As a rule, crab hunting is included in the list of entertainment for visitors in almost all local travel agencies. The method worked out, routes verified to the smallest detail, ammunition is provided. But what is organized crab fishing compared to "wild" ?! I fully felt this difference on myself and I hasten to share my impressions with you.
On a normal weekend, we gathered together with a group of associates, loaded everything we needed into two SUVs and set off for Umm Al Quwain. Hunting for crabs is a nocturnal affair, but in order to decide on a suitable fishing spot, it was decided to conduct reconnaissance in the area during the day. Leaving some of the “hunters” to sunbathe by the pool in a beach resort, the four of us drove a jeep into the desert in search of a suitable pond. How monotonous and at the same time changing the desert! Sparse vegetation, proudly walking long-legged camels and sand, sand, sand ... The air heated up to 47 degrees, and all the water was not visible.
We went deeper and deeper, deceiving several times with the long-awaited brilliance, which upon closer examination turned out to be a dried-up lake. Once we drove into a "dead end": the car stopped at some strange small gravel. She was everywhere. Wondering where the gravel could come from here, we left the air-conditioned car and went into hell. What we took for small pebbles turned out to be tiny shells, and there were a myriad of shells around. It’s dangerous to move forward, there we were waiting for the “Sabka”. In such clay with sand and salt water, the car will instantly bog down so that only a tractor can pull it out. I had to turn around and go to starting positions.
The search continued. Again sands, sands, sands ... and suddenly ... Water! We found a great place to hunt for crab. This was evidenced by the “marks” that we found there - an extinct fire, dried crab shells, torn shoes and abandoned empty bottles. Exulting, we returned to the camp to wait for darkness. And so,
"The tired sun was slowly setting in the sea,
Bloody purple staining with the very last ray
Foam on the crest of a wave ...
Quietly the night fell ... "
There was a call: “On horseback!” And our group advanced into the sands. How unrecognizably the desert changed at night! All the signs that we focused on during the day disappeared in the dark. In search of the cherished place, the cars rolled 32 kilometers in the dunes. We got to the creek when we were already completely desperate to find it. Preparation for the hunt took a little time: you had to change into swimsuits and swimming trunks, put on tight-fitting sports slippers, fasten the ropes on plastic basins and arm yourself with a trident spear and a powerful waterproof flashlight.
The team is ready, and, overcoming the aversion to mud, muddy slippery bottom and the stinking smell of stagnant water, began to dive. The fill is not deep - the water barely reaches the waist. About 20 meters from the shore, the abyss underfoot ends and a clean sand begins, on which immediately we come to notice - crabs. The optical effect of water distorts the size of arthropods, darkness also does not add courage, crabs seem ominously huge and very frisky in movement.
The group broke into pairs, which scattered in different directions. First, on the right, and then on the left, the first victorious cries are heard: “Yes! Glare from the lanterns rushing about in the water, blinding crabs, spears mercilessly piercing chitinous shells, coxae filled with fresh prey. Around midnight, tired but satisfied hunters get ashore, comparing the catch. Having washed ourselves with clean water from the bottles that were carefully taken with us, we pour all the crab caught into a huge refrigerator bag: wow! Yes, there are almost nine kilograms! Upon arrival home, we boil them with herbs, sprinkle with lemon juice and eat. But first you need to get out of the sand onto the road.
We return in the same way, the track is knurled, but what is it? At night, water began to arrive and literally before our eyes began to flood the way! It is very dangerous. I did not want to get stuck in the darkness in the wet sand. We took a chance! They rushed forward at high speed, and both cars safely passed an unexpected trap. Having got out on the track, we vigorously discussed the incident, thinking out on the go what could happen, we delayed our departure for at least another half hour. It was with such adventures that our very successful crab hunt ended, which will be remembered for a long time and supplemented with new details with each of its storytellers.
Oh, by the way, the crabs were very tasty!
Elena Balina
