By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16596) on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:25 pm: |
Susan Taft and I put together some information (plus a suggestion from Debbie Babcock) about the San Juan Airport, and things to do on a long layover. Please feel free to add your personal tips to what we have created!
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By David Kaye (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #102) on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:43 pm: |
Great write-up! One additional tip: On the return trip, if you need/wish a luggage cart when you collect your luggage from the carousel in SJU before going through customs, you may find that the cart-dispensing machines are broken. Look around; there may be one machine with an attendant who will make change and/or make sure the machine actually delivers a cart to you.
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By Nathalie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #132) on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:57 pm: |
Cynde and Susan, thanks for taking the time to do this.
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By Rona of Black Durgon Inn & Scuba Center (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:14 pm: |
Thanks everyone! These are such valuable tips, I am sure will be appreciated by many. Cynde, maybe you should add guidebooks along with your children's titles.
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By Meredith Lynch (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #126) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
Cyn, this is FABULOUS!!! I never dreamed it was that easy to get out of the airport....beats watching DVD's in a dark corner. Thank you so much for posting this.
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #253) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 10:57 am: |
this is great - I was planning to sift through the archives for the tips on what to do in 17 days when I'm there for 7 hours...
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16603) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
Glad you folks like it Rona, David, thanks for the luggage cart tip...forgot about that. I think we have been able to get ONE cart out of the machine (after putting in more than the appropriate number of quarters). When we hit the baggage claim area first thing we do is scout for unattended (in a corner all by itself) carts to nab! LOL!
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By Kristin Dufford (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 12:58 pm: |
Thanks Cyn-we just got back a couple of weeks ago and had a 7 hour layover. We sat in the Admirals Club, which was better than hanging out in the main terminal. We chose to do this because we thought it would be a hassle to check our carry ons. But this sounds so easy to go check out a lot of cool stuff. If faced with a long layover on our next trip we will definitely take the time to check out Isla Verde! Thanks for taking the time!
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By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1933) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 1:05 pm: |
Great list Sue and Cynde!!! Thanks for taking the time to put it together!!
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By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1146) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 1:24 pm: |
Thanks guys -- even though I've done that trip many times, it's great to have all the tips organized -- I'll be taking it with me on Sunday -- just just five more days (but, who's counting!!)
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By john busch (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
Great suggestions. You can also go to a hotel that has a casino, eat lunch, and hang at the beach all in the same layover. If you have never been to Old San Juan, it is worth the trip and easy to walk around. The El Convento is a old convent and is very neat as is the El Morro Fort. Cab rides can be very exciting from the airport to Old San Juan and back. You can also stop in Condado and cruise that area, it is between Isla Verde and Old San Juan. It is easy to make a boring lay over a fun time.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16605) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 2:13 pm: |
John, having spent 6 weeks in PR, not only are the cab rides and "experience" try driving there on a daily basis...I even have a t-shirt that "explains" the "rules of the road." I'll have to dig it up and post them...lol!
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By john busch (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
Cyn,
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #835) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:06 pm: |
Cynde and Susan,
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By Cynde (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #91) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
John... They have way too many cars and no real driving skills.
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By john busch (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
2004 in May we flew AE from SJU to Bon. There was a very bad weather system south of PR and MANY planes were late or delayed. They asked for volunteers to stay over till the next day with hotel, meals, and some cash reward. We finally boarded about an hour late, sat on the plane for 20 minutes and we were off. Once in the air we were told the flight would be around 4 hours as we would fly east and follow the windward islands in a arch. We got to bonaire and a FEW bags did not make the trip, bags off for fuel, we were told the bags would be there at 9 am the next morning. MY DIVE GEAR bag was one of the missing bags. I thought NO WAY was my bag going to be there. Guess what? IT WAS. I got back in time to do the Marine Park introduction and go diving.
