The one where we went to prison

(to start off...sorry the blogging has been slacking!)

A couple of weeks ago we had a free weekend and we decided it was time to go check out the Fremantle Prison.  We are actually in Fremantle a lot because that's the suburb by the beach!  It's an area with great places to eat and cute little shops...it's only about 20 minutes away so it's very convenient!

The prison is one of the interesting tourist attractions and we had really been wanting to check it out.  The prison opened in the 1850's and was actually built by the prisoners. This is the outside courtyard of the main cell block (and this picture is actually from wikipedia)

The prison closed in 1991 and after several years of debate it was made a historical site so it can never be torn down.

Our tour guide said that most of the prison was left exactly as it had been when it closed in '91.  Our tour started in the room where prisoners were processed and this is what they had to wear.

After a quick trip through the (nasty!) showers...we were in the courtyard of the main cell block.

On the far side of the picture above....there is a red bricked wall & building...that is where the women's section was.  Also looking at the picture above...the part of the building that shoots out is the chapel.

Then we went inside...looks like a prison!

We learned that the netting was a way to prevent suicides.

And here's a look at daily life in prison.

This is what the cells looked like...certainly not the Hilton!

And you can't see it in the picture above... but this is what the prisoner's toilet looked like.

As our tour guide pointed out...the temperature was in the mid-90's when we were there...imagine 200 buckets in that area when it was over 100 and no a/c. grroooossss!!!

Next we headed outside to see some of the yards where prisoners got outside time.

Next it was back inside to see how the cells have evolved throughout the years.

One of the very early cells.

The paintings in this cell were done by a prisoner and they allowed it because he painted for therapeutic reasons.

And then we took a trip into the chapel.  On the Ten Commandment boards on either side of the cross...they actually changed the wording of the commandment that says 'Thou Shall not kill" to Thou shall not murder" since they did execute people at the prison.

Speaking of executions...our last stop was to where the executions took place.  They did just over 40 executions (if I remember correctly) all were men except 1 woman.

 

 

We enjoyed the tour very much!  There is actually 3 other tours that the prison has but we want to save those for when people come to visit us so we have something fun to take our guests to!

 















 



The one where it's Australia Day 2013

Saturday January 26th, was Australia Day here Down Under.  There is a historical reason for the holiday which you can read here at good ole' wikipedia but as far as all us foreigners knew...it was a day to drink, eat, dress in all the Australian gear you can find and watch fireworks. :)
So that's what we did!
Everyone came over to our place since we heard we would have a good view of the fireworks. 

But first...Jaret and I got the apartment looking all festive!

 

 

We even added some money TP to the restroom :)

 

 

 

And last but not least...our friends have some awesome kids, Jaret and I absolutely love them all.  So we thought it would be fun to get them all a goodie bag to remember the day!

 

And here was what was inside them...we were told they were a hit with all the kiddos!

(Flag, sweatbands, light-up necklace, stickers, koala, key chain, money magnet, balloon, party horn, and girls-light-up bracelet/boys-football)

 

Everyone started arriving and they sure brought some yummy food!  :)







 

 

And don't we all look quite spiffy in our Australian best!?!?

 

Baby Tatum probably had the best Australian attire on (hehe, it was SOOO cute!)

 

 

Something that was really cool was that there was an air show going on the entire day.  About every half hour...another set of planes or air crafts would fly by our apartment...and there was even a gigantic Australian flag that was really neat!

While we waited for the fireworks...the kids were getting a little restless, so we sent the men and the kids down to the playground.

 

 And this is the view they had of us...and I'm the nerd that forgot her drink, I was getting the picture above :)

 

Here are the boys waiting for the fireworks to start...

 

Then it got dark and the fireworks started!!



 

And the party didn't end just because the fireworks were over :)

 

 

We didn't do too bad on our 1st Australia Day for a group of (mostly) Texans!!



 

 

 



The one where we meet the animals

Since we arrived in Perth, we have heard of a couple places, that aren't the zoo, where you can get up close and personal with animals!  I, of course, was totally up for the adventure!  Jaret was too :)  So this weekend we had a free day and decided to try one of the places out!
We drove about 40 minutes (more like an hour & 15 min, but that's because we went the wrong way at first, oops!) to the Cohunu Koala Park.
It's a big plot of land that is fenced in and most animals are just roaming around.  But first on the agenda, I got to cuddle with a Koala!! It was so cool!

 

 

 

As you can see in the picture above...there were a bunch of koala's behind us...and Jaret loved the fact they were just hangin' around and sleeping like nothing was going on around them.



 

 

There was even a little baby koala!

 

Once we were done with the koalas...we went out into the park to play with the rest of the animals.

But first we had to pass these creepy things...



 

Then we saw a peacock out for a stroll...with some babies!

 

Now it was time to play & feed some kangaroos, wallabies & a couple of deer (yeah, we thought it was a little random for the deer)



 

 

And yes...we were sold popcorn to feed the animals.

 

 

 

 

The little guy Jaret is feeding above had the prettiest eyelashes :)



 

Right by the kangaroos were the ostrichs...thank goodness they were fenced up because they were a tad scary.

 



 

 

These emus were roaming about and also made us a bit nervous...something about birds.

 

These mini horses were actually not free roaming... it said they were in the "Diet Ranch"...I guess some of the animals indulge in a bit too much popcorn :)

 

 

And then we played with the llamas for a bit and called them Tina, thank you "Napoleon Dynamite"

 



 

Last we saw the Dingo <<insert "Seinfeld" quote here>>...and he was caged, but he was so pathetic and really cute!  He kinda reminded me of my niece-dog, Penny!



 

We had a great time playing with all the animals (despite the heat)...but it was fun to see some of Australia's animals :)

 

And I will leave you with one more picture of me with my new koala friend!