Gibraltor Day Four: Another Morning Walk Exploring The Streets Of Gibraltar

As usual on my travels, I was up early Saturday morning during my short stay  at the Rock Hotel in  Gibraltar.

 I watched a setting full moon over the Bay of Gibraltar harbor from the balcony in my room. The skies were clear and I wanted to explore a little more of Gibraltar before I checked out of my hotel.

I made a cup of instant coffee in my room and was once again walking through the the beautiful Botanical Gardens located on the hill side below the hotel.  I was surprised, again, there was not more bird activity in the gardens . I decided to visit Gibraltar and southern Spain to observe the large migration of birds from Africa that occurs in March.   Over 200 species of birds were reported in these gardens. I later learn the strong rains and westerly winds Gibraltar and southern Spain were experiencing delayed the migration.

I made my way through the quiet , well maintained, gardens and came to the residential apartments on Red Sands Road. It was Saturday morning and I saw no other persons in the garden and only a few on the street.

I followed Red Sands Road down to Rosia Road. I followed it through a mostly residential neighborhood toward the Bay.

I observed the residences, most with flowers planted in the yards.

I also saw my first Gibraltar gas or petroil station. I enjoy seeing different residences, businesses , markets , churches and such on my walks in new cities I visit.

I followed Rosia Street, and around a turn, I came to the docks and Dockyard Tower.

I love visiting the docks in port cities. I reflect on the ships, the sailors, their families, and the far off and exotic places they travel too.

I was curious to see a furious like wheel in the docks from my hotel window. I had no idea what it was, never seeing anything like it on the many ports I visited. Well, I found out, it was a cable laying ship being worked on in the dry docks. I often wondered how the cables that connect the continents are laid and I got my answer here in Gibraltar.

Leaving the dock area I continued on Rosia Road and walked past a local police station and,

a few large apartments complexed below the towering Rock in the background.

It was a pleasant walk with little traffic. I next came to scenic Rosia Bay , the only natural harbor in Gibraltar.

As such, it was vital for the military defense of the Gibraltar and , as in most parts of the city,, the large guns that defended the harbor are still in place, now only used as monuments to the military past of the Rock since ancient times.

At the harbor I watched the large cargo ships making their way through the famous Straights of Gibraltar that connect the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

I was able to get my first views of the continent of Africa across the straits. I was amazed how close Europe and Africa where,

I continued on Rosia Road and came to a few tunnels.

Passing through the second tunnel I came to a small beach, with a park and swimming pool. Here I saw a few people fishing from the rocks along the shore.

I also saw the impressive Parson’s Lodge Battery atop the cliff through which the tunnel was built.

This fort was built by the British to defend the harbor after they took possession of Gibraltar from the Spanish at the beginning of the 18th century. I again stopped to take in the beautiful scenery of the bay and ocean and the largr cargo ships sailing on the deep blue seas with the mountains of Spain and Africa in the distance.

I now came to Europa Falls, a man made waterfalls spewing its waters out of the side of a cliff.

I had now walked about 1 1/2 miles and decided I better hike back. I could have walked all day but I wanted to have breakfast and had to pack my luggage before checking out of my hotel. I also wanted to spend a little time birding in the Botanical Gardens.

I retraced my route, in heavier traffic, both pedestrian and motor vehicle, and returned to the quiet of the Botanical Gardens.

There were now some birds active in the morning sunshine, the Eurasian blackbirds were pretty much everywhere now,

and a I saw a few colorful Eurasian blue tits singing in the trees.

I also saw this Eurasian black cap and,

this common chiffchaff . Both new sightings for me.

I also saw a pretty European robin,

and there were a lot of noisy Eurasian greenfinches in the treetops,

and I saw this pair of yellow legged gulls perched in a treetop. They were flying over all morning.

Finally as I neared my hotel I saw this rooster digging in the leaf litter. I am guessing it escaped from someone’s yard.

I finished my 3 1/2 mile hike and learned a little more about the wonderful city of Gibraltar. I returned to the famous hotel and had a nice breakfast.  I now was another of the many guest who stated at this historic hotel. Photos of the more famous guests are displayed on the walls near the elevator.

I hired a taxi to take me to the border. I again passed quickly through immigration and walked into Spain to rent a car for the next part of my adventure. Here the is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my  morning hike through the streets. Gibraltar and Spain Day Four.  Gibraltar morning hike March 15 2025.

“God made us walking animals—pedestrians. As a fish needs to swim, a bird to fly, a deer to run, we need to walk, not in order to survive, but to be happy.” Jeff Speck 

fskokoski@gmail.com

This is my first post