living in a quiet town near manali

scotsman · Oct 7th, 2006, 19:51

I am taking £1200 for the 4 months (return on march 1rst) so it works out £300 a month

How is the best/safest way to deal with this?

I was going to take £100 ish out whenever I need it but what are the ATM's like in the kullu/parvati valleys? Im led to believe they are far more infrequent than "non rural" india, and there is possibly only some in manali? Not sure if this is fact or not.

So is it better to take out a months supply before I get up to rural north (ie £300) or is this a bit stupid incase i lose it etc..... i mean thats like 24,000 rupees quite alot to have on me.

I was at the bank today asking about it, and was told I can take money out wherever there is a machine.. So the Indian Machines will take my Bank of Scotland card just like they do here? i just put it in and type my pin? Im worried i get there and my card is useless!

I really need to know though, as its like 3 weeks I go, what is the best way of me getting the dosh especially up in the north where banks are going to be non existant and cash machines few and far between. Should I take my £300 (1 months supply!) streight out, i just think its alot of money to be on me at once.

I know you said you took out £300, as it happens kullu up with you, but if I was to take more like 8000 rupees. Would I have problems finding cash machines in this area? What do you reckon about this

Indebted to you're help as allways!
kieran

kullukid · Oct 7th, 2006, 21:18

Hi Kieran, Why don't you split the difference & change £200 it will be more than enough for a month in Parvati, but remember you get a giant wadge of rupees for a few English notes, so it is bulky to carry about, why don't you ask your ma' to adapt your pockets so that you can keep your money, tickets & passports in a large wallet in a deep pocket. You'll have a bit of a bulge,but who knows it might impress some of those Israeli Babes!

Remember you can change money just about anywhere in India with local shopkeepers for a rupee or so less than you would get in the bank, so it's not a problem having no ATMs.
Dharamsala is in the Kangra valley near Pathankot, as you leave Kullu valley you turn right at Mandi to enter the Kangra valley, its the alternative way back to Delhi, i would strongly recommend you spend a week or two there at Bhagsu just above Mcleod gange (named after a scotsman)you'll love it.On your way back to Delhi you could stop off at Amritsar for a night or two & see the Golden Temple.
You can buy warm clothing very cheap in Kashol, so my advice would be try & take as little as possible, it can be a pain carrying large amounts of luggage around India, saying that you can always leave half of your stuff in your hotel in Delhi until you get back,they usually have storage areas that are safe. I took medical kits,spare shoe laces, spare padlocks the kitchen sink & all sorts of crap the first couple of time & never used any of it. The last couple of times i only took a school size rucksack & a small holdall big enough to keep my sleeping bag in,i tend to just take two sets of clothes plus what i'm wearing as it's very easy to get your clothes washed & dried in a day even in the hills.Try Googling Mcleod gange & Bhagsu you'll find lots a blogs on the place. Cheers KK

Nick-H · Oct 7th, 2006, 22:04

Guys... further to the, err, unrest about certain explicit directions given in this thread, I'm taking the step of a very minor edit to the thread title!

Don't worry, you'll still recognise it

kullukid · Oct 7th, 2006, 22:09

Yes, i noticed he'd spelled Manali wrong,please edit it Nick

I've already edited my explicit bits a while ago (sounds painful!)

KK

machadinha · Oct 7th, 2006, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kullukid

I've already edited my explicit bits a while ago (sounds painful!)

KK

Nick-H · Oct 8th, 2006, 00:22

Done... You can't espect an ignorant southerner to know! Its all I can do to remember where the h is in Dheli. Err, Dehli. Delhi?

.

I hope that those who needed the, err, explicit bits printed them out or got them in PM before they were edited

And thanks, KK

scotsman · Oct 10th, 2006, 20:59

Awright? 20 days til I fly to delhi now!!

I was going to ask about good places to stay for a few days when I arrive in delhi, but when I logged on I had a PM telling me this exact info! I got my hands on an (out of date) lonely planet guide to india which also is very complimentary about kasol... and its hot springs near by
If I can pick up a fishing rod over there I will take it to the "many trout streams" in this area too! not to mention "natural hot springs"!! I was originally going for the dope but now I cant control my excitement about everything, Im thinking about it many hours of each day even when Im doing stuff now.....

