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Q: I recently heard about home stay accommodation in India. Do you have information about this project? Thanks in advance, Pensri

A: Yes, you're right. Many villagers in India are now opening their homes to visitors for overnight stays under this project, which is the brainchild of India's Tourism Ministry. It sounds like quite an ambi¬tious plan for India, and it's exciting for us all.

The village home stay project now has its website (www.ExploreRuralIndia.org) and so far lists 28 villages spread all over the country.

It offers a chance to see rural India from a different angle and get in touch with its traditions, from crafts to music and dance and much more.

You can choose your preferred destination on the Web according to area, from the Himalayas in the north to the rice paddies of Kerala in the south, or on the basis of your favourite crafts, which range from palm leaf basketry to Kanadi mural painting and shawl making. Buddhists can choose sites that are home to wellknown monasteries, bird lovers can select a village near a bird sanctuary while history fans can stay near the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Alternatively, if your interest lies in the stone cottages of Ladakh or other aspects of the Himalayas, check out what's on offer at www.HimalayanHomestays.com.

The rural villages of India may not be all that comfortable for travellers, but the government has conducted training about hygiene. However, it is advisable to always stick to bottled water and to remember that home cooking is often vegetarian and usually very spicy. That said, the home stay project is a great way to get to know the essence of India - and on a shoestring as well.

Q: When my father travels by air, he needs to use a wheelchair. Can you give me an idea of the amount I should tip when we travel on a domestic flight? Sean

A: Tipping is not mandatory for any passenger. Even if you are in a wheelchair, the attendants are provided by the airlines to get you to and from the gate at no extra charge, are trained not to ask for tips and wheelchair travellers should feel free to ask for extra help as and when required. At the end, if you want to show gratitude, then that's up to you.

How much to tip is always an interesting debate. As tipping has never been customary in Thailand. I would recommend no less than Bt50 but I think between Bt100 to Bt200 is probably about right if you want to show your gratitude.

If the flight attendant helps your father beyond the call of service, like pushing him outside to get a taxi and helping him carry all the luggage, he or she may deserve a little more.

I wouldn't expect any attendant to refuse to help or ask for money afterwards but not everyone shows the same level of kindness. If you encounter bad service, you should get the name of the attendant and report the problem to an airline representative.