Gibraltar

I took a little blogging hiatus while my kids were on Christmas break.  It's time to get back in the routine of things!

I'm joining up again for Travel Tuesday with Bonnie.

In 2010 while living in Madrid, we took a trip to southern Spain and spent a day in Gibraltar.  I fell in love with this place!  

"The Rock" coming into view!

In preparation for coming, we'd read that it was best to park in La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain and walk into Gibraltar.  I am so glad we did as the lines to drive in and out of Gibraltar were horrendous!

There aren't many places where the road goes through the airport runway.  

 Gibraltar played a significant part in World War I & II.  A runway was build during WWII and is maintained today with just a handful of flights coming and going each day.  I've recently read that air travel to Gibraltar is increasing and they are working on alternative routes and parking.

When we arrived the streets were packed.  We later learned that a cruise ship had docked.

By late afternoon the streets were almost bare.

 You can't come to Gibraltar without going to the top of the rock.

Some very annoying tour guides stand outside the cable cars trying to get you to take their van tour, that takes you up the rock but does not take you to the top of the rock.  They actually mock the people in line and it does nothing to sway people to take their tours.  I don't see how they think this is effective!!  Luckily, we were warned about their antics, so I'll give you the same such warning.

Such breath-taking views!!!  It was gorgeous!!

It didn't take long for us to spot a Barbary monkey.  As soon as we got off the cable car a monkey came up over a railing and started rummaging through the bottom of a stroller, found a package of cookies and helped himself to the whole pack.

There are many warnings to not bring food with you, but this is what happens when people don't heed warning.  Just covering it up does nothing and thinking that it is out of site and tucked away in a backpack does not work. These monkeys must have incredible senses to know when food is nearby!  They will even snatch bags away from people!

 We took in the view and within a few minutes the monkey went back for more in the same stroller!  This time it found 2 apples!  What a stinker!

There is a cafe/shop where you can get drinks and light snacks and the monkeys do seem to stay away from this area.  Or so they did while we were there.

 Monkey family that gave us a bit of a scare while we were admiring the baby and mama came running.  All was ok in the end!

The line of cars to cross back in to Spain.

I'd love to get back one day and spend more time taking in this very unique culture tucked away in southern Spain.

Hope you enjoyed this little tour!  Have you been to Gibraltar or ever thought of going?

Gibraltar on Dwellable