On Tuesday 1st May we spent the morning in Gibraltar
Our cruise to the Azores, Madeira and the Iberian Peninsular would take us to Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitoria, Funchal, Cadiz, Malaga and finally to Gibraltar
Arriving at Gibraltar
Arcadia’s visit to Gibraltar was only a relatively short morning visit from 8 am to 1.30 pm. P&O’s daily paper had reported that sunrise was set for about 7.30 am and I wanted to be out on the balcony watching for the dolphins. They are usually around the seas off Gibraltar. I was late out and missed the sunrise and any dolphins about before the ship came in to dock.
While we were having breakfast and we watched Asuka II come into the inner order and dock there.
Walking into Gibraltar
After our early breakfast we walked off the ship and started our walk to the shops. Gibraltar had changed since our last visit quite a bit. Now there was a new power station being built and a temporary set of diesel generators on our left as we walked out of the dock area. Next there were new blocks of apartments, all before we reached the more familiar shops and restaurants.
This notice gave dire warnings about having cigarettes near the Spanish border.
Main Street of Gibraltar
Once through the gate into Casement Square we realised just how early we were in Gibraltar. It was May Day and there was a marquee stage on one side of the empty square. Everywhere we looked the shops were closed and the streets were nearly empty. We window shopped as we walked up the main street looking at the prices.
A small Costa Coffee provided us with somewhere to sit but the coffee was not very good. As we watched the street became busier and busier with passengers off both ships.
On our way back we called in to the now open shops to pick up duty-free gin and some Clinique at great prices. I was less successful at the camera shops as I was unable to find either polarising or ND lenses.
Back in Casement Square, we sat in the shade having a drink and watched the dances on the stage.
Time to go for the Asuka II passengers.
