Check out the latest properties available in Gibraltar Llanitos por
S e r v i c e s
W e d d i n g F a v o u r s
B e s p o k e P r e m i u m S p i r i t s a n d G i f t s
C o r p o r a t e E v e n t s
T e a m B u i l d i n g E v e n t s
B o t t l e R e f i l l S e r v i c e
L o c a l D e l i v e r y
G i b r a l t a r G i n E x p e r i e n c e
E n j o y a n e n t e r t a i n i n g h o u r
S a m p l e 6 h i s t o r i c g i n s
L e a r n a b o u t g i n a n d G i b r a l t a r
T a k e t h e S p i r i t o f t h e R o c k w i t h y o u w h e n y o u l e a v e
Note Editor’s
Striving to uphold a sense of familiarity, Inside Gibraltar offers a modern aesthetic whilst filling its pages with interesting reads from some of our locals
With a variety of sections including ‘Business, Community, Culture, Maritime, Motoring, Property, Sport, Technology, Travel and Wellbeing’, Inside Gibraltar also highlights new properties on the market, in collaboration with local estate agents and aims to uphold that fun and exciting sense of unity fostered by seeing friendly faces whilst flicking through its pages.
Introducing “Llanitos Por El Mundo” we explore the life of a local Gibraltarian living abroad, and also investigate life in reverse to get some insight as to what it’s like living in Gibraltar from the perspective of a new foreign resident.
Additionally, we have explored the Maritime sector in Gibraltar, where you can read about the different species of marine life that live beneath our waters, and find out about what it’s like to excavate and unearth hidden gems in Gorham’s cave, with a special interview with a local archaeologist. From locals sharing their funny personal encounters with our beloved barbary macaques, to a wide variety of articles written by well-known locals in Gibraltar, Inside Gibraltar has sought to create something for everyone.
Dearest reader, I hope you enjoy this Inside community magazine as much as we’ve enjoyed crafting it for you.
With love, Tammy.
Managing Editor tamara@outsideinmedia.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Tammy Levy tamara@outsideinmedia.com
MAGAZINE DESIGNER
Emma Long Graphic Design emmadesign@btinternet.com emmadesign.co.uk
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS
Tammy Levy
Amber Williams
Anthony Loddo
Clara Awuse
David Diaz
Albert Gonzalez
Aiden Bell
Paul at Dive Charters Gibraltar
Ian Law
Jo Ward
Anthony Loddo
Sarah (Article & Photography)
Kassidy Spight
Joel Francis
Catherine Rubio
Kezia Lopez
Gabriele Janaviciute
Kayleigh Podesta, JL Studio
PHOTOGRAPHY
Stock photography by Shutterstock, Alamy & Unsplash.
All other photography supplied by the article subject unless otherwise mentioned.
INSIDE GIBRALTAR
Published by Outside In Media, a trading name of Art Space Ltd, 120a Irish Town, Old Police Station, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA.
The name INSIDE GIBRALTAR is a mark of Art Space Ltd, used under exclusive licence. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
INSDIE GIBRALTAR places great importance on the accuracy of the information contained within this publication but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Views expressed by contributors and/or correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Neither INSIDE GIBRALTAR nor Art Space Ltd is responsible for any claims made, or material(s) used in advertisements.
For permission to copy cuttings for internal or client use, please contact gibraltar@outsideinmedia.com
Isfromworkinghome
truly working?
The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed a seismic shift in the way we work, with remote work becoming the new norm for many industries. As the world tentatively returns to a semblance of normalcy, the question arises: Is working from home truly working?
Beyond the immediate impacts on productivity and work-life balance, this question also encompasses broader implications for sustainability in the workplace.
Before the pandemic, remote work was often viewed as a luxury or a perk, largely confined to specific sectors and roles. However, the unprecedented global health crisis forced companies to rapidly adapt to remote operations. This shift, initially seen as a temporary measure, has revealed lasting benefits and challenges, prompting organisations to reconsider their long-term work strategies.
One of the primary concerns about remote work has been its impact on productivity. Early studies during the pandemic indicated that many employees experienced increased productivity when working from home. The elimination of lengthy commutes and the ability to create personalised, distraction-free work environments contributed to this boost.
However, this initial surge in productivity was not universal. For some, the blurred boundaries between work and personal life led to burnout and decreased efficiency. Effective remote work hinges on clear communication, robust technological infrastructure, and the ability to selfmanage — skills and resources not uniformly available across all workforces.
The concept of work-life balance took on new dimensions with the advent of widespread remote work. On one hand, flexible schedules allowed employees to better manage personal responsibilities, leading to higher job satisfaction and improved mental health for many. On the other hand, the omnipresence of work in the home environment made it difficult for some to disconnect, resulting in longer work hours and increased stress.
One of the most significant and perhaps less discussed benefits of remote work is its potential impact on environmental sustainability. The daily commute, a staple of traditional office life, contributes significantly to carbon emissions. The reduction in commuting due to remote work has led to a noticeable decrease in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in many urban areas. This shift aligns with broader efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable living.
Environmental footprint
Furthermore, remote work has prompted companies to reconsider their physical office spaces. The reduced need for large office buildings can lead to lower energy consumption and a decreased environmental footprint. Some companies have even adopted hybrid models, combining remote work with flexible office usage, thereby optimising space and resources.
While remote work presents clear environmental benefits, it also introduces new challenges. The increased use of home office equipment, such as computers, printers, and additional heating or cooling, can offset some of the environmental gains from reduced commuting. To address this, companies and employees must adopt sustainable practices, such as energyefficient devices and mindful consumption of resources.
In this ongoing journey, the lessons learned from remote work will undoubtedly shape the future of the workplace, making it more adaptable, resilient, and sustainable. “ “
Additionally, the reliance on digital communication and collaboration tools has surged, raising concerns about the environmental impact of data centres. These facilities, which power the internet and cloud services, consume vast amounts of energy. Advancing sustainable technology and investing in renewable energy sources for data centres are crucial steps toward mitigating this impact.
The shift to remote work also has profound social and economic implications. It has the potential to democratise access to employment opportunities by breaking down geographical barriers. Workers in remote or underserved regions can now access jobs previously confined to urban centres, fostering economic growth and reducing regional disparities.
Ensuring inclusivity
However, this transition must be managed carefully to ensure inclusivity. Not all employees have access to high-speed internet or a conducive home environment for remote work. Bridging this digital divide is essential to prevent exacerbating existing inequalities.
As companies navigate the post-pandemic landscape, the future of remote work remains a topic of intense debate. Some organisations are embracing permanent remote work policies, while others advocate for a return to the office or a hybrid model. The optimal approach will likely vary based on industry, company culture, and individual roles.
From a sustainability perspective, the continued embrace of remote work offers a compelling case for reimagining traditional work structures. Companies can implement policies that encourage sustainable practices, such as providing stipends for energy-efficient home office equipment or supporting initiatives to offset the environmental impact of digital operations.
Moreover, fostering a culture of trust and flexibility is paramount. Empowering employees to manage their work schedules and environments can lead to higher job satisfaction and retention rates. This shift also necessitates a re-evaluation of performance metrics, focusing on outcomes and productivity rather than hours logged.
The question “Is working from home truly working?” encompasses a multitude of factors, from productivity and work-life balance to environmental sustainability and social equity. The experiences of the past few years have demonstrated that remote work is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it offers significant benefits that cannot be ignored.
From a sustainability standpoint, remote work represents a pivotal opportunity to reduce carbon emissions, optimise resource usage, and promote a more equitable distribution of employment opportunities. However, realising these benefits requires a concerted effort to address the challenges associated with remote work, such as digital inequality and the environmental impact of increased home office usage.
