Riyadh Season Visitors Enjoy Big Balloon Ride in Wonder Garden

The zone also features sub-zones, such as the Flamingo Lake, the Butterfly Garden, and many others - SPA
The zone also features sub-zones, such as the Flamingo Lake, the Butterfly Garden, and many others - SPA
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Riyadh Season Visitors Enjoy Big Balloon Ride in Wonder Garden

The zone also features sub-zones, such as the Flamingo Lake, the Butterfly Garden, and many others - SPA
The zone also features sub-zones, such as the Flamingo Lake, the Butterfly Garden, and many others - SPA

Wonder Garden, a zone part of Riyadh Season 2023, offers an unforgettable experience to visitors of all ages, the Saudi Press Agency SPA said in its reported. One of the highlights is the "Big Balloon", which provides a full view of Riyadh from an altitude of 150 meters.

Having a capacity of up to 20 passengers and lasting for 10 minutes, a flight offers a family-friendly experience and panoramic views of Boulevard City and Boulevard World.
Riyadh Season, in its fourth edition, continues to prioritize enjoyable and safe experiences for everyone. The Big Balloon ride, guided by a specialized balloon pilot, is done in utmost security and safety.
Wonder Garden stands out with its captivating theme of trees, flowers, butterflies, artwork, and a wide range of attractions. With over 70 rides and experiences, two arcade halls, 15 stores, 26 restaurants, and over 60 roaming acts and stage shows, there is something for everyone.



Latest Tests Show Seine Water Quality Was Substandard When Paris Mayor Took a Dip

 Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
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Latest Tests Show Seine Water Quality Was Substandard When Paris Mayor Took a Dip

 Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (AFP)

Tests results released Friday showed the water quality in the River Seine was slightly below the standards needed to authorize swimming — just as the Paris Olympics start.

Heavy rain during the opening ceremony revived concerns over whether the long-polluted waterway will be clean enough to host swimming competitions, since water quality is deeply linked with the weather in the French capital.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a highly publicized dip last week in a bid to ease fears. The Seine will be used for marathon swimming and triathlon.

Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria known as E. coli.

Tests by monitoring group Eau de Paris show that at the Bras Marie, E. coli levels were then above the safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters determined by European rules on June 17, when the mayor took a dip.

The site reached a value of 985 on the day the mayor swam with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet and the top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume, joined her, along with swimmers from local swimming clubs.

At two other measuring points further downstream, the results were below the threshold.

The statement by Paris City Hall and the prefecture of the Paris region noted that water quality last week was in line with European rules six days out of seven on the site which is to host the Olympic swimming competitions.

It noted that "the flow of the Seine is highly unstable due to regular rainfall episodes and remains more than twice the usual flow in summer," explaining fluctuating test results.

Swimming in the Seine has been banned for over a century. Since 2015, organizers have invested $1.5 billion to prepare the Seine for the Olympics and to ensure Parisians have a cleaner river after the Games. The plan included constructing a giant underground water storage basin in central Paris, renovating sewer infrastructure, and upgrading wastewater treatment plants.