Well I guess summer time is here. It has been gorgeous the last several days but today is the first time I would say it is really Hot! (except for that crazy heat wave we had in what, May? March?) Anyway, the office is kept quite chilly so my body almost goes into shock whenever I go in and out of the building. If I was off today, and spending most of the day outdoors, I think it would be so cool to have somthing like this to go play at: (you can click on the images to make them larger)
"If you like doing laps in the swimming pool, you might want to stock up on the energy drinks before diving in to this one. It is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres, had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million gallons of water. Yesterday the Guinness Book of Records named the vast pool beside the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world. But if you fancy splashing out on one of your own - and you have the space to accommodate it - then beware: This one took five years to build, cost nearly 1billion and the annual maintenance bill will be 2million. The man-made saltwater lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo, on Chile 's southern coast, si nce it opened last month. Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear that you can see the bottom even in the deep end. It dwarfs the world's second biggest pool, the Orthlieb - nicknamed the Big Splash - in Morocco , which is a mere 150 yards long and 100 yards wide. An Olympicsize pool measures some 50 yards by 25 yards. Chile's monster pool uses a computer- controlled suction and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation, drawing it in from the ocean at one end and pumping it out at the other. The sun warms the water to 26c, nine degrees warmer than the adjoining sea. Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann, whose Crystal Lagoons Corporation designed the pool, said advanced engineering meant his company could build 'an impressive artificial paradise' even in inhospitable areas.' As long as we have access to unlimited seawater, we can make it work, and it causes no damage to the ocean.' "
Ok- a couple of things. First- why on earth did they build a pool directly next to the ocean? Ok- in the article they explain that they use sea water but still. . .
Then I guess you don't have to worry about sharks or jellyfish, or anything like that. Too bad it isn't just around the corner- I would love to visit it but I don't really see myself going to Chile anytime soon. Thanks to Hannah G. for submitting this email:)
S ICHUAN , China -- One zoo in southwest China has its hands full with 16 baby pandas. The Sichuan Wolong Panda Protection and Breed Center is dealing with the results of a breeding boom -- 16 pandas have been born since July, 2006. The brood includes five sets of twins. The cubs are weighed and measured every five days (see pics)The heaviest tips the scale at just over 24 pounds, while the lightest weighs about 11 pounds. The pandas are due to stop suckling by February, 2007 just about the time they'll start learning to walk. Once weaned, the panda cubs will attend panda kindergarten.