Trust & inclusivity
As we move forward, the integration of remote work into the fabric of our professional lives will likely continue to evolve. By embracing flexible, sustainable practices and fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity, we can create a future of work that not only meets the needs of employees and organisations but also contributes positively to the planet. In this ongoing journey, the lessons learned from remote work will undoubtedly shape the future of the workplace, making it more adaptable, resilient, and sustainable.
By Amber Williams
Setting up a Business in Gibraltar
Setting up a new business can be a daunting experience and time consuming exercise. Legal, accounting and administrative advice is generally sought by most clients and our team of practitioners are well versed in assisting and steering those seeking assistance. In most cases it may be advisable to set up a company to carry on the intended business.
Lawyers will attend to the incorporation of a company and advise on matters of compliance and know your client requirements ultimately incorporating and setting up the company for trading purposes. A business name should be carefully chosen in order to carry on the specific business and submitted for registration at the Business Names Registry.
Banking
Attention must also be given to the setting up of a bank account at one of Gibraltar’s banks. This can be a time consuming exercise and it is advisable to contact and set up meetings with various banks in order to verify financial products offered and the assistance and services provided by the various financial institutions. If funding is required by way of a bank loan it is important that this should be discussed from the outset with the banks.
Accountancy
It is also important to obtain accounting advice. An accountant who will provide regular advice on matters relating to the preparation of accounts; tax incentives; allowances and the submission of accounts and tax returns to the tax authorities.
Premises
It is generally accepted that business premises will be required to carry on the intended business. Finding appropriate premises can become a full time occupation so it is important to select agents well versed in the rental of commercial premises with a portfolio to choose from. Advice on market values; forms of tenancy agreements and overall terms and conditions must be carefully considered. It is advisable to appoint a legal adviser experienced in
such agreements. Once the premises have been identified the legal adviser will ensure that a tenancy agreement on the terms and conditions agreed is entered into and executed by the parties.
Fair Trading Act
The legal advice on the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 2015 should be obtained. The Act provides that a business can be carried on in Gibraltar subject to obtaining the required licence in accordance with the Act. The Business Licensing Authority is the entity empowered to issue licences to carry on business in Gibraltar and such a licence authorises the party named in the licence to carry on business on the production of proof of premises in Gibraltar. Such premises must be appropriate for the intended use or business and shall be approved by the authority subject to such other terms and conditions as may
be specified. Once again your legal adviser should explain and provide guidance on the provisions of the Act; its scope, requirements and overall procedure.
This is an exciting time and the goal is to set up the enterprise with minimum headaches. It requires effort and perseverance but the ultimate goal is achievable. Once the company is incorporated; the premises readily available; the business licence obtained; its bank account set up and legal and accounting advice obtained, you are now ready and operational. It remains to wish you every success in the new venture. Stay focused in order to achieve the ultimate goal.
Attias & Levy
Barristers
& Solicitors info@attlev.gi
Business networking
GFSB & Art Space
2024
The growing expertise of their members [GFSB] aims to build a better and brighter future for local business. “ “
Networking in the Business sector has continued to change and evolve significantly with the new age of technology. Taking on a slightly new dimension every year, in 2024 we see business relationships emerge from a simple click of a button.
Building an online presence for a new company or business has never before been as crucial. Familiarising oneself with specific social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram now serves as the primary liaison to propagate one’s professional circle and business opportunities.
From in-person meet ups to podcasts, webinars and live streaming, developing an online presence can appear to be effortless. Modernising the ways in which we communicate, presenting ourselves in the digital space can lead to fomenting engagement, support systems and ultimately, building worthwhile relationships with like-minded people.
One successful event that took place in Gibraltar recently was the GFSB (Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses) Networking Event at the Art Space Gallery in the Old Police Station, Irish Town. Aiming to bring together members of the community to congregate and create a comfortable and safe space to meet, greet and share ideas and professional advice, the event offered attendees a chilled refreshing beverage hosted by Vinopolis Gastrobar upon arrival.
Founded in 1997, the GFSB seeks to support start-up businesses to thrive in their sector and exchange and share useful knowledge with each other. Based in Gibraltar and hosting numerous networking events and workshops on a regular basis, the growing
expertise of their members aims to build a better and brighter future for local businesses.
Building relationships on social media
Taking a look at LinkedIn specifically, this app has seen somewhat of a renaissance in its usage. Being the world’s largest business networking platform, LinkedIn is specifically designed for professionals to connect with each other, establish relationships, build brand awareness, generate leads and recruit talent. One can target specific audiences,
dependent on job title, industry and location, and also share insights and collaborate on projects with potential partners. Engaging your audience on any social media platform is absolutely essential. Paid advertising on LinkedIn can also serve as a very useful tool to target the relevant audience for both marketing and talent acquisition.
The networking pitch
When it comes to your networking pitch, you should always be very confident and clear in what you do. Establishing your Vision, Mission and Values as a new business is absolutely essential for branding, growth and expansion. The ability to articulate your business’s ethos in a simple sentence will encourage active listening and appeal to the target audience in question.
Live networking
The power of live networking events and recommendations by word of mouth will always be the most effective networking strategy. Organising in-person conferences, meet ups and face to face events will increase one’s chances of establishing
partnerships and collaborations. While options are endless and results are exponential, organising a special event in an interesting location can open the doors to many possibilities. Encouraging all attendees to admire and enjoy the Art Space Gallery, this location made for an enticing, cultural and pleasant open space to establish connections and grow as a community.
By Tammy Levy
Career prospects Spain vs Gibraltar
When comparing career prospects in Spain and Gibraltar, particularly in the business sector, several factors come into play. This is because both regions offer different advantages and challenges, shaped by their economic environments, regulatory frameworks, and market opportunities.
If you’re thinking of changing careers, or simply starting up a new business and would like to understand what it’s really like in Gibraltar from a career point of view, when compared to Spain here are a few things to keep in mind.
Economic landscape:
Spain
When compared to Gibraltar, Spain, as a larger and more diverse economy, provides a broad range of opportunities across multiple industries - from manufacturing and technology to agriculture and services you name it. Its economy is the 15th largest in the world by nominal GDP and this figure is expected to keep rising with cities like Madrid and Barcelona brimming with opportunities in finance, tech, and international business. As part of the EU, Spain enjoys access to the single market, which is a big advantage for international trade.
Gibraltar
Moving on to Gibraltar, though it might be smaller, it definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. Gibraltar has a highly specialised financial sector, including banking, insurance, and investment management. In addition to this, it is also a magnet for online gambling and cryptocurrency businesses, due to its favourable regulations. And even though Gibraltar isn’t an EU member, its proximity to Spain ensures it remains well-connected for cross-border trade.
Job market and opportunities:
Spain: Spain’s job market is as diverse as its economy irrespective of the industry you find yourself in. However, the downside to all of this is that there’s a lot of competition, especially in popular fields like finance and tech. Having the right qualifications, relevant experience, and language skills (Spanish and English) will most likely
be key to landing those top spots. The well-established network of business professionals and industry associations in Spain also provides valuable career development and networking avenues.
Gibraltar: Compared to Spain, Gibraltar’s job market is smaller, but has its perks. This smaller scale means less competition, especially in the financial services, online gaming, and legal sectors. And as Gibraltar continues to draw international attention, there’s more room for growth. When it comes to landing these opportunities, networking in Gibraltar is highly effective due to its close-knit community, making it easier to build meaningful connections with local professionals and business leaders.
Regulatory environment and business climate:
Spain: Spain’s regulatory environment can be a bit difficult to understand especially when mixed with national and regional rules. While there are different programs and incentives to support businesses, the level of support can vary based on your region and industry.
