"My Gibraltar" Gibraltar by matcrazy1

Gibraltar Travel Guide: 1,351 reviews and 2,221 photos

Gibraltar is famous for the monkeys (it's the only european location of living free monkeys) and the Rock.

My short first impressions:
1. GIBRALTAR IS BEAUTIFUL, YOU MUST VISIT IT
2. The first time I crossed the border on foot coming from Spain; then had to stop on the red light because... believe it or not, an airplane was taking off (the only road to Gibraltar crosses the airfield),
3. For the first time in my life, I saw English Bobbies in their's characterstic caps, red english call boxes, english-style double-decker buses, etc.
4. "The Rock" (a big rocky mountain) looks incredibly high and it frighten me a little at night when it is iluminated; in my opinion it would be great scenery for thrillers,
5. The second time I drove to Gibraltar in my car, I noticed that many drivers after crossed the border, drove straight to the petrol station, and then turned back to Spain; my explanation: the price of petrol in Gibraltar was that time almost 30% lower than in Spain, I decided to fill my tank as well and I got (like every driver buying a full tank) a present from petrol company (a big glass),
6. Driving back to Spain I waited 2 (yes: two) hours at the border, but that was OK because in that time I met many great Spanish friends,
7. The cable to the top of the Rock is a must - amazing view of Europe, The Straits of Gibraltar and Africa,
8. I was the only tourist on the top without nuts for the monkeys (I didn't know the monkeys eat nuts and before the trip I read in my Pascal guide that feeding the monkeys is stricly forbiden); I saw quite a few warning signs "According to Her Majesty Queen.......feeding the monkeys is strictly forbidden.....fee...many pounds" or something along those lines; it was very difficult to convince even a single monkey to pose for a photo without nuts; BTW how much can monkeys eat?, believe me - A LOT and they don't look overweight!; and one more thing: they hate bananas!, I saw tons of them at special feeding points, they preferred nuts from tourists,
9. There is an amazing cave with a theater inside, not far from the top - where they play beautiful music - unforgettable,
10. the citizens of Gibraltar are proud of this little country and always say they are Gibraltarians or British, never Spanish,
11. In the middle of the night I drove round the peninsula - according to my guides it was impossible because the east side was a closed military zone but when I drove all the military base' gates were open - I saw great and a little horrible at night long corridors drilled in the rocks - unforgettable; I have no pics of course at that place:-)
12. I was sleeping in...look at my favourite accommodation (accommodations prices here were uncomfortable for me that time)
13. on the north-east side there is a small beach with some parking which many Gibraltarians stop at for a moment while driving to work in the morning, just to watch the sea and the rising sun - its an amazing view, it makes their work easier, I think

THANK YOU VERY MUCH DAVE (dlandt from Chicago, USA) for your correction of my English!!!

To see more pictures go to my travelogues.
Greetings.
matcrazy1.

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Last visit to Gibraltar: Oct 1994
Intro Updated Jun 4, 2003
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Comments (100)

hunterV Jun 26, 2010 at 7:25 AM Report Abuse

Matt, thanks for sharing your experiences here!
kyoub Feb 4, 2007 at 3:51 AM Report Abuse

One of your usual cleaverly written pages. I enjoyed it!
cokes Oct 19, 2006 at 5:04 PM Report Abuse

Hi Matt , you have to travel so far to see the monkeys and sleep in the small car hahahha Nice one Matt
St_Vincent Feb 12, 2006 at 1:42 AM Report Abuse

As a VT Rookie, just wanted to to say Hi to one of VT's most travelled members and a prolific tips writer. Cheers, Clive
JLBG Jul 7, 2005 at 2:18 AM Report Abuse

I won't say anything on Gibraltar.
mario_spring_83 Apr 5, 2005 at 8:49 AM Report Abuse

Great intro and excellent accommodation tip!:)Beautyful picts in travelogues!
rozehill Dec 4, 2004 at 7:24 PM Report Abuse

Rather appropriate accommodation ehe
Jim_Eliason Nov 10, 2004 at 6:39 PM Report Abuse

another great one Matt!
mim95 Mar 1, 2004 at 3:16 PM Report Abuse

Great travelogues! Learn sth new too...didn't know that there are so many monkeys there.
Goner Jan 12, 2004 at 9:40 PM Report Abuse

I guess the monkey wouldn't even look at you unless you gave him nuts!