Only 1 more jags appointment, next monday and I am well and truly on the last lap of waiting

Oh 1 question, How is the easiest way to get to malana from kasol? I am desperate to go there but not sure of the best route up... would I be better trekking to malana from a closer villiage than kasol or is this still viable? Im very curious about this elusive villiage after reading some storys on it and if I can get a rough plan of how to get there that would be good...

Cheers
Kieran

kullukid · Oct 10th, 2006, 21:24

Keiran,if you want to go to Malana you will have to be quick, it gets very cold up there at 9000ft.I would suggest you spend 2-4 days in Kasol to get your bearings & just keep your eye on the clouds, it wouldn't be pleasant trying to trek it in the rain.For the sake of 70RS i would say keep your room at Bahadur G/H & just take a few essentials with you, you'll probaly only stay a day or 2. From Kasol you can take a local bus to Jari, in Jari there is a taxi stand in the middle of the village that does runs upto the dam project at the end of the road, this is where you set off walking from & it's uphill all the way for about 3hrs. Really you need to decide how long you will stay there because you need to arrange with the taxi driver a time & day that you want him to come back & pick you up, also i would try & hook up with others who want to trek to Malana in Kasol & then you can split the taxi fare & also because it would be safer, people have disappeared or been found dead in this area over the yrs. If you are not sure of anything just ask Desi at the G/H he his an hillman & knows the area well & is always ready to help or advice. BOM KK

johnrxx99 · Oct 15th, 2006, 19:04

Indeed, it rained most of yesterday and all the surrounding mountains are snow covered, and it was cold and that's in Manali.

I hope it has'nt turned too quickly but if you're going, the next day or two I'd say.

kullukid · Oct 15th, 2006, 21:49

Hi John, Thanks for the local weather report. How's your ankle,hope it's got a bit better & hasn't ruined your journey too much, sounds like your back in Manali then, if so have you been & checked out Vashisht & Nagar yet?

KK

scotsman · Oct 16th, 2006, 21:38

Cheers lads. Thanks for that weather tip!
Unfortonately I cant go tomorrow, as its the 30th I leave.....

I've had my final jab today, rabies and hep B (big needles) my arms aching!

However thats the very last jab and I am now free to travel!!!

Only 2 weeks today now.

I was getting gear at the weekend, I got an 88 litre sack (70 + 18 litre daysack:attached) and some very comfy waterproof karrimore boots. is this a good size to take? it seems big but not too big?

I bought a columbia (think it was) jacket out of T K max for £40 which was 3000mm waterproof and a wee bit lined, but then saw a tog-24 very thick gortex (is that it? the 100% waterproof and windproof material?) jacket in theyre own shop for £130 (reduced from £280). I bought that instead and returned the inferior one.

At the time I was thinking "no, dont really have to spend that much, its india, wont be that cold" and regretted spending that much for this oven-like jacket.... but after hearing this weather report, and the consensus seeming to be it WILL be VERY cold up there, its just as well I did!
Also bought some trekking insulated waterproof trousers.... I'm just breaking in these boots and they are really comfy.

An important note. On the visa application it asks for 2 Indian references. I dont know anyone in India and didnt know what to put so phoned the embassy to ask about this. They said to put my hotels I'm staying in, but as I dont know the names of the hotels what can I do? They said to write, "not finalized the details" or something similar, but that it could make a difference how fast I get my visa (normally takes 1 day)

What did you guys put for you're visa application "indian references" bit

If I do, for instance, put the names of the 2 hotels you reccomended kullu... Would the embassy check up and make sure this info is correct, and if they find I've not booked there already they might not give me the visa?? what should I do about these references? Will they check with the hotel? and if I;ve not booked in, cancel my visa?
I dont want to put "not finalized hotel booking" yet either incase this dosnt bode well with the visa sorters and it makes a difference if I get one, fullstop.
I go in 2 weeks and am a bit worried about this visa thing. I also got told to go to the embassy as early as possible as they're so busy just now that theyre sending some people away most days. As its friday I will need to go as Ive got the next 3 days, I am going to get there at 6 in the morning and listen to my MP3 for the hours until it opens at 9 30! Or anyone else think of a better way to make sure it gets guaranteed done but without waiting in the cold for 3 hours!?

