Gilbraltar

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The Big Rock!!! A mighty point of land that has been fought over for more than 13 centuries. Everyone wants to control the passage between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. That makes it truly multi-cultural--Moroccan, Spanish, English, French, Portugese and many more have influenced this small country.

Once again, we did not book a tour from Princess and decided we could find our way around. We debarked the ship and started walking toward town when a young man, Michael, suggested that he be our tour guide for a price. He had a van that could hold all of us so we struck a deal and climbed in. It turned out to be a very good decision. His family has been in the tour business for many years and he knew just how to get us to the best places without having to walk up too many hills and wait in too many lines. The roads up the rock are quite narrow so there is one going up and one going down.

We stopped to see the Barbary Apes--monkeys that are one of the main tourist attractions. They run wild everywhere and are quite revered by the residents of Gilbraltar. Legend says that Britain will retain the Rock as long as the Apes live there. In 1944, during the War, they seemed to be dying out. Fearful of poor morale at a critical time, Winston Churchill brought Ape reinforcements from North Africa. They now number about 60. We spent several minutes watching and photographing the little monkeys.

We also visited St. Michael's Cave--underground chambers that make a natural amphitheater. We then went to the Great Siege Tunnels museum. The tunnels were dug out from the limestone so that troups and people could all live inside. There was the perfect vantage point for protection and defense. All types of rooms were built and everything needed was hauled up the rock. There was even a hospital inside.

After descending the rock, Michael dropped us off in town and pointed us toward town square. He suggested a place to get fish and chips but we didn't find the right one. We stopped at a different one in the square. We had beer (it was good) and ordered fish and chips. We were all somewhat disappointed. It was very, very greasy!!

After lunch we did a little looking around and shopping and then walked back to the ship in time for cocktails in the Skywalker Lounge. That is so we could watch the "push off" and our exit from the Gilbraltar Harbour. Always fun to be on the highest deck of the ship when it departs a port. Then it was relaxing until pre-dinner cocktails on the balcony and dinner in the dining room. Seems like we do a lot of eating and drinking. What is a cruise all about anyway????

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Photos

The Rock
Quite impressive

Gilbratar Explorers
Steve, Deanie, Linda C, Bob & Pam

Barbary Apes
Monkeys that inhabit the rock are one of Gilbratar's most popular attractions.

A Wise Old One
Trying to look uninterested. They seem to love the attention.

A Momma & Baby
They take good care of their young until the food arrives and then they would rather eat than mother.

View from the Top
What a view

30+ Miles of Tunnels
Tunnels were dug into the limestone for a portected place to live. The limestone taken was used to construct land for an airstrip.

Tunnel Port Hole
The city below

Step up
Stairs up the side of the hill.

Town Square
Restaurants of all sorts.

Town Square
Busy at mid-day.

Fish & Chips
We ate a lunch of fish & chips. Not the best--we didn't find the recommended cafe.

Comments

[Sam]

Sorry
Well it sounds like you have wonderful luck with sight-seeing but not so much with food around the cities. I am glad to know you have wonderful drinks (and food) on the boat to sustain you. Glad you are having a blast and I am loving reading about it!!

[Lin Hamilton]

My visit
We were on Queen Mary 2 and got to visit. I liked it, sunny and warm, clean, beef stew and salad was just fine. I only wish I had more time. Never got to visit Scottish "Embassy." Thats an island joke. Its a pub. I could only see a little of the island but it seemed perfectly liveable. Price on a good Rolex was about three thousand more than in mall in Costa Mesa, CA. Why would anyone interested in being healthy, take the risk or ordering fish and chips? They are often greassy. I do not live on an island, I am married, which is even more restrictive. Help!

[wisin]

ok
de a egia da segui orrela