We Went to Alcatraz and Escaped!!

Today we did our ferry trip and tour of Alcatraz. Once reaching Alcatraz you do a self-guided audio tour via MP3 Player (it was a Walkman 20 years ago!!), very interesting. They also dispel a few rumours as well, i.e. there was NO Birdman of Alcatraz (don't let the truth get in the way of a good movie!). Robert Stroud did spend time in Alcatraz but was not the almost good-guy that was portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the movie. Also Al Capone spent time there as well, but did not die in Alcatraz. 3 male escapees to date are still not accounted for but are presumed dead, and I would believe it as it is too far from the mainland to swim and the water is absolutely freezing so you would die from exposure. The prison closed in 1963 because it was deemed too expensive to maintain, not because prisoners escaped.

We then walked down to Pier 39 to the famous sea lion colony and Fisherman's Wharf.
It was pretty busy down there as it is Memorial Day holiday here today, so lots of people around.

Off to Honolulu again tomorrow to catch up with Glenda & Ken again and compare notes, and generally chill out before returning home on Thursday.