We stopped in Gibraltar for the day. It feels like England with nicer weather. The first thing we did was take a cable car to the top of the hill. The views were beautiful all along the ride, and it seemed too short. When we arrived at the top of the mountain, we had time to enjoy the view.
You can see all around the Mediterranean. From some places in Gibraltar, you can see both Morocco in Africa and Spain, just across and airport runway in Europe. Many Spanish people drive across the border to work each day.
We spent several hours travelling down the mountain (big hill?) stopping to see the siege tunnels, St. Michael’s Cave, and to visit with the Barbary Apes.
We didn’t get good pictures of the siege tunnels.because it is so dark inside, but their story is fascinating. During the American Revolution, France and Spain were trying to take Gibraltar from the British. In order to get canons into a strategic place near the top of the rock, the British dug the tunnels into the limestone rock. Today, one part of the tunnel system is still used as a look-out post. The view is directly down to the beach where smugglers often try to land ships and bring their goods ashore. Thanks to the tunnels, the get caught!
St. Michael’s Cave is a huge cave inside the the rock. The acoustics are amazing, and it is beautiful in a strange way, too.
Pretty interesting experience to spend time in here. They have concerts, and even weddings in the cave. I would not care to be married here. It was cold!
The highlight of the day was probably meeting the Barbary Apes. Legend has it that, as long as the apes live free in Gibraltar, Britain will continue to reign over it. Churchill actually had reinforcements imported from Africa to keep the population up, but now they are flourishing. They get regular vet care and vaccinations, so they aren’t dangerous, but they are wild animals. You can’t hold or snuggle them, and you aren’t supposed to feed them either. They are fed every day, and appear to be healthy. They can go anywhere they want to, and they are not afraid of people.
Our driver gave Kloee food for them. I don’t think that is quite OK, but he is part of a group that cares for them, so he may have an exception. I’m not sure.
This happened suddenly. The man just had to wait for the ape to decide to move. That must have been uncomfortable.
This is big one!
We ended up back in the town square for fish and chips and cheese toasties. How very British!
Blessings,
Linda
