Community Forum

April in Aruba · 03-07-2010, 12:36 PM

Someone please enlighten me as to the attraction regarding Bully as opposed to the hundreds of other friendly, hard working, taxi drivers in Aruba?

It never fails to amaze me when someone has something, everyone else has to have the same thing. Is Bully, cheaper..more dependable..prompt? My interest is getting from the airport to the Hotel. Everyone I have come in contact with in Aruba in previous visits have been both courteous and friendly..so again..What makes Bullys service stand out from all the rest?

Just Curious

*Arubalisa* · 03-07-2010, 12:48 PM

Why & How We Originally Came to Use Bully for transportation

"September 2006
The Aruban Taxi Driver
We were in Aruba for 8 nights in September. This was our 15th trip, but the first time for our daughter who we adopted in 2005. We really wanted this trip to be special! Prior to our trip, someone from one of the Aruba forums introduced us to a local taxi driver named Bully.

For some reason our luggage was delayed getting off the plane and most other passengers from our flight were already long gone. We waited so long for our luggage that a flight from Venezuela came into the carousel next to ours, unloaded all of it's luggage and all of the passengers were gone and out by the time we received our suitcases!

Dh, dd and I walked out of the door past Aruban Customs and we knew Bully was a "keeper" when he greeted us with our name on a sign. We were absolutely stunned that he had waited for us. Probably an extra 40 minutes.

Bully is a credit to Aruban taxi drivers. We used him throughout our trip. He uses a mini-van which was great for all of our luggage. Pleasant and knowledgeable about the island, there were no lectures on politics- local or international (sore point with dh- he does not want to hear it- he is on vacation)- and he was always on time, usually early. There were two nights when we were finished eating dinner and it was getting late. If he had begun driving early in the morning. One night he sent his uncle to pick us up in his taxi and another night his cousin picked us up in his. No problems whatsoever!

As a matter of fact another little funny story was that we "thought" we had seen "all" of Aruba. Well when we were there in September there was some road construction going on between Palm Beach and Oranjestad. When Bully picked us up at the hotel to take us to the airport at the end of our trip, in order to get around the congestion, he took a detour through the center of the island. We had a mini tour of a whole big section of the island which we had never seen before!

We liked him so much we have already contacted him for 3 separate pickups for our family members arriving at the airport in Oranjestad from different parts of the US in December and again for departure in January.

Just wait until he encounters my two nieces and nephew in December! They travel with everything, BUT the kitchen sink. There is no better feeling in the world than having a friendly familiar, smiling face waiting to greet you at the airport at your home away from home."

How we found out that Bully was truly so special and came to appreciate him all the more so.

"June 2008
We usually use the same taxi driver, Bully, throughout our entire trip.

During our stay in Aruba he was off island on vacation with his family. He is honest, dependable and knowledgeable about the island. We have been using him for over two years now.

This trip without Bully, our experiences with the 8 random taxi drivers we used, were, with the exception of 2 drivers, disgraceful to the Aruban people and very disheartening for us. In every instance but two, the drivers tried to overcharge us. With no increase in fares since 2002, paying a 12% tax and not being able to pass it on, and the high price of gas, we were faced with a large percentage of drivers with the attitude "let's screw the tourists". Not to say that there are not other honest taxi drivers, but we met 6 out of 8 who were NOT.

Loving Aruba and her people as much as we do, we were very saddened by their behavior to say the least. Having traveled to Aruba before, at least we know some of their unjustified, in my opinion, reasoning in this situation. I cannot imagine a first time visitor to the island who knows what the fares are "supposed" to be, being charged whatever fare the driver makes up. The Aruban government sets the taxi fares; they need to give these drivers a raise. Hopefully the raise in fares will once again make the drivers honest. Again, to their credit, we did have two very nice and honest drivers, one a woman on Father's Day night and another nice gentleman the night we went to the Promenade.

Our worst "taxi" incident came outside the Holiday Inn returning back to the Tamarijn from Palm Beach following our day aboard the Jolly Pirates. We walked outside of the lobby at the Holiday Inn and there were 4 taxi drivers seated on benches hanging out. Since our friends were with us we were 7 people total and needed 2 taxis anyway, so this was perfect. Dh asked them what the fare was to the Tamarijn and they eyed up one another and one of the drivers said "$10". Knowing what we were up against, before we even left the Tamarijn in the morning, dh confirmed with our favorite concierge Iris that the fair should be $8.