Gibraltar: Gibraltar has a more businessfriendly regulatory approach. Low corporate tax rates and minimal bureaucratic hurdles make it a more appealing spot for businesses. Additionally, the local government offers various incentives and support mechanisms, including tax breaks and grants.
Keeping the above-mentioned factors in mind, let’s take a look at the careers that thrive in Spain and Gibraltar, and why they do so (see right).
Leading industries in Spain:
Technology and Start-ups
Spain has a supportive environment for tech start-ups and focuses a lot on the digital space. This makes it an attractive location for tech ventures and digital enterprises.
Agriculture and Agro-business
Spain is a leading producer of fruits, vegetables, wine, and olive oil. That being said, agro-businesses that focus on sustainable farming, organic products, and food processing have a lot of chances at growth here.
Fashion and Design
With cities like Madrid and Barcelona being fashion capitals, Spain has a vibrant fashion scene. And its strong tradition in textiles, design, and creativity provides a lot of opportunities for fashion brands, designers, and retailers.
Renewable Energy
When you count world leaders in renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power, Spain is most likely to make the list. This is because Spain’s commitment to sustainable energy and its favourable climate for renewable resources creates significant opportunities for businesses in this sector.
Leading industries in Gibraltar:
1 1 2 2
Online Gambling and Cryptocurrency
Over the years, Gibraltar has established itself as a leading hub for online gambling and cryptocurrency businesses. The territory’s favourable regulatory framework and low tax rates attract numerous online gambling operators and crypto companies.
Legal and Consultancy Services
With its strong regulatory environment and businessfriendly policies, Gibraltar is also an attractive location for legal and consultancy firms. The territory’s expertise in financial and corporate law, along with its focus on international business, supports a growing market for legal and consulting services. This is especially beneficial for firms specialising in regulatory compliance, corporate law, and cross-border transactions.
Tourism and Hospitality
Gibraltar is a favourite spot for tourists, especially those coming from Spain and the UK. With its mix of historical sites, rich culture, stunning natural beauty, and prime location, it’s a great place for businesses in the tourism industry.
3 3 4 4
Maritime Services
Gibraltar’s prime spot at the entrance to the Mediterranean makes it a big player in maritime services. Its port facilities and shipping expertise are topnotch, so businesses in ship management, port services, and maritime logistics benefit from the territory’s great location and solid infrastructure.
At the end of the day, whether you’re weighing the career prospects between Spain and Gibraltar, it’s clear that each country has its advantage. So, if you’re drawn to a dynamic and expansive market or a more focused and specialised one, understanding these differences might just be the key to making effective career decisions.
By Clara Awuse
The appeal of online shopping lies primarily in its convenience. With a few clicks, consumers can browse, compare, and purchase products from the comfort of their homes. This ease of access has redefined consumer expectations, making convenience a non-negotiable aspect of the shopping experience. Retailers, both large and small, have had to adapt to this new reality by developing robust e-commerce platforms and enhancing their online presence.
How online shopping is transforming retail businesses Digital shift
In the past two decades, the retail landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, driven by the rapid rise of online shopping. This shift has reshaped consumer behaviour, altered business models, and introduced new challenges and opportunities for retail businesses. As we delve into the impact of online shopping on the retail industry, we find a complex narrative of adaptation, innovation, and disruption.
Amazon, the titan of e-commerce, has set the gold standard for convenience with its vast product selection, user-friendly interface, and efficient delivery systems. Other retailers, in their bid to keep pace, have invested heavily in their digital infrastructure. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have launched e-commerce sites, mobile apps, and innovative services such as click-and-collect, where customers can order online and pick up in-store.
While online shopping has opened up new avenues for many businesses, it has also contributed to the decline of numerous traditional retailers. The so-called “retail apocalypse” has seen the closure of
countless physical stores, particularly those unable to compete with the pricing, convenience, and variety offered by online giants.
Retailers like Toys “R” Us, J.C. Penney, and Sears have struggled to stay afloat, burdened by outdated business models, high overhead costs, and failure to adapt swiftly to digital trends. The bankruptcy filings and store closures of these onceprominent chains highlight the harsh reality of the digital age: adapt or perish. Even well-established brands have had to re-evaluate their strategies, embracing e-commerce and omnichannel approaches to remain relevant.
Direct to consumer
One of the most significant shifts brought about by online shopping is the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. These companies bypass traditional retail channels, selling directly to consumers through their websites. This model allows DTC brands to offer competitive prices, maintain control over their branding and customer experience, and gather valuable consumer data.
Warby Parker, Casper, and Glossier are prime examples of successful DTC brands that have disrupted their respective industries. Warby Parker revolutionised the eyewear market with its affordable, stylish glasses and home try-on program. Casper transformed the mattress industry with its convenient online ordering and delivery. Glossier, born from a beauty blog, built a loyal customer base through social media and a focus on community-driven product development.
While it has posed significant challenges for traditional retailers, it has also driven innovation and opened up new opportunities. “ “
These brands leverage digital marketing,
to individual consumers based on their past behaviour and preferences. Amazon’s recommendation engine, which suggests products based on browsing history and previous purchases, is a prime example of effective personalisation.
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are enhancing customer service, while augmented reality allows consumers to visualise products in their homes before making a purchase. Blockchain technology promises greater transparency and security in supply chains and transactions.
For many traditional retailers, the key to thriving in the age of online shopping lies in embracing an omnichannel approach. This strategy involves creating a seamless, integrated shopping experience across multiple channels — online, mobile, and physical stores. The goal is to meet customers wherever they are and provide a consistent, convenient experience.
Data analytics also enables retailers to optimise their inventory management, pricing strategies, and marketing campaigns. By analysing sales data, retailers can identify trends, anticipate demand, and make data-driven decisions that enhance efficiency and profitability.
Sustainability is another crucial trend shaping the future of retail. Consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases, prompting retailers to adopt eco-friendly practices and transparent supply chains. Brands that prioritise sustainability will likely attract and retain a growing base of environmentally conscious consumers.
Retailers like Walmart and Target have made significant strides in this area, integrating their online and offline operations to enhance customer convenience. Initiatives such as same-day delivery, curbside pickup, and in-store returns for online purchases have blurred the lines between digital and physical retail, catering to the modern consumer’s need for flexibility.
This omnichannel strategy not only improves customer satisfaction but also drives sales and loyalty. By offering multiple touchpoints, retailers can gather comprehensive data on consumer behaviour, enabling them to personalise their marketing efforts and make informed business decisions.
In the digital age, data is king. Online shopping generates vast amounts of data on consumer preferences, behaviours, and purchasing patterns. Retailers that harness this data effectively can gain a significant competitive edge by offering personalised experiences that resonate with their customers.
Personalisation in e-commerce involves tailoring product recommendations, marketing messages, and shopping experiences
Despite its numerous advantages, online shopping presents several challenges for retailers. One of the most pressing issues is the high cost of logistics and fulfilment. Free shipping and returns, now standard expectations among consumers, can significantly eat into profit margins. Retailers must balance the need for fast, reliable delivery with cost-effective logistics solutions.
The rise of online shopping has also heightened competition, making it difficult for smaller retailers to stand out. To compete with e-commerce giants like Amazon, smaller businesses must leverage unique value propositions, superior customer service, and niche market targeting.
Cybersecurity
Another challenge is cybersecurity. As online transactions increase, so does the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. Retailers must invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect customer data and maintain trust.
Looking ahead, the retail industry will continue to evolve in response to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and blockchain have the potential to further transform the shopping experience.
