The winds have changed, the sky has cleared and we can see Gibraltar AND the Atlas mountains in Africa.
So, off to Gibraltar we go. It is only 50KM away so, just a short drive.
We drove to the border, parked on the Spanish side, walked across the border and took a taxi tour of the rock. At one time Gibralter was actually and island, but continual building over the last 100 plus years and the introduction of the airport and runways, now means it is no longer considered an island.
First stop - the 100 ton gun
this gun could shoot a projectile 8 miles.
we were being observed
there is a big refinery at Gibraltar so there were many oil carriers in port - Africa is seen in the distance
Europa Point lighthouse, the most southern point of Gibraltar
The Mosque of The Custodian of the The Holy Mosques.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is the official title of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, the project’s backer. The two mosques referred to are the ones at Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, the holiest in Islam.
Next stop - St Michael's Cave - a large limestone cavern with stalactites and stalagmites - the cave is well lit and for the last 50 years besides hosting 1,000,000 tourists a year, it is also used as an auditorium because of its natural acoustic qualities
Now it's off to see the relatives - the barbary monkeys
Bill made their acquaintance right away - all the time praying that s/he did not pee on him, which they are known to do
the head honcho, keeping an eye on everyone
king of his domaine
there is a feeding station where they are given food so they are less of a nuisance to tourists, plus there isn't a lot of natural food on the rock for them. Our tour guide say that they come into town and enter houses as well' This was a little baby monkey. Our tour guide calls them little Michael Jacksons because they are born black and their fur lightens as time goes on.
I watched this mother and child pair for awhile - the baby was wanting to suckle and Mom was having nothing to do with it - it was weaning time
s/he is mad now!
they have a terrific view from up here - that is the airport runway down there with the border line just behind it. You have to wait and watch for incoming and departing planes before you can cross the runway.
Next a stop at the 11th century Moorish Castle. This structure has withstood at least 10 sieges
Final stop of the tour - the siege tunnels
We were dropped off downtown and made our way back to the car. Note to self: when a taxi driver tells you it is just a 5 minute walk, DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, they don't walk, they only know driving times!!
Quiet downtown Gibraltar on a Sunday afternoon
Outside the walls looking back up to the Moorish Castle
The plants are on steroids here - this is a Bird of Paradise growing along the street
Looking back up at the Rock and the siege tunnels
A very large plane tree
Leaving Gibraltar and crossing the runway to Spain
just checking to make sure there are no incoming planes
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