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By Gail Thomas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #879) on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 7:00 pm: |
I was bumped this past July. In fact 7 of us traveling in a group of 13 were bumped due to the plane already reaching it's max weight without us. We were given food, taxi, and lodging vouchers, and each of us a $400 AA voucher for future air travel. The food vouchers really didn't cover our expenses, but that's because they put us up in the El Convento and we used their restaurants, which are pricey. While we regretted our lost day of diving, the hotel was splendidly unique, and we all decided to make the best of our situation. We enjoyed the hotel, opened our windows in the morning to the organ music from the church across the street, visited the fort, and appreciated the charm of the old San Juan streets (including the taxi ride!). It was an interesting and fun experience that I'd probably never have had, had I not been "bumped"!
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By David Kaye (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #104) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 1:02 am: |
(I've written this story before. Skip it if you've already read it.) Our AE "bump" happened Feb 4, 2003. We actually dawdled and missed the 45 min in advance checkin time shown on our boarding passes, which we never looked at. When we arrived at the gate, however, AE assumed that we were among the 13 pax they had bumped from the flight. They put us on a later flight that evening to Aruba, put us up in a good hotel downtown, gave us vouchers for food and taxi, arranged with DAE to take us to Bonaire early the next morning and gave us each $350 vouchers for future AA travel. DAE flew us from Aruba to the airspace over Bonaire, then returned to Curaçao because of some landing gear problems that couldn't be fixed on Bonaire. They then promised us space on a 1:30pm flight to Bonaire, but almost immediately thrust boarding passes into our hands and put us on a half-full plane headed for St Martin. That flight made a special stop in Bonaire, putting us on the island by 10:30am. We missed a peaceful night at Black Durgon (for which we were charged), but not too much of our vacation. Plus we had the travel vouchers.
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By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #367) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 1:19 am: |
On my last AE flight from SJU>BON the flight was supposedly full. This was 12-20. My wife and daughter were coming a few days later but tried at the last minute to get seats and there were none. Yet there were at least 6 empty seats on the plane. If this was due to weight restrictios, that would explain it. Glad I didn't end up at the end of the line!
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #837) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 7:35 am: |
Very glad to hear that AE has provided housing to some passengers. Most of my house guests and house sitters over the last three years who have tried to fly AE to Bonaire have been denied boarding on their first flight down here. (On return flights they wised up.) When they requested vouchers for hotel rooms, AE refused. Some of them argued vigorously enough that AE finally relented. I am very pleased to hear others have had better experiences.
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By Gail Thomas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #881) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 8:44 am: |
Tish, You are so right. While we stayed 24 hours in San Juan, our bags went on to enjoy their first night on Bonaire without us. (Fortunately, the folks in our group that weren't bumped took them on to the Black Durgon to await our arrival the next day.... )
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By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1150) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
I've travelled to and from BON using AA/AE five times in the last few years, without incident. Always go straight to the gate for the AE connection, listen to every announcement, ask if I don't understand completely what I'm hearing, and have always got on the plane.
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By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1151) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
forgot to add, twice some of the bags haven't arrived with me, but have arrived the following day. I stay at Bonaire Town Homes and Benny insists that he takes responsibility for getting the bags to me, so he goes to the airport, follows up, and then delivers them to our bungalow (sometimes, I know, he's had to visit the airport several times -- he's a wonderful landlord!!!)
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #256) on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 10:14 pm: |
has anyone taken the Bacardi plant tour?
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By Steve Holcomb (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
On my trip down on 2/24, I will have a 4 hour layover in San Juan (2:30 - 6:30pm). Is the 4 hours enough time to check out the beach on the other side of the treeline from the airport and still be back in time for my connecting flight? I would hate to get back too late and find that I had been bumped from the flight to Bonaire. Or would it be best to just hang out at the airport reading or watching DVD's with only 4 hours to burn?
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16648) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
Steve, you might have an hour or so in Isla Verde (the beach on the other side of the treeline). I usually head back to the airport around 3:30, and then wonder why I came back so early because it seems like that 2 1/2 hours could have been spent relaxing more in town...lol! I would want to be in the boarding area by at least 5PM.