New opportunities
The impact of online shopping on retail businesses is profound and multifaceted. While it has posed significant challenges for traditional retailers, it has also driven innovation and opened up new opportunities. The shift to online shopping has redefined convenience, personalised experiences, and consumer expectations. Retailers that embrace digital transformation, leverage data analytics, and adopt an omnichannel approach are well-positioned to thrive in this dynamic landscape.
As the digital revolution continues, the retail industry will undoubtedly witness further disruption and evolution. In this ever-changing environment, adaptability, customer-centricity, and a willingness to innovate will be the keys to success. The journey of retail businesses in the age of online shopping is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the industry, constantly reinventing itself to meet the needs of the modern consumer.
By Amber Williams
ventureExciting
Tattoo
artist and hairdresser open a unique cutting-edge establishment
A morning coffee and an insightful morning with Daniel and Scott Hatkovic. A dynamic duo combining the best of body art and hairstyling. Here’s a glimpse into their journey and their exceptional skills in their respective fields.
What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?
Danny: I’ve always been good at art, since I was around five years old. I was always the best at drawing in my class, and I got an A level and a foundation degree in Art and Fine Art. I never thought I’d do tattooing or get tattoos because I’m terrified of needles. However, when I was 18 years old I was doing some photography at university, and my dad’s friend who’s a tattoo artist wanted a photoshoot for him and his staff. Instead of paying me he said he’ll give me a tattoo, so I designed something, got it done and then I’ve been addicted ever since. I had a sketchbook full of drawings that I wanted as a tattoo. I went to his studio and he was busy so I left my book there. He called me up and was looking through my book and said if you want to learn how to tattoo I’ll teach you. I sort of fell into it really.
Tell me about your background. What made you choose a career in hairdressing?
Scott: I didn’t actually. It was during my time at school when I was encouraged to take a placement in a topic of their choosing in order to complete my GCSEs. My placement was for 3 days a week and I had to attend school for the other 2 days to do my studies. They chose hairdressing, I had to find a place but they chose the topic. I ended up being really good at it and enjoyed it. So I started my apprenticeship at fourteen years old and was attending quite a well known salon that had a chain of salons around Yorkshire to start with. I was qualified at sixteen, and have been doing hair ever since.
What inspired you to open a business in Gibraltar?
We moved to Gibraltar after coming here on holiday twice a year, every year for the last 8 years. The reason we opened up our own place is because after visiting this place for so long, it felt like home. So let’s set up a business at home! It just felt right and made sense.
What are some of the unique challenges and benefits of operating a business in Gibraltar?
Scott: Challenges? Getting things imported; stock, equipment, and mine all has to come through Spain.
Danny: Mine is not too bad, as I’m sponsored by a supply company, so they make sure I get everything I need. For me, the biggest challenge is, in the UK I was booked 12 months ahead, and I only did Dogs, Disney and Pokémon. I picked everything I wanted to do, whereas in Gib I’m up to like 3 weeks ahead, so obviously it’s not the same client base that I had. I sort
of swapped my career doing really well and doing everything I wanted to do for quieter work but a better quality of life. You live to work, not work to live.
Scott: Benefits is definitely the lifestyle and another challenge was setting up the business, registering as self employed, sorting out invoices, opening an account, all the paperwork really. Very different to the UK.
What do you think sets your business apart from others?
I feel like we distinguish ourselves by upholding the highest standards in everything we do. We don’t just hire anybody to fill positions and to be busy. We carefully select staff, making sure that they are a right fit for our team. This selection process ensures that every interaction and service we provide mirrors the high standards we have established. We are a small team, but a good team.
What’s been the most rewarding experience since opening up the business?
I just think the accomplishment of always saying “one day we’ll open our own” and now coming here with the savings we had after spending a fortune on getting married, we flew out three weeks later and set up a business from scratch. We didn’t have any investors, nobody put any money in, no loans, no borrowed money, it was just our little bit of savings, hard work and a lot of dedication. To see our final product now which is successful and running well, I think that’s it.
Can you share any memorable stories or experiences with clients?
Danny: Well during the lockdown in England I went TikTok viral, my videos were getting shared on ‘Ladbible’ and things like that! I’ve nearly got half a million followers on TikTok. Scott: I’ve done Christina Aguilera’s hair. Which was good. A long time ago, I was meant to be a backup assistant but her team never showed up, and I was the only one there, so it was by complete chance, it was for a lingerie show. The salon was credited not me, but I’ve got that story to share. The other one is more of an achievement but I was in the paper for being the youngest qualified hairdresser in Yorkshire at 10 years. Not an experience, but something!
Any future plans for the business or expansions/new services?
Scott: Services on my side, we’re looking into ethically sourcing out hair extensions. Globally it’s a massive issue. We do want to expand, but it’s got to be with the right staff and the right team, we’re in no rush. People have asked us about piercings, nails, beauty etc. Maybe when the place doubles in size, but for right now, we want to keep on being small and successful.
By Anthony Loddo
‘Hatkocreativ’ is located at: 6 Portland house, Glacis Road, Gibraltar. Socials: @hatkocreativ
Gibraltar
Gibraltar Sound Festival
5th October
On the 5th October from 14:00 until midnight, the Gibraltar Sound Festival shall be taking place live in the Piazza.
Embracing local music in the heart of town, a line-up of approximately fourteen bands shall be gracing us with their on-stage presence as they perform live. On behalf of M.A.G (Musicians Association of Gibraltar) this event welcomes performers such as Eve & The Hostages, Ace of Slades and Underhill.
Gibraltar Literary Festival
11th-17th November
The Gibraltar Literary Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary since its first inception on the Rock.
Championing academia, literature and culture, the festival brings together writers, poets, and cultural individuals alike from all around the world to exchange ideas, engage in thought provoking discussions, and host various lectures. Some of the 2024 speakers attending this yearly event are Asad Qureshi, Sir Graham Brady, Peter Berry and Deb Bunt.
International Art Exhibition
6th -16th November
After the Sunborn’s International Contemporary Art Fair hosted by Art Space, Gibraltar has certainly seen a modern and diverse shift in its cultural scene.
After an amazing year filled with a variety of art and culture events that have taken place on the rock, Gibraltar Cultural Services will be displaying a plethora of artworks which give recognition to the Rock’s dynamic and varied talent pool with their International Art Exhibition set to be running for a period of 10 days as from the 6th of November.
Sotogrande
Padel Tournament
12th October
If you’re a fan of padel tennis, the Racquet Centre in Sotogrande is hosting a padel tournament between 10:00-14:00 in various categories, namely, Men’s, Women’s and Mixed. Offering a traditional Spanish paella lunch and drinks for all players thereafter, a variety of prizes shall also be awarded to the winners of the padel tournament.
EBike Club
26th October
If you’re new to the area and keen to meet like-minded people, join the EBike Club in Sotogrande! For all lovers of nature and the outdoors, one can enjoy the beautiful countryside and explore a picturesque 2-hour route departing and finishing at La Reserva Club followed by a picnic.
Blissful Balance
10th November
Reconnect with a sound bath at S/O Sotogrande with the Blissful Balance event. Starting with an early morning Yoga session at 09:30, revitalize your mind and body and immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of a sound bath. A variety of different vibrations, frequencies, binaural tones with multiple sparkling and bubbling nuances offer you a healing experience and a present state of being. The sound bath will take you on a conscious journey, promoting relaxation and balance, and is followed by a healthy snack at 12:30 and a hydrothermal circuit.
Marbella
Mayfair Sessions
4th October
With a line-up of some of the best house and dance music, TIBU will feature live acts by world-famous DJs such as Jordon Valleys, DJ Icey and DJ Fourty in sunny Marbella’s Main Square of Puerto Banús.
