BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Getting around Bonaire: Newbie question
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2005-06-01 to 2006-06-01: Newbie question
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyndi Brown (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 6:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi all -- you folks are an amazing fount of knowledge for the Bonaire traveler, especially a first-timer! But I had one question that I'm not sure has been answered.

I'm looking at a truck rental. Is there any benefit to going w/one that has a tonneau hard cover or does that scream "Hey, valuables are in here!"

Also, are tanks safe unattended? I'd figure it's hard to do anything w/marked tanks from a resort but I'm not sure what to do (I really don't want to have to do one-tank dives the whole week).

Thanks in advance for any advice (and in retroaction for all that's already here)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #570) on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 6:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to the board Cyndi.
I have never seen a truck with a cover on the island. They may be around but they are not common. I have not had any trouble with tanks being stolen and I have at least 2 or 4 in the truck most all the time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Stine (BonaireTalker - Post #89) on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 8:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I remember trucks with covers five or six or more years ago. Seemed like a good idea but the bad guys figured out how to get into them. I never rented one with a cover and really there is no need. Just don't keep anything of value in the back. I never had any trouble with tanks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Stanfield (BonaireTalker - Post #52) on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 8:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cyndi
I have had a couple of trucks with the Tonneau covers but in the past two years but in both cases the locks had been previously broke so there was no added security. My wife and I always have 4 to 6 tanks in the truck and have not had a problem in 8 years. I would not pay any extra for the covers. JUst get a regular truck.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #567) on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 9:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I second Michael's motion. It would be best to just get a regular truck and don't take anything of value to the dive sites. We also routinely carry up to 4 tanks at a time - never had one stolen in 6 trips. I'd put your mind to rest on this one and get pumped up for the trip!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyndi Brown (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 4:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks all -- I knew I had turned to the right place. And I am most decidedly pumped up about my first visit -- have heard nothing but raves about the island from fellow divers. Seven more weeks ...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyndi Brown (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 9:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm taking the advice offered here and going w/out the cover -- now another ???

I'm staying at Capt. Don's & I think transfers are included in my package (hafta double-check) -- do they have an AB carrental desk there (thought I remembered reading that somewhere but can't find anything about it on their site).

If they do, I figure it's best to use the transfers when we arrive, pick up the car the next day and turn it in there on the last full day. Does that sound reasonable to those of you in the know?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2369) on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 1:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Re car turn in for departure: it depends somewhat on your departure time but...

I like to return my vehicle on the day I fly, taking it to the airport with my baggage at the time the airline counter opens ( the early flights) or 3-4 hours early for afternoon planes. Then I can check in ahead of most people, making sure of seats, and drive back to my hotel, shower and be fresh (for me and everyone else) on the return trip. Lugging baggage from house to car and then from car to counter is a sweaty job on Bonaire even for the early AE flights.

At flight time I return the car at the airport and go to the transit lounge while many people stand in lines, waiting to check in.

(Message edited by glenr on April 9, 2006)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #571) on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 9:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We follow the same procedure Glen has outlined above for returns. We pickup the truck on arrival and drive to our accomodations. You can see AB from in front of the airport - its that close. We've found this is easier than dealing with transport from the airport upon arrival and back to the airport the next morning for pickup. I don't know about AB at CPT Dons.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By carter farrell (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Sunday, April 9, 2006 - 10:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

AB does have an office at Don's. And we have done in the past as was suggested in Cindy's mail. We have taken a Taxi from the airport to Don's. The next day we picked up our truck from AB (at Don's). You save a days rental and its less stressful than getting the car at the airport. We however, returned our car at the airport since this was less stressful than waiting for a taxi at Don's

 


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