Abu Dhabi and Dubai Creek in the 1970s and today - in pictures

  • Jonathan Raban was enamoured by the dhow trade in Dubai Creek. Photo: Al Ittihad
    Jonathan Raban was enamoured by the dhow trade in Dubai Creek. Photo: Al Ittihad
  • He also was impressed by the merchant houses and their wind towers that once lined the Creek. They can be seen here in the 1960s in the background. Photo: Arabian Gulf Digital Archives
    He also was impressed by the merchant houses and their wind towers that once lined the Creek. They can be seen here in the 1960s in the background. Photo: Arabian Gulf Digital Archives
  • The dhow trade still thives on the Creek today. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The dhow trade still thives on the Creek today. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Some of the homes and wind towers have been restored in the Al Fahidi neighbourhood on Dubai Creek. Pawan Singh / The National
    Some of the homes and wind towers have been restored in the Al Fahidi neighbourhood on Dubai Creek. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jonathan Raban also visited Abu Dhabi in the 1970s. This view of Abu Dhabi was taken in 1974 and shows what he might have seen: new towers and developments. Qasr Al Hosn can be seen just off centre. Photo: Ron McCulloch
    Jonathan Raban also visited Abu Dhabi in the 1970s. This view of Abu Dhabi was taken in 1974 and shows what he might have seen: new towers and developments. Qasr Al Hosn can be seen just off centre. Photo: Ron McCulloch
  • Abu Dhabi in the 1970s was a time of unprecedented growth. Photo: Ron McCulloch
    Abu Dhabi in the 1970s was a time of unprecedented growth. Photo: Ron McCulloch
  • Raban also charts the huge changes in Al Ain in the 1970s, such as the arrival of a Hilton. Getty Images
    Raban also charts the huge changes in Al Ain in the 1970s, such as the arrival of a Hilton. Getty Images