Artisan Market
3rd November
The brand new Arena in Nueva Andalucía (the old Plaza de Toros) is hosting an Artisan Market where one can meander around the different pop-up stalls and purchase a diverse selection of items. From art and jewellery to second-hand finds and unique one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, the Artisan Market makes for a wonderful weekend experience and Sunday stroll with a hot coffee in hand.
Little Picasso’s
27th October
Encouraging both adults and children alike to unleash their inner artist, Little Picasso’s Marbella allows children and their families to embark on a creative, colourful and funloving journey of self-expression. With a combination of classes and activities such as “sip & paint” and “beach birthdays”, families can enjoy quality time with their little ones in a beautiful area surrounded by palm trees and chiringuitos.
No business!monkey
Michael’s testimonial
Several years ago, my neighbour had some trouble with a cheeky barbary ape who abandoned his fellow companions up the rock and decided to make his way down to Queensway Quay Marina in search to resign his rural life of greenery for that of the sea! My neighbour was travelling to the UK on holiday and left a small gap open in one of his kitchen windows. Upon his return, not only did he initially find some empty crisp packets leading his way up to the kitchen like Hansel and Gretel’s mission to find their way home, but his fridge had been completely raided by the mischievous monkey! He heard a noise coming from the floor above, and when he looked up, saw the monkey swinging from the central chandelier as if it were a swing in Alameda Park!
Tara’s testimonial
The famous barbary ape who plucked up the courage to make a peaceful yet political gesture by casually crossing the border from Gibraltar to Spain without a passport became extremely well-known and respected! Post-Brexit he decided to take a stance and refuse to comply with frontier regulations! I believe the people of Gibraltar went to pick him up, put a stop to his peaceful protest and safely return him to his family up the rock!
Carmen’s testimonial
My grandmother was making her way back from the Tax Office in Gibraltar and noticed a monkey eyeing her up suspiciously! As she walked past him, he grabbed her brolly on a cold and rainy day, and stole it for himself. Not only was grandmother getting wet, but she plucked up the courage to regain possession of her umbrella from the monkey! He was clearly not giving up his new shiny toy, and so, decided that the brolly was no longer enough to play with and went for her handbag! Poor grandmother left back home with no umbrella and no handbag! I suppose the monkey must have had a real passion for fashion!
Aiden’s testimonial
My nan ventured up the rock to visit the monkeys as any tourist would in Gibraltar, with the intention of spending a lovely day with the family taking in the incredible views from the upper rock. Her handbag which was ever so slightly open was tugged by one of the apes who sneakily stole a pack of sanitary pads! Poor nan spent ages chasing this monkey around who decided to begin throwing each and every sanitary pad around the area. The more nan moaned about it and felt embarrassed, the more the monkey revelled in this and continued to throw the pads like a game of Frisby!
Much to our shock and surprise, we found a monkey sat on our lounge chair changing the channels on our TV and playing with the remote! “ “
Kassidy’s testimonial
I ventured out into my balcony and found him sunbathing on my outdoor furniture as another member of the household! “ “
Mary’s testimonial
Years ago, my family and I went to visit the apes at the top of the rock outside of St Michael’s Cave. As we ventured around by car, several monkeys decided to onboard the roof of our car! We continued driving all the way back home, only to find that one monkey hadn’t jumped off! He entered our garage and came home with us to explore the parking lot!
Inma’s testimonial
My husband and I would work late shifts and not come home until much later on in the day. One day, we left a window open in the day room and when we opened the front door were very scared that we were either losing our minds or had a robbery as the television volume was at full blast! When we hesitantly entered the house, much to our shock and surprise, we found a monkey sat on our lounge chair changing the channels on our TV and playing with the remote!
Being new to Gibraltar I’d heard stories of the mischievous monkeys and their antics from wandering into the town centre to jumping on people’s heads but I’d never encountered them beyond their territory up the rock myself. That was until one early morning, I started my day as normal rushing around getting ready for work and heading out the door in the last second to rush to catch the bus. For context I live close to the entrance to the med steps and outside of my front door lies a staircase that climbs up to apartments around the back. As I locked the door and spun around I am stopped dead in my tracks at the very cusp of my gateway. Still half asleep, I remember thinking hmm that’s a weird looking dog. Spoiler alert, it was not a dog. Once my brain had caught up to the situation I felt my stomach drop and my heart race as I stood frozen making eye contact with a monkey, both of us sporting the same shocked look before the monkey inevitably bundled up the stairs and out of sight. Taking a few seconds to process the moment, I wasn’t too sure whether to laugh or cry, but one thing is for sure, I was no longer half asleep that morning! Later that day when I arrived home somewhat fearful of having another solitary encounter with the macaque, I ventured out into my balcony and found him sunbathing on my outdoor furniture as another member of the household!
Llanitos por el Mundo
Gibraltarians around the
world
Introducing “Llanitos por el Mundo”, the following feature will explore the lives of Gibraltarian citizens living abroad and away from our beloved Iberian Peninsula. Speaking with Francesco Scalici, Gibraltarian-born artist and photographer, Francesco opens up and tells us about his Icelandic adventures living in Reykjavik.
Tell us about yourself and how you ended up in Iceland. Well I ended up in Iceland because my partner is Icelandic. We did meet when I was back in University in the UK and from then we pretty much hit it off. I think that COVID made things a little challenging, being in a two year long distance relationship really was reaching its limits and I decided to move. As I was working in Marketing at the time in Gib and my main focus was photography, I wanted to continue this in Iceland while adjusting to life in another country.
Has it been easy to find work and integrate with the community?
Finding work in Iceland was ultimately a much harder process than I thought. The language barrier is of course a big thing and even though I did have the skills for various job opportunities, the language really held me back. However, I am currently working as a Kayak guide on the glacier lagoon, something which I have been working towards for a while now! Integrating myself
within the community was again a challenge, but things do come with time and slowly but surely I made my friends here.
How does your lifestyle differ now from residing in Gibraltar?
My lifestyle is a complete 180 from when I was back in Gibraltar. Things are totally different here but so am I in a way! I feel that I have, within these three years changed quite a bit and so have my values as an individual. Life is much slower here and people really do have a strong appreciation for nature and having a good work/life balance.
What has been your best and worst experience about living in Iceland?
My best experience so far has been travelling to the west fjords of Iceland. An area of Iceland that is not commonly travelled and in many parts inaccessible. It’s a beautiful part of the country and the people there are always so welcoming.
With all honesty, I personally have not had an experience that I consider to be horrible. However, I do feel sorry for my partner’s grandparents, who have had to abandon their home in the wake of the recent volcano near Grindavík that has now decimated several houses and left the town uninhabitable.
What steps have you taken to meet people and make friends?
Since moving over, many people here have been super welcoming. In my opinion, it is much harder to make friends here than it is in the UK for example but I also think this could be down to language and cultural differences. I have gradually made more friends over time and things have gotten much easier during the years. It is difficult to make more friends, especially when one has other priorities on their mind but I have been quite active in going to social events and spending time with others that have the same interests as mine.
How does the culture in Iceland differ from Gibraltar?
Culture-wise, it’s completely different. Probably one of the things that I do miss from back home is the food, the warmth and of course family. I can say that the people here are not as open to talking about their own business as we Gibraltarians are but in a way I do find that refreshing. It was also a culture shock to find that being direct with your sentences and how you communicate is the way forward in Iceland, people don’t like long winded speeches here!
What are your future goals?
With regards to my future goals I would like to continue with guiding. As I mentioned previously it was something that I have been working towards for quite some time and this year I have managed to secure my first official guiding job. Getting this experience is going to be key for my future prospects in photography and guiding!
How do you manage living in a place where you don’t currently speak the language?
