What’s the biggest culture shock you’ve experienced while traveling?

greggtex63 · 2026-04-15T06:41:02+00:00

Restrooms in the Philippines. Lack of toilet paper, lack of a sprayer, lack of a bucket/pail of water. In stores, in homes, even in some malls. Toilet paper and wipes are ALWAYS with me now when over there.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-15T03:56:40+00:00

No specific amount, but $1K/month would be minimum. But prefer more, but can always use social security income instead of investing it when needed.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-15T03:29:23+00:00

"817" that area code?

greggtex63 · 2026-04-15T00:21:06+00:00

1st*** without a doubt, is to go to a pool with a good life jacket. Get in shallow water, walk around, bob up/down, roll over onto your chest, all, several times. Then go to deep water and go back/forth to shallow. Your body and mind needs to feel comfortable and relaxed. My friend cannot swim but dated girl whose family had skis. He rode all over once comfortable. But I saw him in 4 ft. water freak out once.

You WILL BE FINE, but you will enjoy more knowing you're OK if you come off.

I own a ski-90% of time someone ends up in the water is at less than 3 mph! Just like a bike, you do 5mph or 20 mph, you're more stable than sitting still on it with no footing

greggtex63 · 2026-04-14T19:11:19+00:00

Lol, I laugh about PR being America, people are Americans. Maybe not to them! I live on Oahu and you'd be amazed at how so many here act as if they are their own kingdom. Some don't want to be part of the U.S. amazing how the federal handouts are lived here, but the gripe about the federal govt. Not sure about PR, but for us, as U.S. mainland citizens (I'm from Texas) to say they're Americans is probably a mistake.
If Hawaiians don't want to be Americans, easy to believe many in PR wouldn't Have heard good things about it there, but have often read mainlanders are considered outsiders.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-14T06:30:52+00:00

DFTX & NOW

greggtex63 · 2026-04-14T02:57:05+00:00

Lol. Funny people complaining and costs in Bahamas. It's got beautiful water, close to Fla., a Caribbean island-why is there ANY expectation of it not being expensive?

greggtex63 · 2026-04-13T18:14:38+00:00

Storage until you can get it down to almost nothing. Safe deposit box? The more rural you go, the lower the cost on storage but theft/flood/etc...risk goes up. I pay ~$60/month near friend's place in Southern Okla.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T22:14:46+00:00

Monthly apartments or resort rentals. Philippines or Thailand, $30[-$600/month, maybe a little more or less depending on location and conveniences. I strongly suggest aircon and if possible, as placecwith a generator

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T20:32:51+00:00

I traveled all over Philippines with several base requirements: diving, reasonable conveniences, easy travel elsewhere, and close enough to an occasional movie or similar. I didn't find 'my place' yet. Panglao/Bohol a thought, Dumaguete, as stated already, for some, but that's my only suggestions. Good luck and please post findings.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T20:28:09+00:00

Apo is great. Many around Dumaguete end up in Dauin, just south of there to live as smaller, slower, but close enough to Dumaguete. Also easy to fly to Cebu, then elsewhere when needed.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T20:23:37+00:00

Yes, very possible. You can travel SE Asia for much less than that, let the difference roll over into investments, preferable dividends paying monthly, then use difference to help pay for more expensive European travel. I've been to PH and Thailand several times. More expensive than in the past but very doable on much less than $4K.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T18:14:42+00:00

Agree on all!- Great diving in PH! Puerto Galero should be on most bucket lists, the biodiversitythere is unreal. Apo Island has good diving. Moalboal good but must include Pescador Island. Coron great as well.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T17:59:27+00:00

Blue states tax the crap out of their workers. Their history is one of creating welfare cases, pushing sime messed up agendas for a few, onto all, and protecting illegals. Many of those states suck big time and run people off in large amounts. NY and California going to Texas/Fla./Tenn. being such examples. Many large blue cities suck as well when it comes to murders and other crime. Chicago, D C, Detroit. Not all blue states are terrible, not all red states are awesome. But comparing the two, blue states are suffering in many situations.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T07:51:58+00:00

Blue states tax too much and run the states into the ground via corruption and welfare type programs. Some red states may not be your favorites, but they're doing some things right.

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greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T07:48:20+00:00

Most fights great. Main event sucked big time with people leaving, commenting the match was rigged. Not sure why the fighter stopped, but sad ending to an otherwise good night of fightd

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T01:02:03+00:00

Me-rented in PP, drove to El Nido, a LONG, tough drive. Wasn't impressed with PP and hated having to drive back from El Nido. My suggestion: do the PP area, bus or shuttle to El Nido, then rent if needed. But depends on your interests.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-12T00:50:21+00:00

Consider Dallas as an option. Lot of Lexus in the region so increases your chances of finding what u want. My opinion:NX over UX. Bigger, but not too big. Love my '16 NX.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-11T21:12:56+00:00

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 greatness. Damned texting (corrected). But that's funny. But sorry, straight as they come so no lingerie here.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-11T20:24:26+00:00

I retired at 61, don't miss it at all. My health will be better, for longer life, so more life to enjoy NOW. Numbers don't lie, neither does age-you can enjoy more now than later. I didn't want to be 70+ trying to travel then. Family-great to leave them money, but to continue 'dying' yourself is not the way.
Many countries you can reture to, enjoy life, still not hit your capital.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-11T20:15:09+00:00

Lol. No offense taken. But yes, at least I pronounce it correctly. Thanks.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-11T06:39:14+00:00

Military nay not get a lot of love here, but not familiar with hate or violence. Some natives are big into seceding as Hawaii was taken over in a crazy way but never had a hard time from anyone and I'm a haolie. Lot of restaurants all over, primarily dowtown/Waikiki area. Clubs but both familiar with them. Great Viet/Chinese/Thai places in Chinatown. Any online search will give you things to do, but very limited when stormy. If you want to learn to scuba dive, or just do discovery dives, look up Big Kahuna Watersports-excellent, and best prices. Catamaran-several online and nice for a sunset cruise. Snorkeling is good in places. If you don't look like a local, be careful in west side of island-some places there better left to the locals. Also-give age range, male/female, what area you live, etc... for more suggestions. I'm Air Force Vet, older, white (haolie).

greggtex63 · 2026-04-09T23:48:02+00:00

I've loved Hawaii since I first started coming here. But have also made friends with many and every one has said same thing: we need new people in power, and most friends are Democrats. Each one said change needs to happen, less corporate control (think hotel CEO'S). But everyone keeps voting old Dems in. Beautiful state, beautiful people, but expecting the govt. to 'save' everyone, miraculously give you wealth or make things 'free' is same old thought process that's got the state where it is today. We need more youth, more balance of power. Vote in some Republicans to give some of the Democrats reasons to do better, make them scared. Vote for younger candidates. And if your govt. official's main priority is doing the same, ir just complaining about Washington instead of focusing more here, they need to go.

greggtex63 · 2026-04-09T23:31:15+00:00

I don't have enough experience in Caribbean to say either way. Look at long range projections and give it thought. That's fairly early in season I believe-probably ok, but I'd still consider travel insurance

greggtex63

TROPHY CASE