Gibraltar

This is our third (or fourth...can't remember) trip to Gibraltar. But yesterday was the first time we went and took our time. The previous trips we were just rushing around not sure what to do.

Gibraltar is technically in Spain but it is a British overseas territory. So one minute you are in Spain and then when you cross the border into Gibraltar you are in England! It's crazy. I actually have to show my passport before I'm allowed in.

Most of the tourist sites are located on el peñón or the Rock of Gibraltar. I didn't want to go up because it is famous for its wild monkeys (Barbary Macaques) that live up there. Since this is one of the reasons tourists go up there the monkeys are very "friendly".

Sometimes they jump on your back and try to open your backpack. Actually people like taking pictures with them and will let them get on their shoulders and backs and such. I am not one of those people.

Interestingly, while we were waiting for the bus there were two monkeys playing in the trees. The hubby took photos while I maintained a safe distance away from them. I was taking no chances!

The purpose of the trip was not only to get away from Córdoba for awhile, but also to purchase some things that are impossible to find in Spain. We walked around the shops and even went to our favorite British supermarket, Morrisons.

This is the outside of Morrisons

This is a vegetarian spread rich in B vitamins, which are hard for vegetarians to get as they are typically found in meat.

Blackberries! All types of berries are impossible to find in Córdoba.

Hubby's favorite beverage and the UK version of tater tots (they are called "potato crunchies")!

LOVE these things!

This is my favorite kind of nut butter.

Of course, my eating regimen for the Achieving Six-Pack Abs does not start until October. So I plan to enjoy my tater tots (we bought 3 packs) and the bread pictured above until then!

We also bought some measuring spoons with the US system of measurements (ie not the metric system) to take the guess-work out of cooking. I also got this gigantic, super cute, orange mug and a portable notebook for when I write down my lists. 

A relaxing day in Gibraltar

Here you can see el peñón de Gibraltar (the rock of Gibraltar) well.

Yesterday my husband and I went out of town with a couple of friends to relax. We are both not beach people so we decided to take a short drive (about 3 hours) to Gibraltar. While it is technically in Spain, it is a British territory. So to cross the border I do have to show my passport. You can also buy things in either euros (European currency) or pounds sterling (English currency).

The couple who came with us had never been. So we decided it was the closest thing to England for them. (My husband and I lived in England for one year and a half.)

Gibraltar is "famous" for its monkeys. People come from far and wide to take a tour where you go to the top of the peak. You have to be careful because these monkeys will steal anything and everything from you! You can be fined 500 pounds for feeding them and are warned that they do bite! I've never been up there to see them and don't think I want to!

The weather was good to us. It was a nice, overcast day. There was some humidity but it was bearable. I had to run at 645 because we left Córdoba at 9am to get there around 12pm. It took us around an hour to enter since there is always a long line waiting to get into Gibraltar. At the end of the day my legs were sore! Today I plan to rest and recover since I have another 45 minute run tomorrow!

Enjoy the pics!

Upon entering Gibraltar and passing the border we see the typical, English, phone booth.

  

Here is another shot of the peñón

I assume this was some sort of political satire. My husband found it funny.

 

A well-deserved rest on a bench after walking around from 1pm until 8pm.

 The following three photos are of the botanical garden we visited while there.

If you look closely you can see another phone booth in the distance. Purely for the tourists, you couldn't make any real calls!

 Big fish

 This is a poppy. It is worn in England to commemorate veterans.

  

A shot in one of my husband's absolute favorite supermarkets in England: Morrisons

 This was taken as we were leaving Gibraltar after a long day.

 

The fun didn't stop though. On the way back to Córdoba we made a stop in Marbella to eat churros and chocolate! I wish I had a pic of some but they were gobbled up! I didn't partake in the churros or the chocolate because I'm controlling my sweets. But this is one of the best places in Marbella to eat them. I wish I could remember the name!

The place also makes delicious fresh fruit and vegetable juices. The first time I came I had a tropical blend that was super good. They make all the juices fresh to order.

And that's the end of our little day trip. We left Gibraltar around 8pm and didn't leave Marbella until 11pm. So it was a long day of walking and eating!