Dh politely but forcefully asked to see their fare sheet where it showed the fare was $10. Well don't you know all of a sudden they acted like they could even barely understand English. Dh did not back down and again asked to see it in writing. Finally one of the drivers got up and went to his taxi to get the fare sheet. He came back with it, but then walked away from us to be by himself to eye up the chart. He then came over to us saying indeed it was $10, still not showing us the chart. Dh told all 4 drivers point blank that we would pay the $10, since obviously we had no choice, but we were also going to take the taxi's numbers and report the drivers to the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Well gosh, don't you know, all of a sudden the taxi driver who had the sheet in his hand, stumbles over to me and points to Oranjestad ($10). Yeah, right, we told them all right from the start that we were all going to the Tamarijn!

They do not even come close to sounding alike and I have only been to Oranjestad twice in the past 5 years. SO, clarifying that we were going to the Tamarijn, I showed the driver it was $8. Normally we would have paid him the $8 for the fare and a $2 tip for a total of $10 anyway. Needless to say, we did not tip him and he only got his $8 so he lost out for his foolish behavior. Our friends also did not tip their driver and would have under better circumstances.

Our final taxi ride of our Aruba vacation began with Bully picking us up to take us to the Tamarijn at 12:15 p.m. He had returned home to the island the day before and called us first thing that morning to confirm our pick up."

Probably more than you wanted to hear, but each one of us here who have come to know Bully as a friend each have their own individual stories of a kind, caring and gentleman who goes out of his way for all of his passengers.

Btw, all taxi fares on the island are regulated by the government. Bully thus is no cheaper, but like I said above, he is dependable, knowledgable and courteous.

*Arubalisa* · 03-07-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by April in Aruba

Btw, all taxi fares on the island are regulated by the government. Bully thus is no cheaper, but like I said above, he is dependable, knowledgeable and courteous.

So..He's one of a kind. The rest of the taxi drivers in Aruba are rude, discourteous and try to rip you off?

Good to know..I never had a problem. Always got to where I wanted to go, nobody tried to rip me off and they were always on time

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

...8 random taxi drivers we used, were, with the exception of 2 drivers, disgraceful to the Aruban people and very disheartening for us. In every instance but two, the drivers tried to overcharge us.

I am not saying ALL "are rude, discourteous and try to rip you off". What I am saying is that we have noticed a distinct change.

We have been traveling to Aruba since 1995, sometimes twice a year. It was just uncanny that in 2008 all of a sudden the driver's attitudes were so arrogant that they would charge whatever they wished.

My mother had a problem with a driver at the cruise terminal in 2006. My Mom had already gotten into the taxi before asking the fare to Palm Beach. When the driver told her and my Mom said, "no thanks", knowing it was too high, my Mom got out of the taxi. The driver was let's just say, rude

and leave it at that.

My mother only knew to ask the fare because I had told her, and told her how much to expect. We should have seen all of this coming.

If it were just one or two incidents, I could just shrug it off. It is really just more convenient for us to use someone who we are certain will not overcharge us. It is a mere bonus that he is kind.

I fully understand that there are nice taxi drivers on the island besides just Bully. We have a member here on the forum Cerry, who gets rave reviews as well.

Sure they don't get paid extra to be nice, but over the years we had plenty of drivers who when you tried to strike up some "friendly conversation" just ignored you or gave one word answers. If they don't want to go out of their that is fine, but I would rather give my business to some who at least appreciates the tourists rather than takes advantage because we are "only" tourists. My mother's experience being the perfect example. Tourists after all "a dime a dozen".

cindyo · 03-07-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by April in Aruba

Someone please enlighten me as to the attraction regarding Bully as opposed to the hundreds of other friendly, hard working, taxi drivers in Aruba?

.What makes Bullys service stand out from all the rest?

Just Curious

Dear April....
Let me count the ways...
We have known Bully for 2 years, we have traveled to aruba for 14 years( 15 trips) so we have a lot to compare him to...
1. He greets us at the airport with a hug
2. He has welcomed us into his life
3. He makes us his priority when we are with him
4. He is a happy,pleasant, warm man whom we are honored to know...
5. He is dependable
How many cabs have we been in...probably 100's...
Enuf said. Try him...you might like him :>)))))))
Hugs to Bully !

April in Aruba · 03-07-2010, 02:16 PM

I'm bringing my lovely wife of 31 years to Aruba in April...I don't need a HUG from Bully

rob o · 03-07-2010, 02:29 PM

If you don't care to use Bully, don't. No need to be disparaging.

Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum newbie. I would offer a hug but I guess you don't want one.