I know about malana getting cold but is it really that bad I have to go soon? How cold are we talking? With this superb mountain jacket wont it keep me warm enough?

Even if its snowy and cold I would want to go for a mission, im 20 yrs old in good physical shape and wouldnt have thought a 7km trek even in deep snow would be... dangerous? un-dooable? Are you saying get up there quickly because its not as fun to walk in bad conditions or is it actually dangerous to go when the "weather turns"?

John, can you tell me how much I should be paying for hash up there? I dont have a clue what price I should be paying

I'm excited and the days seem to be passing slower than they were last week

but really 14 days isnt much

Best regards
Kieran

zoomsuzy · Oct 16th, 2006, 21:45

Hi Guys

Writing from Vashist.

Firstly i must thank KK for all the info. I did not go to Malana as planned,but made it to Kheerganga,Tosh Phulga and today at Vashist.

It is getting very cold up there and most of the guest house/shops are slowly closing down

Hi John I am at Vashist today and will be at Manali to catch the evening bust to Delhi.Let me know if we can catch up.

The harvest tasted just brilliant, bit pricy though but does not matter.The stuff is just too good.

More in details once i am back after 24th Oct

Cheers
Dev

kullukid · Oct 16th, 2006, 22:17

Hi Scotsman, have you thought about going to a visa surgery they are held in Indian Temples & Mosques all over the country, if you phone the H.C. they will tell you when & where the nearest one to you is. Here's a post i put on another forum about my surgery visit a few months ago:
"well, i'm back complete with valid visa. Got to the surgery at 9.30am all completed by 11.15am waited in a hall with about 80 Indians & believe it or not about 20 Angrezi (English), i didn't think that many English new about it. It was a bit like sitting in an Indian bank with everything been done in triplicate & 5 people doing the job of 1 except it takes them 5 times longer, you know the one!!!
But the best bit of all was THE SMELL! you know what i'm talking about.
It was that smell of India, but without the really bad bits (one day someone will bottle it & make a fortune out of suckers like me!)
The reason for the smell was because the room next door contained the temple & there was lots of incense being wafted about & the local Indian wives had spent the night before making refreshments to raise funds for charity. They were serving 1 big very fresh samosa with a portion of pakora & raita for £1 & a delicious chana masala, so i got 2 portions of each to bring home for lunch, i said to the woman kitne £s & couldn't believe it when she replied "AS YOU LIKE" anyway it's lunchtime now so i'm off to stuff my face & i think i'll definitely use the visa surgeries from now on! KK"
Here's a link to the full thread:
http://www.theindiatree.com/forum2/i...showtopic=1330
Anyway it sounds like you're better equipped for the cold than Chris Bonnington

I thought been Scottish you wouldn't feel the cold you know "made in Scotland from Girders"

I wouldn't worry too much about the 2 Indian references, but if you are worried just google Delhi Hotels & put down the details of any 2 hotels no-one will check from the H.C.
Just to remind you how high Malana is Here;s a link to my photo's, http://www.theindiatree.com/forum2/i...album&album=14 you can see the hills above Malana have snow on them & this was in August! If you do make it remember not to go alone, not becaus you might get murdered but because if you slip & twist your ankle or anything it's a cold lonely place to be stuck in the middle of nowhere & there are some very steep drops near the edge of the path.
Glad you made it Zoomsuzy can't wait to here about it.
Bom Bolenath KK

freenote · Oct 16th, 2006, 22:50

For a tourist visa from the uk it ok to leave the indian ref . bit blank .I'v always done this with no problem .some peaple put in the name of a hotel or two ,it's not a problem .
hope this helps .

Nick-H · Oct 16th, 2006, 23:35

Scotsman,

Ahhhh.... TK MAX You're making me homesick!!!!

