Friday - January 4, 2019

January 4, 2019

Fremantle, Western Australia 

Yesterday afternoon we decided that taking a nap won hands down. It was 3:30 and it had been 42 hours since we got up to leave for the airport. Despite the naps on the planes we were exhausted. We woke up at 8:15 in the evening and took some time to plan our Friday. Then we went to bed for the night. 

This morning we got up at 4:30. We were well rested. After getting dressed we repacked our bags, and talked about our plans for the day. Breakfast would be at The Attic down the block from the hotel. Then we would walk to Fremantle Markets. They opened at 8:00. After the markets we would find a place to have lunch before going to tour Fremantle Prison.  At 7:30 we were having breakfast in the attic of The Attic. Alice had an excellent oat Bircher. I had the green breakfast. Kale, endive, broccoli, green beans and Brussels sprouts over beetroot humus. Both were outstanding, but we could have shared the green breakfast. We will tomorrow. 

It was a short walk to Fremantle Markets. We walked in at 8:15 and did not finish until 12:30. What a great market. The products were very different and interesting. We made a fair contribution to the local economy. As we entered it seemed like we were the only ones there. By the time we left we were having trouble negotiating the aisles. 

We had a wonderful time visiting the stalls and conversing with the shop owners, but now it was too late to do lunch if we hoped to take the trio of tours at the prison. Our friend Sharon did three tours last year while on the World Cruise, and highly recommended we do the same. 

We had such a good time at the markets that we did not mind going to the prison without lunch. We arrived at Fremantle Prison at 1:30 and purchased tickets for three tours. At 1:45 we would start the tour that covered the period from Britain’s turning the property over to local authorities until its closure in 1991. At 3:00 we would take the tour that covered the history from building the prison in 1851 to the turnover. Our final tour at 4:45 would deal with famed criminals incarcerated here. 

All three tours were outstanding. The content was excellent, and the guides were as well. 

On our way back to the hotel we stopped for an excellent dinner of chicken parmigiana and salad. 

Now we are in our room recalling the joys of the day. We will retire soon in preparation for some leisurely walking tours tomorrow.