1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

So many things about this South India trip were a sheer delight! So very many highlights its really hard to say which part of the skilfully planned trip to mention first. Certainly I can't recommend Rajat's homestay too highly - fantastic home cooking served in the family home. Fresh bread made by Rajat's dad and homemade jams made from fruit harvested from their own garden as well as mouthwatering classic South Indian vegetarian food. I felt very welcome and there was lots of chat, stories and easygoing banter. Real willingness to listen to what I most wanted to do and make flexible plans to accommodate my wishes. Discussion about local wildlife led to a spontaneous drive up to a nearby reservoir and a magical evening walk into the dense pine forest stillness to see Malabar squirrels with faces like Koala and glorious bushy tails. Other highlights: getting my hand decorated with henna by Rajat's sister, including a lush mango and peacocks.

Stunning trip down from the high tea growing hills of Ooty down into the foothills on a steam train with open windows and monkeys appearing like magic out the the trees at every stop. And I now know I have been over-boiling the water for my tea and after a fascinating visit to a local tea plantation and factory - I will never buy 'basic British rail tea again! (Life's too short). Although I found I really did not want to leave the homestay, the rest of the trip produced a number of delights - particularly India's wildlife. Somehow I hadn't taken on board how easy it would be to see wild elephant, mongoose, wild boar and exotic birds. Sipping a cool drink on the veranda at a resort near Nagoli Nature Reserve whilst watching the huge red globe of the sun dip into the lake whilst listening to a Minor bird calling from the thatched palm roof of my jacuzzi hut.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Do take the opportunity Rajat offers to really tailor your holiday to include your favourite things. He came up with a number of proposals and in the end I couldn't resist the birdwatching, the steam train trip and the visit to the fabulous carved temples in Hassan. The Bird Sanctuary just outside Mysore was pretty amazing too -masses of nesting Stork, night Heron, Pelican and little crocodile basking on the rocks. Worth it just to hear the sound! Don't worry so much as I did about mosquitoes medicine if travelling to the same area at the same time of year (early March)! I bought lots of sprays but didn't see any Mosquitoes at all in the 2 weeks I was in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai.

Do hand over any driving to an experienced Indian national!! If you have ever read the Harry Potter stories and encountered the 'Night Bus' which can shrink to "squeeze" through oncoming traffic - then you have some idea what you are in for. Unbelievable - but quite exhilarating if you can give into it and if your nerves can withstand the abrupt breaking upon approaching myriad unmarked speed bumps before creeping over and speeding away again. Coffee Day, a chain of what appears to be India's version of Starbucks or Costa is good for coffee but watch out for the innocuous looking wraps. I had the hottest wrap I've ever encountered in my life there.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

The Homestay used solar heating to supply the hot water for showers. the food was homegrown or local and the family are keen environmentalists who have planted a series of local tree saplings in their garden as a step towards there being more indigenous trees in the local area. In all the accommodation booked for me attempts had been made to reduce the impact on the local environment and encourage guests to reduce laundry and production of rubbish etc.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

I would certainly rate this holiday very highly and recommend it to anyone with an appetite for vivid colours, for anyone who likes life a la carte rather than standard table d'hote, and for anyone who likes to ask those 'why?' and 'how?' questions - rather than 'when?' or 'how much?' The homestay opportunity gives a refreshing opportunity to ask those sorts of questions which were fielded with gentle openness and humour by Rajat and his family and this adds so much to the adventure.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Difficult to decide but Chembakolli was a real highlight. The most memorable was the excellent meal cooked in the home of the tour operator, giving us a chance to meet all of his family and gain a first hand insight into Indian life.

2. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
There was direct to local people, since the company was Indian.

3. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a very good introductory experience to Southern India; all the arrangements, accommodation, transport and subsistence was of a very high standard.