Sunday, October 27, 2013

Gibraltar - Where The Wild Monkeys Roam

Well, Gibraltar is a place which you either love or hate. I quite like it. It's a rock, that is essentially what it is. It's a British colony - Nigel Short
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Gibraltar is a confusing place. It is British and yet Spanish. Simultaneously. 

This strategic port is has been British longer than the US has been American. However this is a piece of land that has a dual identity.

It is in Spain, with weather typical of southern Spain, and yet you come across children in British school uniform and British pillar boxes.

You queue (for what can be an excessively long periods of time) to get past passport control and get access to cheap duty free goods and quintessentially British food.

This tiny 2.6 square miles territory is worth visiting for its mixed heritage unlike anything you can find anywhere else in Europe.

From the cable cars you get an impressive overview of Gibraltar and the surrounding countryside and sea. It is fantastic for panoramic views, but if like me you are scared of heights, do take a deep breath.

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The Rock of Gibraltar is home to 30,000 people and roughly 300 free living Barbary Macaques, the famous 'Apes of Gibraltar'. These wild monkeys are the only wild monkeys found in Europe.

Summer is the best time to go for the AWW factor as this is when the new borns are out and about.
You are strictly encouraged not to feed the monkeys as this is a fragile relationship. The monkeys are very used to humans however they are still wild animals who can lash out and should not become overly used to close human interaction.

Although incredibly cute, do not attempt to stroke the monkeys.

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St Michael's cave is natural grotto well worth a visit. This limestone cave was created by rain water and with its impressive stalectites and stalagmites, there is no wonder it receives over a million visitors a year. The 'Cathedral Cave', the largest of the caves chambers also serves as an auditorium! With plays, concerts and even the Miss Gibraltar beauty pageant held here, this awestriking chamber is an incredible feat of nature.

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Gibraltar is perfect for a day trip as you can get so much packed into one visit. The Rock is an integral part of the history of Spain. And despite the difference in climate, of Britain too.

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