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Getting to Bonaire: NEWARK TO BONAIRE......................
Bonaire Talk: Getting to Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2007-01-01 to 2007-09-30: NEWARK TO BONAIRE......................
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 3:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Has anyone tried the Bonaire Newark round trip on Continental and what do you do on a 9 hour layover in Newark??
Have never been there.
Henk.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1524) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 3:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Henk,

I wouldn't visit Newark. I'd get a day pass to the lounge or something along those lines...or consider going into NYC.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2361) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 4:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The first flight leaves this saturday and arrives Sun am at 6 am...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patrick T. aka Guido (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1514) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 4:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Henk,

I don't believe Continental has started flying that route yet. It's due to start on Saturday I think.

Mara why would you say something like that, Newark is not a bad town. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 5:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks All,
I'll be making the trip May/June 07; perhaps by then the seasoned pros will know where to hang out in Newark.
Saw the airport once from the middle lane of the Jersey turnpike; didn't look all that bad at 60 mph in the dark.
I hear they feed you on the inbound leg; daytime.
One gets tired of crackers on AA; feel like a parrot.
Slaint!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1527) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 5:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Henk,

I might could arrange a chemical plant tour for you - oh wait, nope, I can't do that...it's a bad target anymore. Hmmm - let's see - Newark, NJ - hot spots. Sorry - none come to mind. I'm still going with a trip into the city.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marilyn Mc Clain Friedrich (BonaireTalker - Post #80) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 6:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, he could always tour the scenic and perfumed air of nearby Secaucus!! Henk, I lived in the Tri-State area for many, many years, and usually flew out of Newark, whenever possible. It's really not all that safe to even go exploring in that area. Depending on how much time you have, a trip into NYC would be preferable! I agree with Mara.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5784) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 6:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Henk....9 hours in Newark? Wow....now that's a challenge!

We will be on their flight in May/June 2007, too. Can't wait to catch that non-stop into Bonaire....I really hope this route works out well for Continental so we can be assured of an "easy" ride to Bonaire in the future.

I don't know if EWR still has a first class lounge or not anymore...you might want to check with CON or EWR to determine if there is and if so, how you can access same.

Or, the quick trip over to Manhattan could be fun....you'll have to be careful on your timeframe, tho, depending on the hour...believe it or not the river crossings sometimes have delays in the late nite hours, too....just depends on time, season, weather, etc.

What dates are you traveling Henk? cb

PS Hi, Michael, you sweetheart!! We will see you again in May 2007~ Can't wait for a nice hug. cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 7:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks once again to All,

Chemical plant????Mara; I used to live within smelling distance of Monsanto.......nuff said.

Marilyn, I think we'll skip the big apple and amuse ourselves in the terminal.

Carole, we are trying for BON-EWR May 20 and EWR-BON June 2. As to first class lounge... 'fraid we are down in steerage counting rivets.

Slaint!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #606) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 7:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry Henk, but there are no easy solutions to your dilemma. My suggestion would be to contact Continental & try to get into one of their private lounges. Bring a good book or your IPOD loaded with your favorite tunes.
PS Stay away from Secaucus where they used to slaughter the pigs. Only kidding..They do in fact have some nice shopping outlets there if you are so inclined!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 8:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

9 hours.
Take the train from the airport to the Path station in Hoboken or Jersey City. Go into the Big Apple check out the World Trade Center Site "Last stop on the "E" line subway". Grab a quick lunch or meal and head back. Plenty of time to do this. Research the train and path systems on line.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3012) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 8:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Henk, you can sometimes buy into the first class lounges, which may or may not be worthwhile, depending on the lounge itself, regardless of the class you are traveling. For instance, $75 US gets you and a guest into the American Airlines lounge for the day.

Would you be better taking a shuttle from Boston to LGA or JFK, and then traipsing over to Newark?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2547) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

rent a room at one of the airport hotels...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace donaldson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 10:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lots of great suggestions guys; many thanks.

I never mentioned that the Ladywife will be along and although she can walk we usually request a wheelchair for her as she cant stay on her feet for too long; I push and she gives signals; well, waves her arms around.

Vince and Seb, I will take your advice and look into admission to the lounges.

Bill, the subway ride to WTC is tempting but I think we are grounded.

Michael and Guido, I thought Newark was already up and running; thanks for the info.

Our final destination is BDL, Bradley in CT about halfway between Springfield MA and Hartford CT.

Is there a hotel on site at EWR without leaving the secure area; kinda like the Best Western?? at SJU??

Last name somehow got lost in previews; sorry.