PS -

sunworshipperII · 03-07-2010, 02:59 PM

I don't think anyone is saying the other taxi drivers are rude..(well not all of them but I have had a few) but I have used a lot of taxi drivers in aruba you try to strike up a conversation with most and they are busy chatting on their cell phones blah blah blah...really not too interested in me...Well I took the advise of people on this forum..... Rob O, andrea, lisa and others to give bully a call, for this last trip. He is a sweet man who waits for you out front of the airport with your name on a sign (talk about feeling important) gee maybe your wife would like that, nice touch to start a vacation..He actually chats with you on your ride if you want conversation and is always on time and pleasant.....has a nice big van and sometimes has his adorable son with him....I would use bully again to and from airport..

hockeymom · 03-07-2010, 03:45 PM

I can't understand why you even started this thread. Like Rob O said, if you don't want to use Bully - don't and move on. Let the ones that want to use Bully and comment on his service have him. I booked him for my trip next week and am looking forward to meeting him. I've had one good, one not so good, cab driver in Aruba. Last year I had to go to the hospital and got a wonderful cab driver upon leaving the hospital that took me to the other side of the island to the drug store, waited while I got my prescription and took me back to my hotel. The other one was ok, but like others said not into conversation. From what I understand from this board, Bully loves his homeland and is happy to fill you in on the Aruba you don't see or hear about in the travel brochures. Like I said, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but feel like I already know him from this board.

Sorry, got carried away - but again, if you don't want to use him don't...leave him to us that do...and lighten up!!

03-07-2010, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
April in Aruba Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 10	Bully..One of 90,000 friends I haven't met yet Someone please enlighten me as to the attraction regarding Bully as opposed to the hundreds of other friendly, hard working, taxi drivers in Aruba? It never fails to amaze me when someone has something, everyone else has to have the same thing. Is Bully, cheaper..more dependable..prompt? My interest is getting from the airport to the Hotel. Everyone I have come in contact with in Aruba in previous visits have been both courteous and friendly..so again..What makes Bullys service stand out from all the rest? Just Curious Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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03-07-2010, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	Why & How We Originally Came to Use Bully for transportation "September 2006 The Aruban Taxi Driver We were in Aruba for 8 nights in September. This was our 15th trip, but the first time for our daughter who we adopted in 2005. We really wanted this trip to be special! Prior to our trip, someone from one of the Aruba forums introduced us to a local taxi driver named Bully. For some reason our luggage was delayed getting off the plane and most other passengers from our flight were already long gone. We waited so long for our luggage that a flight from Venezuela came into the carousel next to ours, unloaded all of it's luggage and all of the passengers were gone and out by the time we received our suitcases! Dh, dd and I walked out of the door past Aruban Customs and we knew Bully was a "keeper" when he greeted us with our name on a sign. We were absolutely stunned that he had waited for us. Probably an extra 40 minutes. Bully is a credit to Aruban taxi drivers. We used him throughout our trip. He uses a mini-van which was great for all of our luggage. Pleasant and knowledgeable about the island, there were no lectures on politics- local or international (sore point with dh- he does not want to hear it- he is on vacation)- and he was always on time, usually early. There were two nights when we were finished eating dinner and it was getting late. If he had begun driving early in the morning. One night he sent his uncle to pick us up in his taxi and another night his cousin picked us up in his. No problems whatsoever! As a matter of fact another little funny story was that we "thought" we had seen "all" of Aruba. Well when we were there in September there was some road construction going on between Palm Beach and Oranjestad. When Bully picked us up at the hotel to take us to the airport at the end of our trip, in order to get around the congestion, he took a detour through the center of the island. We had a mini tour of a whole big section of the island which we had never seen before! We liked him so much we have already contacted him for 3 separate pickups for our family members arriving at the airport in Oranjestad from different parts of the US in December and again for departure in January. Just wait until he encounters my two nieces and nephew in December! They travel with everything, BUT the kitchen sink. There is no better feeling in the world than having a friendly familiar, smiling face waiting to greet you at the airport at your home away from home." How we found out that Bully was truly so special and came to appreciate him all the more so. "June 2008 We usually use the same taxi driver, Bully, throughout our entire trip. During our stay in Aruba he was off island on vacation with his family. He is honest, dependable and knowledgeable about the island. We have been using him for over two years now. This trip without Bully, our experiences with the 8 random taxi drivers we used, were, with the exception of 2 drivers, disgraceful to the Aruban people and very disheartening for us. In every instance but two, the drivers tried to overcharge us. With no increase in fares since 2002, paying a 12% tax and not being able to pass it on, and the high price of gas, we were faced with a large percentage of drivers with the attitude "let's screw the tourists". Not to say that there are not other honest taxi drivers, but we met 6 out of 8 who were NOT. Loving Aruba and her people as much as we do, we were very saddened by their behavior to say the least. Having traveled to Aruba before, at least we know some of their unjustified, in my opinion, reasoning in this situation. I cannot imagine a first time visitor to the island who knows what the fares are "supposed" to be, being charged whatever fare the driver makes up. The Aruban government sets the taxi fares; they need to give these drivers a raise. Hopefully the raise in fares will once again make the drivers honest. Again, to their credit, we did have two very nice and honest drivers, one a woman on Father's Day night and another nice gentleman the night we went to the Promenade. Our worst "taxi" incident came outside the Holiday Inn returning back to the Tamarijn from Palm Beach following our day aboard the Jolly Pirates. We walked outside of the lobby at the Holiday Inn and there were 4 taxi drivers seated on benches hanging out. Since our friends were with us we were 7 people total and needed 2 taxis anyway, so this was perfect. Dh asked them what the fare was to the Tamarijn and they eyed up one another and one of the drivers said "$10". Knowing what we were up against, before we even left the Tamarijn in the morning, dh confirmed with our favorite concierge Iris that the fair should be $8. Dh politely but forcefully asked to see their fare sheet where it showed the fare was $10. Well don't you know all of a sudden they acted like they could even barely understand English. Dh did not back down and again asked to see it in writing. Finally one of the drivers got up and went to his taxi to get the fare sheet. He came back with it, but then walked away from us to be by himself to eye up the chart. He then came over to us saying indeed it was $10, still not showing us the chart. Dh told all 4 drivers point blank that we would pay the $10, since obviously we had no choice, but we were also going to take the taxi's numbers and report the drivers to the Aruba Tourism Authority. Well gosh, don't you know, all of a sudden the taxi driver who had the sheet in his hand, stumbles over to me and points to Oranjestad ($10). Yeah, right, we told them all right from the start that we were all going to the Tamarijn! They do not even come close to sounding alike and I have only been to Oranjestad twice in the past 5 years. SO, clarifying that we were going to the Tamarijn, I showed the driver it was $8. Normally we would have paid him the $8 for the fare and a $2 tip for a total of $10 anyway. Needless to say, we did not tip him and he only got his $8 so he lost out for his foolish behavior. Our friends also did not tip their driver and would have under better circumstances. Our final taxi ride of our Aruba vacation began with Bully picking us up to take us to the Tamarijn at 12:15 p.m. He had returned home to the island the day before and called us first thing that morning to confirm our pick up." Probably more than you wanted to hear, but each one of us here who have come to know Bully as a friend each have their own individual stories of a kind, caring and gentleman who goes out of his way for all of his passengers. Btw, all taxi fares on the island are regulated by the government. Bully thus is no cheaper, but like I said above, he is dependable, knowledgable and courteous. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba Last edited by Arubalisa; 02-09-2012 at 08:45 AM.

