So excited as we went to Alcatraz today! We caught a tram from Downtown to Pier 33 and then caught a ferry over to the island. The island itself is a mile and a half away from the mainland and so we were able to see it from the pier.

As we were on the ferry waiting to leave the port I spotted a seal swimming around by the jetty! I couldn't believe it, my first wild seal!....Put a huge smile on my face!

I braved going up onto top deck to get a few photos of Alcatraz from a distance, but the weather was so cold and misty that I didn't stay outside for too long. The island was pretty impressive and as we got closer I could see the weathered buildings and the run down prison. The tress and foliage were pretty impressive - quite exotic looking - a very enticing island!

The prison and surrounding buildings were beautiful to look at - extremely impressive! Walking from the bottom of the island up to the tower was equivalent to walking up thirteen stories of a building! It was fairly steep but nothing strenuous - nothing like climbing Cascade Mountain!

We had an audio tour around Alcatraz prison which I found really informative - it felt like having my own personal tour guide. I was guided through the cell blocks - the solitary confinement - the more privilege cells and the more common cells. We learnt about some of the inmates and those who attempted to escape. We were also shown around the exercise yard, the library, the canteen, where the guards stood to keep watch, the showers and also the officers territory. I found today to be really interesting - Alcatraz has been a place where I've always wanted to visit and so pleased that we were able to take part in the tour.!