Walking to the Edge of Europe...I See Africa!

From Gibraltar's Europa Point, the continent of Africa is only 15 miles away...across the famous Strait of Gibraltar.  Before I found out I was moving to Spain, I knew where Spain was, but I had no idea that Africa was so close.  No wonder the Spanish and the Moors went back and forth for hundreds of years.  

I also didn't know that there were two tiny areas on the African continent that were still considered to be a part of Spain.  See the map above for Ceuta and Melilla.  One of the sites we wanted to visit on our day trip was Europa Point.  The boys are desperate to add another continent visited to there, but for now, if we can't set foot on it, at least we can point to it.  My oldest was supposed to travel to Morocco last Spring on a school trip, but then all the riots broke out and they decided to hold the event in Madrid. Oh well...another time...We planed to take the bus to "the edge of Europe" as I like to call it, but the bus routes had changed from the one we had in our guide book, and since we didn't notice, we ended up on a bus that wasn't ever going to get us there.  So we used our feet as we so often do, trusting that it really was only a 1.5 miles walk from where we got off the bus.  There was a local family on the bus with us and they said it was an easy walk...just stay on this road...blah, blah, blah...and it takes you all the way to the Point.  We were a little   leery, as we had an experience in Key West where a lady told us it was less than a mile to Naval Station and it ended up being closer six, but that is another story.  Thankfully, this family was right about the distance.  

We walked down the west side of Gibraltar, along the harbor.  On our way we saw this Moorish Castle, and interestingly enough, according to DK Eyewitness Travel Spain, its keep used to be used as a prison until recently when a new one was built.  Can you imagine being held there as a prisoner?  There are also approximately 80km (50 miles) of siege tunnels on the island.  Walking around on the Gib, there are signs everywhere that this area what a military fortification for a very long time.  So much of the architecture is reminiscent of an old military post.  

Inside the city walls, set among old artillery batteries and barracks are housing and modern apartment buildings.  With so little square footage, building up is often the only option.

Loved these old style lights

I'd love to see the size of the ship this anchor was attached to...

More old military-style buildings...old quarters perhaps...These below have seen better days...

On the way to Europa Point, we walked through three old tunnels, we think they were originally meant to move supplies around Gibraltar.  The traffic was light and one-way, so we had no trouble walking through the tunnels.  It was really neat.

A nice swimming area at which to pass a hot summer day...

Out of one tunnel and on to the next one...

We loved this waterfall which we assume is man-made...that opening looks a little too perfect.  We have received confirmation from local resident, Pippa the Dog, that while pretty, there is no water on the Rock.  This beautiful waterfall is from run-off...Thanks, Pippa!

Looking back over the harbor...look at the cloud that has just formed directly over the Rock.

The last tunnel, which was a half mile long, had a sidewalk...

When you come out of the last tunnel, you see the huge King Fahd Mosque.  This $20 million gift from the Saudi sultan was completed in 1997 so that Gibraltar's 900 Muslims would have a nice place to worship, though there are other mosques on the island.  "Five times a day-as across the strait in Morocco-an imam sings the call to prayer." (Rick Steve's Spain 2010)

This lady, her baby and her five dogs were enjoying an afternoon at the point.

Africa!

The boys standing at the edge of the European continent

This lighthouse, built in 1841, is closed to visitors.  At 150 feet tall, at night, its light can be seen from Morocco.  Don't know for sure, but as there is no other housing on this part of the island, we believe these apartments are home to those who work here and their families.

Having spent about 20 minutes taking pictures and admiring the view...we hopped on the public bus and headed back to town...One day we hope to take a ferry from Tarifa, in Spain, over to Tangiers, in Morocco.  The kids are eager to add another continent to their list.  Hasta luego...