Gibraltar - 27 Mar 2024

I was so excited to see Gibraltar, I didn't even mind getting up before 6:00am.

I drove over to a parking lot just across the border. Gibraltar is a territory of the UK and since they are not part of Schengen, you need to go through immigration. Which I like because then I get a stamp.

So many people were arriving for work, so I joined the line. We were told to walk through holding our passports up. I got called aside since I was American. I was a little worried, but the guy said I will stamp it for you. How cool was that!!

I was a little overwhelmed and confused once I walked through. I wasn't sure where to go. I sat down and regrouped. Grabbed a bus and went into the town. I had to laugh when I turned around and saw Trafalgar Cemetery.

Many places were not open yet. So, I took the bus to Europa Point, which is the furthest southern point. The bus dropped me by this beautiful mosque.

What a gorgeous area.

I took the bus back to the main area where there is a cable car which takes you to the top of the Rock. I went to buy a ticket and was told it was closed due to high winds. I was really bummed because there was no way I was walking up that mountain. I found a tour van and I asked if I could join. Problem solved.

They took us to the top of the Rock, stopping at certain points as we went. First stop was the Pillars of Hercules. I am so glad I did not try to drive here. The roads are intense switchbacks and hairpin turns.

We stopped at a viewpoint so we could see how high up we had gone. We weren't even halfway up. I could Algeciras and Africa.

Our next stop was Ape's Den to see the monkeys. The monkeys are special to Gibraltar because they saved it during a Spanish attack in WWII. The monkeys saw the Spanish climbing the mountain and sounded an alarm, ensuring the Spanish failure. Legend is as long as the monkeys are there Gibraltar is safe.

How do they sit on the steep rock like that?

I made a friend. I didn't have to worry about getting bit. They take very good care of the monkeys, and they get their vaccinations.

This same spot had great views all around.

I felt like I was on top of the world!

Next stop is the Queen's Balcony. This viewpoint let you see the airport, which is a dangerous airport. The runway is short with a steep drop into the ocean, plus there are railroad tracks that run through it. If that's not enough, a road that runs right across the runway, so traffic has to be stopped for airplanes to take off and land.

This is where I found out the next stop was our last. I had tickets to go on the skywalk, so I needed to go backwards.

The driver told me I could walk back, it wasn't far.

Okay, I could use some exercise and it's beautiful. How bad could it be?

So, I set out to walk up the mountain. At first, it wasn't so bad. But that incline was intense.

I did not think I would make it. I thought for sure I would have a heart attack. Then I found a short cut on Google Maps.

Easy just follow this little trail to the staircase.

Then I got to the stairs. You have got to be kidding me! Ok I will go slow, I can do this.

Then I did what you should never do and looked down. OMG! Forget a heart attack, I am going to blow off them and tumble all the way down.

I did it though! I stopped several times and kept a death grip on that rope rail. Whew!

I get to the Skywalk to find out I have to go down the mountain about halfway to turn my voucher into a ticket. I decided the I was not meant to go on the Skywalk. NO way I was walking back up. So, I walked all the way down, caught a bus and headed into town.

I found a cool little square with food, drinks and souvenirs. After that harrowing ordeal and walking 9 miles (seriously) today, I needed a break.

Sadly, it was time to leave. I walked back to the car and headed to Tarifa, Spain. It was about an hour drive. I found my next Airbnb and unpacked. I had to put the car in a parking garage.

Here's my route for today.