Slaint!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1244) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 9:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

CO Presidents Club lounge sounds like your best option, Henk. Nice place to kill a layover. No hotel on the secured side, in fact you need to take a shuttle to any hotel in the area.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1245) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 9:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Henk, got this from the Continental site. Day pass is $45(per person?, dunno)

"To purchase Presidents Club Day Passes contact the Presidents Club Service Center or visit a Presidents Club location. To purchase a Presidents Club Passbook, contact the Presidents Club Service Center."

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #255) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 9:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with the President's Club if you have to do this, because after 7 years of seeing Newark airport 5 or 6 times a month, I never found anything pleasant to do there.

I am confused, though .. I see 12 non-stops a day between Boston and Newark during May. Why on earth do you have a 9 hour layover?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Judy Workman (BonaireTalker - Post #41) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 10:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We're flying the Newark Continental route in May and booked our flight early in the day so we can go to Ellis Island! There's a ferry from the area that shouldn't take very long to cross. We've also booked a hotel in the airport area to dump our luggage. We'll be able to stretch out before the coach-cramped seating overnight, maybe even a nap!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2552) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 11:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The last CO shuttle from BOS to EWR is at 5:30 PM so there would be a 5 hour layover at the most unless the 5:30 shuttle is sold out.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1533) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 11:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I believe that Henk is coming from Bradley Airport in CT instead of from Boston.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue from NJ (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #463) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 1:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

as much as I hate to admit it, my town borders Newark, so here are a few suggestions on a long Newark layover:

- if you want to go into NYC for the day, take the AirTrain into NYC Penn Station. If you use NJ Transit it's $14/pp each way (yes, it's pricey, but $10 of that helps pay for the AirTrain; even with my monthly train ticket, I have to pay the extra $10 if I go there directly from NYC); Amtrak is $26/pp. You catch the monorail in the airport & it takes you to the train station. (this is probably a better bet than the bus, which can get caught in traffic). There is no discout round-trip rate. Look at www.njtransit.com for schedules & more details.

- take free shuttle to the Jersey Gardens outlet mall. It's a great outlet mall with a variety of stores from Saks Off 5th & Neiman Marcus Last Call to Gap & Ann Taylor to some really low end stuff. Very eclectic customer mix too. Decent food court & sitdown Johnny Rockets & Chili's. There's also a very nice Loews 20 screen theater with stadium seating. Per the JG website:
* Shuttle from Newark International Airport AirTrain Station P4
* Leaves AirTrain station every 30 minutes from 10 am to 8pm (Sunday from 11 am – 6pm)
* Returns from Jersey Gardens every 30 minutes from 10:15am to 8:45 pm (Sunday from 11:15 am – 6:45 pm)
* Average trip time is 10 minutes
* Effective January 3, 2006, there will be a $2 fee per passenger for trips back to the airport.
Also found this on JD website: Are you visiting New Jersey from another country or outside the New York metro area? Visitors from more than 40 miles away just need to show identification in the form of a driver’s license or passport to the Concierge Desk and to receive our Little Book of Savings booklet, which offers hundreds of dollars in savings at stores at Jersey Gardens.)

- if you want to see upscale shopping, take a cab to the Mall at Short Hills. Anchor stores: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms & Macys, plus every luxury brand you can imagine. 25 minute trip; costs: about $45, including tip.

- there is great Spanish & Brazilian (rodizio)food in downtown Newark. You would need to take a cab or could use the NJ Transit connection.


There's not much around Newark Airport - it's in a very industrial area and you can't walk to anything. (not that you would want to walk many places in Newark). I don't know if there is a place to day check your luggage like there is in SanJuan.

I just returned from Europe yesterday on Continental and found the customs/immigration hall in their Terminal C very easy to deal with compared to JFK. I was in a cab on the way home less than 15 minutes getting off the plane (no checked luggage, though). I'm looking forward to using it in the spring, even though we are ticketed info Curacao.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace donaldson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 5:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you all for the great suggestions.

BDL in CT is our departure point and we leave at 1:20p and arrive in EWR at 2:26P then we have 9 hours 'til EWR-BON redeye. I made the reservations last night; $800 RT/pax

Dont know why it takes a jet one hour plus to go 150 miles; about the time you climb out of BDL you are on final for EWR.

Anyway, the ladywife and I are both retirees and shopping sidetrips are usually limited to Salvation Army/Goodwill.

We'll probably have bag lunches with us and will check out the CO clubs.

Slaint!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5785) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 9:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, again, Henk! My hubby and I just might see you on the same flights! Can't wait to be back on Bonaire. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5786) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 9:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Henk, be certain you mean the 5-19-06 flight...it leaves at 11:55 p.m....five minutes before the date rolls over to May 20.

Have a cousin who used to work at the airport at Bradley...burn out after working the NYC flights in the sixties, etc.

See you later! cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace donaldson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 10:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole,

We are going the other direction.

Already on Bonaire.

Might see you getting off before we board for the return leg on the 20th.

