Tuesday June 27 - Gibraltar

More sunflower fields on our drive through the countryside... 

on our drive to Gibraltar.  

It took over an hour to cross the border – the Spanish were putting pressure on the British to return Gibraltar to Spain, so they were very slow and methodical at the border crossing.  The entrance into Gibraltar proper is very unusual in that the road goes directly across the airport runway.  So, the road had crossing gates, just like a train crossing, to prevent cars from driving across the runway when planes are landing.

View as we crossed the runway

We had lunch at a British pub at the base of the tram that goes to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.  Unfortunately, the tram was closed due to wind, so we took a tour in a van (several were waiting by the tram).  Great tour.  

Saw and fed the Barbary apes (our tour guide, Jason, had potatoes that he cut up for us to feed the apes), 

toured St Michael’s cave, 

viewed Africa from Europa point, 

Straits of Gibraltar (On a Postcard)

Straits of Gibraltar (our view today)

and generally had a good time.  But Josh did have a meltdown for some reason about going, but ended up loving it.  

Views of the airport from the top of The Rock.

They have a Changing of the Guard ceremony in Gibraltar that is conducted outside the Governor's residence.  We happened by just as it was in progress.

We found a Safeway grocery store, so bought more of Josh’s cereal, since he is limited on what he can eat.  The parking lot was interesting as much of it had coverings to protect the cars from the brutal summer heat. 

Some photos around Gibraltar.

Spectacular, beautiful drive from Gibraltar to Ronda through the countryside.  

A white village in the distance. 

Stork and nest on a power pole.

We stopped at Jimenez de la Frontera to walk the castle ruins.  

Then an incredible drive up the mountains to Ronda.    Ronda was one of the few places we had booked in advance.

We stayed just outside of Ronda at a delightful hotel, Molina del Santo, in Benoajan, only 12 rooms, a converted water mill.  Owned by a young British couple.

Some photos around Benoajan.