UAE boasts Middle East’s largest hot-air balloon

The United Arab Emirates’ long record-breaking list expanded as the Middle East’s largest hot-air balloon flew to its horizon early Wednesday.

Already boasting for having the world’s biggest kebab, tallest tower, most expensively dressed Christmas tree and highest resident tower – among others, A6-BOB, the Middle East’s largest balloon stands, flew up high into the horizon of the Al-Ain deserts just in time for 20 passengers to witness the magnificence of a new sunrise.

The multi-colored 40 feet balloon glided above 6,000 feet from the ground, giving photographers the chance to take some photos of sand dunes, farms, local town houses and parks. It also gave its passengers the chance to experience a different view of the country’s capital, Abu Dhabi.

BOB is a third addition to the hot-air balloon fleet of Balloon Adventures Emirates, a company specializing in hot-air balloon tours in the Emirates, now can carry 70 to 80 people up to the horizon.

Gliding through UAE skies, BOB can entertain its riders to up to an hour in the air depending on changing weather and wind conditions.

A group of journalists and photographers were given the privilege to experience the balloon early morning making it the official recognition of being Middle East’s largest balloon.

“It’s very peaceful. When you live in Dubai it’s always noisy. It was really soothing to have silence, apart from the flame burning. Amazing sight and I recommend it highly,’ the British reporter, Steven Bond, said.

Fellow media representative, Musfir Khawaja, said he loved the cool breeze above the deserts.

“The flight was really nice. We liked the breeze towards the end. A bit of fog though, I was hoping I could see a lot of more stuff but anyway it was nice.”

Khawaja said he was mesmerized to see a full landscape of the desert.