Finally, the Rock of Gibraltar.

It doesn’t seem real that today was the last day. How the cruise has flown by, in particular the second week.
We woke this morning just in time to get to the Horizon Court for Breakfast to see our Grand Princess make its final approach into Gibraltar (UK). This peninsular is just 2/3 of a mile long on the southern point of Spain and located just 8 miles across the straits of Gibraltar from Africa.
As soon as we had docked the Captain came on the tannoy to welcome us to Gibraltar. The ship is secure and passengers are cleared for disembarkation. We made our way to the gangway, grabbed a map from Tourist Information and walked the short distance into the town centre.
Being British the signs were in English and English Pubs lined the way. Next, Marks & Spencer were familiar shops. But we had heard the cable cars get busy and although it was not yet 9:00AM we rushed hurriedly across town heading towards the Cable Car. Many a taxi driver trying to get us to go with them instead but as we both agreed, we have done a taxi before. A cable car up the mountain is something else and at just 8 Euro each not a bad price.
We had to wait 2 cars before we could board and standing in the line I was reminded of a hot Florida morning. The feeling you have as the sun is warm and you know that this, right now, is the coolest part of the day.
We spilled into the next cable car and within six minutes were at the mountain peak. Home to the famous Gibraltar Barbarian Apes. Yes they have wild Monkeys at the top. I was overjoyed at seeing at least 80 odd monkey roaming wild on the mountain and at least 8 couples had recently given birth to baby chimps, which we were glad to snap photos of albeit keeping our distance. The parents can be quite aggressive they warned us. That said, these monkeys were free and roaming. They jumped on cars, they jumped on people. They grabbed at anything left not attached and you had to be carefull not too loose your camera or wallet. I loved it but Dusan looked like he was petrified. Especially when as we stood to get the cable car down, the chimp just 4 feet away decided to jump over and virtually landed on his back. I yelled “Watch Out” but the poor lad looked a little shocked.

Heading down the mountain we wandered through the Botanical Gardens. Being a Naval Base Gibraltar is rich in history and its armouries are still visable all around the island. The battlements and cannons can still be seen and Dusan wanted a nice picture next to a large cannon.
As we wandered back down the high street it was amazing the difference 90 minutes had made. What was once a quiet tranquil village street was now a bustling town, packed to the seams with tourists from all over. Most after the same thing as we were. Duty Free. Gibraltar is entirely Duty Free. It makes it a perfect stop over at the point between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
The ship had warned us that while the prices in Gibraltar were fabulous and we could bring stuff onboard for home, all land bought beverages would be taken from passengers as they boarded and returned the evening before docking in Southampton.

If they took them off us how could we drink them in our cabin over the next few days? Packing an empty water bottle we decided to do a test run first. Buying a bottle of tequila and pouring it into the water bottle aside 2 bottles of wine (mad you are allowed to bring on wine). Naturally there was a case of clearing security and the X-ray machine but thankfully that was done in port and not on the ship at this port. It was a piece of cake. Having done it once we quickly unpacked our goods and headed back to town to stock up again. Amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it.

Back on Deck we hooked up with our onboard shipmate Darroll and sat out to tan in the now 30 degree heat (90F).
As the ship prepared the leave port, the Cruise Staff were handing out Union Jacks and we all lined her decks with our flags to give a British Send off to Gibraltar as we sail on our final journey towards Southampton. They played Rule Britania and then Land of Hope and Glory as we left the dock and sailed into the bay. Later this was followed by Mamma Mia on the huge pool side screen. It was like an all chav sing a long. A cross between a Royal Wedding and a Street Party.

Leaving the Port we veered right and into the straits. It’s the most amazing site. The ship is in the straits about four miles from the Coast of Africa with its Majestic Mountains and four miles from Southern Spain and Gibraltar. Three countries in view from one point and at the same time 2 different continents. I had no idea it was so close and it made me wonder why we could not have made a port of call in Morocco?

Ended the afternoon in the hot tub as the sun went down sipping on the 2nd of two very large Pina Coladas. This is the life!