Alcatraz!!!

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Steve:

Ami - This post is for you!

Alcatraz is amazing!! It books up really quickly and you need to sort out tickets about a week in advance. Sadly we didn't know this and had to pay way over the odds from a ticket tout but it was worth it. Its without a doubt the best visitor attraction I have ever been to (even better than the SS Great Britain!)

You get given interpretative headphones when you arrive and these guide you round the Cellhouse. They are really good and give you a good idea of what life was like on the island as the narrative is by ex-prisoners and guards. It guides you through the escape attempts, shoots outs and everyday life.

The views from the island are amazing, both looking back at the bridge and the city. Apparently the guards used to live on the island with their families and it would be an amazing place to live except for the fact that 200 homicidal maniacs would be living next door.

I recommend it to everyone, I could have spent all day there. Definitely the highlight of the trip so far!

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Photos

The Rock
View from the boat

Sign at the Rock
The Indians welcome writing comes from when the island was occupied by Native Americans after the prison was shut.

The Cellhouse
Looking up from the Exercise Yard

The Cells
D-Block

Back to the Cells
From the Exercise Yard

Where She Belongs!
Solitary!

The View that the prisoners had
Looking out to San Fran

View from the Rock
San Fran city centre

Comments

[JRG]

Looks ace
Very jealous. Looks like you've taken to the travelling ways like a duck to water Kate. Steve, like riding a bike for you, no surprise after the two year world tour at the start of the century. Keep it coming. JRG

[Ami]

AMAZING!
Ah man! I really, really, really want to go! So jealous. The photos are brilliant. I reakon Johnnie might OK it now that you have given it such a good review. Sounds like you two are having a fab time, very good blogging, not jealous at all while sat in the office. Looking forward to the next instalment xx

[Kate and Steve]

Cheers Ami and JRG
You could definately do worse things with your trailfinders vouchers! We loved San Fran so much we are heading back for a couple of days tomorrow. Currently up in the Redwood National Park - off to see were Jurassic Park was filmed today! I hope all is good with you guys? Wish you were here! Steve