There are many interesting stories about this famous historical site. One of the earliest legends stems back to ancient Greece. It is said that the Greeks would only sail as far as the strait of Gibraltar and when they saw the peaks of the rock they would turn around and head back. They believed that the water flowed out to the Atlantic in a flat plane and that just beyond the entrance to the Atlantic, the earth ended and the water flowed over the side into hell, so they never ventured any further. I thought that was a cool story!
Gibraltar today belongs to Great Britain and has for the last 300 years since 1710 when they took it from the Spaniards in an effort to control the entrance to the Mediterranean. When you stand at the top, you understand why they wanted it. You see the tip of Africa that is Morocco across the strait in one direction. You see Spain in the other. And you have the Atlantic on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. It is a powerful position. The rock was first claimed and settled by the Moors in 711 and it was taken from them by Spain in 1462. (bet you didn't think you'd get a history lesson reading this blog! Lol!) Unfortunately when Great Britain took it, they did so from the sea and effectively destroyed the city in doing so, destroying most of the Moorish buildings as well as the Spanish ones. But some of the original Spanish fort and walls exist today. As a matter of fact, I saw a couple of workmen hanging off the wall today doing restoration work.
So today, modern Gibraltar is filled with Spanish descended people who speak the queen's English with a british accent and see british citizens. They have 35,000 inhabitants on the island and have their own parliament (with 17 members). They have had two referendums in the past 40 years voting on whether to stay British or revert to Spain, as Spain would like them back! The vote has been 99% for staying British both times much to the disgust of Spain! Lol!
So, going in, we crossed two boarders. The Spanish one and the British one! They have reclaimed some land from the sea and have expanded the city. They even have an airport. It is located right after you cross the boarder at the edge of the city and it has a unique feature that no other airport in the world has! As we approached the airport, Alberto pointed out what looked like an intersection we were approaching. He said it was very important that if that light was red, you had to stop! Because the street cuts across the runway! I kid you not! If that light is red it means traffic is coming from the other direction and that traffic is a jet! I took pictures # 587 and 588 as we crossed the runway! Lol!
When we got to the bus terminal, we were divided into groups of 6 or 7 because we had to go up the mountain by van. Without a doubt, this excursion has been my favourite of the whole week! I loved Gibraltar! The views from the island are spectacular! The first stop was at the entrance to a set of caves you get to go in and explore. VERY cool! 6 million year caves! And at the caves we had our first encounter with the natural inhabitants of the island. Monkeys! Monkeys everywhere! Apparently one of the early sultans liked monkeys so he brought them with him and they have thrived ever since. There is now a controlled program in place where they are looked after ... Spayed and neutered, tattooed and vacinated (this is going to become important later) but still not pets. They are wild and it behooves one to remember that! While we were at the caves, one of the young monkies climbed on Katie, one of the students in my group and supplied is with a Japanese moment. Lots of pictures! Then at the end of the cave visit, we watched one saucy monkey swagger into the gift shop, grab a chocolate bar from the counter and run like hell! Lol! He sat up on the shade cover over our heads and cheerfully mowed down. I have a great photo with the snickers name showing that I think I will send in to the company!
Back in our cabs we proceeded to the next stop. Almost the highest point on the rock. 400 meters above sea level. Many more monkeys and an incredible view! I was standing with my back to the wall, watching the kids and taking photos, and one of the mom's jumped on my head! She was quite pleased with herself and happy to be there. I was less happy cause she weighed a ton! Alex got a picture and our van driver clapped his hands and shooed her away. I started to walk away and I'll be damned if she didn't launch herself back on top of me! age almost knocked me down. After the van driver shooed her away again, I made sure I stayed in the crowd and away from the wall. After a few more pictures, it was time to move on. Katie had sat down and a little monkey was quite happily sitting on her shoulder munching on the laces of her hood. Its mom was quite happily sitting behind katie checking her for bugs. Since our driver had gone to get our van, I stepped forward to shop away the baby so we could go and it didn't leave being fascinated by the knob on her good lace. So I said, naughty baby and reached to take the lace from it's cute little fingers. Apparently mommy monkey took objection to this 'threat' to her not so innocent baby and launched herself at me with a scream! The cranky bitch grabbed my arm and bit me right above my elbow! I yelped! And a horde of van drivers rushed forward and chased he away. Luckily I was wearing long sleeves so all I have is bite marks in my arm and a bruise about the size of a monkies mouth! (about the size of a toonie!) At point I decided enough of the monkeys! Let's go!
Down the mountain we went, and into the center square. We had a couple of hours of free time for shopping and lunch. I had a seafood pancake and it was THE best meal of the trip! Everyone had a great time. Then rest of the afternoon was taken up with transporting back to the hotel where we had more free time to spend in the shops or on the beach on the Mediterranean. I did a bit of both.
Now it is time for sleep! Tomorrow is travel day! Our wakeup call is 3:30 am! Yikes! We go Malaga, Madrid, Frankfurt, Toronto, Campbellford! We should be home by 1:30 am Thursday morning. I can't wait! I miss Lorne. And I miss my bed and my house and my dog! Lol!
Must sleep now! Later!
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1 comment:
What about your friends? ;(
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