There have been dhows sailing out of the Persian Gulf for India and East Africa for a thousand years and more, following the gyre of monsoon winds. Dates, jewels, fine carpets and chests went one way; ivory, gold, leopard skins and slaves came the other.
These days in Dubai Creek you are more likely to see cargos of Coca Cola, white goods and Japanese cars being loaded on deck. But for all that, and yet among the ever sprouting high rises, there is still a drift of Arabian Nights’ romance, and more than a hint of Sinbad’s voyaging.
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Tish Farrell 
I came there once, in the middle of summer. My God, It was 47 degree. Even inside of dhow with air conditioning running, I was melting 🙂
I was lucky then, Nurul. I have never experienced 47 degrees and hope not to. When we were there it even rained, and you needed a coat at night on a dhow.
I’ve always enjoyed seeing those elegant dhows. In this picture, they make an amazing contrast to the ultra-modern highrises in the background.
And these days the ultra-modern high-rises are even higher and more prolific. History and modernity seem to occupy the same layer of reality which is disconcerting.
Tish, I’m afraid Dubai is now the preferred holiday resort of our big time Ministers of state and the Presidency! 🙂
Hm. Can understand why, but v. depressing re Ghana’s wellbeing. And while I’m here, Celestine, have done anything about the stories you have backed up. I think I gave you a deadline!!!! 🙂
Yes dear, September 30th or is it 1st? 🙂
Am almost sure it was the 1st.
Hahaaha! Sure? 30th and 1st are all in September, no? Maybe we could push it to 30th then 🙂
Aw, Celestine. You’ll be saying October next.
These dhows force history on the viewer–make me think what life could have been without oil, without air conditioning and without plentiful drinking water.