Don't worry about the references. Pick a couple of hotels. No --- they don't check: they turn around the visa in a couple of hours...

Oct 7th, 2006, 22:04	#93
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	Guys... further to the, err, unrest about certain explicit directions given in this thread, I'm taking the step of a very minor edit to the thread title! Don't worry, you'll still recognise it __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Oct 16th, 2006, 21:45	#102
zoomsuzy Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai Posts: 21	The Parvati Show- Awesome Hi Guys Writing from Vashist. Firstly i must thank KK for all the info. I did not go to Malana as planned,but made it to Kheerganga,Tosh Phulga and today at Vashist. It is getting very cold up there and most of the guest house/shops are slowly closing down Hi John I am at Vashist today and will be at Manali to catch the evening bust to Delhi.Let me know if we can catch up. The harvest tasted just brilliant, bit pricy though but does not matter.The stuff is just too good. More in details once i am back after 24th Oct Cheers Dev

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Oct 7th, 2006, 19:51	#91
scotsman Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: scotland Posts: 52	I am taking £1200 for the 4 months (return on march 1rst) so it works out £300 a month How is the best/safest way to deal with this? I was going to take £100 ish out whenever I need it but what are the ATM's like in the kullu/parvati valleys? Im led to believe they are far more infrequent than "non rural" india, and there is possibly only some in manali? Not sure if this is fact or not. So is it better to take out a months supply before I get up to rural north (ie £300) or is this a bit stupid incase i lose it etc..... i mean thats like 24,000 rupees quite alot to have on me. I was at the bank today asking about it, and was told I can take money out wherever there is a machine.. So the Indian Machines will take my Bank of Scotland card just like they do here? i just put it in and type my pin? Im worried i get there and my card is useless! I really need to know though, as its like 3 weeks I go, what is the best way of me getting the dosh especially up in the north where banks are going to be non existant and cash machines few and far between. Should I take my £300 (1 months supply!) streight out, i just think its alot of money to be on me at once. I know you said you took out £300, as it happens kullu up with you, but if I was to take more like 8000 rupees. Would I have problems finding cash machines in this area? What do you reckon about this Indebted to you're help as allways! kieran

Oct 7th, 2006, 21:18	#92
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Hi Kieran, Why don't you split the difference & change £200 it will be more than enough for a month in Parvati, but remember you get a giant wadge of rupees for a few English notes, so it is bulky to carry about, why don't you ask your ma' to adapt your pockets so that you can keep your money, tickets & passports in a large wallet in a deep pocket. You'll have a bit of a bulge,but who knows it might impress some of those Israeli Babes! Remember you can change money just about anywhere in India with local shopkeepers for a rupee or so less than you would get in the bank, so it's not a problem having no ATMs. Dharamsala is in the Kangra valley near Pathankot, as you leave Kullu valley you turn right at Mandi to enter the Kangra valley, its the alternative way back to Delhi, i would strongly recommend you spend a week or two there at Bhagsu just above Mcleod gange (named after a scotsman)you'll love it.On your way back to Delhi you could stop off at Amritsar for a night or two & see the Golden Temple. You can buy warm clothing very cheap in Kashol, so my advice would be try & take as little as possible, it can be a pain carrying large amounts of luggage around India, saying that you can always leave half of your stuff in your hotel in Delhi until you get back,they usually have storage areas that are safe. I took medical kits,spare shoe laces, spare padlocks the kitchen sink & all sorts of crap the first couple of time & never used any of it. The last couple of times i only took a school size rucksack & a small holdall big enough to keep my sleeping bag in,i tend to just take two sets of clothes plus what i'm wearing as it's very easy to get your clothes washed & dried in a day even in the hills.Try Googling Mcleod gange & Bhagsu you'll find lots a blogs on the place. Cheers KK

Oct 7th, 2006, 22:09	#94
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Yes, i noticed he'd spelled Manali wrong,please edit it Nick I've already edited my explicit bits a while ago (sounds painful!) KK

Oct 8th, 2006, 00:22	#96
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	Done... You can't espect an ignorant southerner to know! Its all I can do to remember where the h is in Dheli. Err, Dehli. Delhi? . I hope that those who needed the, err, explicit bits printed them out or got them in PM before they were edited And thanks, KK

