Gibraltar And Spain Day Ten And Eleven. A Last Walk, And And Almost An Extended Stay, In Gibralatar.
It was my last day on my recent visit to Gibraltar and Spain. I entered the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar for the second time late Friday morning. And, once again, through the Border Crossing and Immigration Office and not the airport. I had just returned my rental car in La Linea, Spain and walked over the border. When I first arrived, nine days earlier, my scheduled flight to Gibraltar was diverted to Malaga, Spain because of the high winds so I had to enter through the border crossing. I wrote about that experience in a previous blog, so take a look if you haven’t seen it. As on the first time I entered Gibraltar I quickly passed through the checkpoint and in the city below the Rock for which it is famous. 
I was staying at the Sunborn Hotel my last night in Gibraltar. I was told the hotel was a short walk from the airport and border crossing. Well I guess that would depend on how you define a short walk, and whether you are lugging luggage.I had already walked, pulling my luggage, about a 3/4 of mile from the rental car office in La Linea. And I now continued pulling my luggage through the busy sidewalks and streets of Gibraltar.
I’m glad the sun was shining. It rained on most of my trip. I walked to the airport runway. The road and sidewalk cross the runway. This is the only access to Gibraltar for pedestrians and motor vehicles. . The road and sidewalks are closed when an airplane is landing.
Walking over the runway, with the cliffs of the Rock of Gibraltar nearby I could see why it would not be a good place to land an airplane in the high winds.
I walked past the Cradle of History Monument along the roadway which depicts the long history of Gibraltar from the Neanderthal skulls found here , to the Pillars of Hercules ancient myths and legends and the role the Rock played in recent history. 
It was another 3/4 mile through the busy streets of Gibraltar to my hotel. I was glad when I finally made it to the hotel,. The Sunborn is a luxury yacht built to serve as a hotel. I was early, it was only around 1 p.m. so I was happy when I found my room was ready. I enjoyed being on a ship again. It brought back memories of my three week cruise on the National Geographic Explorer when I traveled to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. I told myself I need to take more cruises. 
I went to my room and the and checked out the views of Gibraltar harbor from my balcony. I unpacked my luggage and started to repack it for my journey home. However, I received a few messages from family and friends telling me about a fire near Heathrow Airport in London. All flights were canceled. I soon received messages from British Airways that my flights in the morning to London and Newark may be delayed or canceled. It would be an inconvenience but I wasn’t too disappointed having to spend an extra day in Gibraltar. 
After editing some photos I decided to hike in the Gibraltar Nature Reserve near the Moorish Castle just above the city. Once again I was going to try and see some of the migratory birds that so far have eluded me on this trip. I left my hotel and walked through the modern and busy Leisure Island Business District and nearby docks. Here there were many restaurants, offices and apartment buildings. 
I walked on busy Glacis Road in the Friday afternoon traffic past car dealerships,
and more modern apartments and office buildings with the Rock looming above. 
I also saw Moorish castle in the distance and walked towards it.
I came to the Landport Tunnel which was the only access to the old walled city. 
I followed a steady stream of pedestrians through the tunnel
and was surprised to find a modern and bustling shopping and restaurant district on the other side. .
The street was lined with all kind of stores from small gift shops to
large Rolex watch stores. 
I was surprised, since I stayed at the Rock Hotel when I first arrived for two days and it was located in a more residential part of the city. I learned the many shops were there because Gibraltar was a stop for cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean Sea. It was, like all port cities were modern cruse ships dock, able to support both fine restaurants, luxury clothing, art and other item shops, as well as local food stands and small souvenir shops.
I walked through the crowds and stopped in a few of the souvenir shops. I chatted with the local owners and workers about the city while picking up a few gifts for my great nephew and nieces.
I had already walked over five miles that day and realized I wasn’t going to make it the the Nature Reserve. So I just roamed the side streets of the shopping district. I walked up a quiet side street where 
I walked past a synagogue and
a stairway to a residential district. I later realized I had walked back on the streets above the stairs on my hike back from atop the Rock a week earlier. 
I love roaming the streets of cities I visit, looking at the garden, murals,
and homes and businesses of the residents.
I returned to the main street and decided to walk back to my hotels when the wind picked up and some storm clouds appeared.
I quickly walked back to the hotel but the rain never arrived. I took a short walk along the hotel and nearby marina before returning to my room. 
I finished packing my luggage. My flight wasn’t until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning but I continued to watch the Heathrow airport situation. All flights on Friday were canceled and I continued to receive messages from British Air that my flights may be delayed or canceled on Saturday. . I wanted to get to the airport early too see if my flight would take off or if there were other alternatives to get me home. After packing I was hungry and wanted to eat at the hotel. It was around 5 pm and, like in Spain, I found the restaurants didn’t open for dinner until 7 p.m. 
So I left the hotel and walked to about a dozen nearby restaurants. None were serving dinner until 7 p.m. I finally found one open, right across from the hotel, Biancas Bar and Restaurant. It was a good choice. I started with a still boiling mushroom pil pil. It was hot, both spicy hot and temperature hot but it was delicious. 
I also had grilled swordfish with a salad and boiled potatoes . It was good too.After eating I returned to my room edited photos. I learned some flights were now leaving Heathrow Airport but there still maybe delays. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my last hike in Gibraltar. Gibraltar and Spain Day Ten And Eleven March 21 -23 2025 
I awoke the next morning and didn’t go for my morning walk. Instead I had breakfast at the hotel, checked out and walked to the airport. It was a small, modern airport. I inquired about the flights and was told my flight was scheduled to take off but they still may be a delay or a cancelation. There were no other flights I could take that day. I waited and was happy when we boarded our flight on time. There was a short 1/2 hour delay but I was on my way to London. 
I arrived at always busy Heathrow Airport early in the morning, , did the transfers by bus, and walked through security at Terminal 5. My flight was still scheduled to leave on time. I was early so I had a delicious lunch at the Giraffe Restaurant. I started with I think the best tasting endeme I ever had, and then enjoyed a delicious entre of Middle Eastern salmon with grilled vegetables and some grains that I couldn’t identify. It was good, one of the best airport meals I ever had. 
I walked to my Gate and was relieved to learn the flight should take off as scheduled. We boarded on time, but there was about an hour delay until we were airborne. It was a smooth 8 hour flight to Newark, and we landed a little later then our scheduled time.
I was staying at the Hilton where I parked my car. I took the shuttle to the hotel and was soon in my room It was early. 10:00 pm Newark time, but 5 pm. Spain and Gibraltar time. I was tired from my trip and was able to sleep. I woke early the next morning. After some coffee I driving the two hours to my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the morning twilight. 
I didn’t make it home. I decided to take my usual five mile hike in the Susquehanna Wetlands before I headed home. I wanted to see how what new appeared in the wetlands since I left. There is a blog on my hike if you want to read more about it. 
After my hike I drove home where I fed my deer,and enjoyed my favorite meal. I loved the food in Spain and Gibraltar but my favorite meal is still my hot peppers, shrimps and scallops sauteed with garlic in olive oil and served over pasta. I love to travel but there is no place like home. 
The Straits of Gibraltar lie between Morocco and Spain, and the Pillars of Hercules, about which you have probably heard, are the promontories of Europe and Africa which jut out into the Mediterranean Sea at the Straits, and are but eight …
— The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 39, August 5, 1897 –
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