Day Three: Seville (But we're really in Gibraltar)

So, Moorish, Spanish, British...still British.  Gibraltar is a crazy strategic point on the map that has a crazy history.  People there are bi-lingual not because of neighboring Spain, but because they just are.  They trade in Pounds, but accept Euros.  They speak the Queen's English, but curse in Spanish.  Their road signs are in English, but they drive on the right-hand side of the road (like they do in Spain).  The fish and chips in the tapas bars are delicious, but their tapas in the pubs suck.  It is a silly place.

As we approached from the main shipping port, Algeciras...

Heading up the rock, we stopped at the first landing.  From here you can see a shipping control center.

This is cool...I'm standing in (essentially) England.  The land mass on the right is Spain, and the mountains in the clouds on the left are in North Africa (Morocco) a mere ten miles away.

The Strait is also called the Pillars of Hercules.  When the continents were joined, Hercules stood astride on the rocks and pushed the pillars apart, flooding the Mediterranean and creating the sea.  The two pillars are: the far side that you can just see in the haze (North Africa) and the Gibraltar side, just past this fucking condominium.

A little farther up the rock, and you can see what used to be the main marina back in the 1700s.

A bit further up we get to St. Michael's cave.  It's a natural cave that has been preserved and turned into a tourist attraction.  They also have concerts and other events here.  Lots of limestone stalactites and stalagmites to ooohh and aaahhh about.

It's a huge cave!

At last, we get to the top and are greeted by the Macaques.  They are monkeys, not apes, and there are about 300 of them, living in five family troops.  They're fed everyday and are well taken care of by the government of Gibraltar.  They originally came to Gibraltar from North Africa - with the Moors - as pets.  They've multiplied and taken over ever since.  While they're not particularly friendly, they are hilarious.

And very, very curious.

From the top, you also get a good look at the airport and the border.  We're looking north from the top of the rock.  The little bit of blue on the left is the Atlantic Ocean, the blue on the right is the Mediterranean.  

When planes take off and land (and there are only a few flights a week), that north/south road on the left closes at either end so the air traffic can get by.

Alas, time to go back to Spain...yep, that is one big rock.

Tomorrow, Aracena and a jamon tasting.  IKR!?!?!