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Getting around Bonaire: Any recent car problems?
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2002-09-11 to 2004-06-30: Any recent car problems?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris keen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Has anyone had any recent problems with vandalism or theft regarding rental cars? Is it better to leave all the windows down or lock the car up when out at the dive sites? Thanks for all you help! 17 DAYS AND COUNTING...WE CAN HARDLY WAIT TO RETURN TO BONAIRE!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #321) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 6:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris,

We never lock the truck/van per instructions received from rental people over the years. Use the club typically provided to lock steering wheel. Windows are left down.

7 trips, never a problem (knock on wood).

Have a great time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10094) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 7:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, Tom's right...leave the windows down, car unlocked and NOTHING of value in the car. If you're going to be bummed that it was taken, then don't take it...leave it at the hotel. I take a cheap pair of flip flops, sunglasses and shorts...if they're gone, so be it...someone will have a really ugly outfit if they want it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #323) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 7:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Shorts you said, not the thong, right Cynde?! Please tell us you do not leave the famous thong in the car:-{o}

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10096) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 7:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom, NEVER! You think I would part with my purple thong?

Airfare to Bonaire: $972.00
Hotel on Bonaire: $150.00 a night
Air fills on Bonaire: $119.00 unlimited for a week
Seeing Kelly swimming down Small Wall reef in a purple thong: PRICELESS

(Or at least that's what that guy that followed us must have thought!)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4404) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 7:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

P LOL

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10099) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 7:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freddie, I thought I destroyed that picture...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fiona Rattray (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #225) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 11:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freddie, ROTFLMAO, now where's the slice of Velveeta for Joe B's ray profile pic?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe brannan (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #173) on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 11:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am sooooo afraid......cheese thongs can be but a little behind (that would be classified under purposeful freudian)

6 DAYS

el queso

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #326) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 5:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh Freddie, That one is a hoot!!! Hippie Chick in a thong - who would have ever thought?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #229) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 8:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Back to the thread....

My ABCar Rental truck battery died !!!! A couple of local folks pushed me till it started and although they had no replacement vehicles on hand, their garage had a new battery and I was back diving in 1/2 an hour...

Oh, if you wanna have some fun, when you see folks getting suited up, park on the shoulder of the road and stare at them until they are in the water... then bet on the number of time they pop back to the surface before finally starting their dive.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris keen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 10:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the info. I have some grubby shorts (or what's left of them)that I won't wear in my own backyard that I'll take (my husband would PAY someone to steal them!!!)
What do you do about towels to dry off with??? Do you just "drip dry"?
We also bring a good cooler with us (NOT the styrofoam type) and fill it with ice & water or soft drinks. We are both snorkelers & seem to get enough salt water in our mouths, that we like to have some water after our snorkel. My husband could probably get some fairly heavy-duty chain & several padlocks to secure the cooler & chain it to the van..then it would take bolt cutters to steal it. What are your thoughts on this issue?
Thanks again for your advice!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #230) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 10:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris,

Take old towels...never lost a towel.

Did lose a cooler (to other divers) a couple years ago. What we do now is to buy soda (pop) in the 2 liter bottle, then fill with water and freeze. By the time your swim is over the water is ready for drinking AND if you carry a bottle with just tap water, leave on top of your car and you will have a warm, fresh water rinse when you come out of the water.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1259) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 11:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We usually lock up our spare tire with a piece of chain from Kooeymans and a Sesamee type combination lock we bring with us. Our shoes are very beat up cheap island sandals, mine are held together with duct tape.
We also like to have some peppermints or riccola in the car to clear regulator mouth out. And Sultana cookies for the after dive snack.
CK is dead on with the soda bottles, nothing like a warm rinse after your dive, and I never leave a soda bottle on top of the truck, unlike the sun shower.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10102) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 3:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

C.K. thank you for setting us straight and getting back on topic:-) Chris, leave the good cooler at the hotel if you don't want it taken:-(

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #231) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 7:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, No charge... :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10119) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 7:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

;-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #330) on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 7:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb, Thanks for the reminder of the chain for the emergency tire.

CK, great idea for the inexpensive solar shower.


