Ron - because most places I've stayed don't take advance bookings and so that forces you to take somewhere more expensive. It just surprised me, that's all!

That's nuts! Most (cheap) hostels don't want / take payment in advance. Maybe it's just that Embassy?

I did it with Yangon and pretty sure friends did it with KL without the 'paid' bit.

booking.com - find something with free cancellation, book it, print the confirmation, cancel it. No hassle.

@T**

- it was wishful thinking!

@T**

- I've always gone in and out on tourist visas because I was lazy. This is the first time I went to an embassy to get 60 days so the 90 day date span confused me. I get it.

Fabulous embassy in any case.

@T**

- So, wait. I'm confused. Even though it's dated for three months that doesn't mean I can stay for three months without renewing it? I'll see when I go back in a couple of days, but it's not clear from the visa itself!

Collection is 1.30 to 3 and I turned up 2.58 (traffic). In and out. Granted a three month visa. Asked for two. VERY happy!!!!

Oh, and I got there around 9.30. Three of the four counters were open and wait time was 10 or 15 minutes.

They do have application forms there if you don't print one off.

I went today. Seems pretty straightforward. Go 9-11. Return 1.30-3 next working day.

They didn't check the form or paperwork I supplied at the time, which concerned me. But I'm sure it'll be fine.

You do need crisp dollar bills though. Some people didn't have exact money and were given change in dollars.

All seemed pretty organised and efficient though.

Go onto booking.com and book something for a month. Print the confirmation and then cancel the booking.

Most of the hotels have free cancellations before a certain date.

Just in case!