Gibraltar is still a British Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain and overlooking the strategic Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. You can actually see Morocco from the Rock of Gibraltar.

 

Gibraltar has a long and complex history shaped by its strategic position. Originally settled by the Moors in 711 AD, it changed hands multiple times between Islamic and Christian forces during the Middle Ages. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession, an Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar, and it was officially ceded to Britain in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht. Since then, it has remained a British territory, despite repeated Spanish claims. Gibraltar played crucial roles in both World Wars due to its commanding naval position and underground bunkers. Today, it is cultural blend of British and Mediterranean influences. It is very British in its culture, food, cars, old phone booths, Irish pubs,  and you drive on the left. 

 

To get there, We drove South from Malaga to the Gibraltar border, where you park and walk through border and passport control. Our goal was to experience Gibraltar, go to the top of Rock of Gibraltar, visit the WW bunker caves, and commune with the wild monkeys. 

 

The famous Barbary macaques of Gibraltar—often referred to as the “Monkeys of Gibraltar”—are the only wild monkey population in Europe. These tailless monkeys live on the Rock of Gibraltar. Legend says that as long as the monkeys remain on the Rock, Gibraltar will stay under British rule—a belief so strong that Winston Churchill ordered reinforcements of their population during World War II. There will 100’s of them to play with. 

 

We hired a taxi/ guide to take us around for the day. We stopped several times along the way to enjoy the views, commune with monkeys, tour the bunkers, and climb to the top of the Rock. The bunkers were like small cities with control rooms, airplanes, a bar, and lookout points. 

 

On our way back, we walked down Main Street where all the expensive shops were. You felt like you were in a small British town, yet just one mile from Spain. To get back to the border on foot, we crossed the main airport runway. No bridge .. just a long crosswalk. 

 

 

Mike Hagan 

Cell: 619-379-2778 

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