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Importing is coupled with potentially wider variety and potentially lower prices, but comes with:

Increased hassle: Customs clearance, longer waiting times, potential damage during shipping.

Risk factors: Difficulty in returning or resolving issues if the product isn't what you expected.

DIY: Possible, but requires research and proper preparation of the base (leveling, weed control, drainage). Mistakes can be costly to fix.

Professional installation: Recommended, especially for larger areas. Ensures proper installation for a good-looking and long-lasting result.

Start by getting quotes from local landscaping suppliers for both materials and installation.

Compare the prices and variety offered with what you might find online for importing.

Factor in the time and hassle involved in importing, potential risks, and any warranty offered by local suppliers.

Research different types of artificial grass: pile height, material, drainage backing, etc., to find the best fit for your needs.

Consider the environmental impact of using artificial grass compared to other low-maintenance landscaping solutions.

Bottom line: Not recommended imho.

@mikaelarhelger

Thanks for your reply and certainly has given me plenty to think about and consider.

It does seem a shame to create a garden like crazy golf course as when there are so many nice plants available here.

Cheers again

Kevin

Synthetic grass doesn't require mowing but still raking and then the vacuum cleaner, which is worse?

Low maintenance is concrete or coarse gravel, all require cleaning.

Did you sort out your water problems Kevin?

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

"Did you sort out your water problems Kevin?"

Hi Steve,

I had to make a decision on part of the area as we have just had gates installed and the height needed to be set, so I decided to drain towards the road for part of the area.

I'm still working on a solution for the other part, which is a bit more complex as the current situation includes a storm water channel covered by some heavy concrete blocks that also serve as a step, but they have large gaps, and are dangerous.

As a fellow Bacnotanian, maybe you can help with this question. Is there a rubbish collection and how do you find out the schedule. I have seen a lot of people just burning the rubbish.

Cheers

Kevin

@kevinwood

Kevin I already mentioned we put in a deep well (not that deep maybe 6 ft and a 1 HP submersible pump) and works fine, pumps out onto the road and no one seems to notice as it's pissing rain here when it fires up, it's in the lowest area of the lot and automatic. the new concrete road didn't help either as it raised the drainage 9 inches, a thinking Barangay no different to rubbish management.

You did mention your Barangay but old timers I forgot but are you in the municipality of Bacnotan and if so there are 47 Barangays and seems they all manage waste independently and for a few years worked well with weekly collection but since Covid it all fell over. We have a collection apparently tomorrow (time will tell) and they said truck, last time they said that it was a bike with a side car and the 2 guys collecting wanted drinks and a tip for their Meriander. (never got it) near 10 weeks on we have 10 large black garbage bags and 4 boxes of other hard rubbish, nothing smelly as we compost.

Yes the burning off has increased in the last year or so since they closed the recycle/dump centre and we used to drop there but now nada, they won't tell us where the new location is for some reason.

We have no schedule anymore and only numerous phone calls and text's from Ben eventually lead to action. it's frustrating that all this time they can't get their sh1t together. Hassle your Barangay and be relentless.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

I suggest turning the lawn area into a Putt Putt Golf Course?

@bigpearl

OMG, nothing seems easy here, but I guess that's the way it is.

I havent got my head around this Barrangay thing yet, but think we are in Carbasican.

Composting seems a good idea.

Cheers

Kevin

@Enzyte Bob

A putting green - Thats not a bad idea, 100 pesos a round!!!

@kevinwood real grass, and a goat

Kevin seems you are in the Barangay next to us, so you are off the Luna road? Ocean or inland?

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Hi Steve,

I wish I knew my address!!!

I'm ocean side just next door to Natalna a new hotel

If you guys are around drop by for a coffee

Cheers

Kevin

Hi Kevin you are next to the governors new enterprise? If so 5/600 metres from us and same beach, we are opposite the Mayor but beach side.

What brought you here and are you enjoying the area? You are in the midst of building from my roams on the beach?

Cheers, Steve.

Just thought Kevin simply look at your municipal rate notice, for us Tammocalao Bay road and many years ago we simply put a number on the letterbox and now that's our address, all the locals here did the same and while they don't match/corollate as per normal practices works.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Hi Steve,

Yep I'm told he is a Supreme judge - one of a few here. We are next door…

My Wife is Philopena and we bought here about 8 years ago, but only just built here.

All good, just adjusting to a new way of doing things

Cheers

Kevin

Welcome to the area Kevin and your wife, pretty nice bunch of expats and locals in this area but we tend not to live in each others pockets but at times socialize.

