Tim & Denise Tiner Travels: 2014 Spain Day 4

Day 4......Gibraltar!

Wow...another fun day. We were up and on the road by 8:30 AM. We first went to the car rental place to get Kelly added to the car rental agreement so he could drive. And driving he has done. It was a 2 hour drive to the 'Rock of Gibralter'....which is part of the UK. We found a parking spot on the Spain side and walked across the border. For 6 hours, it cost 6 euros. Upon crossing the border, we looked for a touring Taxi. We spent the next 2.5 hours being toured around the 'rock'. It was fantastic. The drivers name was Alex and he gave us a great historical tour as he drove. We first went to a cannon museum where it described this really large canon that was used to defend Gibralter. After we spent a little time there, he tool us down to the southern tip of Gibralter. There, we took pictures of the 'rock' and a lighthouse thereby. Also at this point was a beautiful mosque that we took lots of pictures of. This point was up pretty high. And looking down into the water we could see large schools of some very large fish. At first we thought they were sharks. But our driver said they were Blue Mulletts. After our stop at this point, we headed up the rock. Our first stop was at St. Michaels cave. It was really nice. It actually had the abilit to hold concerts and receptions there. They were setting up for something while we there. At the entry of the cave, we encountered our first 'apes'. It turns out that the rock is home to some 250 monkeys that roam around. Our next stop was at a point, a very high point of the rock. There, there were a number of apes walking around and dining on the food that had been brought to them. These monkeys were friendly. Our driver had been driving for 14 years and one of the monkeys was 2 when he started. The monkey is 16 years old now. The driver went over to it and lifted up his lips to show us his teeth. They were obviously friends. After taking pictures, we headed down the rock a bit to a tunnel that was built into the rock. Alex said there is 60 Kilometers of tunnels in the rock (30+ miles) that was used to protect Gibraltar in various conflicts. The tour of the tunnel was pretty neat. You are literally on the face of the rock where canons stuck out to defend the port. And did I say high up? At points, we were higher than the Empire State Building! And, at points, it was like being on top of Half Dome in Yosemite looking over the edge. For me and Kelly...very hair raising...except I have hair and Kelly has little on top. After touring the tunnel, we drove down to a Moorish Castle tower that looked over the bay. Once that was complete, our tour was done. Our driver dropped us at an ATM to get some pounds...since Gibraltar is British...to pay for the tour. He then left us in the town square where said good bye to Alex. As we were driving and getting hungry, Kelly said that he would really like some Fish and Chips. Well, in the square, there were three eateries advertising Fish and Chips. So we had a very nice meal of Fish and Chips. From there we had a 30+ minute walk back to the car. And to get off the rock, you have to walk across the runway for their airport. I guess that jets landing there really struggle because of the cross winds that are constant there.

The other cool thing was to be able to see Morrocco, Northern Africa. It felt like we could throw a stone and hit it. Alex said for 60 euros you could go over and back. If Zella and Kelly were not missionaries in Spain...and cannot leave Spain...we would catch that ferry over to Africa. Some other life we will do that.

Our return trip home (hotel) took us to the southern most point of Spain. The small town there was called Tarifa. Cool little beach town. But as we drove down from the mountains we were in towards Tarifa, we had the best view of th Strait of Gibraltar. Pretty cool. Very pretty.

Well, it is pitch black and raining as we drive back to Sevilla. Again we are tired. I am glad Kelly is driving today. Hasta la mañana!