A Weekend Break in Gibraltar

At the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain there is a little spot of land with the most interesting history.  Gibraltar covers only 2.6 square miles and is a British Overseas territory.  I'd certainly heard of the Rock of Gibraltar, it's the logo for Prudential Insurance and I grew up hearing their advertising phrase "own a piece of the rock."  When we traveled through Spain by train on our way to North Africa a few years ago, we spotted the rock off in the distance.  But this time we were going to see the rock up close, inside and out. 

I don't typically look out the windows when we fly.  I like to pretend I'm safely on the ground.  On a bus even.  Looking out the window makes this delusion quite difficult.  As I got off the plane bus and walked across the tarmac, Matt pointed behind me.  As I turned the sight actually made me gasp.  I love when travel does that, don't you?

There was that stunning rock looming over the runway, tiny birds circling high at the top.  (Where they tiny or just far away?  Sorry.  Something Matt would say.)  More about the airport and that notorious runway in my next post. 

We were only in Gibraltar for the weekend and because of my health issues it was a leisurely one.  But it was the perfect little getaway.  The weather was warm and dry and a needed break from London. And anywhere you were that massive rock was in view.

Our hotel was just a short walk to Main Street where you can find shopping, restaurants and pubs.  Gibraltar shares a single border with Spain that is less than a mile long.  But you are as likely to find bangers & mash as tapas on the menu. 

In 1704 an Anglo-Dutch force captured the territory from Spain and in 1713 Gibraltar was ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" in the Treaty of Utrecht.  So Gibraltarians are British Citizens and most are quite proud of that fact. English is the national language. This is the re-enactment of the Changing of the Keys that happens each Saturday at noon. 

One reason this spot of land was so well-prized and often fought over throughout history is that it is at the entrance of the Mediterranean sea.  So whoever controlled this land also had control of that 8 mile wide passage, the Strait of Gibraltar connecting the Med to the Atlantic Ocean. During WII the Royal Navy took advantage of that using the rock as a natural fortress. 

With such close proximity to Spain, you can certainly see the Spanish influences.  You are as likely to hear Spanish as English.  And those blue skies certainly remind you that you are in the Med.  After 300 years, there is still a tug of war between Britain and Spain as to who should control this strategic area.  Gibraltarians have consistently rejected Spanish control when asked for their opinion.

There have been times when the relationship was contentious and long periods when the border between Spain and Gibraltar was closed tight and all movement between the two cut off. Recently things have calmed, although you still often see long queues at the border when someone wants to make a point.  

Gibraltar governs its own affairs, although the government of the UK is responsible for some areas.  It is a part of the European Union.  The local currency is the Gibraltar pound which are exchangable with the British pound.  So you don't have to worry about exchanging currency if you're coming from the UK.   

And you will be if you are flying because currently the only flights into and out of Gibraltar are through the UK. But British and Spanish influences aren't the only ones you'll see.

If you gaze out across the strait, you can see the northern tip of Africa. (The best place to do that is Europa Point which is an easy bus ride from the city center.)  From Spain you can hop on a ferry and in one hour you'll be in Tangier. Gibraltar is home to a very diverse and unusual mix of cultures. 

You can have authentic fish & chips and a pint for lunch, then tapas and rioja for dinner.  Hear the call to prayer in the morning and visit a cathedral in the afternoon.

The population of Gibraltar is about 30,000 and its one of the most densely populated places in Europe.  In recent years, they've started to expand their space by reclaiming land from the sea.  So you'll see an interesting contrast between old Gibraltar and the more modern ocean front properties. 

I've already told you about the unique monkeys of Gibraltar.  There is really no other place like Gibraltar.  Like Malta, it was one of those places we left thinking we could so live there. 

If you decide to visit, you can start your research with Visit Gibraltar.  We both highly recommend this unique destination.  

If you read my last post you'll know I had every intention of posting twice this week.  But it was a rough week.  My little grandson back in Texas was sick.  It's so hard to be so far away from him and my daughter especially when something like this happens.  But, he's made a wonderful recovery and is back to his happy, sweet and busy self.  I'm so thankful for FaceTime!  I'm also still working part time and the commute is rough.  Two hours each way and £30 a day.  It's exhausting but it's only for five more weeks.  We are settling into our new Surrey home very nicely.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend where ever you are.  

Have you been to the Rock?  What did you think? 

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