Around The World Without Flying: Back to Gibraltar Part 2 - The monkeys, James Bond and other tidbits

In addition to exploring inside the Rock, our driver-guide (a one-man operation), took us to see many other places of interest, and was full of stories. Fairly young, he was born and bred in Gibraltar, and was passionate about his home. Our other guide two weeks ago was a Londoner, I would say was in his 60s or 70s, who migrated to Gibraltar for the sunshine and warmer weather.

We saw some of the same sights, but also saw some military relics, many of the more expensive residences up on the Rock and much of the old town with its narrow winding streets. How our mini-bus squeezed through them with all the parked cars I will never know. In fact, how our driver managed all the narrow hairpin bends on the Rock was amazing.

Whilst up on the Rock, we also saw some of the famous monkeys that live up there, which are quite large, and surprisingly were even swinging up through many eucalyptus trees. I asked about them - were the eucalypts a gift of the Australian government, as they have been in other countries? No - they are native to Gibraltar!

We were told that there are only about 100 monkeys in Gibraltar. They are very well cared for by a staff of 18 people, who supply them with food and water (these monkeys are herbivores), and conduct regular medical checks and medical care, constant surveys, and so forth. Originally the monkeys were brought there from North Africa by early British troops for target practice! When only a few were left Winston Churchill intervened and brought about 100 more to Gibraltar to make a viable colony and said that from then on they must be protected. Gibraltar would remain British whilst it has its monkeys!

Another point of interest about the Rock was that the opening title sequence for the James Bond movie ‘The Living Daylights’ (1987), starring Timothy Dalton, was shot high up on the Rock. Above the military tunnel system we saw, and out of view, there is a military airport. The sequence was shot on the road down from that spot. But that is not the only association between Gibraltar and James Bond. We drove past the church down in the town where two of the eight (!!) weddings of Sean Connery took place.

Speaking of airports, apparently flying into Gibraltar is very dangerous - one of the most dangerous airports in the world - because of the strong crosswinds caused by the Rock. Only highly qualified pilots with extra training are allowed to land there.

I was also interested in the fact that in Gibraltar, no-one pays personal tax. And their unemployment rate is only 0.4 %! Their economy is so strong that all education and health care is free. If a resident has a medical condition that cannot be treated there, they are flown with a relative or companion to England to the best place to give that care, and remain there until well enough to return. Their medical bills, flights and the carer’s accommodation are all paid for. Wow!

The last interesting fact was that one of the biggest industries in Gibraltar is the dry dock service for ships. They do not build ships, but many ships come there for that service. They anchor off the coast until it is their turn. Apparently this is the major employer of all the 20 000 Spanish who come across the border every day for work.

Enjoy the photos. It is very early morning here as I write this. Today we are visiting Cartagena in Spain.

This is actually not a waterfall down the Rock, but the very salty runoff from the two desalination plants on the Rock. It just flows down to the sea.

Outside the cave system we saw. This was the location where I also took the following photos of the monkeys.

A Gibraltar monkey.

A 3-week old monkey, which was clambering all over a tree next to its parent.

Baby and parent.

Clearly a sibling.

Am I glad I was not on the chairlift! This spot was down the road between the cave system and the tunnel system. The following photos show views from the same spot.