lastm Pooling their resources D o you really think youre prepared to take a swim in the worlds biggest pool? asks Paolo, my driver, who could talk the hind legs off a burro. You would need to be a marathon swimmer to get all the way across it, he laughs. And hes not wrong. Paolo is taking me to the pool at the San Alfonso Del Mar resort, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the biggest on the planet; the 1,013m- long (3,323ft) lagoon was once a plot of land used as a motocross circuit but, with the beach opposite being too dangerous for swimming, real- estate developer Fernando Fischmann was called in. Checking into the resort, I learn more about the pool itself. Italian swimmer Mauro Giaconia holds the record for swimming in it, the check-in girl tells me. It was crazy. He was in there for 24 hours, swam through the night in the dark and because we take the water from the sea his tongue was numb because of the salt in the water. Standing by the pool, it is obvious why doing laps is out of the question. The view is surreal; Im standing on the beach and the lagoon merges into the Pacific Ocean behind to form one great visual ocean the only thing separating the two water bodies is the difference in colour. I tentatively dip my toe in to test the water, and it is perfectly warm and crystal clear. In a shallow corner, three teenagers are swimming. But the Chilean style of messing around may be a little different from ours: one teenager pretends to be a lifeguard while the other two play drowning victims being swept away by the huge waves not at all unbelievable given the size of the pool. Bizarrely, Alfonso Del Mar works: the environment that has been created here is not unlike that of a tropical island; the palm trees, white sand, boat docks, solar heating, water currents and cascades make you feel like youve stepped into the real thing. Eduardo Klein, of Crystal Lagoons, which built the resort, says: We dont actually need many lifeguards. People swim in controlled areas that are shallow enough for walking and swimming safely. The rest of the lagoon is deeper and its purpose is mainly for water sports and more experienced swimmers. Over the following week I try some of the water sports, with kayaking my favourite. The instructors teach techniques that allow us to race around the vast lagoon, but boating, sailing, snorkelling and paragliding are all offered as well. The best thing about it all is there are no hidden dangers from underwater species, no seaweed to get tangled up in and, if you drop something, its easy to find something I learn from experience when my camera goes overboard. The other good news is that, rather than swim like Giaconia, if you want to get from one end of the lagoon to the other, there is a regular shuttle- boat service. San Alfonso Del Mar isnt just about the lagoon, either. At the aquarium caf bar, you can enjoy a drink and watch fish swim in the countrys largest aquarium, with 60 local species. Theres also a cinema, full-size football pitch, gym and outdoor spa. Going home, I feel fitter than I have in ages and am keen to tell everyone about the size of the lagoon, but Klein tells me its record will soon be gone the City Of Stars lagoon project in Egypts Sharm el-Sheik is set to take it over soon. It will be 50 per cent bigger than the one here, he says. If Giaconia plans to break his record, good luck to him. n Amita Mistry travelled with Air France. For flights from Dublin to Santiago log on to www.airfrance.ie. For San Alfonso Del Mar, log on to www.sanalfonso.cl Bucharest Price: 195.59 (61 return + 129.59 taxes + 15 service fee) Details: The Hungarian airline, Malv, is celebrating its ten-year anniversary of flying daily from Dublin to Budapest and from there to a host of fantastic cities and holiday destinations. The city of Bucharest in Romania is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle poque buildings and a reputation for the high life (which in the 1900s earned it the nickname of Little Paris). Bucharest, Romanias largest city and capital, is today a bustling metropolis. Contact: Tel: 0818 55 55 77 or log onto www.malv.com Dublin Price: 50 per cent off the recently refurbished Academy Plaza Hotel in Dublin city centre. Details: The Academy Plaza Hotel, considered one of the best Dublin hotels, has recently been refurbished to provide its guest with a luxurious contemporary style ambience. Each of the 285 bedrooms and suites are equipped with complementary wireless Internet access, air conditioning, interactive TV systems with Sky TV, tea/coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board. Contact: www.lastminute.com Morocco Price: 20 per cent off Morocco. 18 days Casablanca to Marrakesh, departs Oct 3 was 495, now 396 (plus local payment 450). Details: Discover Casablancas extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, wander the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, explore Roman ruins at Volubilis, watch the sun set over medieval Fes, ride a camel to a remote desert camp, be awe-inspired by the size of Todra Gorge, trek through the scenic Valley of the Roses and end the adventure in the bustling souqs of Marrakech. Contact: Tel: (01) 524 0071 or log onto www.intrepidtravel.com Mexico Price: All Inclusive, seven nights, from 905.00 pp in a Junior Suite at four-star Riu Pacifico Hotel. Details: Travel Delta Airlines via Atlanta or New York from Dublin and Shannon. Return Airport Transfers included. Contact: Tropical Places, Tel: (01) 433 1023 or log on to www.tropicalplaces.ie metro extralife OutofOfficeToadvertise tel:(01)6375979 Lagoon leviathan: If swimming is your thing, check out the biggest pool on the planet in the Chilean coastal resort of San Alfonso Del Mar BY AMITA MISTRY Bare essentials San Alfonso Del Mar is a resort near Algarrobo on Chiles Pacific coast and is home to the worlds largest swimming pool. Currency: 1 = CLP793 Language: Spanish The view lagoon: You can watch fish from the caf bar 18 metrolifeextra Tuesday, September 22, 2009 TRAVEL DEALS OF THE WEEK lastminute.comsleep around for less index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html