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Getting to Bonaire: Food for thought
Bonaire Talk: Getting to Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2005-06-01 to 2005-08-10: Food for thought
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josh Schrank (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 11:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You know... There is an old saying that goes, "be careful what you ask for, you may just get it." I've been thinking about the air travel to Bonaire, and after reflection, I don't think I really want it to change. I say this knowing it is a complete and total self centered statement. One of Bonaire's alluring qualities is the "natural" laid back, easy going, pace and feel to the island. It isn't contrived. It isn't something manufactured for tourists... It's just a nice, still, byway for divers and non divers to enjoy life.

One of the big reasons it has stayed that way is due to all the hoops you have to jump through to get there. If getting to Bonaire was as easy as getting to Miami, then you would see a huge increase in tourism... along with all that is wrong with tourism. Bonaire would lose it's "Bonaire feel" and end up being just another island tourist trap.

Yeah, I know that the island could always use more income, that the people who have already discovered it would like an easier/cheaper way of getting there, but do we really? Do we want all that comes with that? Personally, I say no. Let's keep Bonaire Bonairean, and let the rest of the world cater to the crowds.

Just my two cents worth.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #346) on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 12:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well said. Additionally, one of things that keeps jumping out at me on Bonaire Talk is the insinuation that Bonaire's economy is going to go into a tailspin from where it is now if there aren't direct flights from the U.S. starting yesterday. I don't buy it. My guess is true Bonaire addicts will continue to support the island regardless of some travel difficulties. Actually, it kinda gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I read people's threats to either not go to or to never return to Bonaire because it is difficult to get there. That just means the island and the reef stands a better chance of not being ruined by rampant tourism. Its all good. Have a great dive!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By stuart slavin (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 8:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nonsense. I have been going to Bonaire for the last 18 years. Now with crappy air service from the east coast I will not be going in 2006. This includes 10 people for 2 weeks so the loss on the island with people like me will be great. We already have our tix on AJ which we will have to have returned. If another reliable carrier doesn't show up the Island will suffer greatly.

Stu Slavin

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #349) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Do me a favor Stu - try and express your opinion next time without the insults. Thanks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By stuart slavin (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't know where you see an insult. You just didn't like my opinion. The island is in trouble without air service and that's a fact.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Erickson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

As a third party (this is also my first post -- I've been a lurker for quite some time and do not know either Mr Barnes or Mr Slavin),
I don't see any insult in Mr Slavin's post except "crappy air service" -- not directed at an individual but the state of air service. Maybe his "nonsense" statement is what Mr Barnes doesn't like. So he disagrees with you. Big Deal.

I've noticed this quite a bit on this board -- people have extremely thin skins.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BonaireTalk Moderator (Moderator - Post #46) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

please play nice boys!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #350) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stu: Actually, I respect your opinion. It was the word "Nonsense" to which I took offense. I'm done with this thread.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josh Schrank (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

*chuckle* Guys... come on.. It's a discussion board, not world policy. Stu disagreed with my opinion, it's perfectly fine (even if I think he's wrong ;) ). I guess my overall feeling is that there are/will be enough die hard bonaire lovers to keep the island afloat (no pun intended) without having to succumb to the hoards of tourists. I would hate to see bonaire become another St Lucia or Aruba.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (BonaireTalker - Post #83) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 1:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dear friends, important is at this time that we all should like to find a nice and easy way to get to Bonaire and back home. If all of us can work together we shall get there and keep the going and the coming in the family. This means that those who are in the family about 6,500 all together should kling together and make it work. A direct flight to Bonaire does not necessarily mean that it should be cheap. I hope this make sense.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Erickson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 1:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh, BTW, is there any consensus as to what is "currently" the least hassle way to get to Bonaire from the US? I guess based upon some of the other threads, I should wait until after July 1 to see what potential new options there may be for a fall trip to Bonaire? Is this correct?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Pflanzer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #204) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 2:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Three possible options so far: Houston to Bonaire, Fort Lauderdale to Bonaire, Newark/JFK to Atlanta to Bonaire. Last two would be charters, but there needs to be positive feedback so we can guarantee enough passengers on the charters.

Any ideas? I'm thinking a separate thread with trips per year, # of passengers, airport used.

C

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1744) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 5:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, my 2 cents is that since AJ is having problems, as all airlines do from time to time, would be hope that another airline will come to Bonaire for the time being till AJ gets back on its feet again. I loved AJ when it was running great and all. There will be some people who won't bother to come as it will be too much of a hassle even if they love Bonaire depending on their geographic location as I have spoken to lots of people who love to come to Bonaire and now won't as they can't get an airline or a price that they can afford to do so, it's always been a hassle to get to Bonaire, but without AJ, it is now impossible for some people who love Bonaire. It is just a shame. We will see what pans out in the near future, I am glad that AA is adding more days to Bonaire for now as this is my only option out of Phila. I for one, do not have the time to charter a flight as I make numberous trips a year and some are spur of the moment. Debbie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Geoffrey (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #158) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 6:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josh, I agree with you completely, could not have said it better. That's not gonna stop me from trying though.

Nothing kills the environment like people. That's the paradox of "eco tourisim".

I'd like to see an environmentally motivated suckification lottery. When the underlying infrastructure has been deemed too functional, a special lottery for non residents sets a tourist aside for suckification. Their trip is then arbitrarily canceled or re-routed to lasvegas. Suckification is also applied to on island services.

For example, all or almost all rental car agents are given a special public holiday and everyone else in the region is invited to bonaire from time to time. The suckification program would, in the interest of coral protection, especially target dive equipment in air travel, for rerouting to the sub saharan african interior where it can do no harm.

A new law requires that cameras must be transported in luggage that is designed to look like the ball in a new soccer like game to be widely promoted throughout the carribean with limitless free beer.

Finally, all persons who do not laugh on route will be targeted for suckification automatically on their next trip. This will continue until they "Get it".

I sometimes think that random suckification may already be in effect and nobody has told us.

Oh Darn, now I've gone and wrecked the entire carribean by revealing the secret plan!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #832) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 7:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andy....I hear your siren calling

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #145) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 8:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hmmmm...after looking at some of your profiles, I don't see anyone from as far away as I come to Bon...from Los Angeles. I always tell my west coast friends that you really have to want to go to Bonaire because it 'aint easy to get there! It usually takes me a day and a half because of all the layovers. This is all on AA...only flew AJ once and I didn't like them at all. But I have a choice to go anywhere I want in the world, but I keep thinking..where am I going to stay for 3 wks that has prices like this and the friendliest people in the world?? This time I have an 8 hour layover in San Juan! Yikes! But I'm hoping to go into town to sightsee a bit..anyone have suggestions? I might start another thread for that one.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1745) on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 8:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Mercy,

There is a thread in the archives titled What to do in PR for five hr. layover? I copied it and is already in my carry-on for our trip in August to our home on Bonaire. I have always flown AJ, and now have to do the AA thing and yes, it is a big layover there. Oh well, check the archives for that thread. I will post the site that is on the bottom of the paper I have copied, but not sure if it will work, here goes: http://bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/29/225330.html?1116328112 Seems a bit long but it was just this past May when it was on BT. Good luck.
I will miss getting to Bonaire in early afternoon and leaving Bon late afternoon. That was the best. Now, late evening arrival and early departure! :-( Mercy, for people on the west coast, it has always been very long to get to Bonaire, but here on the east coast it hasn't till now. I admit, I was spoiled with AJ's flight schedules. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2083) on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 8:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mercy,

Have you looked in to the coming Continental flights from Houston? Sounds as though they should shorten the trip from out west.

 


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