 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (BonaireTalker - Post #80) on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 2:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

we leave two 2 liter bottles on the dashboard (park the truck so you'll get sun in the front windshield). that way each of us has a nice, very warm, fresh water rinse after the dive. we also use the recommended frozen water bottles for drinking after the dive. our only concern is my wife's glasses. she can't see anything without them and we do worry about them getting taken. unlike a t-shirt or shorts, they would't do anyone else any good but i guess someone might still take them for the hell of it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DIVER DEBBI (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #346) on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 7:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

have gotten to the point where I take my perscription glasses in a hard sided case attached to my BC pocket " down under " with me..last year they were taken and I was very upset, but have a feeling they thought the soft sided case was a cell phone and they threw them away halfway between Ole Blue and Karpata..lucky to find them along side of the road...too bad they liked my Tevas..the salt water dos'nt seem to bother the glasses and I am happy to have them and not worry..gave up the cooler and solar shower and opt also for the soda bottle routine..nothing in bags..they grab the whole bag

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (BonaireTalker - Post #82) on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 5:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

oh yeah...another hint. don't put all your stuff in one bag. if they're gonna take stuff, make them work for it. we keep all our stuff separate in the car so they have to root around and collect stuff if they want it. knock on wood, we havent had any problems since we've been going to bonaire. i like the idea of the hard case for glasses tho.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris keen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We do want to chain & padlock the spare tire. Does anyone have any suggestions on what length of chain/cable we should bring or should we just wait to buy it when we get there?
Thanks for all your advice!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Stine (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Chris, we've been to Bonaire many times and never had any problems. Be alert to your surroundings...a pile of broken window glass at a parking lot is a clue that break ins are happening at that site. You may want to re think diving there.

As to the chain length...last summer I brought one along that was about 18 inches long. If I had a do-over I would make it two feet long. I really had to get creative to get my chain to reach.

If you want to buy it on the island, try Kooeyman's.

Jeff

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Carter (BonaireTalker - Post #27) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 11:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seems like a good way for the rental agencies to discourage spare tire theft would be to use white tire paint on the spare tire and paint their agency name on the tire, both sides. The paint would be permanent and since it is a spare no one typically would care what it looks like. Then if some one stole it they would have a little advertising problem if they used it for anything but a rope swing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #422) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 1:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

John

that is a great idea.... I doubt if any of the rental agencies will do it.

Marc, How about AB

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3058) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 2:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I like the ID suggestion, too! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #424) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 4:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't think the rental companies would implement John's suggestion because they have no incentive to do anything. If a theft occurs, it doesn't cost the rental company any $$$. They bill the theft directly to the customer. I assume the customer pays for a "new" tire/wheel regardless of the condition of the one stolen.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1641) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The car rental company would have to paint all the tires not just the spares, otherwise I could see the regular tires getting stolen instead.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris keen (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 6:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Instead of painting tires, why don't the rental agencies chain/padlock the spare tires and give the customer the padlock key when they rent the car?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #238) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 6:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gee, I wonder who is going to pay for the chains and locks and keys and anybody want to bet as to the number of bolt cutters currently on Bonaire ???

Personally I like the full coverage insurance offered by ABCarrental... okay so maybe it costs a little more and it won't get me back from Nukove if I blow a tire and somebody has "borrowed" the spare, but peace of mind at 130 ft is a wonderful thing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1627) on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 1:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Maybe each rental company could paint their tire sidewalls a different color. Add some color to Bonaire tourism!!! :–)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Kritagent (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #239) on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 1:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OR....they rent cars without windows, spare tires, batteries or seats and glove boxes to store things under... Hmmm, kinda sounds like a bike don't it !!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1236) on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 6:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Linda is right, it would be too much work... not weighing up against the cost of a new tire (think of the man hours it would take).

Chris, the one big argument against locks on the spares is rust. Suppose the spare of your car hasn't been used in months and just when you need it, it turns out you can't get it off?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1284) on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 7:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We use a nice brass combination lock, and then we wrap it in a plastic bag and twist tie it closed,about a link away from the locks shackle. It stays nice and clean this way and can be removed with no problem.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Bean (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 6:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've got a bicycle combination lock on a nice long cable. Do ya'll think that would work as good as a padlock/chain combo?

Ken

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1291) on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 7:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If it is a stout cable, yes, I would wrap the lock part up in saran wrap and twist ties though. Salt air and dust are pretty invasive.

BTW, it's really nice to have a cheap tatami mat in your vehicle in case you end up changing a tire in raggedy shorts, it's much nicer to lay on than the ground if your spare is underneath the truck.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #428) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 9:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

don't forget, for $10 you can buy the attachment that fits your inflator hose that will inflate a tire...unless you have a complete blow out, this will get you back to the resort or tire repair facility...Caribe Inn (Bruce Bowker) has them on the island; most mail order discount places have them also

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darian Paganelli (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 2:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you want avoid damage to your rental car, find the big Pink Dive Bus (no kidding)from Photo Tours Dive shop at one of its regularly scheduled dive spot locations along the south coast and park next to it. They will watch your car for you for free. They also have refreshments at a reasonable price and chairs and an awning to shade them. If your car is parked near their bus, no one will damage it. Too bad this has to happen. Just one of the small things you have to put up with in paradise.

Regards, D. Paganelli

 


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