Fremantle Prison

On Sunday, Meg(roommate at Davina's place) set up the Fremantle Prison Tunnel tour, a 2hr tour through the tunnels underneath the prison that were hand dug by the prisoners to reach the aquifers for water to the above world. Eventually they also supplied the surrounding settlement as well. First they pumped the water by hand but over time installed a steam engine pumping station.

Once the aquifers ran dry, they found other means for water sources and in 1989 there was an oil spill through the tunnels. This part is interesting so pay attention: the solution they came up with was to put a type of mold in the tunnels that would eat the diesel oil and leave no bi-product. So once all the spill was 'eaten' they sealed the tunnels until the government decided to make it a historical landmark and a place for visitors. HOW cool!!!

Before we went to the prison we cruised the streets and markets and found a place to eat lunch and take advantage of a couple of shopping opportunities. Great food, great environment! It reminded me of the French Quarter in New Orleans but with a nice breeze:)!

It was such a great experience and a lot of locals expressed their own interest in seeing the prison tunnels and just haven't gotten to it.....well get to it folks, that was a great tour!

It was blazing hot in our 'outfits' above ground but once you climbed 20meters down, it was at least 20 degrees cooler. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

From the parking lot, looking at the main entrance....
Meghan and Carlos....
Walking the streets of Fremantle and about to enter the markets...
Once inside the markets, it was a mix of a flea market and a farmers market, so much fun!...
Vendors and people everywhere!
The streets of Fremantle....
Street performers...
More vendors on the street....
Walking to the entrance of the prison....
INSIDE the walls, looking left...
then looking right....
Photo opportunity INSIDE:) Meg, Amber, me and Davina....
Our tour guide - Richard...
All in, gates closed:(....
Walking to the tunnel entrance...
This is the amount of limestone they pulled out of one tunnel...could you imagine do that by hand?
About the size of the tunnels....
We had to watch a video first for history and safety....
Then they had to make sure we were all sober - Amber doing a breathalyzer test...
Gearing up, it was so hot!!!
Post tour with all our GEAR on....safety harness for not falling down the ladders, life vest so we don't drown in the 3 ft of water and the hard hat and light for the ole noggin and to see....
Our sexy boot shot....not really though...
Amber loosing her overalls....
Hey! They are letting us out!!!
To the right of the prison, not sure what, but they were cool buildings....

After the tour, we came home, showered and went to Luke's mom and dad's house for Sunday dinner and met Luke's sister and her kids and had a great dinner! I had 2 helpings of everything! YUMMY! And that was the off day! We are planning to go back and do more shopping this weekend, just wasn't enough time!

Reading: my book again, finally having some energy to read before bed

Watching: Tennis on TV

Eating: Vegemite, gotta try it!

Drinking: lots of water and the occasional Coke Zero

Listening: tennis on TV