Alcatraz

We left Google for San Francisco where we were scheduled to take a boat to go to Alcatraz. Note that you should book in advance your tickets as the boats are pretty much all sold out. when you show up on the day itself.
I knew Alcatraz because of the movie with Clint Eastwood and I find it so cool to visit the place. I don't know why but I find it fascinating to visit the prison where no one can escape from (in theory).

After a short boat trip (10-15min or so), a glimpse on the Golden Gate bridge and fog coming into the bay (seems like the fog is following us), we arrived at Alcatraz.

No kidding on Acatraz Island, obviously.

After a short brief by one of the ranger we quickly walked uphill to start the visit of the prison itself.

Setting the tone as you enter the prison building itself.

The shower room as been converted as entrance where visitors can get an audio guide.

The audio guide is honestly the best one I ever had. I usually avoid audio guides as in most cases they don't say more than what is written on the sign already. In Alcatraz however the tour is given by former inmates sharing how they experience the prison. It makes a huge difference as now it's not just some description but testimony from the people who actually lived in the prison. Extremely powerful way of creating the atmosphere and sharing with you how it was to be locked in in Alcatraz.

When you arrive in Alcatraz as an inmate, you get a cell (notice the limited space) and the copy of the rules in the prison. Those rules you'd better stick to.

 

There were 4 cell blocks in the prison. Cells in B and C blocks (336 cells, see above and below) were considered "general population"

The bad guys on the other hand would spend quality time in the D block, also known as Isolation.

No kidding in the D block as that's where were the cells without any light, where you as a visitor can get into. Audio guide then asks you to close your eyes and imagine how it would feel to spend days in the dark, how you can start hallucinating and hearing sounds. Scary...

 During the tour we also get to hear the story of the battle of Alcatraz and how some inmates managed to get hold of THE key that would give them access to the gun gallery. A massive fight occurred and ended up with several guardians killed as well as the rebelling inmates.

To pass time, inmates would read from the library, play music or paint. Each of these activities had to be earn by the inmates. Nothing is for free in Alcatraz.

If you were lucky you would have a cell with a "view" on San Francisco or the bay.

Alcatraz closed in 1963 and everything is pretty much in the conditions as when it was closed, especially the control room. When you see it, you recognize it from the movie (I guess it's more the other way around).

Hungry, here is the kitchen. I heard spaghetti's were good :)

Last but not least, see how Morris (alias Clint Eastwood) escaped from Alcatraz. They expanded the ventilation hole and used dummies to give the illusion they were sleeping. Very very smart. Nobody knows what happened to those 3 inmates: did they drown? are they somewhere in Latin America enjoying a nice life? It will remain a mystery. That's probably one of the reasons why Alcatraz is fascinating.

Alcatraz island is also known for its gardens that serve as home for many birds. Some of these gardens were created and maintained by the inmates. The other by the correctional officers' wives.