Written by Dr. Laxmi Iyer

Lighthouses. Things of the past. Not really. They still play a useful role to ships at sea. In many places of the world, old lighthouses still hold terrific appeal to the young and old alike.

However, if the last time you visited a lighthouses was while watching a movie or playing a cyber game, then it's time you jumped a dimension and visited one in real time - 3 dimensional space.

Lighthouses remind you of the mystery stuff that novels are made of. Dark, moonlit nights, the waves roaring and storms threatening to break out. And more often than not, there's sure to be a lighthouse setting where there's a lot happening.

If you plan to visit a lighthouse, things that you must carry with you are a torch, strong rope and a life buoy. Don't forget to keep the coast guard officers informed.

Make sure that you are suitably attired - windcheaters, correct footwear etc. For your cats, carry a special basket. You don't want your cats to be pooped out by the time you reach the top of the lighthouse. Don't make your cats walk all the way.

Dont' travel to a lighthouse all alone with your cats. Make sure that you visit lighthouses in a group. A group of five or six should be okay.

Try to get your whole family to be interested in this adventure. Pack a nice picnic hamper. Play some good music. Get light hearted. Carry a joke book. Regale everyone with hilarious jokes. If you are witty, you can invent some on the spot.

Once all of you have explored the lighthouse thoroughly, you can talk about all the interesting things that have happened in lighthouses. Vignettes of history, scenes from films, interesting storylines can keep all your friends and wide eyed and engrossed for hours.

Don't forget to carry some board games with you. Play them sitting inside the lighthouse if that's possible. Adds to the fun element.

Be an interesting conversationalist. Narrate your earlier adventures - good, bad or hair raising! Whatever it was. Try to make sure that you go visiting lighthouse only on sunny day. Turbulent stormy weather complete with thunder and lightning is the wrong time to visit a lighthouse.

However, there's a note of caution. Your pets may be terrified of the sea and heights. Then, of course you should not visit a lighthouse with your pets till you can condition them to feeling comfortable.