Save us some crackers.

Slaint!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace donaldson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 10:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

"Smack",

Thanks for the info on the Presidents Club; will check it out.

Slaint!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By beckybarb (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11388) on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 12:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I tried to use the Presidents club in Houston...the information I was given was that I would need to join for several hundred dollars a year. I didn't specifically ask about a day pass and probably should have looked into it earlier. I was also told that even though the chairs are comfortable, no napping was allowed..LOL can you see yourself falling asleep after a long day and awaiting a night flight and then being awoken by an attendant with a wagging finger?
At any rate, the whole Continental experience was a marked improvement over the AA to Dallas to San Juan to Bon I've had to do from N. Cal in the past. Houston has a great little food court and shopping area.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5788) on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 2:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does anyone know if Continental has lounge facilities for first class travelers?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5789) on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 2:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oops....at Newark Liberty International Airport is what I forgot to specify! Sorry bout that. cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3018) on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 10:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

They appear to have three of their own and two affiliates, Carole; from their website:

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Presidents Club
Terminal A2, near Continental gates
Monday to Friday 5:00 a.m. - 8:45 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Phone: (973) 681-3115
Conference rooms: Seats 4
Holiday hours Thursday, November 23: 5:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Guests Allowed: Yes


Presidents Club
C1 Concourse, across from gate 74
Daily 5:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Phone: (973) 681-0015
Conference rooms: 1 Large - Seats 10; 2 Small - Seats 4
Holiday hours Thursday, November 23 5:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Guests Allowed: Yes


Presidents Club
C-3 Club. In the Airside corridor (in the Terminal Building itself) located between concourses C-2 and C-3. The closest gates are gate 102 in the C-2 concourse and Gate 120 in the C-3 concourse.
Daily 5:00 a.m. - 11:15 p.m.
Phone: (973) 681-3710
Conference rooms: 2 Large - Seats 10; 2 Small - Seats 4
2 shower rooms
Holiday hours Thursday, November 23: 5:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Guests Allowed: Yes


Delta Crown Room
Terminal B between the Main and Satellite Bldgs
Guests Allowed: Yes


Northwest WorldClubs Lounge
Terminal B, Concourse B1
Phone: (973) 961-4627
Guests Allowed: Yes

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5791) on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 5:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks a million, Seb....have to see if any changes will be made for the late flight out of EWR, but I doubt it. Looks like the President's Club C-3 might be the only one open late as of now. Have to figure out if it will be near the gate of departure for the Bonaire flight, too.

Thanks, again, for the info....I will call the numbers you have so kindly listed!

Hope all is well on your side of the river during the holiday gridlock season! Have a Merry. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2562) on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 8:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The new flight arrived around 5:30 and left at 7:10 AM.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5795) on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 4:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks, Ann...was that "on time" due to Bonaire time being one hour ahead of ours on the Eastern Seaboard in the US? (Newark Liberty Airport time?). Our tickets state departure at 6:00 a.m. from Bonaire with arrival time in Bonaire at 4:40 a.m....time change??

If it just left "late" maybe it was because of the ceremonies??

Thanks! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2563) on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 4:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Carole,

My neighbor corrected me, she was home by 5:30 so it must have gotten in much earlier..I could have sworn my clock said 5:30...it's hard as I live right at the airport so hear KLM and all the jets coming to and fro.

With that early arrival everyone really needs to pre book the previous night to be able to enter their room so early. Unless some smart restauranteer opens at 5 AM on Sat. and Sun. for breakfast.

:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5797) on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 5:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks, Ann...great idea for place to open up early on the weekends for chow...maybe someone will see the possibilities once they see how many folks do get off these flights...

We arranged for the room for Saturday arrival/Saturday night stay and added an extra night at the end of the trip, too, so we can relax in our own room for the early a.m. flight back to Newark EWR. Our place is Sat to Sat so the first night was not really an issue, but a Saturday check out would have been a problem...this way we have a room for the last Saturday nite to relax, etc. Can't wait to be back!

See you in front of Michael's place in a few months, Annie! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By henk wallace donaldson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 11:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK,
Did anyone survive the inaugural flight EWR-BON and live (like) to tell about it.
Henk.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Reza Gorji (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Monday, January 1, 2007 - 8:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi:


I am taking this flight in early feb.
I have a 8 hour layover and am traveling with wife and 3 year old.

I got a room at the marriott which is right at the airport. Yes it adds to the cost of the travel but then if one wants to save alot of money, they should stay at home.

Alternatives are few getting to Bonaire. AA service to Bonaire is poor. Of the 6 times I've gone there, only once did my luggage arrive on time. So I think we should be happy that continental has started this service. I do not like the travel hours for the flight but there is logic to the flight time from Continental's point of view.

 


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