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
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
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
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 view from the balloon, looking down
Each ride can accommodate up to 19 guests and 1 host
