Alcatraz: A prison on the rock

One day I was wondering that why people love to visit Alcatraz which is a haunted place, a prison? I wish I could have visited this floating rock between the water earlier then I wouldn’t have asked this freaky question. My friend used to tell me always that I want to visit Alcatraz and as usual my job was to criticize her by saying what a choice you have! But today, after visiting this site it has been my favorite part of the trip. My friend one day insisted me by saying that we friend made a plan and I said what is it? And a flow of three words penetrated into my ears “trip to Alcatraz”. God! I can’t digest it any more but as they are my friends I cannot say no to them. A true relationship what friendship is and I simply said ok as they was convincing me a lot.

Whenever I think of this moment I feel like what a crap I am to neglect such a magnificent place. Tourist throng to this place so much that tours run at every half an hour remains packed. It is actually an island which is made up of rock. So it is named as Alcatraz which means rock and is located at the remote rocky outcrop in San Francisco Bay of America. Initially, it was the home to the lighthouse in the year 1854 and the also the first US Fort on the West Coast in the year 1859. Later this place was being used as a prison in between the years from 1934 and 1963.

The prison was designed to remove the kidnappers, racketeers and trouble makers far from the outside world. It was a home to some well-known criminals like AI Capone, George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly and Robert ‘The Birdman’ Stroud. Some history is there related to this but finally the island had been preserved as part of the National Park system and also a popular tourist destination instead of criminals. We directly took a flight to San Francisco International Airport and then traveled by a ferry to the island which is the only access to Alcatraz Island. The cellblock provides an audio tour with narration from earlier guards and prisoners that lead you ahead. I wish I would have seen the time when prisoners are actually brought over here but no, the prison was closed during 60s.

We engaged with the tour which is really educational and they are doing a good job by telling few stories to the tourists. Make sense! Anyway, for me it’s a reflection of realizing the nature of prison. They actually focus more on the worst criminals who were accommodated there and tried escape attempts. We tried to make our trip best and accordingly we explore the island in day and even at night. It’s terrific exploring the Alcatraz Island prison during night. As the rock is in the middle of the bay we felt too cold during night but managed with our coat and jackets.

Well, the tour always remains crowded with the tourists so we managed to visit early morning. We wandered around the island and explored remarkable buildings that are well preserved. May be it’s a ferry or the island itself both offered us magnificent sightseeing opportunities. The ferry also offers Angel Island to visit which is a nature sanctuary but the island of Alcatraz is the best in front of Angel Island. Well, I must say that buy your tickets early before you leave home. The night tour cost a little more. Once we reached to the rock the guided tour helps us to move up on the rock. I enjoyed hiking there. Those who do not want to hike can travel by tram that will lead you up on the rock. After reaching to the prison we have been given a headset to listen to the stories. I’ve never learnt history in school but this proved impressive. The sites are amazing and I must say that it worth every penny.

In the middle of the San Francisco Bay the island is a must-see attraction which a tourist must not miss at any cost. We normally visit magnificent sites, historic sites, natural beauties, and many wonders that really fascinate us a lot but visiting a prison site, I just can’t get how odd it is. But an audio tour really suites every pocket. Amazing, I mean a prison could also be a business for someone, is great. My friends were right, now I say to my other friends that you should visit this tourist site at least once in your life.