Oct 10th, 2006, 20:59	#97
scotsman Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: scotland Posts: 52	Awright? 20 days til I fly to delhi now!! I was going to ask about good places to stay for a few days when I arrive in delhi, but when I logged on I had a PM telling me this exact info! I got my hands on an (out of date) lonely planet guide to india which also is very complimentary about kasol... and its hot springs near by If I can pick up a fishing rod over there I will take it to the "many trout streams" in this area too! not to mention "natural hot springs"!! I was originally going for the dope but now I cant control my excitement about everything, Im thinking about it many hours of each day even when Im doing stuff now..... Only 1 more jags appointment, next monday and I am well and truly on the last lap of waiting Oh 1 question, How is the easiest way to get to malana from kasol? I am desperate to go there but not sure of the best route up... would I be better trekking to malana from a closer villiage than kasol or is this still viable? Im very curious about this elusive villiage after reading some storys on it and if I can get a rough plan of how to get there that would be good... Cheers Kieran

Oct 10th, 2006, 21:24	#98
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Keiran,if you want to go to Malana you will have to be quick, it gets very cold up there at 9000ft.I would suggest you spend 2-4 days in Kasol to get your bearings & just keep your eye on the clouds, it wouldn't be pleasant trying to trek it in the rain.For the sake of 70RS i would say keep your room at Bahadur G/H & just take a few essentials with you, you'll probaly only stay a day or 2. From Kasol you can take a local bus to Jari, in Jari there is a taxi stand in the middle of the village that does runs upto the dam project at the end of the road, this is where you set off walking from & it's uphill all the way for about 3hrs. Really you need to decide how long you will stay there because you need to arrange with the taxi driver a time & day that you want him to come back & pick you up, also i would try & hook up with others who want to trek to Malana in Kasol & then you can split the taxi fare & also because it would be safer, people have disappeared or been found dead in this area over the yrs. If you are not sure of anything just ask Desi at the G/H he his an hillman & knows the area well & is always ready to help or advice. BOM KK

Oct 15th, 2006, 19:04	#99
johnrxx99 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 110	Indeed, it rained most of yesterday and all the surrounding mountains are snow covered, and it was cold and that's in Manali. I hope it has'nt turned too quickly but if you're going, the next day or two I'd say.

Oct 15th, 2006, 21:49	#100
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Hi John, Thanks for the local weather report. How's your ankle,hope it's got a bit better & hasn't ruined your journey too much, sounds like your back in Manali then, if so have you been & checked out Vashisht & Nagar yet? KK

Oct 16th, 2006, 21:38	#101
scotsman Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: scotland Posts: 52	Cheers lads. Thanks for that weather tip! Unfortonately I cant go tomorrow, as its the 30th I leave..... I've had my final jab today, rabies and hep B (big needles) my arms aching! However thats the very last jab and I am now free to travel!!! Only 2 weeks today now. I was getting gear at the weekend, I got an 88 litre sack (70 + 18 litre daysack:attached) and some very comfy waterproof karrimore boots. is this a good size to take? it seems big but not too big? I bought a columbia (think it was) jacket out of T K max for £40 which was 3000mm waterproof and a wee bit lined, but then saw a tog-24 very thick gortex (is that it? the 100% waterproof and windproof material?) jacket in theyre own shop for £130 (reduced from £280). I bought that instead and returned the inferior one. At the time I was thinking "no, dont really have to spend that much, its india, wont be that cold" and regretted spending that much for this oven-like jacket.... but after hearing this weather report, and the consensus seeming to be it WILL be VERY cold up there, its just as well I did! Also bought some trekking insulated waterproof trousers.... I'm just breaking in these boots and they are really comfy. An important note. On the visa application it asks for 2 Indian references. I dont know anyone in India and didnt know what to put so phoned the embassy to ask about this. They said to put my hotels I'm staying in, but as I dont know the names of the hotels what can I do? They said to write, "not finalized the details" or something similar, but that it could make a difference how fast I get my visa (normally takes 1 day) What did you guys put for you're visa application "indian references" bit If I do, for instance, put the names of the 2 hotels you reccomended kullu... Would the embassy check up and make sure this info is correct, and if they find I've not booked there already they might not give me the visa?? what should I do about these references? Will they check with the hotel? and if I;ve not booked in, cancel my visa? I dont want to put "not finalized hotel booking" yet either incase this dosnt bode well with the visa sorters and it makes a difference if I get one, fullstop. I go in 2 weeks and am a bit worried about this visa thing. I also got told to go to the embassy as early as possible as they're so busy just now that theyre sending some people away most days. As its friday I will need to go as Ive got the next 3 days, I am going to get there at 6 in the morning and listen to my MP3 for the hours until it opens at 9 30! Or anyone else think of a better way to make sure it gets guaranteed done but without waiting in the cold for 3 hours!? I know about malana getting cold but is it really that bad I have to go soon? How cold are we talking? With this superb mountain jacket wont it keep me warm enough? Even if its snowy and cold I would want to go for a mission, im 20 yrs old in good physical shape and wouldnt have thought a 7km trek even in deep snow would be... dangerous? un-dooable? Are you saying get up there quickly because its not as fun to walk in bad conditions or is it actually dangerous to go when the "weather turns"? John, can you tell me how much I should be paying for hash up there? I dont have a clue what price I should be paying I'm excited and the days seem to be passing slower than they were last week but really 14 days isnt much Best regards Kieran