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By Meredith Lynch (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #127) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:10 pm: |
So I guess being a platinum AA member doesn't matter when boarding in San Juan? Does anyone think that would be an advantage (no pun intended) when dealing with weight restricted aircraft?
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16665) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:29 pm: |
Meridith...nope...they call everyone at once. No preboarding for first class or AA platinum members. I have gone first class the last couple of times going to the Carib (long way from LA) and you all have to get in line
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #864) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 4:48 pm: |
Yes, but surely they would not bump somebody who paid for first class.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16670) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 7:11 pm: |
Tish, I wish. I've only gone first class twice. Last June to Tortola, and last October to Bonaire...all the rest of the trips were coach!
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #869) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 9:02 pm: |
Sounds like an addiction coming on. Better watch it.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16673) on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
Tish...LMAO...in October I upgraded using miles...I've already bought my ticket for my next trip and requested an upgrade. It sure made a difference on that LONG red eye from LAX to SJ...big seats, free wogga, good food...and then there were the burgers and massage in SJ this last time which WILL be a repeat next trip...lol! Some people at dinner the night of arrival could not believe how "refreshed" us 3 left coasters looked after our 24 hour trek...lol!
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By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2303) on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
Meredith,
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16686) on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 2:20 pm: |
Glen, you sneak! I'm trying that next time...tee hee...
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By Meredith Lynch (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #128) on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 5:39 pm: |
Glen, excellent idea! I will try this!
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By Mark E. Sargeaunt (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
I have been getting mixed information about the customs/immigration entry back into the US. I talked to a customs agent and his statement was that we will go through the customs in JFK. I talked to the AA agent and they said that we would go through customs in SJU. I'm not sure whom to believe. We do have a bit of a time crunch in JFK as we only have a 1 hour layover till the flight for Cleveland. The obvious question is where do we actually go through customs/immigration??
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1371) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
it's definitely san juan - a nice place to clear customs relatively speaking;)
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #900) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 11:23 am: |
Sounds like the customs agent you spoke to thinks Puerto Rico is outside the United States. But you will be on American soil at SJU.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16839) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 1:13 pm: |
Agree with Bob and Tish...you will go through customs in SJ...and then your baggage will go on to Cleveland (if that is your final destination).
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #265) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 2:23 pm: |
I'm flying from Curacao to Miami - do we clear customs in Curacao or Miami?
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #901) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 4:26 pm: |
Miami.
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #902) on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 4:29 pm: |
Or your baggage will go to Cleveland while you go somewhere else.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16843) on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:23 am: |
Tish, Mark wrote: We do have a bit of a time crunch in JFK as we only have a 1 hour layover till the flight for Cleveland.
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #910) on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:01 pm: |
My comment was just a joke about the likelihood of baggage going one place and passenger another.
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By Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #172) on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:12 pm: |
I work for a major US company...won't say which one.....but one day I had to get a camera repaired for someone in San Jaun and had to get a repair ticket approved...when I called the office the manager said that international fees had to be paid since San Jaun was not part of the US...I told him yes it was and then he said no .... San Jaun is like Hawaii...you need a passport to enter Hawaii and you need one for San Juan,,so it's International......I guess he was absent in school that day.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16851) on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
Sue...LMAO...I guess I better get my passport out for Hawaii in April...still LMAO...
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By Mark E. Sargeaunt (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:24 am: |
Thanks to all that responded to my question. I'll be leaving wonderful gloomy, snowy, cold Ohio on Sunday morning and heading south. I'm looking forward to some diving and relaxation. I guess I'll just have to put up with the warm, sunny climate down there for about a week. It's going to be tough but I'll deal with it.
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #267) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
I just had a co-worker tell me I should remember to bring my kids' birth certificates with me if I'm going to San Juan!!! Please...this guy has an MBA!
