San Alfonso del Mar Resort

San Alfonso del Mar Resort
special thanks to Choon Ling for sharing the email

If you like doing laps in the swimming pool, you might want to stock up on the energy drinks before diving into this one...
It is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres, had a 115 ft deep end, and holds 66 million gallons of water...The Guinness Book of Records named the vast pool beside the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world.

If you fancy splashing out on one of your own, and you have the space to accommodate it - then beware: This one took 5 years to build, and cost nearly 1 billion and the annual maintenance bill would be 2 million.This man-made salt-water lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar Resort at Algarrobo, on Chile's southern coast, since it opened.

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 Olympic size pool measures some 54 yards by 27 yards).
This 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, nice degrees warmer than the adjoining sea.
Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann, whose Crystal Lagoons Corporation designed the pool, said advanced engineering meant his company can 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'.Here's a satellite photo of the resort...Do I heard a "WOW~"?

Official English version website of the San Alfonso del Mar Resort here.

Ok, if only the people at San Alfonso del Mar Resort could sponsor me over for a short week's stay... I'll become your Ambassor for Singapore and help you promote this beautiful and stunning resort... ^^