Gibraltar – It All About The Monkeys ?

The last time I went to Gibraltar was a few years ago when I worked for Thomson on the Costa del Sol, all I remember is Marks & Spencer’s and a monkey trying to climb on my back ! This week I am returning to this little British outpost in the Mediterranean on a very short cruise from Barcelona to Gibraltar on Azamara Journey and it will be interesting to see if anything has changed.

Gibraltar is, of course, the famous British rock at the end of the Iberian Peninsular, long fought over by the British and Spanish since being seized by the British in 1704 during the war of Spanish Succession.  This dragged on for 8 years before the Treaty of Utrecht finally gave Gibraltar to Britain, and gave us a permanent base in the Mediterranean until this day.

So what is Gibraltar all about ? A warm climate, today the temperature is 17 degrees and sunny, which will make a nice change from the cold weather at home. The Great Siege Tunnels, St. Michael`s Cave, The Moorish Castle and the Mediterranean Steps are all things to see in Gib, but I doubt I will have much time to see them during my brief visit.

I`m sure I`ll at least catch a glimpse of a monkey, the famous Barbary Macaques live freely on the island and are well used to seeing tourists by the dozen. They will try to climb on to your back so it is always good to remember that they are wild animals who can, and do, bite if threatened or frightened. According to legend the Rock will stay British unless the moneys leave. I have to say they do look quite cute!

One thing there will be a little time for is shopping as this is a great place to buy Duty Free goods. The island has no VAT so everything will already be 20% cheaper than at home, Jewellery, alcohol , sunglasses, cameras and clothing you name it Gibraltar will have it. Famous names like Morrisons, Mothercare and, of course, Marks and Spencer’s are all there – sounds like a shoppers paradise to me !