When I first moved over, my inability to speak the language was actually less of a barrier, but I think I’ve started to reach the point where knowing the language is important. After a couple years, you do get tired of not being able to communicate with people in the way that you wish you could, so I will most probably be starting language school soon and studying the language during the off season.
Tell us about your experience getting residency and finding a home.
The process of getting residency in Iceland can be more difficult than one might think. At the time when I moved over, I completed a residency application three
months prior to my flight, so when I arrived I only had to wait a few months before I could receive my Icelandic National number. This number allows you to open a bank account, pay taxes, pension and so on... The important part for making things smoother was actually doing all of the research prior to moving to Iceland, so that I would have the smoothest start possible! Luckily, I have my girlfriend who is Icelandic, so finding accommodation was made much easier.
Do you ever feel homesick, and if so, what advice would you give to someone living away from home?
I do feel homesick once in a while. Definitely more back then than I feel right now. It’s obvious that I was always going to miss the things that I have been used to for so many years, who wouldn’t. But I think what helped me through it was keeping occupied, working hard and trying my very best to make friends. If I do have any advice to someone looking to make a big move, I would say that it pays to learn the language a bit in advance and do your research. I think it’s easy to travel somewhere and lose yourself in a beautiful place, so keep one foot rooted in reality as sometimes you can feel that you are alone in things. But most importantly, keep contact with family!
By Tammy Levy
Llanitos por el Mundo
REVERSED
From working in one of the biggest broadcasting companies in the world to craving a more quiet and laid-back life, we speak with Ian Law, former BBC employee and newly resident to our beloved Iberian Peninsula. Here’s everything Ian had to say about his time in London and how it compares to his current stay in Gibraltar.
What prompted your decision to leave the UK and move to Gibraltar? Was it a planned move or a spontaneous one? Working in TV, the days can be incredibly long and demanding. Sometimes, I’d be on set or in the studio for 11 and a half hours, completely losing track of whether it was day or night, or if it was raining or sunny. It really takes a toll on your work-life balance. Time seemed to slip away, and then I met the love of my life.
She was a third assistant director, which meant she had even longer days and more commuting than I did. But she always stayed so positive and uplifting, inspiring everyone around her.
She helped me realise that there’s more to life than just eating, sleeping, and working. When this realisation came in we both felt that we needed a change. So, we dreamed of relocating and decided to explore a few places, including Albufeira, Fuerteventura, and Gibraltar.
Almost instantly, we knew that The Rock was meant to be our new home. I can’t put my finger on how we knew, we just did. Once we returned to the UK, we got the relocation ball rolling, and within six months, we were all set to move. And now, here we are!
Did you experience any culture shock moving from the UK to Gibraltar? If so, what were the biggest adjustments? There wasn’t really a culture shock per se, probably because we did our research and had visited before moving. Plus, I’ve travelled quite a bit, so not much surprises me anymore. I’ve seen a lot, so I guess I’m pretty adaptable.
How does the pace of life in Gibraltar compare to the UK? Do you find it more relaxed or hectic?
The pace here in Gibraltar is much more my style compared to the UK. I’ve always lived by the motto, “If you see me running, you’d better run too,” which was challenging given the fast-paced industries and cities I’ve worked in.
Even during peak tourist seasons, Gib remains laid-back. I actually find it funny that it’s almost rude to ask for someone or something to move or arrive quickly.
Have you managed to integrate into the local community in Gibraltar? How easy or difficult has it been?
That’s a great question. Gibraltarians are incredibly welcoming and friendly at first, but after a while, there’s a certain sense of scepticism — like, “Why are you still here?”
Not in a negative way, but more out of a protective instinct for their cherished
home. Once you earn their trust, it feels like you’ve been a part of The Rock for a lifetime. It’s a gradual process, but definitely worthwhile.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced living in Gibraltar so far?
One major challenge has been dealing with the high level of nepotism. It’s well-known that many job openings are just a formality due to legal requirements, while in reality, many positions are filled internally or through connections. It’s a bit of a hurdle, but perseverance eventually pays off.
What opportunities have you discovered living in Gibraltar that you didn’t have in the UK?
That’s a tough one. I’ve always been proactive about seizing opportunities, like when I transitioned from being a behavioural counsellor to a supervising standby for a major UK soap almost overnight. Just by
The pace here in Gibraltar is much more my style compared to the UK. I’ve always lived by the motto, ‘If you see me running, you’d better run too,’ which was challenging given the fast-paced industries and cities I’ve worked in. “
“
seeing a chance and trying my luck. Here, settling into a new life has taken precedence over pursuing new opportunities. There are definitely chances to be had, but the UK had a bit more of a safety net for risk-taking.
Looking back, would you say moving to Gibraltar was the right decision for you? Oh definitely! Success and money are great but time and health are so much better.
My work-life balance has flipped a full 180 degrees, instead of getting home, eating, sleeping, and heading back to work I now relax in the sun, go for a dip in the ocean, eat a nice slow dinner and still have time to be creative. It’s incredible.
What are your plans for the future? Do you see yourself staying in Gibraltar long-term?
Now that we’re starting to feel more settled, we’re planning to get married and explore some creative opportunities we’ve put on hold. While I never say never, Gibraltar feels like home for the foreseeable future.
What advice would you give to someone considering a move to Gibraltar?
Visit first, do your research, and build up a solid financial cushion. It’s a good idea to secure work before making the move. But most importantly, just go for it! That’s a good rule for most things in life — sometimes, you miss every chance you don’t take.
How would you describe Gibraltar to someone who has never been there?
Imagine a six-mile stretch where you find everything from a serene lighthouse to a bustling mini-city, all surrounded by crystalclear waters with dolphins swimming nearby. In the middle, there’s a giant rock home to a troop of apes, and just a stone’s throw away is Spain. It might sound like a fever dream, but it’s real. Gibraltar might seem basic on the surface, but a little exploration reveals a deep and rich culture.
By Clara Awuse
Levi Attias
An interview with Gibraltar’s favourite magician
Levi’s journey through the arts and culture is a captivating reflection of Gibraltar’s rich cultural blend. With a deeply-rooted family history in the region and a diverse creative portfolio, Levi’s experiences offer a unique perspective on how Gibraltar’s heritage shapes personal and artistic expression. Here, we delve into how his background and passions intertwine in his remarkable journey.
How has your family’s history shaped your perspective on Gibraltar as a place of refuge and community?
I was born in Gibraltar, and so were my parents, with our roots going back several generations. This makes me truly feel like an authentic Gibraltarian. Growing up, my grandfather owned several theatres and cinemas, which brought a lot of artists from Spain to our doorstep. It was in those spaces that I fell in love with theatre, music, films—anything related to performance. My first performance was at the age of ten, with two close friends, to raise money for charity.
For me, this experience has always felt symbolic of Gibraltar. It reflects the deep
connections between different communities here, regardless of religious or cultural background. Charity is a significant part of Gibraltarian life, and it’s something that has always influenced me and how I interact with people. It’s a testament to the close-knit and supportive nature of our community.
Gibraltar is a cultural crossroads. How do you see this reflected in your work as a poet and musician?
Gibraltar is truly a crossroads of many different cultures. For example, I’m Jewish, but my closest friends come from diverse backgrounds — Christians, Muslims, and people from all walks of life. My family originally hails from Morocco, and I’ve spent a lot of time in Tangier, which allowed me
to absorb Moroccan and Muslim traditions from a young age.
Growing up, I was fortunate to visit Spain almost daily, thanks to the open frontier at the time. This exposure to Spanish songs, influences, and Mediterranean cuisine became a big part of my life, blending seamlessly with the Anglo-Saxon elements of Gibraltarian culture.
