La Linea is the town located on the border with Gibraltar.
Here, I'll give you a map so you have a better idea of where we are...
We are staying just north east of Gibraltar International Airport.
Approaching La Linea and "The Rock".
We got our internet recharged, and sat and wrote yesterday's blog post while in the Dia store parking lot. Then went in and did some groceries, and went to find friends Glen and Steve.
They had been parked the last couple of nights at a big empty lot that services a local stadium. They allow overnight parking here for RV's at €3 ($4.30 CAD, $3.25 USD) per night. It's just a parking lot but it's a great deal at a great location...walking distance to the Gibraltar border. Update December 6, 2023: RV Parking at GPS 36.155227, -5.340734
They've already done some exploring of Gibraltar, so we're on different schedules. But, we walked over together so they could show us a few things. You go through border control, which is a bit of a joke. They barely even glance at your passport, in both directions. Then, to enter Gibraltar you have to physically cross an International Airport runway.
Crossing the runway and heading for The Rock of Gibraltar.
Looking back at the airport terminal.
When a plane comes in (or takes off) they put barriers down to block all traffic. The plane does it's thing, and then the barriers open once again. Never seen anything like it!
Glen and Steve took off on the local Gibraltar bus, while Ruth and I explored on foot.
Yep, we're in the UK now.
Or at least it sure feels like it. Gibraltar is a British territory. They use the Gibraltar pound for currency, but it's tied one to one with the British pound. Everything is in English. The restaurants all advertise "full English breakfast" and "fish and chips". It's really a bit of a strange place here at the southern tip of Spain, just above Morocco.
Gibraltar has a long history.
Lots of people out and about.
On guard!
The Angry Friar pub.
Scenery along the way.
The city, with the rock in the background.
Glen had told us about an interesting ship. It's actually a "yacht hotel". A five star hotel and apartment with a casino and restaurant, but it's built to look like a cruise ship.
We walked into the Sanborn Yacht Hotel through the casino entrance. We saw a sign advertising washrooms downstairs so we went to use the facilities. Wow...I think we're a little under dressed to use the washrooms here...
Fancy facilities!
We came out of the washrooms and found an elevator. The doors opened right away and we went in and headed up to the 7th floor. When the doors opened, we were in a kitchen area! We had inadvertently got on a service elevator for staff only! Too funny. We were quickly ushered out of that area!
We walked the upper deck for the view.
Looking back at Gibraltar.
Pricey to live in Gibraltar. A few deals on groceries, and certainly cheap booze, but a tiny studio apartment sells for £136,000, with many places we saw priced in the millions of pounds.
We headed back to the motorhome, arriving at around 5:00pm. We've got the basics of Gibraltar figured out, but there's lots to see, including a trip to the top of the rock. There are several attractions along the way which are included in a £10 ($16.50 CAD, $12.50 USD) pass, so we think we'll buy one of those when we head back across the border today.
We won't be taking the cable car to the top...we'll be doing it in Kevin and Ruth style...hiking to the top!
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A whole bunch of Coleman camping gear is on deal of the day today...
Look out for the monkeys
ReplyDeleteWe saw quit a few and they all behaved themselves! :-)
DeleteAn interesting area to be touring, nice photos.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is interesting and lots of history!
DeleteOh my that washroom is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love the "alley" work of the business area. It makes it so much more personal.
The women's washroom was just as amazing!
DeleteThe "alley" is exactly a street just a pedestrian one, the allies were really tiny though, as in one way traffic only. That was in the old lower town part of the city.
We were told that the monkeys are pick pockets and will take anything. I've never before or since had to pass over an airport runway to get some where. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have any problem at all with the monkeys. They are actually trying something new where specific people go up to certain areas and feed the monkeys hoping that it will stop them from harassing the tourists. They also are on a big campaign to educate people to not touch them or feed them. I think maybe it is working.
DeleteHalf the fun is watching other people's reactions to them. There is always someone that will get a sandwich or sweet out in front of them, and they will snatch,and yes,sometimes bite
DeleteWatching them was definitely fun! Their expressions are so neat to see.
