Gibraltar
Good morning!
We spent one day in Gibraltar, unfortunately quite an overcast one. Nonetheless, it was well worth it to visit this remarkable place.
The famous Rock
We arrived there by car, but the entry with a car was so backed up we parked in Spain and walked across the border. This had to do with the fact that the road in runs directly across the airstrip, so when there is plane traffic, all else stops.
The air traffic control tower
The landing strip
The bilingual signs
Welcome to Gibraltar.
Once we cleared the airstrip we were immediately in what looked to be council housing--fairly ugly blocks of flats (you can see these in the first photo). We progressed towards town. Your realize very quickly that the Rock looms above you all the time. It is truly a presence, defining Gibraltar. People live on varied levels of the Rock and where you live is so varied depending upon the character of the bit of Rock you're near. It's also one of the most defensible places I've ever seen, with an amazing port.
To access town we went through the Landport, a very long tunnel cut through rock that looked like a subway.
The town side of the Landport
A look up at the midddle tier of Gibraltar
We're not in Spain anymore!
The curiously old-fashioned feel of Gibraltar was really far more the feel of Blighty than anything else. It reminded me of visiting family when I was a child, and what England (especially in the Midlands) was like 20 years ago.
A military museum, was (I think) the officer's club beforehand.
A little street
The local newspaper
Another street--note all roads lead to the Rock!
If I remember correctly this was the Governor's Mansion or some such, it's now a government building.
Haven't we all felt as though we lived here, at one time or another?
Delightful!
Another glimpse of fortifications--the old city wall
A collage created over lunch by yours truly. My friend T was so delighted to be able to order beans on a baked potato that we had to stop for this gourmet treat. I hadn't had Ribena in a while either. We also visited the local Marks where she stocked up on supplies in the food hall. There is no comfort food like British comfort food . . .
We didn't get the chance to see the fabled Gibraltar apes (Barbary Macaque) as they're up in the heights and also are not fond of foggy overcast weather. St. Michael's Cave and the tunnels will have to wait for next time.
Another very Mediterranean street
A little statue that salutes you on exiting.
I very much enjoyed the view of my favorite new bus route: the #4 bus line that runs between Rosia and Both Worlds. What a great destination! Sorry I could not get a photo of that!
A farewell to Gibraltar
A wonderful and unusual place and I certainly will return.
Next stop, Madrid!
We spent one day in Gibraltar, unfortunately quite an overcast one. Nonetheless, it was well worth it to visit this remarkable place.
The famous Rock
We arrived there by car, but the entry with a car was so backed up we parked in Spain and walked across the border. This had to do with the fact that the road in runs directly across the airstrip, so when there is plane traffic, all else stops.
The air traffic control tower
The landing strip
The bilingual signs
Welcome to Gibraltar.
Once we cleared the airstrip we were immediately in what looked to be council housing--fairly ugly blocks of flats (you can see these in the first photo). We progressed towards town. Your realize very quickly that the Rock looms above you all the time. It is truly a presence, defining Gibraltar. People live on varied levels of the Rock and where you live is so varied depending upon the character of the bit of Rock you're near. It's also one of the most defensible places I've ever seen, with an amazing port.
To access town we went through the Landport, a very long tunnel cut through rock that looked like a subway.
The town side of the Landport
A look up at the midddle tier of Gibraltar
We're not in Spain anymore!
The curiously old-fashioned feel of Gibraltar was really far more the feel of Blighty than anything else. It reminded me of visiting family when I was a child, and what England (especially in the Midlands) was like 20 years ago.
A military museum, was (I think) the officer's club beforehand.
A little street
The local newspaper
Another street--note all roads lead to the Rock!
If I remember correctly this was the Governor's Mansion or some such, it's now a government building.
Haven't we all felt as though we lived here, at one time or another?
Delightful!
Another glimpse of fortifications--the old city wall
A collage created over lunch by yours truly. My friend T was so delighted to be able to order beans on a baked potato that we had to stop for this gourmet treat. I hadn't had Ribena in a while either. We also visited the local Marks where she stocked up on supplies in the food hall. There is no comfort food like British comfort food . . .
We didn't get the chance to see the fabled Gibraltar apes (Barbary Macaque) as they're up in the heights and also are not fond of foggy overcast weather. St. Michael's Cave and the tunnels will have to wait for next time.
Another very Mediterranean street
A little statue that salutes you on exiting.
I very much enjoyed the view of my favorite new bus route: the #4 bus line that runs between Rosia and Both Worlds. What a great destination! Sorry I could not get a photo of that!
A farewell to Gibraltar
A wonderful and unusual place and I certainly will return.
Next stop, Madrid!