So, Gibraltar is a fascinating blend of various cultural influences. This rich mix has not only shaped my own cultural and creative identity but also deeply influenced the spirit of fellow Gibraltarians.
What inspires you to write poetry? Are there specific themes or experiences you draw from?
No, I don’t limit myself to one theme. I’ve written poems about everything from the injustice of child brides to love, war, personal frustrations, and deep introspection. I write about whatever comes to mind. When I’m inspired, I often start with a jumble of words that feel like the beginning of something more, and then I let myself pour those thoughts onto paper or type them into my iPhone.
I absolutely love words, which is a huge help when crafting poetry or writing song lyrics. While I’m not a musician and don’t compose music myself, I collaborate with a well-known artist in Gibraltar. I handle the lyrics, and he creates the music. Essentially, I write about whatever catches my fancy in the moment. Our experiences are always shifting, so I just follow whatever inspiration strikes and unravel it like a thread until it feels complete.
As a mentalist, what draws you to this form of entertainment? How do you integrate it with your other creative pursuits?
I began with traditional magic — cards, disappearing acts, and transforming scarves — but my journey took a turn in 2007 when I started having issues with my knee. It became difficult to manage the
larger magical props, so I decided to streamline my performances. That’s when I shifted from magic to mentalism, which allowed me to perform a full show with just a small briefcase. Since then, I haven’t looked back.
Mentalism fascinates me because it involves using your five senses to create the illusion of a sixth sense. It’s about reading body language, interpreting subtle cues, and tapping into feelings. This approach allows me to integrate mentalism with my other creative pursuits.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers and musicians in Gibraltar?
My advice would be simple: keep writing and creating. Creativity is an intrinsic part of being human; it’s something we’re born with and continually evolve. Keep pushing yourself, honing your craft, and refining your artistic skills. The key is to stay persistent and let your passion drive you forward.
”Pause for Reflection” has been a staple on Gibraltar Radio for years. What are some of the most memorable moments from your time on the show?
I’ve been hosting “Pause for Reflection” on Gibraltar Radio for about 32 years now, and it’s been a deeply rewarding experience. One of the most memorable moments has been hearing from listeners who’ve reached out to share how the show has impacted their lives.
Keep pushing yourself, honing your craft, and refining your artistic skills. “ “
For instance, I’ve had people tell me that they were facing tough decisions and, just by chance, tuned into my show at the right moment. They said that something I discussed helped them make a choice or gain clarity. Knowing that my words can provide comfort or guidance to someone is incredibly meaningful. Ultimately, I hope that everyone who listens can find something valuable in what I share.
What are your hopes for the future of Gibraltar’s artistic scene?
I’m hopeful that our artistic scene will continue to grow from strength to strength. I mean our local scene is already rich and vibrant, but there’s always room for more support, especially financial backing.
We have the resources to help our artists showcase their talents beyond our borders, and it’s wonderful to see more of them gaining international recognition. I’m very optimistic about our future and excited to see how our artists will make their mark on the global stage.
What is your favourite thing about being Gibraltarian?
My favourite thing about being Gibraltarian is our close-knit community. It’s a safe, comfortable place to grow up, and I cherish our unity and diversity. Even after time away, Gibraltar remains in my heart.
By Clara Awuse
Gibraltarian Archaeologist
Interview with Jake O’Donohoe
Hi Jake! Please tell us a bit about yourself, where you’re from & the work that you do.
Hello, my name is Jake O’Donohoe, I’m from Gibraltar and I’m a commercial archaeologist currently working for Pre Construct Archaeology. In the UK in order to fulfil planning permission for the construction of any structure, there must be an archaeological evaluation. This is usually through a trial trench which checks for any archaeological features. If there is a trench which is positive for archaeology, the site will be taken to excavation. During excavation we section any features we find, collect archaeological artefacts which could include pottery, bones, leather, glass, metal or ceramic building material, we record the profile of the feature and the fill of the feature. We cannot dig every part of the feature, we can merely preserve archaeology through documentation. It’s muddy and hard labour, but I wake up excited to see what I’ll find next. I’m in a young crew who are all friends which really gives our work a social and fun atmosphere. I always tell people my work feels like I’m in summer camp. I’ve never worked other jobs where I was excited to go to work.
Why did you move to London & in particular, Brick Lane (a street renowned for its artistic flare)?
I moved to London in 2022 to be close to my friends, the excitement of the big city and to gain more experience in urban archaeology which is much more complex than rural archaeology. I found myself living in brick lane purely by chance. I visited a friend who was moving to New Zealand and they offered me their room, I was desperate to live closer to the city. I just wanted to be a part of the buzz of central London. I’d been living way out west in Osterley which is over an hour outside of London and it was less than ideal. It was under the flight path of Heathrow and commuting into London was long and expensive. You’d think living in brick lane would be noisy, but as soon as I reach my room it’s rather quiet . It’s
my port in the storm. I love it, I walk out my door and there’s a hundred restaurants to choose from. On warm days I go swimming at Hampstead Heath with my friends. Every person I’ve spoken to tells me how lucky I am to be so central. There’s downsides to living in this 17th century former silk warehouse though, it’s basically falling apart and they’re not able to install WiFi but I love it still.
Tell us about your current archaeological projects that you’re working on. Currently our team is working in North London on a Roman road. This is a very exciting project because of the transitional period of the site. We have Bronze Age and Iron Age ditches that are being recut by the Romans. This reflects the general trend of the Romans to keep the division of lands in Britain the same way they had been for over a thousand years. There’s also industrial activity which is evidenced by large amounts of iron slag (waste material from producing iron) and huge amounts of charcoal which were needed to heat the metal works. We’ve had some really exciting finds such as a Bronze Age socketed axe head, Roman coins, Romano British rings and brooches.
When were you first interested in archaeology
I’ve always been interested in history and archaeology. My grandmother who worked at the bookstore at the end of main street, used to buy me a Horrible History book once a month. My grandfather would watch Time Team with me and take me to archaeological sites around Spain. I’d end up dragging my parents and brother to archaeology sites every time we went on holiday. At school, History was one of the few subjects I really enjoyed.
What was your first archaeological project ever?
My first archaeological project was with the University of Winchester where I was studying. In first year all students have to do at least one month of field excavations to
pass the course. A mile outside Winchester we started excavations of the Mary Magdalene Leprosarium (medieval leprosy hospital). This site was used to home lepers from around 1180 A.D to 1600 A.D. Most primary sources claim that lepers were almost completely excluded from society and were outcast. The study of this site challenges that view, as the materials found on this site suggest a level of comfort. This was a brilliant site to start on as there were many burials to excavate.
Tell us about the work you carried out in Gorham’s Cave Gibraltar. In the summer of 2015 I took part in the excavation of Gorham’s cave. The excavation was a joint excavation between the staff of the Gibraltar museum and the students of the University of Jerez. I believe this was the most physically intensive excavation I’ve ever taken part in. We met at Parsons Lodge at 8am, we collected the staff and the equipment and drove to the entrance of the Dudley Ward tunnel, where we entered the MOD land through a gate. We unpacked the equipment and walked down the cliff through what felt like an endless staircase which at the time had no railings. Rock falls were always a constant threat.
