Today, I'll be bringing everyone to a nice place. I'm bringing everyone on a day trip to the old Melbourne Gaol. Let me briefly introduce this place first. Melbourne Gaol, a prison used in the 19th century, is Victoria's oldest prison. For everyone's information, Australia do not have capital punishment anymore. If I'm not wrong the last person who received capital punishment in Australia was hanged here, at the old Melbourne Gaol. Including a notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly. To all who don't know him, he's like Australia's Robin Hood. Do a search on him, he's a very interesting criminal. Hahaha! Let me just tell you the best! The best part about this place, the Watch House. The Watch House is the place where the criminals get locked up and wait for their hearing.
It is a really scary place for the criminals. Imagine you and your bunch of friends breaking the law, and so unfortunately, you were the only one who got caught. After you were brought to the Watch House, you saw many others, all whom you didn't know. You are alone. You want so much to speak to the one beside you but you can't. The Sergeants are there, staring at you. No one is allowed to talk, or trouble will fall upon you. Everyone just stood there in a line, no talking , no fidgeting, only standing quietly waiting for the Sergeant to question each criminal one by one, while the rest wait.
It's your turn, you walk up to the Sergeant and the Sergeant starts to question you. Don't expect the kind of tone you will get from a hotel receptionist or the concierge, the Sergeant will show you who's boss. While you were giving your statement, one of the female criminal in the line burst into tears. Do not expect these Sergeants to pacify her, coaxing her to stop crying. This is a watch house. They shout at her, so loud, so scary that her tears were held back within a second.
After everyone is done, all of you are brought through a metal grill gate into a narrow alley where you are now then asked to stand straight, leaning against the wall. Everyone is instructed to bend forward as if you are doing a bow and start using your hand to sweep your hair for any potential forbidden items hidden. Yep, for anyone who is guessing, this is the part where they will be doing your full body inspection. Don't think you can cheat your way through as the Sergeant will always be there to give a helping hand if you are not thorough enough. But, don't expect them to be gentle. While you are doing so, the Sergeants will put on a rubber glove and ask you to strip naked to see if you have any forbidden item on your body hidden anywhere as well. Once the checks on the clothes and the body search is done. It's the painful part. For the guys,it's that hand up in your arse to see if there's anything hidden inside, and for the ladies, it's double trouble.
After which , everyone will be brought to the dark cells while you wait, for no reason given. I call it the dark cell for a reason, put your hands up right in front of you when you are inside, you can't see your hand. You are instructed to wait, standing. you can risk sitting and risk getting yourself into trouble, perhaps another "up-your-arse search".
Yup, you can never expect hotel treatment when you go into prison. You will be treated like dirt, you will get reprimanded like you were never did before. You will be treated with no dignity and no respect. You will regret you broke the law.
How was the story? I hope it's not too boring.. Hahaha... Anyway that was a rough walkthrough about the 1 hour guided tour provided at the Old Melbourne Gaol. The Sergeant (tour guide) introduce the watch house by treating the visitors like prisoners the moment you step in. Yup, I went to this place with my friend, Ying. Ying and I went through the guided tour almost exactly like what I told everyone, except that there is no stripping and "up your arse" search. But the Sergeant did put on the rubber gloves. Throughout the tour, it's endless and endless of MAD shoutings by the Sergeant. I would say it's a different experience. It's a CRAZY experience! Hahaha! I bet the worst scoldings Ying ever got in her life is not at home, but at Melbourne Gaol!
After the tour, Ying and I went to to walk around at the exhibition area. Some pictures for everyone to enjoy!
This is old Melbourne Gaol, the exhibition area. Some exhibits are placed inside the cells.
The place where the hanging is done. As quoted by Charles Duff, Hanging is a fine art.
The view of the exhibition area again, from below this time.
Prisoner 12347 - Me (Height - 5'8.5")
Prisoner 12348 - Ying Huey (Height - Confidential)
No longer in use, it is now conserved by the National Trust of Australia, the place i mean, not the model...
A photography area - That's the armour Ned Kelly wears when he commits his crimes.
Anyway, it's rumoured that the Old Melbourne Gaol is haunted. I think it's true. Look closely into the cell behind Ying. Is it just me or do you see a headless body too?
I had a lot of fun going there, especially with Ying cos she is so funny! This place is a definite must-go as you really won't get that experience anywhere else. Yeah, I guess that's all for now. Ciaoz!
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