What do you really think of Gib

[JAWG]

My comments on this subject.

If you go with a negative attitude all your memories will likely be negative.

We have been in Spain 4 times now (3 months each time) - 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2008.

Each time we have gone to Gibraltar at least twice and thoroughly enjoyed it each time. Had several meals at the Angry Friar Pub. It also was enjoyable.

When we were there in '06, we had visitors who were heart-broken because they couldn't go to Gib (purse stolen, including passports in Sevilla). When they came back in '08, the first place they wanted to go was Gib. They also thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's like beauty - all in the eyes of the beholder!!

[karandjon]

Thanks Katy. Our friends in CDS were going to go that way later this week and was looking for somewhere to go thats not Gibralter (after nipping into internet café and reading this thread).

[karandjon]

If you go with a negative attitude all your memories will likely be negative.

But JAWG, I went all excited to Gib....only to be very disappointed....the same as 100% of the people who have commented so far (yourself excluded).

[BENIDORM]

Gibraltar I agree is now quite a seedy, run down place, but it's not alone , there are plenty of other places around the world, that once great , are now almost 'no go' areas.
However I personally hope that it remains in British hands, whatever anyone says I still believe that it is a strategic and valuable asset to the UK.
I spent quite a lot of time in Gib. during the 1960's, and it was a great favourite port of call, the place was really 'buzzing' then.

Gib.has a proud history, and I find it sad to hear that so many ex-pat British are quick to 'knock it', I'm still proud to be British, and I'm not afraid to say so .....

On a lighter note, I was interested to read last week about the ex-Navy officer, now in his 80's, who lost his watch in the harbour, 60 odd years ago, and has had it returned , still working....I also lost a gold watch in Gib. harbour, in 1964, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed..you never know.

Gordon...

[Acen]

Lets not forget that there are plenty of professional jobs in Gibraltar in the Finance Industry that pay offshore wages. (not mickey mouse spanish money)

I dont know what people class as a no go area, but can I point out that Gibraltar has virtually no crime!!!

Yes its run down, but lets not forget an unqualified shop worker earns more money in Gib that a junior spanish doctor working in Urgencias. (and I know that for a fact!!!!!)

Im not a fan at all but it allows me to live in Spain and get away from the UK.

Ocean village is only going to have over priced "designer" boutiques that no one ever heard of and a KFC.

You can find everything in Ocean Village in La Canada in Marbella and Algeciras for KFC. Or try the factory in Guadacorte and go to Burger King instead.

I for one am glad its the way it is as there will always be a need for ex-pats to keep the major services and business running as the locals and spanish simply can not be bothered to work hard and insist on summer hours!!!

[mijas bound]

my own feelings, as i left Gib, last week were that it reflected badly on southern Spain.
I may not have been to every little village in Spain but as i drove out of Gib. i thought, "thank god for that, back to civilization"

I did all the touristy things there a couple of years ago and thought it was just a huge carpark with monkeys (apes) have been back twice for Cigarettes and a litre but it was nt worth the drive from Benalmadena

[princess peach]

acen wrote>

I dont know what people class as a no go area, but can I point out that Gibraltar has virtually no crime

O.K..well,i am going to contradict you there!
there is virtually no crime because the video evidence amazingly disappears thats bloody why!
You forget to mention the drug taking,knife and gun wielding yobs that park up late at night down the beaches in Gib,o.k,there is not much theft etc,no robbing of tourists,but other things do go on.

Ocean village is only going to have over priced "designer" boutiques that no one ever heard of and a KFC

arnt all designer boutiques over priced..???
I saw,an indian resturant,a sports bar,a newsagent,a gym,a casino,a KFC,a mens designer clothing shop,and there were lots of other shops waiting to be filled.I think its just what Gib needs.I know the mainstreet shop owners are not at all happy with it,as it will take custom away from their pitiful shops.

[Pigeon Tim]

I quite enjoy going to Gib as it reminds me of why I left England.

It's handy at the moment for shopping if you are living in Spain and earning pounds.

[princess peach]

But P tim..Gib is nothing like England,their currency is Gibraltarian pounds mixed in with our Money,the shops o.k they are like England,only are franchises,except they add on their own price labels.The people although speak english,are not.they have our old red buses,which uk no longer use.
majority of the place is horrible.they are english when they want to be and spanish when it suits...
The reason most of them have a home in spain as well as Gib is because they pay something stupid like 5 pounds a week for a government apartment,this leaves them free to purchase a house in spain too.
One thing i will say for the place is they look after their own people,something england doesnt do,uk looks after every race but their own.

[Wicksey]

But P tim..Gib is nothing like England,their currency is Gibraltarian pounds mixed in with our Money

Every time I've been I've only drawn out a few pounds spending cash and always seem to end up bringing a Gib note back home with me. As I say every time will be the last (until the in-laws next decide to cruise into port) I am stuck with it. Then my brother decided to start collecting foreign bank notes and I've been able to 'sell' them to him (face value of course, although some notes in good condition are worth more). It is a funny old place

[masterob]

Gib is nothing like England,their currency is Gibraltarian pounds mixed in with our Money

[/b

The Gibraltar currency is on a par with Sterling, in fact it is Sterling and that is why it is "mixed with our (?) money! The currency may be exchanged for UK issued coinage in the UK just as can Isle of Man coinage or Scottish Pound notes.

[sue1107]

Grotty is the word. Have been twice and reckon its awaste of time and petrol

[JAWG]

What a dull world it would be if everyone liked (or disliked) the same things.

[princess peach]

master rob,what i meant was,although it is sterling as such,you cannot actually use the gibraltar currency in UK (unless like you say,you changed it into UK money)

[sampedrena]

If - instead of using the cashpoint - you go into, say, Barclays and draw out cash - you can ask for sterling notes as opposed to Gib ones.

We don't go very often, but I usually enjoy it for a change when we do go. It's interesting to see some different shops, but what I really don't like is that in, for instance, the electrical goods shops, nothing is priced up - it always feels a bit like a market, where you think they take a look at you to try to decide how much you might be prepared to pay!

I find it interesting to see how many Spanish visit - including school trips where you see the children standing with the British policeman to have a photo taken. And if they can get one of the red phone boxes in as well, so much the better. As far as the older Spanish are concerned, many seem to leave loaded down with M & S bags, plus perfume, cigarettes and a full tank of petrol. A while ago I saw a programme on Spanish TV about Gib, and they were interviewing Spanish people in the streets of Gib and all of them were quite happy for Gib to stay exactly as it is, whatever their government might feel.

[lis48]

Everyone seems to be against Gib so thought I´d add the other side. I go there quite a lot and have always hated the Morrison and Main Street experience. But recently I went to research where my Dad was born back in 1916 and I´ve changed my mind totally as people were so friendly and helpful explaining the history as I wandered round off the beaten track looking for my grandparents´old house. I think there are some delightful areas, the botanical gardens, the Elliot Hotel square, Naval Hospital Hill, Rosia Bay, Caleta Bay, Pimms at the Rock etc. I still hate Morrisons and the whole of Main Street!

[katy]

I wouldn't like to live there either but most of the new apartments going up are only for a base and for tax purposes.

There are a few interesting places, the Chapel next to The High Commission, The Museum and Arab baths, the Upper Rock and caves (they have some good concerts in there). The Trafalgar Cemetery (read of all the diseases they died of in the garrison or in battle). There is night life there if thats what you want (still a lot of Army there). All the resaurants are full in the new Marina.

Have stayed at the Rock Hotel a few years ago and the afternoon tea was good, suppose it could have gone downhill though. Breakfast was served in the English Country House manner, everything under large silver tureens.

I am quoting my own post here but after I posted it gave me pause for thought. Aside from the obvious like málaga, Granada etc. where else would you find as much to see for a Tourist. I must admit I go to sort out financial affairs and probably wouldn't bother otherwise, I do enjoy the shopping spree though, stocking up on things not on sale in Spain. The last time I bought Jersey potatoes and rhubarb!

We spent a winter weekend there two years ago as we went for a Bar mitzvah and I enjoyed it. If you go to the chapel next to the British High Commission, there are lots of flags from British battalions, some who fought at Trafalgar. Some of the standards are bloody and torn. Wander around the back Alleys and it is similar to Tangiers in places, around the Spanish steps it brings back images of Naples.

Lots of history to the place and children love the Siege Tunnels. Also, where else in the world do Jews and Islamists (Morrocans) live peacefully together! In the Rock Hotel look at the guest book a piece of history. If you are just going for the duty free and wander up Main Street then of course it seems a dump.

If we are discussing living there I say no way José but for a tourist it is a good day out. look at the photos posted on the photo thread. After all many of you have been saying how wonderful the Paloma Park is my opinion is that it is pleasant, but...it is just a standard park which as in the UK keeps being vandalised and the wildlife tortured. I really think it is another case of the A.Com everything that is British is bad and all Spanish places are unquestionably good!


I am not fond of the place but most people don't go anywhere except Morrissons and main Street so how do they know!

[mijas bound]

Hi Katy,
I usually agree with a lot you say but i must pick you up on one thing, you say that if you wander around the back alleys of Gib. it is similar to Tangiers??? do you mean the open sewers, the children begging or the general feeling of not being safe??
i went to Tangiers and hated it even more than Gib. i did nt feel safe til i was back on the ferry and away from the place. i would go to Gibraltar a hundred times before i went back to that cesspit.

[katy]

Yes, I hate the whole of North Africa too I was just comparing as many on here say they like Morrocco, that there are many things to see as a Tourist.

[mijas bound]

i would also add that, in my opinion, Paloma park is far from "an ordinary park" not ordinary for where i live or anywhere i ve been in the UK.
the main difference,for me, is that we spent a couple of hours in the park and came out relaxed and wanted to go back, in fact i would gladly jump on a plane and go back now and my OH feels the same way, we sit and look at the pics and that makes us smile.
Gib, on the hand, we spent a couple of hours there and she never wants to go back. I told her there is a lot more to see than we saw but she is adamant that she hates the place and would not return if they ofered her free vodka (which for her is impressive)