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West Coast of Europe & to Casablanca Cruise - Gibraltar |
Gibraltar
I went up onto the top deck, from where one could see both Africa & Spain but not in good light. I took quite a lot of photos, most of which were failures.
The Moroccan Coast going towards Gibraltar with Tangiers
Getting close to Gibraltar
The town seen from the sea |
Both Avis & I made several turns round the ship & missed each other each time. We did meet up for an early & minimal lunch, as we were on an official trip for once, because we only had this half day in Gib & some things are a bit inaccessible on foot. In fact, the late middle aged mini-bus driver was quite witty while maintaining the Gibraltarian cloud-cuckoo land attitude. (Any GB government needing a deal with Spain is likely to swap this Hackney-on-Sea for the 4 million tons of marmalade I suggested to my MP without sentiment). |
We first went to Europa Point, where there is the last lighthouse in Europe (& most Southerly) & a mosque for the Moroccan workers but who generally prefer the Nissan Hut one more conveniently placed downtown.
The Europa Point Lighthouse |
The Europa Point Mosque |
Then, to St. Michael's Cave with its excellent collection of limestone features:-
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Outside the caves was one of the 6 tribes of Barbary Apes. While being wild animals, they were skilled on the raiding of bags, stealing of ice creams & jumping on & off of moving buses, while still being quite cute:-
Keeping watch |
Don't mess with me |
I couldn't care less |
Grooming his Mum |
We were dropped in the town centre & had a look but soon retreated to the ship in time for tea.
Gib from the caves entrance |
Main Street. This was once 2-way traffic. |
The old wall. Reclaimed land behind it. |
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After, I had a look again from the top of the ship & then, on finding Avis, gave my Haydn lecture to a couple waiting for Sharne to turn up & sell them a cruise when she was not due, an opera special interest one in October. There was a good jazz band in the Lido Bar before dinner & the ship's excellent violinist played for us after. |
The Rock seen from the 'Balmoral' top deck |
Contact: Ken Baldry at 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY +44(0)20 7359 6294 or e-mail him
URL: http://www.art-science.com/Tourism/Cruises/WC/WC4.html Last revised 1/12/2010 ©2010 Ken Baldry. All rights reserved.