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While on the Southern coast of Spain, a group of us took a drive down to the Rock of Gibraltar, for a very interesting day.
While waiting to cross the narrow passage way controlled by the British passport authorities (said to be there to purposely hassle the Spaniards), we were approached by a person selling tickets to Gibraltar. He told our German companions that this would speed things up when we came to the head of the line. So we took up a collection and the fellow passed on our "tickets".
A short while later an officer comes up to our car, and asks if some guy sold us tickets. We replied yes, and he said, "That's too bad, because there's no ticket required to go onto Gibralter." We'd been had.
The rock provides exciting views of the harbor and airport below.
A unique feature is the apes, which a queen apparently brought to Gibralter many years ago. At one point we were driving slowly along the narrow twisty road and an ape jumped up on our car. We quickly rolled up our windows. He walked across the roof of our car and then jumped onto the back of unsuspecting passer-by. I would imagine the poor lady wet her pants, because she didn't see it coming.
This
ape (which almost looks like a bear) is sleeping peacefully,
perched precariously on the cliff side.
The remains of this and other forts, as well as tunnels in the side of the cliff, speak volumes of the battles that have been waged for Gibraltar.
The
black marks shown on the side of this cliff are evidence of the
battles that have been waged here.
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