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16858) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
Sue, print this out and give it to your co-worker: Will this requirement apply to travel between the United States and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16860) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:22 am: |
This of course would apply if you were going from the US to Puerto Rico, and then back. If you go to PR, then to the Carib, and then back, you have to have passport to reenter the US in PR (maybe that's the operative Sue, PR is the US point of entry coming back into the states)...still chuckling a little...is this person one of those know it alls that really don't know anything?
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By Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #175) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
This person is stuck in a office I think and I think he retired - hopefully someplace in the 50 states so he does have to go any place.......when he explained about PR and Hawaii... I figured I wouldn't even talk about Guam or the Virgin Islands.
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #914) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 3:29 pm: |
Sue, bringing your kids' birth certificates actually is a good idea. What kind of i.d. do you usually use for them when you travel domestically? Do you have photo ids for them? They need something to get onto planes and to go through security check points.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16867) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
If a child is under 18 and traveling in the US (or it's territories) they do not need a photo ID. I know this, because my stepkids have been traveling for years...solo too going to see their mom since they were 6. Just 2 weekends ago, Dylon our 17 year old forgot his wallet at home. At security, they asked him if he is under 18, if so, no ID required. Of course, if you are going out of the Country, you need their ID, and a notarized letter from the "other parent" if you are divorced and taking the child out of the country...
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16868) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 3:45 pm: |
I should say out of the Country you need their passport or birth certificate, whichever applies
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #268) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 3:53 pm: |
lot's of Sue's contributing here...maybe we should be Sue 1 & Sue 2, that's how Dr Suess would probably name us
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #917) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 4:06 pm: |
There was a time when kids did need photo i.d.s, but I'm glad to hear they no longer do, Cynde. That's great!
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #270) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 5:04 pm: |
My daughter's middle school just put on Suessical two weeks ago. The quality of the production was better than many off-Broadway shows. Some people commented if this was the production on Broadway it wouldn't have closed after two nights!
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16870) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
My stepkids have never had to have an ID when flying, and they have been flying since they were 6 (13 years). It has always been from CA to AZ and back. Southwest, Northwest, AA, Delta, and America West. They have racked up some serious FF miles! LOL!
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #918) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:22 pm: |
Cynde, my children are now in their 40s. My information was a bit out of date. Sorry!
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16876) on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:49 pm: |
Tish, you can't have kids that age! ;-) And I agree, Sue...it should be "Suessical" ;-)
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #922) on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:20 am: |
If you could see my 19-year-old grandson, who looms nearly a foot over me, you'd know, Cynde. He and my other grandson both live in the UK, so I'm still begging them to come to Bonaire.
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #274) on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:12 am: |
Our school district is a hot bed of artistic & musical talent. Lauren Hill went to our high school (& still lives in town) and starred in "Sister Act" while still in school. The Columbia High School Hall of Fame includes: Andrew & Elizabeth Shue, Max Weinberg.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16884) on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 11:11 am: |
Tish, you can't get them to come visit you? TEENS! lol!
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By Tish (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #925) on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
So true!!
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By Bill T (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
I am planning our first trip to Bonaire in September. I just got notice that we will have a long (6 hr) layover in San Juan on the day we are returning. Any helpful hints in addition to the first post, on how to make the best use of that time? Thanks in advance.
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7366) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:30 pm: |
Hi Bill and welcome to Bonaire Talk.. that first post of Cynde's is about the best there is as she spent a lot of time in PR a few years ago.. When I was there for a short stay {6hours} We toured Old San Juan and just loved every aspect of it .. Cynde's suggestions are right on target.. Good luck
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By Lauren Strebel (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:21 pm: |
I was just there for a 8 hour layover on May 11th. After Bonaire, all I wanted was a nap to recoup from all the diving and relaxing! There is Best Western in the airport and for $99, they will give you a room with a comfy bed, flat panel TV, internet access, a shower and your own bathroom until 5pm. I took a long nap, a shower and rested for the remainder of my trip home to Baltimore...
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By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #173) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
Hi Lauren I am going to move this post up to the top of the boards.. it will be under the topic "Puerto Rico Layovers" thanks for posting
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