Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The Territory shares a border with Spain to the north. Gibraltar has historically been an important base
for the British armed forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base. Europe is only eight miles from Africa at this point and the Straits are 36 miles long. Whoever controls Gibraltar and the harbor at it's base is in a good position to control the passage between Atlantic & Mediterranean waters. Gibraltar is also the site of the Ape's Den, home of the famous Barbary Apes. Actually tailess monkeys, the apes are native to this piece of land, but not to the rest of the Spanish mainland. Legend has it that Britain will retain the Rock as long as the Apes live here.
This is one place we always love to visit. The streets are very clean, the shops quaint and the people lovely. We only had 1/2 day here so we were off the ship early. We have seen the apes, even had one jump on my shoulder & pick through my hair to preen. We have also taken the cable car to the top of "the rock," which is on the site of a WWII gun emplacement, for views of Africa, Spain & the Mediterranean Sea. The road runs right across the runway. They have to stop traffic when a plane comes in to land.
Tonight is the second to the last formal night. I will be all packed by the last. By the way, Rita Moreno is on board & Rusty Shweigert, the astronaut, just got off. Tomorrow Lisbon.
for the British armed forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base. Europe is only eight miles from Africa at this point and the Straits are 36 miles long. Whoever controls Gibraltar and the harbor at it's base is in a good position to control the passage between Atlantic & Mediterranean waters. Gibraltar is also the site of the Ape's Den, home of the famous Barbary Apes. Actually tailess monkeys, the apes are native to this piece of land, but not to the rest of the Spanish mainland. Legend has it that Britain will retain the Rock as long as the Apes live here.
This is one place we always love to visit. The streets are very clean, the shops quaint and the people lovely. We only had 1/2 day here so we were off the ship early. We have seen the apes, even had one jump on my shoulder & pick through my hair to preen. We have also taken the cable car to the top of "the rock," which is on the site of a WWII gun emplacement, for views of Africa, Spain & the Mediterranean Sea. The road runs right across the runway. They have to stop traffic when a plane comes in to land. 
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