Gibraltar

Bondi Tram
Peter Colquhoun and Sandra Colquhoun
Tue 14 Sep 2010 12:40
Our first sight of Gibraltar after a two night passage from Mar Menor in Spain.  There are enormous
pods of dolphins around here, and there very few times when at least one pod is not in sight.
 
The previous day Sandra was on watch and had a real shock when a small whale surfaced in front
of the boat and dived underneath!

 
 
Passing the east side of the rock.  You can see the old cisterns built into the cliffs. They used to be
Gibraltar's sole water supply, and water was turned on only 2 hours per day.  Now, there is a plentiful
supply from a desalination plant.
 
 
From our berth in the marina we see
(and hear) the planes landing and taking off.
 
 
Crossing the runway on the way to La Linea in Spain.  Becky is practising her take offs.
 
 
At the Spanish border, looking back into Gibralter..
 
 
On our way back they closed the road while a plane landed.
 
 
The road is cleared of traffic
 
 
for the plane to land
 
 
Gibraltar National Day is celebrated with great gusto, at least 90% of people turning out in the
national colours of red and white.
 
 
Even the visitors!
 
 
Letting the 30,000 balloons go at the end of the mayor's speech.
 
 
 
In the botanical gardens, a popular spot for weddings
 
 
Guard at Government House
 
 
This guy deserved his money...better than the ones in Mallorca
 
 
Viewpoint with a edifice representing the Pillars of Hercules, as
Gibraltar was known in the ancient world.
 
 
In St. Michaels Cave.  The rock is limestone and honeycombed with
caves and was thought to be an entrance to The Underworld
 
 
The theatre in the cave...also popular for weddings.  Sean Connery got married in Gibraltar..twice.
Also John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
 
 
The only wild monkeys in Europe.  There are six clans of these Macaques.
 
 
And they are always on the lookout for food.  Its against the law to feed them.
 
 
 
 
 
They can be a bit too friendly at times.
 
The next two shots were taken at the narrowest point of the rock, not
much more than twice as wide as the road.
 
 
 
The Spanish town of La Linea  beyond the airport.  In 1969, the Spanish closed the border for
13 years.  Now may of La Linea's residents (both Spanish and British) come to work in
Gibraltar every day.
 
 
Our marina.  With a magnifying glass you would be able to see the boat.
 
 
In the Great Siege tunnel.  When Spain attempted to take back Gibraltar in 1798, they dug this
tunnel so they could place guns to fire down at the attackers.
 
 
Looking out at the cemetery and airport runway from the tunnel.
 
 
 
From the outside - the tunnel runs down to where the cliff juts out.
 
 
A young macaque ponders the view.