Melbourne is a large bustling city, full of underground places that are easy to miss at a glance. We took a walking tour of the city in order to get more of an insiders view.
We were able to learn a little more history about the buildings, and funny antics about scandalous paintings and other such things you wouldn't normally hear about. 
The city reminds me very much of Austin. It is very big on supporting local businesses and artists. We were taken to some interesting places off the beaten path to see these local artists and other architectural gems. 
We were also taken to some rather unique and very local shopping districts that were easy to pass by. It was a fun way to spend a few hours viewing such a large city. They certain love their coffee shops and outdoor cafes. I can't say that I blame them. They also love to show off their graffiti alley. Some of it is pretty amazing.
We spent the second part of the day at the local gaol. It was surprisingly fascinating. Of course it was a little creepy too. Every room you wander through had pictures and the story of one of the inmates incarcerated. I certainly wouldn't want to spend any length of time in such tiny cells.
For an extra fee, and on certain evenings, you can do a haunted jail tour. Essentially a tour guide tells ghost stories, trying to scare you to death. The idea of paying someone to scare me has never made much sense. I opted out of that. Plus we weren't there the night it was offered. The other night tour you could do was to be locked in one of the cell rooms, in the dark, for an hour.
While locked in the dark, you listen to all the strange and uncomfortable sounds that would go on in such a place. Again, I was not tempted. A regular boring day tour was interesting enough for me.
The other aspect of the tour was to get booked, finger printed, and locked away in a separate 30 minutes tour. I haven't been locked up in an overseas jail before, and decided it might be time.
They give you a card with a name, and details of the what, where, when, and how of your arrest. I was arrested in the park for stalking. It was a beautiful day to do it after all.
They separate the males and the females, and lock you in a cell room for about 5 pictures. Then you're allowed out to take pictures and such.
This area of the jail included an exercise room, padded cell, and of course an area to take your mug shot.
The officer booking us was about 5 feet tall, and had so much sass and personality we laughed the whole time. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.
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