The Big Balloon Ride takes off in Sharjah - in pictures

  • Sharjah's newest entertainment attraction, The Big Balloon Ride, is located at Al Majaz Waterfront. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sharjah's newest entertainment attraction, The Big Balloon Ride, is located at Al Majaz Waterfront. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Staff prepare for a flight, now available to the public from Mondays to Sundays, 5pm to midnight
    Staff prepare for a flight, now available to the public from Mondays to Sundays, 5pm to midnight
  • Children go up in the balloon with the Sharjah skyline in front of them
    Children go up in the balloon with the Sharjah skyline in front of them
  • The gigantic hot-air balloon ride lasts between six and seven minutes
    The gigantic hot-air balloon ride lasts between six and seven minutes
  • It takes visitors 200 feet in the air atop a 360-degree floating platform
    It takes visitors 200 feet in the air atop a 360-degree floating platform
  • Views of Sharjah from inside the balloon
    Views of Sharjah from inside the balloon
  • The arena has other rides and activities, including virtual reality games, trampolines, a go-kart track, bumper cars, a soft-play area for toddlers and watersports
    The arena has other rides and activities, including virtual reality games, trampolines, a go-kart track, bumper cars, a soft-play area for toddlers and watersports
  • The view from the balloon, looking down
    The view from the balloon, looking down
  • Each ride can accommodate up to 19 guests and 1 host
    Each ride can accommodate up to 19 guests and 1 host
  • The Sharjah skyline from above in the balloon
    The Sharjah skyline from above in the balloon