Visiting a Micronation

If you don’t know what a micronation is, it’s a small, self-declared entity that claims to be an independent nation, but isn’t recognized as such by larger world governments. While Gibraltar isn’t technically a sovereign nation, it operates with a unique status as a British Overseas Territory, and it sure feels like its own world!

Perched at the southern tip of Spain, me and my mom too a day #trip to Gibraltar. It’s Gibraltar not just a geographic oddity, but a historic marvel with centuries of stories packed into its 2.6 square miles.

The Rock of Gibraltar dominates the skyline, and I couldn’t resist taking the cable car to the top. The views were spectacular, and the mischievous Barbary macaques—the only wild monkeys in Europe—were of course one of my highlights. Locals say that as long as the monkeys remain on the Rock, Gibraltar will stay under British rule. So, of course, I was keeping an eye on them! 😛

Aside from the cheeky wildlife, the rock is famous for its strategic importance over the centuries. Since antiquity, it’s been a gateway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, fought over by empires, and is still a British Overseas Territory today. 🇬🇧

Another highlight was exploring St. Michael’s Cave. It’s a vast limestone underground space, with stalactites and stalagmites, all illuminated by colorful lights. It felt like walking into an enchanted grotto. The atmosphere was so magical, it almost made me forget I was inside a giant rock! 🪨

For a change of pace, I wandered through Main Street, where the mix of British and Spanish influences is so charming. Think red phone booths next to tapas bars. And I couldn’t leave without visiting Europa Point, where you can literally see across to Africa on a clear day! 🌍

Gibraltar might be small, but it’s packed with character, history, and I left another cute stamp on my passport! Whether you’re there for the history, the views, or a close encounter with its famous monkeys, it’s definitely a stop you won’t forget! 🐒

#travel #europe #monkey #gibraltar

#lemon8diarychallenge #lemon8dailychallenge #lemon8challenge #Lemon8Diary #lemon8daily