DeleteOf course, I have heard of the rock of Gibraltar but really didn't know anything more about it. So it was an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteWait until you see tomorrow's blog post. So much history here and it is very interesting.
DeleteWow, love your header photo today and I can honestly say I've learned a lot today about Gibraltar that I never knew. Thanks for all the photos and love the maps to help orient to where you are.
ReplyDeleteToday was even more interesting! So much history that we didn't know about. We didn't think that we were going to enjoy this area as much as we have.
DeleteDon't forget to view the caves inside the Rock as well as the WW2 tunnels.
ReplyDeleteWe did, except that we missed the WWII tunnels, just not enough time. We did however view the Great Siege Tunnels. Everything up on "The Rock" itself is so interesting. I think we spent about 5 hours up there.
DeleteWow Gibraltar is an actual city not just a big rock! Never knew it was a British colony and that it had its own border crossing from Spain. Very interesting info. Love the cruise ship style hotel that would be an awesome place to stay. Enjoy the rest of your visit. Looking forward to more interesting facts on the rock of Gibraltar!
ReplyDeleteYes, we were surprised at how big it was, not the rock but the city itself. Guess we really weren't sure what to expect.
DeleteThat hotel was beautiful but way to pricey for our tastes!
See if you can see anything about the Canadian hardrock miners that built the tunnels in WW2.
ReplyDeleteYes, I found that the Canadian Army was one of the four specialised tunnelling companies including the Royal Engineers. If I am not mistaken a Canadian also played a big role in the "Great Escape"! :-)
DeleteYou both take wonderful pictures to give us a clear picture of the areas you visit! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThere will even be more interesting information from our day out exploring today, along with some great photos. :-)
DeleteA little slice of England. Great pictures, and it looks like a fun place to atroll around. At least once in a while you must enjoy a full English...
ReplyDeleteYep, almost felt like we were back in jolly ole England!
DeleteNo full English breakfast for us, at least not at the prices they were asking. ;-)
The Sunborn is a real cruise ship that is permanently docked in Gib. It's not made to look like one.
ReplyDeleteNope. It was purposely built to be a permanent floating hotel. Built in Malaysia, and shipped to Gibraltar on a barge. http://theresident.eu/sunborn-gibraltar-arrives/
DeleteHow big was the bleeding barge?
DeleteBig enough to carry this ship on it! :-)
DeleteWe go to Gibraltar airport every year and then cross border into Spain. Last year we went to Sunborn Yacht Hotel but the service was awful. I got locked in the loo and banged on the door forever and luckily a cleaner came in and let me out. I thought the prices were exorbitant and prefer The Rock Hotel which is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't mind wandering around on the ship but no way would we pay those prices to stay there but I guess some people like it and enjoy the luxury and can afford it or Sanborn's wouldn't still be in business. Sorry that your experience wasn't a good one.
DeleteLove Gibraltar...Used to go there every year once.
ReplyDeleteMore British than the Brits in UK are!
Nice quaint place, plenty to see and do.
Gibraltar has certainly surprised us because we didn't think it would have enough to keep us occupied. We aren't all that keen on the city part of it as it is pricey and busy but we love the nature reserve and all the history on the rock itself along with the beautiful views.
DeleteWe spent 4 months working on our 39 ft catamaran, Icarus, in 1998 getting her ready for 6 years of sailing the Mediterranean. The marina we stayed in used to be in the direction you took a photo from the hotel boat. The family owned Shepard's Marina was sold and the whole area underwent an enormous development. We were in Gib about a month ago, trying to find where we'd docked our boat and couldn't find one landmark that was the same! Saville now in an aire, 12 minute walk into the tourist center. So much history here. We love Spain!! Catch you two in Portugal next month!
ReplyDeleteWow, it is amazing how fast the building up of an area can go. It is a shame in a way though because it has lost a lot of it's old charm I am sure do to all this modernization.
DeleteI am glad that on "the rock" itself, there is a nature reserve that hopefully will forever be preserved.