A taste of 'The Rock of Gibralter'...
Tinto and I had heard some horror stories of how difficult it could be to enter AND to leave The Rock of Gibraltar. Nothing could have been further from the truth. IF I remember correctly, no visas are necessary for Australian and U.S. passports, but always check The Rock website. Many people walk through, but we chose to gently drive the little red scooter across and we followed the crowds. First you meet Spanish border control and you are asked to show your passport. Then, only and I do mean ONLY 3 FEET AWAY as you scoot a little further, the British agent stops you and asks you to show them once again. I did not say a word...I ONLY SMILED. Tinto asked politely if he needed to remove his helmet and the officer replied, 'Not necessary, sir!' Whew...we made it through.
We had no clue, no idea what we were about to experience. Tinto and I follow our hearts and flow with no agenda or itinerary. THAT'S a first for me. We went through some winding areas and drove along the sea and down into a little alley that led us to an open town centre, filled with kids performing a professional break-dance session. Too many Moms and Dads surrounding them to get photos, cafes with umbrellas, warm sunshine, beers, coffees, wines AND IT WAS only 10:30am. BRILLIANT! Live music surrounding us, accordions galore, clarinets, wonderful metal drums the like of which I have not seen before (beautiful!), and thousands...thousands of people.
Supposedly, approximately 40,000 people inhabit The Rock, but with relatives visiting, tourists arriving everyday...it feels far larger than that number. When you read more about The Rock, you will discover that is a TAX-FREE zone; no capital tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no sales tax, no value added tax...so that aspect alone would attract thousands. Older people living and thriving there and it appeared (to me) quite a few residents were extremely wealthy (whatever wealth looks like these days)! Let's say they looked relaxed, comfortable, and more than happy! High-end designer boutiques were in abundance and on every corner there was a man or woman offering whatever their 'deal of the day' was from leather belts, to purses, to shawls, cooking knives, blankets, AND CARRYING PERSIAN RUGS on their backs, too. One day I will get a good photo of this because it is simply mind-boggling what people drag around on their backs to sell!
I read as much as I could while sipping a cappuccino and I know my fabulous Father in Law was stationed here in 1945 with the Royal Navy. I do wonder how much it has changed since he was last here! I know the Moors had it for at least 500 years, beginning in 711 (anyone who feels like they need to correct me, PLEASE DO...then, I think the Spanish took it from them, the Moors got it back , then the Spanish regained it...then, along came the British and they fought hard to get this particular piece of landscape and continue to battle today to retain it.) The Gibraltarians have voted to remain as they are.
Interesting mosque, bright white light against the contrast of The Rock.
ONLY one of the ships we saw...this part of The Mediterranean has the largest amount of traffic passing through and has done so throughout history. The age of The Rock is Jurassic and it is about 6.8 kilometres in area.
The Rock is made of mostly limestone...which is a very soft rock and is approximately 426 metres tall.
Here I was waiting patiently enjoying my new love (a beer!) for Tinto to come out of the Barber Shop...(Spanish barber and boy, oh boy, Tinto appeared much later with a VERY SHORT HAIR CUT AND we got separated!) when I heard the thud, thud, thud of drums. The sound became louder, the ground was vibrating below my feet and I did not know what the Hell was happening. Well, here come the guards in the RED COATS pounding away.
This is right next door to the shop where Tinto lost all of his hair (well, MOST of it). LOOK, lovely hand-woven baskets. Tiny alleys wherever you look with gloriously painted buildings. There is much more to say about The Rock, but Tinto is frantically standing in front of me telling me it is time to move ON! Gheeeez....doesn't he realize a woman has 20,000 words to 'get out' a day? I'm NOT EVEN CLOSE...YET!
YES, YES...this sign was outside of ONE OF THE MANY BRITISH PUBS. You gotta love it!
So nice to see a WALL OF GRAFFITI instead of spray paint splattered over some of the old ruins and lovely stone walls. More later...
This band played Christmas carols and gave me chills, brought tears to my eyes, too. They were a tiny band with a very tight, professional sound and I could have listed for hours. WELL DONE to THE ROCK of GIBRALTAR band 
WE LOVE THE ROCK.
Tinto & Blanco of The Roaming Stevens...
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