What a weird, strange, funny place!  A mere 2.6 square miles jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by Spain, sits a bit of Great Britain with its own crest and ‘Little Ben’😂😂  —

Welcome to Gibralter.

The Rock (no..not Dwayne).

Little Ben

Looking out across the Mediterranean Sea at Europa Point, it is easy to see why this promontory has been such a sought after piece of property throughout the ages.  From all points it controls and defends the gateway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.  Standing on the Point one can see two continents (Africa and Europe) and three countries (Spain, Morocco and England).  This property has belonged to many but was signed over to Britain “in perpetuity” by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

Lighthouse and view of Morocco coastline from the Europa Point.

A mere nine miles across the Strait of Gibraltar sits Morocco and its Riff Mts.

Mosque built by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and opened in 1997 sits on the Point.  Old fortress walls are in the background.

A very intriguing sight to see when visiting Gibraltar is St. Michael’s Cave, which has intrigued since Roman days.  Ancient Greeks believed this cave was the entrance to hades and some thought it was a temple to Hercules.  It has depths to 150’ leading to early beliefs that it was bottomless and had tunnels to Africa!  Today it is used for concerts, dance and drama as it seats 400 in a vast Main Cavern.  Fabulous colored lights also ‘put on a show’ – especially highlighting The Angel of St. Michael’s Cave —

St. Michael’s Archangel.

View across the Bay of Gibralter toward Algeciras from cave exit.

Caffe and chocolate break.

Just outside St. Michael’s Cave reside the Barbary Macaques, tailless monkeys perhaps introduced by the Moors from North Africa.  Legend has it that Gibraltar will remain British as long as the Barbary Macaques stay on the rock.  Perhaps that is why Churchill had them supplemented when their population declined during the Second World War?!?

Playful young macaque monkeying around.

The Siege Tunnels are most intriguing.  Fifty miles of a tunnel network large enough to house cannons, storerooms and barracks can be wandered.  Needless to say, these have been quite useful in all the periods of battle.  The views out the cannon ‘holes’ are stunning today – strategic in defense!

One of the many cannons in the siege tunnel.

View from the cannon emplacement.  Great shot at the now existing airport runway!

If one hasn’t seen enough, there are cable cars from the center of Gibraltar to the Top Of The Rock where there are nature trails, a skywalk and more great views.

Ride anybody?!?

Top Of The Rock.

Of course, there is a ‘downtown’ with a Main Street, shops and wonderful pubs for fish and chips.  It is Britain after all😂.  And after all the sightseeing the stomach begins to growl!

Main Street – not busy on a Sunday as many shops are closed.

An odd place – Gibraltar.  But, decided that if one really wanted to escape the rest of the world (or bury one’s head during elections), this might be the place to do it.

E & G intrigued by another world on a small rock;-)