After reading a few first trip reports, I'm almost embaressed to submit this short one, but the bottom line is we lover the island/diving and will be back.

We arrived on the 10th and flew Delta all the way...Minneapolis to Atlanta and the on to Bonaire. Not enough time in Atlanta airport to even catch a bit....so of course the luggage/diving gear didn't make it. The folks at Flamingo were not alot of help either but after about 1 hour, I met a very nice airport official who helped us out and assured me the gear would be in by 0600 the next day and it was. We at Port Bonaire and although I was worried about the proximity to the airport, we only heard a plane once or twice. Will probably stay there again when we come back. Super clean and great view..we were on the second floor, end condo. Dove with Dive Friends (the wife successfully received her certification) and loved the staff/Chris, Anna, Dave and the others. Only used their weights, tanks and regs. Other than a blowout with an o ring as we were about to decend (scared the wife when it popped behind her head)no incidents. Notable sightings were a seahorse, eagle manta ray and numerous baracuda. Lots of other fish and beautiful coral everywhere we went. Shopped at all three of the major food stores and were more than satisfied. used Sunshine the most as its smaller and quicker to get in and out.
Loved the food and will give five stars to Zee and Raining Fishes, but didn't have a bad meal on the island. Never had a problem with the truck (used Poppy) and no-one messed with our condo or truck, but we took your advice and left the alarm on at the condo, didn't leave thinks out at night and always left the truck empty with windows down. Cried when we had to go home and a week is not enough.
Unfortunately we're already set for Aruba in Jan of 12 but hope to get back to Bonaire soon.
Thanks for all the tips and keep the site going..it's great. I mention it to every diver I know thats talking about a trip to Bonaire and several that wern't (I'll talk them into it).
Sorry about all the bad spelling and grammar, but it's not my forte. Thanks again.

Patrick/Linda

Glad you had a great trip, and congrats to your cert, Linda!

Beautiful eagle rays, becoming more of an occurance, Mantas, rare to spot around Bon, did you see both?

Now, prepare yourselves for serious PBD! Once Bon bites you, it never lets go.

Thanks for the trip report.
I agree that a week is not enough, but it is better than no trip.

Patrick:

Your flight from Atlanta? How much of a lay over did you have? We are doing Delta from Ct. to Atlanta to Bonaire and have just an hour. How was that for timing? God, hope my gear makes it.........................

Sandy
Owner Sanddollar A-11

We learned the hard way to allow at least 3 hours for all of our connections. Atlanta can be a nightmare due to its size. Let the traveler beware.

Sandy, if all had gone as planned, the layover was to be 55 minutes and I was assured by Delta (called them and asked about the amount of layover being short) that it would not be a problem. I should have known better. Incidentally, while trying to report the missing luggage, I did meet another family from Minneapolis that was on the same flight out and had the same results. They also had their luggage by 0600 the next day.


Patrick

Delta, or most airlines WILL sell you connections that are risky. I had American sell me a connection that was only 45 minutes. That's the lowest I've ever heard of.

However, just because they will sell it to you DOES NOT mean it's a good connection. I remember quizzing the flight agent "are we going to make it? Is that enough time?" All they would say is - "It's a legal connection. I think they are prevented by internal company rules from saying anything negative about a "legal" (meaning the computer says it will work) connection.

Allow a minimum of 2 hours for a connection, and 3 is optimal - if you care about making your trip. For me a trip to Bonaire is a rare, once or twice a year event, and if I miss my flight my vacation is ruined / over because flights are only once a week or so.

Better safe than sorry.

Last year we did the 45 minutes layover in Atlanta, barely made the plane to Bonaire. This year we are flying to Atlanta the night before to avoid such headaches.

There's no way I would try to connect on the same day in Atlanta-the times are just too tight. We go and spend the night near the airport and enjoy a dinner out. Much less stress-who needs that kind of stress when you're on vacation!

hey guys
i guess i'm lucky. i take a 10:55pm flt out of san fran and get there very early am. have never had that problem
es

I will be the contrarian here. Used to go Cleveland - Atlanta - San Juan on Delta then San Juan - Bonaire on the American hopper. Since Delta introduced the Atlanta - Bonaire flight, we've taken that one without a hitch.

I probably just jinxed our upcoming trip in September, but so far Delta has treated us well. And getting to BON mid-afternoon sure beats the red eye.

KOB - the issue isn't the Atlanta to Bonaire route, it's that Delta will book you from Boston (and other cities) to have only 40 minutes after you land to make the connection in Atlanta. Last year the wife and I had to do the Amazing Race run through the Atlanta airport, and we JUST made it! We're flying to Atlanta the night before to avoid the short layover. You really don't want to miss the Bonaire flight from Atlanta! I agree that getting there early to mid afternoon is far preferable to the red eye.

i've always skipped those flights while connecting. am not willing to run through any airport. this is for all trips not just bonaire
es

Michael - yeah, 40 minutes seems liek cutting it too close. I am surprised it's a "legal" connection. Ours is 1 hour 10 minutes, which seems to work. Your plan to fly to ATL the nite before will certainly reduce your stress !!

Although we left late, we did make up the time in the air. Where we got hurt was when Delta couldn't get a gate in ATL. Ended up with about 15 minutes to catch the Bonaire flight. We just made it, but the luggage didn't.

Hey, Patrick...

The best thing about first trip reports is waiting for the second, tenth, seventeenth report. My wife and I have never been to a place so totally addictive -- and neither one of us dives!!!