Guam is way underrated!
I did a tour there, and am delighted that the family and I got to experience it. It gets its share of bad press and much of it is true, but….it has so much going for it!
The good
1. New and impressive “HORSE AND COW”
2. Plentiful and affordable evening entertainment
3. History is everywhere and overwhelming.
4. 84 degree seawater year-round.
5. Cheapest sushi and sashimi on the planet.
6. Asian Tourism is thriving and the associated bars/restraints etc reflect it.
7. DIVING is the cheapest on the planet! (More to follow)
8. TRUK lagoon is a 1 hour flight.
9. SAIPAN and associated history are <1 hour.
10. PALAU is cheap and a 2 hour flight.
11. AUSTRALIA is 4-5 hour flight and cheap.
12. Jetski all year.
13. Watersports.
14. Catch yellowfin and make your own tuna steaks daily.
15. Adventure races / Triathlons / Marathons/ all year.
16. A 5K every weekend. For $5 you run a different 5K every week.
17. A commissary and Exchange that Rival Norfolks and Pearls.
The BAD.
1. The rainy season.
2. The humidity.
3. Lack of conveniences. (Limited shopping etc)
4. 7 hour flight to PH and 12 hour flight to LA.
5. Typhoons.
6. Electric bills.
7. Scrawny scruffy washed out fighting cocks all over the island.
8. Boonie Dogs.
You will find the base to be nice. Take up diving immediately! Only after watching the mandatory water safety video though. The Oceans and currents there are dangerous until understood. You will never get certified anywhere cheaper. Get advanced open water ASAP. You will find tank rental is practically free, beach dives are everywhere. In fact the base has some of the best beach diving on island. Boat dives are really cheap since the reef is right there. Make it a goal to dive PALAU in the first year. Plan a trip to CAIRNS AUS and dive the Great Barrier Reef. Continental Airlines practically gives away the trips.
Tree snakes are way overrated, once a major problem, they amount to a nuisance anymore. Run the GEAR race once while you are there. (GEAR-Guam Extreme Adventure Race). Go on a boonie stomp. Kayaking is cheap and plentiful. Check out
www.tourofduty.com these guys are legitimate. IF you have a family and want to live in town, consider Laderra towers, Nimitz towers, Alupang Towers, or Leos Palace. You will NEVER get Oceanside living so affordable. Base housing is also a great deal. Single lifestyle is fun for the sailors there.
Houston is a good boat, and has a great Engineering dept. Tours are three years for most Nucs, and the Nucs work hard on those boats. The boats do a lot of underway time. You will work hard there, keep your chin up and enjoy the experience. Make the best of Guam and you will have great memories. Good Luck!