Gibraltar

Today we took a day trip to Gibraltar. This is about a 90 minute drive southeast from us. Gibraltar is technically a British colony and not part of Spain so we had to bring our passports and pass through customs and immigration (which is quite relaxed). Historically, Gibraltar is important because it sits as the entry point between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. Britain seized Gibraltar during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704 and it has created a lot of tension between the two countries in the past. The presence of pubs, fish and chips, pounds and sterling is a contrast to the Spain we have been living in the past 2 months.

"The Rock" as we approach it from the Spanish town of La Linea de la Concepcion.


We never knew this until today either!


Entering into Gibraltar. Greek legend has it that Hercules separated Africa and Europe to open up the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.


On Main Street where all the shops are.


The old city walls.


The entrance to St. Michael's Cave.


Inside the Cave.


One of the many infamous tailless apes of Gibraltar (technically Barbary Macaques). This colony was believed to have been brought over from Africa, but nobody knows how.



Mom and Baby Ape.


Mom and baby human!


On top of Gibraltar...over 1400 feet up (with bad rails)!


More views from the top.


View from the one of the windows in the 31 miles of Siege Tunnels constructed during wartime. The town in the distance is La Linea in Spain and that is the border you walk across to get there.