We all adjust, I've done plenty of that, living here, building here and while very different to western norms tends to sort itself out with a tittle coaching and patience as I'm sure you are aware with your new build.

It's a great area and well done securing a beachfront lot here all those 8 years ago, we were 7 years ago and lived here 5 years and enjoy.

Catch up in the future Kevin.

Cheers, Steve.

@Kevinwood

10 weeks after the last rubbish pick up they promised to gather yesterday, nada. They won't answer calls or texts today. Welcome to the Philippines? We are used to that at all levels.

The system was regular until Covid and seems the sh1t hit the fan from then on. While I/we compost we have learnt also to dig deep holes in a grid, 2 ft apart for bones, seafood waste and dog poop and in the future will host a plethora of native palms etc. No stinky garbage for the lurking cats. How much garbage can you hold/store in a 140 litre wheelie bin? 3/4 weeks max. Pretty disgusting considering the wealth here and I have mentioned to the Barangay to charge more for rubbish collection,,,,, "No one will pay sir," tell us then where we can dump our rubbish like the last 3 years,,, "No sir that's a secret" and around we go. All one can do is have a laugh.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

We went along to the Barangay office and they said they would send someone if we gave them some money for petrol, so will give that a try soon and see how it goes, but not holding out too much hope.

@Larry Fisher

Now that sounds like a plan

Good luck there Kevin, we pay annual garbage rates to them and hopeless. Let us know how you fare.

We have no issue with taking the rubbish to the dump but since they closed the last one they refuse to tell us where the new place is and while they promised to pick up yesterday, today Ben sent a text msg and tried to call them twice and nothing.

More fun in the Philippines.

Cheers, Steve.

    @kevinwood real grass, and a goat
   

    -@Larry Fisher

Lotta folks do that here in Ilocos Sur, trimmed and fertilized.

Here it's weeds mugteck, brush cutter 2/3 times a year takes care of that, My mowing and slashing days are over thanks to our choice living here.

Cheers, Steve.

@mugteck

Sounds like a win win situation

Cheers

Kevin

@Kevinwood

Off topic.

The pick up of garbage after 10 weeks was supposed to happen on the 6th of this month and confirmed in a text msg to Ben, now they are saying it was on the 4th and they banged on the gate and pushed the camera doorbell connected to our phones and we didn't answer, sorry for the wrong date they left a notice in the letterbox saying they came here, crap as we were here both days, nothing in the letter box and the rubbish mounts up. now she say's that she is in negotiations with the Barangay Capitan to sort out this problem that has been ongoing on for a year. they refuse to tell us where to take our rubbish as apparently many of the residents were dumping putrid waste and dead animals so now it's a secret and they still don't collect, offered to Ben that we dump it outside the Barangay office and was slapped severely, A little like spacial awareness here as all seems to be considered in one or 2 dimensions, ad a third and you are looked at stupidly no different to building here, slowly the wheels turn.

Hope you got your garbage sorted Kevin.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Hi Steve,

Sorry for the late reply, I think we must have garbage faries!!!

I was really lucky the other day, I saw someone in the street and they were picking up plastic bottles so I off loaded all my plastics and tins.

The glass bottles are partially solved as they recycle the beer bottles in the local Sari Sari store. Still need to find a solution for the remainder.

Alot of the food waste the helper goes and feeds the local dogs, and the rest of it just dissapeared and I never asked where it went.

The local Barangay said that we can take rubbish to the office if it is sorted and as an alternative they would arrange collection if we paid the guy a bit for his time and petrol. But yet to try these two options.

I'll let you know when I do.

Cheers

Kevin

Our Barangay give us nothing and take us nowhere Kevin. Still no pick up and now it's after Holy week apparently, will be 13/14 weeks since the last pick up.

We don't mind to pay or simply take it ourselves but they won't give us the option. As said it's all clean garbage and no smells, simply taking up space.

We walked up your way a week ago and met a nice lady, I think next to your new home. She had a dog breed I have never seen before and was friendly to our 2 half grown labs.

Things have changed big time in your neck of the woods, used to be a dirt track and bush and not game to venture there. Now made road and seems a few extra houses to the beach.

Take care, Steve.

@bigpearl

Next time your out this way give me a shout.

Cheers

Kevin

Copy Kevin but I don't get out often. Are you now full time living here or part time?

Did you hear the tanker go by this morning? Around 430 am, woke me, happens from time to time getting too close to shore.

Will try to catch up.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

I missed the tanker, send me a PM and we can catch up off-line sometime.

Cheers,

Kevin