Oct 16th, 2006, 22:17	#103
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Hi Scotsman, have you thought about going to a visa surgery they are held in Indian Temples & Mosques all over the country, if you phone the H.C. they will tell you when & where the nearest one to you is. Here's a post i put on another forum about my surgery visit a few months ago: "well, i'm back complete with valid visa. Got to the surgery at 9.30am all completed by 11.15am waited in a hall with about 80 Indians & believe it or not about 20 Angrezi (English), i didn't think that many English new about it. It was a bit like sitting in an Indian bank with everything been done in triplicate & 5 people doing the job of 1 except it takes them 5 times longer, you know the one!!! But the best bit of all was THE SMELL! you know what i'm talking about. It was that smell of India, but without the really bad bits (one day someone will bottle it & make a fortune out of suckers like me!) The reason for the smell was because the room next door contained the temple & there was lots of incense being wafted about & the local Indian wives had spent the night before making refreshments to raise funds for charity. They were serving 1 big very fresh samosa with a portion of pakora & raita for £1 & a delicious chana masala, so i got 2 portions of each to bring home for lunch, i said to the woman kitne £s & couldn't believe it when she replied "AS YOU LIKE" anyway it's lunchtime now so i'm off to stuff my face & i think i'll definitely use the visa surgeries from now on! KK" Here's a link to the full thread: http://www.theindiatree.com/forum2/i...showtopic=1330 Anyway it sounds like you're better equipped for the cold than Chris Bonnington I thought been Scottish you wouldn't feel the cold you know "made in Scotland from Girders" I wouldn't worry too much about the 2 Indian references, but if you are worried just google Delhi Hotels & put down the details of any 2 hotels no-one will check from the H.C. Just to remind you how high Malana is Here;s a link to my photo's, http://www.theindiatree.com/forum2/i...album&album=14 you can see the hills above Malana have snow on them & this was in August! If you do make it remember not to go alone, not becaus you might get murdered but because if you slip & twist your ankle or anything it's a cold lonely place to be stuck in the middle of nowhere & there are some very steep drops near the edge of the path. Glad you made it Zoomsuzy can't wait to here about it. Bom Bolenath KK

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Oct 16th, 2006, 22:50	#104
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,532	For a tourist visa from the uk it ok to leave the indian ref . bit blank .I'v always done this with no problem .some peaple put in the name of a hotel or two ,it's not a problem . hope this helps .

Oct 16th, 2006, 23:35	#105
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,842	Scotsman, Ahhhh.... TK MAX You're making me homesick!!!! Don't worry about the references. Pick a couple of hotels. No --- they don't check: they turn around the visa in a couple of hours...