Sept 20 Gibraltar

 

 We visit Gibraltar for the second time in our travel career because the itinerary changed. We had been scheduled to spend an overnight in Lisbon leading to changeover day, but the threat of a pilot's strike (the pilots that guide the boats into the harbor, not the ones that fly airplanes) meant that different ports were necessary. Gibraltar filled in admirably.

The top of the rock was socked in with clouds as we approached.

We took an excursion focused on the Gibraltar tunnels, led by Richard. He's one of the best guides we've ever had. He did commentary while driving a 20 passenger bus through narrow and twisty streets. We loved him.

This is the monument to the evacuation of civilians during WW2, and their return to Gibraltar after three to ten years. The soldier's daughter doesn't recognize the strange man.

There are two gates into the city.

The narrow roads have many tunnels cut through the Rock. In spite of appearances, the bus could fit...barely.

All fresh water on Gibraltar comes from a desalination plant. This is the runoff from the plant -- it looks like a salt water spring.

Europa Point lighthouse

View of the Rock from the lighthouse -- not exactly the Mutual of Omaha view we're used to.

We drove up the mountain and stopped at an overlook of the Straits of Gibraltar. This is the marina.

The town

Panorama showing the Straits and the ships anchored awaiting bunkering (fueling).

Barbary Macaques inhabit the Rock and will steal your backpack if given a chance.

We drove to the northern side to view the Great Siege Tunnel. Recently they built a tunnel underneath the Gibraltar aiport runway for automobile traffic, but pedestrians and bicycles still cross it. Crossing gates come down, just like a railroad, when a plane in landing or taking off.

A panoramic view to the north. Spain is located just to the north of the runway. The border was set based on the range of a 32 pound cannon firing from the Rock.

Great Siege Tunnel, built in the late 18th century.

Because we were "good" tourists and came back to the bus early from our individual wanderings in the Great Siege Tunnel, Richard took us to the WW2 tunnels further down the hill.

Thirty-four miles of tunnels, plus berthing areas and viewpoints run through the Rock.