Self-driving trip to Australia｜Port Arthur

In order to accompany my son to learn English, I also insist on checking in to read English every day, so I have read many original English books, including "A Brief History of Humanity" written by academic internet celebrity Yuval Harari. Today I read about Tasmania while reading A Brief History of Humanity, and it reminded me of that beautiful island where kangaroos can be seen everywhere.

Today, Tasmania is known as the end of the world, the last piece of pure land in the world, but hundreds of years ago, this beautiful island was not beautiful. Dutch navigators were the first to discover this place in 1642, and then European colonists came to this island one after another, turning it into a hell on earth. While they were building prisons here and exiling prisoners, they were also implementing an inhumane genocide plan against the local indigenous people. Until the last Tasmanian died in 1876, Tasmania finally became a paradise for invaders. .

It is precisely because many prisons were built during the colonial period that Port Arthur, a particularly big attraction in Tasmania now, is to visit the prison at that time. It is said that the original intention of Port Arthur's design at that time was "a machine to temper criminals into honest people." However, after these dozens of prison buildings were enveloped by the surrounding natural beauty, it became a place that combines beauty and terror. .

After driving for two hours from Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, and seeing all kinds of green mountains and green waters along the way, we came to the once feared Port Arthur Prison. This is my favorite place in Tasmania. A place where I finally got a win over my son.

It is said that in the 19th century, Port Arthur suffered a fire that burned down most of the buildings. Fortunately, the remaining ruins blended into the scenery of the lakes and mountains, but they looked more like the charm of the aftermath. . Moreover, some of the cells where prisoners were held have been preserved, and there is a solitary room that visitors can experience.

Except for a stone door, this confinement room has no windows or tools. After closing the door, the room was pitch dark, and no sound from outside could be heard at all. It was eerily quiet. I tricked the two brats into the house. I quickly closed the door and listened to them howling inside. I was secretly happy that you two were finally afraid. In the next few hours, I only had to say that I would send them back to the solitary room, and they immediately became honest. It seems that this occasional small punishment is somewhat effective, but the father relies on scaring the children to get back. One game didn't seem to be particularly glorious, but my heart was filled with joy.