Gib

Gibraltar. The Rock. Or as it is affectionately known by the locals - 'Gib'. A little bit of Britain jutting out into the Mediterranean Ocean, offering sunshine, history, stunning views, plenty of monkeys and endless queues due to political disagreements, but that is a story in itself, which I will leave for another time.

Gibraltar. 'The Rock' photographed from La Linea, on the Spanish side of the border. 

Gibraltar is unique, there is no place like it on earth, an eclectic mix of nationalities, crowded into the small area at the foot of a giant rock. A fiercely patriotic British population, literally a step over the Spanish border. They speak English, they use Sterling, they project an image of the queen onto the rock face, they host the Royal Navy and they resent any notion they are anything other that British. Some people find Gib a little dull, and if you're seeking a traditional 'holiday', then you're probably right. I however find Gib a charming and picturesque place in which to spend a few days whilst travelling around Spain, especially if you happen to be missing the comforts of home.

Border crossing into Gibraltar - Spanish side

The best views are, quite obviously, to be seen from atop the rock. Or at least from as high up as you can get, the very summit is a British military installation and is off limits. From various points your eyes can feast on breathtaking views of Gibraltar town itself, La Linea in Spain, and the coast of Africa. However, the true entertainment lies in trying to get there. 

The taxis in Gibraltar are a strange beast, much like their British counterparts. Gib in its entirety is only 7km square, so getting around on foot is an option, but only for the relatively young and healthy, some of the climbs are steep, quite obviously. Taxi drivers offer tours in their minibus style taxis, which is both a blessing and a curse. It is rare, in fact to my experience impossible, to find a taxi other than a minibus in Gib, and these drivers often refuse to take smaller groups, as they want the larger fares. If you are travelling as a couple this will lead to you either, paying a huge fare for your trip to the summit, or sitting through an unwanted tour of the rock squashed uncomfortably close to strangers. My advice, if unable to walk, would be to catch the number 3 bus to Europa Point which run regularly and work your way up from there.

A view of African coastline from the Rock of Gibraltar

If you mention Gibraltar, the first reply you'll probably hear is "oh, the place with the monkeys?" Or Barbary Macaques, if we're being picky. Be careful, is the main piece of advice I can give you, they can be ferocious little sods, especially if you have an ice cream or any other food. They are, after all, feral, and as cute as they are, precautions must be taken

From Marina Bay dolphin safari's can be taken, I've never been on such a safari myself, so if you have, please leave a comment and let me know how you got on.

Flying to Gibraltar is an interesting experience in, firstly, due to restrictions on Spanish airspace the aircraft is required to fly around the rock before plummeting towards Gibraltar airport nose first below. Well, I say airport, the runway, in fact, intersects the main road into Gib town, so obviously this has to be shut every time a plane is due to land. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only international airport where this happens. 

Staying in Gibraltar can be famously expensive, so I suggest you either stay over the border on the Spanish side, although the delays to enter Gib are currently ridiculous, so try Hotel Hippo who at least guarantee the lowest price. 

If you've visited Gibraltar, or have any comment to make, then please do so.