03-07-2010, 02:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
April in Aruba Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 10	Hugs I'm bringing my lovely wife of 31 years to Aruba in April...I don't need a HUG from Bully Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

03-07-2010, 02:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
rob o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,858	If you don't care to use Bully, don't. No need to be disparaging. Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum newbie. I would offer a hug but I guess you don't want one. PS - Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ rob o....with cindyo and our daughters WE ARE IN ARUBA NOW Next trip after that

03-07-2010, 02:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 1,015	I don't think anyone is saying the other taxi drivers are rude..(well not all of them but I have had a few) but I have used a lot of taxi drivers in aruba you try to strike up a conversation with most and they are busy chatting on their cell phones blah blah blah...really not too interested in me...Well I took the advise of people on this forum..... Rob O, andrea, lisa and others to give bully a call, for this last trip. He is a sweet man who waits for you out front of the airport with your name on a sign (talk about feeling important) gee maybe your wife would like that, nice touch to start a vacation..He actually chats with you on your ride if you want conversation and is always on time and pleasant.....has a nice big van and sometimes has his adorable son with him....I would use bully again to and from airport.. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ url=http://www.caribbeanmag.com/cd/vc/][/url]

03-07-2010, 03:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
hockeymom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 292 Images: 5	I can't understand why you even started this thread. Like Rob O said, if you don't want to use Bully - don't and move on. Let the ones that want to use Bully and comment on his service have him. I booked him for my trip next week and am looking forward to meeting him. I've had one good, one not so good, cab driver in Aruba. Last year I had to go to the hospital and got a wonderful cab driver upon leaving the hospital that took me to the other side of the island to the drug store, waited while I got my prescription and took me back to my hotel. The other one was ok, but like others said not into conversation. From what I understand from this board, Bully loves his homeland and is happy to fill you in on the Aruba you don't see or hear about in the travel brochures. Like I said, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but feel like I already know him from this board. Sorry, got carried away - but again, if you don't want to use him don't...leave him to us that do...and lighten up!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook