Most of you might not know that I lived and worked in Morocco for over 5 years. I worked for a joint venture between Jacobs Engineering and the government-run chemical company OCP.   I have heard great things about Gibraltar and wanted to visit. 

In the summer of 2013, my colleague Roy and I embarked on an impromptu adventure to Gibraltar, a ride of about 4.5 hours. Little did we know that our escapade would involve more than just scenic views and vibrant pubs. Buckle up for a tale of unexpected monkey business that will leave us with a great story to tell.

Since it was our first time crossing the strait of Gibraltar, we were unaware that there were 2 ports on the Mediterranean, Tangier City and Tangier Med.     Tangier City is for passengers and cars, ferries there are smaller and faster.   Tangier med, on the other hand, is for larger ferries that carry passengers and cars along with trucks and cargo.   These ferries are much larger and slower.  

Since we went to Tangier Med port, the ferry was 3 hours late leaving due to the loading of cargo.    We finally arrived in Spain and then Gibraltar by taxi around midnight.

Gibraltar is a British overseas area at the tip of the Spanish peninsula, a mere three-square miles housing 32,000 people and an astonishing 60 pubs. Eager to explore, we dropped our bags at the hotel and dove headfirst into the nightlife of this lively town.

A chance encounter with a group of spirited Brits led us on a pub-hopping escapade, the night unfolding with laughter, camaraderie, and spirits flowing like a mighty river. We drank with them at many pubs and got back to the hotel room around 4 am.  

I found the balcony door curious since it was not a sliding door but a normal latch glass door.   I walked out on the balcony to check the view and then went back in and went to sleep.

A cacophony of sounds and an unpleasant odor roused me from my slumber. To my disbelief, a Gibraltar ape—a sizable one at that—was feasting on the cookies the hotel had left for me. Thinking on my feet, I improvised, using the bedspread to coax the cheeky intruder out of the room. The photo I managed to capture immortalized the moment—an ape gleefully finishing off my late-night snack.  He used his monkey hands to open the balcony door since I left it unlocked.  In a display of acrobatics, the ape leaped to the balcony above, leaving me dumbfounded.  After all I was on the 8th floor. 

I personally think that the hotel should warn guests of the surprise monkey guests coming into unlocked rooms and to make sure the balcony door is locked.  The hotel, unfazed by my predicament, informed me that the apes often descend from the mountains at night, a fact they assumed most guests were aware of. Their parting words about the apes being potentially dangerous and buttock-tearing enthusiasts came a day too late.

Now a little about Gibraltar apes: 

The Barbary macaque population in Gibraltar is the only wild monkey population on the European continent.

As they are a tailless species, they are also known locally as Barbary apes or rock apes, despite being classified as monkeys.  There are about 300 of them in Gibraltar and the population is growing every year..  Most of them have names and the locals write about them.   They are overseen by the British military. 

There is a cable car that goes from the center of town to the top of the mountain.   It’s a great view but most people go to see the apes.   There are photo ops up there but if you bring a bag or food, they will take it.  They like purses and pringle cans. 

So next time you are at a Gibraltar hotel, make sure the balcony door is locked or you too might wake up to some monkey business.