Hilton Head Life

Direct TV

If you want HD television in Hilton Head, who you gonna call?

1-800-Direct-TV. 

Local cable service provider Hargray has yet to offer a HD package. After a few months of watching a cheap picture on an expensive screen, I called Direct TV to hook me up to outer space. Satellite service works perfect!

I've had to keep Hargray, however, for my cable internet connection (works great) and phone service (poor local service).

It's been three months since I returned my TV cable box to Hargray and it's still showing up on my bill as a charge of $314. What the hell am I going to do with a lousy cable box with no cable service? $314? Don't they sell these at Target for $40?

I should call Hargray to clear this up, but it's long distance from Hilton Head to Bluffton.

Jet Ski Rentals in Hilton Head

If you've never been on Jet Ski before, the place to do it is in Hilton Head. I rented a Jet Ski at the Palmetto Bay Marina last week and it was an absolutely thrilling experience.

They take you out in a small group (about 7 or so) and you get to bomb around on your jet ski in in the Calibogue Sound for around one hour or so.

The best time to go is at high tide. During high tide, the guide will likely take you around Bull Island (on the May River) since the water levels are so high. There you will see dolphins, waterfowl and scenic, undisturbed shorelines.

You will also see some of the homes of the rich and famous along the Calibogue Sound and Daufuskie Island.

Tip: Rent your own Jet Ski. Although 2 people fit on 1 jet ski, hanging on the back of one of those isn't the way to go.

Palmetto Bay Marina, Phone: (843) 785-2345. Costs - $90.

Suntrust Bank Bluffton

It's been a comedy of errors with SunTrust bank, and last one sent me over the edge. SunTrust Bank has managed to screw up just about every aspect of my banking experience.

Do NOT use SUNRUST bank. There is a bank on just about every corner in Hilton Head. Pick another one.

My absurd savings interest rate .05% didn't even factor in to my being pissed at SunTrust. But be sure to never open a CD or savings account there --- open an ING Direct Orange Account instead.

Hargray

Two weeks ago, I had the cable, phone and Internet installed by local Hilton Head provider Hargray. My big concern was the connection speed and reliability of the Internet connection. So far, so good. It's been a steady, high speed connection with no downtime. This is a big relief as I do most of my work on the Internet.

Phone service seems satisfactory, however, Hargray offers a weird local call service which includes Bluffton calls but not Hilton Head. Seems I can't call Hilton Head without it being considered long distance. Interesting, considering my address is Hilton Head. My Sprint PCS service works flawlessly here, so I'm wondering if I need a land line phone anyway.....maybe VoIP would be better?

Lastly, cable TV service seems OK, but no HD! I'm currently looking at Satellite Direct TV as an option for TV service instead.