Excursion to the south of Spain – Part 3: The Rock of Gibraltar

Upon hearing of this crazy plan to run away from normal life for 3 months, my father was inspired to recommend I visit the Gibraltar. So I made a day trip to this little English colonial outpost. As such there was even a controlled border crossing with passport checks – a little farsical, seeing how small is the country (outcropping of rock).

Inside, there was a sense of London’s hustle and bustle. One neat feature was entering the main town through the old fortifications by means of the old drawbridge, now converted to a road ramp. But mostly, it as another European city.
But The Rock was a different matter. On a whim, and without a map or signs, I just started climbing stairways until I reached a road. I later learned what I had traversed was a closed public footpath, called by one smart aleck “The Rottweiller Gauntlet”. Oh well.

This no-conventional infiltration of The Rock had its pros and cons. I discovered and climbed the big long vertical wall to the top ridge, where families of Macaque monkeys made themselves a home, supported by wildlife organizations that wanted them to prosper, but avoid the temptation of foraging in the town.

These scamps were fascinating. But just as I was reading so bios on their behaviour and social structure while snacking on a banana, I felt this heavy hand on my shoulder. Surprised, I turned, and next thing my banana was swatted from my hand! One of the little devils had jumped up on me and stolen my food. Turns out they think of humans as inferior in their social hierarchy since we feed them (giving another ‘your’ food being the ultimate act of subservience). Apparently they wouldn’t try this stealing behaviour on one another. If only I’d realized, I would have made that little bugger show me some respect!

The sad part of my unconventional approach to the Rock was that I had bypassed the ticket booths so didn’t have access to some of the old war-time fortifications. But down in the town I did visit the museum which was very informative and complete, so gave a good understanding of all the power struggles back and forth of the centuries concerning domination of the (apparently) strategic outpost.

All in all, a very informative and worthwhile visit to a truly impressive looking landmass. Thanks Dad!