Gibraltar: Rock Fortress
The most famous rock in the world makes Gibraltar a popular tourist destination, but most people are unaware that the land surrounding the rock is actually a territory of the United Kingdom, which remains in charge of all aspects from defense to currency. Located on the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, a trip to Gibraltar is more similar to visiting England than Spain.
The tourist drawing card is the Rock of Gibraltar, also known as the Pillar of Hercules. The saying that something is as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar is a metaphor for lasting power and derives from the geological peculiarity of the jutting stone edifice, which is millions of years older than the countryside that surrounds it. A must-see during a visit to Gibraltar is what is known as the Galleries, an intricate system of underground passages dug during the late 1700s. The Rock of Gibraltar is genuinely impressive, especially to those with an interest in geology and history, but if all Gibraltar had to offer was a big rock it would not be the popular tourist destination that it is.
For instance, who doesn’t enjoy the monkeyshines of macaques? These delightful creatures referred to both as tailless monkeys and apes typically wind up being a more popular attraction for visitors to Gibraltar than the rock they came to see in the first place. The Barbary macaques became accustomed to interaction with humans to the point where a law had to be passed against feeding them. Enjoy the Barbary macaques all you want, but remember two important things: feeding them carries a fine and, even more importantly, like most wild animals they are prone to biting when they are startled.
Other popular travel destinations include the stunning Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, St. Michael’s Cave (which is actually used as a venue for such events as rock concerts and the Miss Gibraltar beauty pageant) and cruises that allow you to interact with Gibraltar’s other famous animal residents, dolphins.
Since so many of the sites to see in Gibraltar are centrally located around the rock, the best choice for accommodations has to be the Rock Hotel. The spectacular view offers a panoramic travelogue from Spain to North Africa, as well as the Rock of Gibraltar. Elegant and with all the amenities you’d expect from a fine hotel, staying at this gorgeous resort affords you luxury as well as almost instant access to all the tourist sites on your itinerary.
After returning to the hotel for a change of clothes, head off to the International Casino, which has been declared the “Pillar of Entertainment on the Rock.” Gibraltar’s International Casino is the kind of place that James Bond would frequent; one of the most prominent casinos in Europe where you while away the evening by gambling, dining or dancing. A perfect way to end a trip to one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Submitted by: Timothy Sexton
If you’re interested in learning more about Gibraltar, check out Three Sheets: Gibraltar tonight at 9P/ET only on MOJO HD.
Interesting, the ” land surrounding the rock ” ( there is no land surrounding the rock ) ‘ the rock ‘ is attached to the Spanish mainland by a thin strip of flat land which serves both as the road in ( and out ) and crosses the airport runway ! A barrier closes to stop traffic and pedestrians crossing when a plane lands or takes off. Gibraltar ( from the Moorish invader Gibel Tarik AD 743 ) is a rocky prommotory extending and attached to the the spanish mainland. One assumes you mean the area at the base of the rock itself. nothing but sea surrounds the rock on three sides. Gibraltar is indeed British teratory since 1703. When the British ( and Dutch ) were repulsed after an attempt to take Barcelona. Ignominiously the fleet took Gibraltar on their return. The Dutch commander ‘ invaded ‘ the rock, which was ‘ defended by a few hundred sheep, goats and goatherds.
See Treaty of Utrecht.
Monte Hacho in Ceuta, Morocco being the other, or southern pillar of Hercules, Gibraltar being the northern pillar. Though these ‘ facts ‘ have been disputed and argued over since their naming in Greek mythology. A wonderful and beautiful place indeed. Full of political hypocrisy. But wonderful nonetheless.
the gibraltar episode was rather good. one thing did catch my eye, though: the game zane played with jim the bartender and a few locals. the phonetic name of the game was given as “may-ah”.
i have played said game many, many moons ago (about 20 years) in switzerland, where i grew up. we call it “meier”.
the germans claim the the game as theirs. since we swiss are neutral, i won’t contest their claim. the only thing that does matter is this: it’s a LOT of fun!
one word of wisdom, though: don’t play it with kirsch. stick to beer.
cheers!
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