Creek with a new water tower in the background.

Some of Mr Riley's images taken in the souq show the new goods reaching the city, as Dubai even then was focused on trade.

Farewell to the Ramada Dubai

Several shots show traders selling everything from tinned goods, fruit and vegetables and even Kent cigarettes.

Some were grown locally but many other goods were imported as Dubai built a name for itself as a trading centre.

Today the Creek remains as busy as ever. But the abras are no longer powered by oars; Al Shindagha has been turned into a museum; and a rejuvenation project is bringing new spirit to Deira.

And instead of the vast expanses of sand and open beaches visible from the plane's window in the 1960s, today is a sea of high-rises, hotels and luxury villas.

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Rally schedule:

Saturday: Super Special Spectator Stage – Yas Marina Circuit – start 3.30pm.
Sunday: Yas Marina Circuit Stage 1 (276.01km)
Monday: Nissan Stage 2 (287.92km)
Tuesday: Al Ain Water Stage 3 (281.38km)
Wednesday: ADNOC Stage 4 (244.49km)
Thursday: Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5 (218.57km) Finish: Yas Marina Circuit – 4.30pm.

England's lowest Test innings

- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887

- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994

- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009

- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948

- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888

- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018

RESULTS

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

The specs

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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Price: From Dh117,059

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The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

What should do investors do now?

What does the S&P 500's new all-time high mean for the average investor?

Should I be euphoric?

No. It's fine to be pleased about hearty returns on your investments. But it's not a good idea to tie your emotions closely to the ups and downs of the stock market. You'll get tired fast. This market moment comes on the heels of last year's nosedive. And it's not the first or last time the stock market will make a dramatic move.

So what happened?

It's more about what happened last year. Many of the concerns that triggered that plunge towards the end of last have largely been quelled. The US and China are slowly moving toward a trade agreement. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely will not raise rates at all in 2019 after seven recent increases. And those changes, along with some strong earnings reports and broader healthy economic indicators, have fueled some optimism in stock markets.

"The panic in the fourth quarter was based mostly on fears," says Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. "The fundamentals have mostly held up, while the fears have gone away and the fears were based mostly on emotion."

Should I buy? Should I sell?

Maybe. It depends on what your long-term investment plan is. The best advice is usually the same no matter the day — determine your financial goals, make a plan to reach them and stick to it.

"I would encourage (investors) not to overreact to highs, just as I would encourage them not to overreact to the lows of December," Mr Schutte says.

All the same, there are some situations in which you should consider taking action. If you think you can't live through another low like last year, the time to get out is now. If the balance of assets in your portfolio is out of whack thanks to the rise of the stock market, make adjustments. And if you need your money in the next five to 10 years, it shouldn't be in stocks anyhow. But for most people, it's also a good time to just leave things be.

Resist the urge to abandon the diversification of your portfolio, Mr Schutte cautions. It may be tempting to shed other investments that aren't performing as well, such as some international stocks, but diversification is designed to help steady your performance over time.

Will the rally last?

No one knows for sure. But David Bailin, chief investment officer at Citi Private Bank, expects the US market could move up 5 per cent to 7 per cent more over the next nine to 12 months, provided the Fed doesn't raise rates and earnings growth exceeds current expectations. We are in a late cycle market, a period when US equities have historically done very well, but volatility also rises, he says.

"This phase can last six months to several years, but it's important clients remain invested and not try to prematurely position for a contraction of the market," Mr Bailin says. "Doing so would risk missing out on important portfolio returns."

Know before you go

Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.