On my first day a small rock fell in-between me and another colleague, it sounded like a bullet and it splintered around us. Our plastic hard helmets wouldn’t have helped at all. The first few days we spent cleaning up the area of excavation from the previous year, removing all the protective tarps and rocks from the top layers. We began the slow and careful process of excavating the layers of stratigraphy. Stratigraphy is the separation and identification of contexts ( archaeological features or layers) that show us the sequence of occupation of a site. So for example at Gorham’s the site has been used for over 50,000 years. The bottom contexts will be the first occupiers of the cave who were Neanderthals, the layer above would be Homo Sapiens, the layers above that would be Phoenician. In a
prehistoric site like this, we use a technique called single context archaeology. Once we excavate and collected the soil into bags, we recorded these layers through permatrace drawings. We then had to sieve the samples of soil we collected, and so, we then carried the sacks of soil across the boulder field that separates Gorham’s cave and Hyena cave. We wet sieved the soil samples, collecting any finds such as bone, ceramic or flint tools that we missed during excavation. We then bagged and tagged them with their context numbers. And that was an amazing experience, holding Phoenician pottery that had travelled all the way from modern Lebanon or Tunisia and knowing these people were here to pray before they faced the Atlantic Ocean, swimming in the rock pools of Gorham’s cave and getting to see the Neanderthal engraving in the cave floor, these are very much once in a lifetime experiences that I’m very grateful for.
What has been the most challenging thing about working in this field?
Commercial archaeology is a business like most others and it’s a hard job. The challenges of being an archaeologist are similar to other work places, long hours, low wages and job insecurity. But then you have the intensity of the cold winters and trying to keep warm whilst shovelling in the rain. There’s also a lot of away jobs where you have to stay in accommodation because the sites are so far away. You get paid extra for this but it takes over your life. You also then have to live with your colleagues for
better or worse. Look, just on the current site I’m on I’ve been chased out of fields by horses, dogs and bees, it’s rained and blazed in heat but I’m outside and I wake up happy and excited, I’m never bored. But there are things I don’t experience because I’m a man, sexual harassment is an issue for female archaeologists, being given inadequate changing facilities or being infantilised. This is a problem within archaeology and the construction business which we work alongside. I hope it changes for the better.
What interesting finds did you come across in Gibraltar’s coastal caves?
Honestly all I found there was small animal bones, possibly bird or rodents. This may seem insignificant but it helps us build a picture of the environment our ancestors were living in.
What would you say is still left to explore & uncover in Gibraltar waters?
Gibraltar’s waters have a lot to hide. There’s a huge amount of underwater caves in Gibraltar which I didn’t know about until I spoke to members of the museum. Lots of them have been explored but I assume there’s many more hiding away. But there’s so much potential in Gibraltar’s waters. Many Roman anchors have been found around Gibraltar, there was a Roman ship wreck found during the airport tunnel construction. Just think of the 13 sieges around Gibraltar and the amount of ships that were destroyed and amount of shot that’s been fired out the fortress
of Gibraltar. You also have to remember Gibraltar is a spiritual landscape in itself. Like I said, the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans came to Gibraltar to worship and pray. When the Spanish reconquered Andalucía they thought of Gibraltar as the frontier between Christianity and Islam, so they constructed places of worship all over Gibraltar. I’d say the potential for finds in Gibraltar’s water are never ending, but archaeology is finite, it runs out, but history grows by the day. What today is modern, tomorrow becomes archaeological.
What advice would you offer to an archaeologist working in Gibraltar & its natural habitat?
If I could tell anyone who was hoping to work in archaeology in Gibraltar, it’d be this, don’t be arrogant, Gibraltarian’s know more about Gibraltar than any degree could. I remember when the city archaeologist Kevin Lane was mentoring me, a labourer working next to Corks brought us to an elevator shaft, and showed us where they’d dug through the medieval masonry floor of the covenant that used to stand there. If you go in to Corks on Irish Town you can see the Roman columns that were salvaged from the Roman settlement in Algeciras and brought to Gibraltar. I’d never thought anything of them until I was told by Kevin. Archaeology is everywhere in Gibraltar, and I’m very proud of our heritage which we work so hard to preserve.
By Tammy Levy
Archaeology is everywhere in Gibraltar, and I’m very proud of our heritage which we work so hard to preserve. “ “
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Across
2 They’re known for their _____ American cuisine.
4 A Spanish word for a rest, usually taken in the afternoon or after finishing a hearty meal.
5 Flamboyant, fruity, alcoholic drinks.
7 Another word for appetiser or snack, usually used in the Mediterranean.
9 A fruit frequently used to replace meat.
11 World famous beach located near Rio de Janeiro, also used to describe tasty buttermilk-marinated chicken burger found at Las Iguanas.
12 The Spanish word for water.
Down
1 Name of a Latin celebration.
3 A sweet treat at the end of your meal.
6 The village which homes the delicious delicacy’s created by Las Iguanas.
8 A corn based dish that is popular in latin cultures.
10 The name of a reptile found in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Please email your completed crossword to: tamara@outsideinmedia.com or drop off at the Art Space Gallery by the end of September with your contact details. A winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries. Entrants must be over 18 years old.
Presented by
Art & Culture on the rock
A space for international contemporary artists
Introducing the new Art Space Contemporary Art Gallery situated in Irish Town Gibraltar, the eclectic venue opened its doors to the public on the 13th February 2024.
Having already hosted various events for the public to enjoy, Art Space goes far beyond a simple gallery showcasing a plethora of artworks by renowned contemporary artists of our time. As a cultural hub and artistic space, the gallery offers an extremely refreshing project to both Gibraltar and beyond. Unlike any other cultural space on the rock, Art Space brings a piece of the international art stage to the Iberian Peninsula, and offers an educational experience for visitors and collectors alike to enjoy what the global art stage has to offer.
Directed by Paul Sharpley and managed by a team of experienced culture vultures, the gallery has been extremely well received by the public and become a popular stop for those venturing around Gibraltar’s town centre.
Situated in the iconic Old Police Station in Irish Town, many retired members of the force have excitedly visited the premises and been delighted at how the gallery has both maintained and improved the space
in its conversion into an art gallery. The old police cells not only remain intact, but are allowed to fully blossom as they provide a space for modern art peppered around its walls. What once used to be the beds of prisoners, are now comfortable sofas to relax and admire the artworks which tastefully decorate the space.
With many exciting projects and changes on the horizon, the gallery serves as a fluid environment to support the talent and artistic skills of many. Art Space celebrates artists who offer something different to the current cultural climate, and aims to go hand in hand with Gibraltar’s cultural venues, and foment what the country has to offer.
With an amazing and proactive team of young professionals based in Gibraltar and abroad, the gallery seeks to exacerbate new and fresh perspectives to maintain a forward-thinking approach to art today. Serving as a breath of fresh air, the gallery is a modern revival of both the historical space and its curatorship.
By Tammy Levy
“I think this will open the door for Gibraltar to be recognised internationally, and bring contemporary art to the Rock by other renowned international artists”.
Paul, Director
“Unlike any other gallery or museum in Gibraltar, Art Space is the first of its kind. A space for artists to showcase their talent and be recognised for their skill; what they know, not who they know, and serve as a refreshing platform for local and international talent”.
Tammy, Magazine Editor
“Art Space is like no other gallery I’ve been to before. Not only does it have a large variety of artworks, but the friendly and inviting atmosphere is what sets it apart!”
Phoebe, Art Consultant
“Our International Contemporary Art Fair has sought to solely support both renowned and emerging artists. Art Space is a space for everyone to enjoy what the art world has to offer, and introduce our talent both in and outside of Gibraltar”.
Ana, Partnership & Engagement Developer
“Art Space provides a much-needed cultural experience to Gibraltar. It provides a necessary foundation for contemporary expressionism and the flourishing of both local and international artists”.
Albert, Junior Executive Assistant
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Featuring the works of a variety of artists and styles, the specialised team of curators at Art Space Gallery peppered their portable white-washed gallery walls with new art, colour and an impeccable level of skill.
In support of both renowned and emerging artists on the scene, Art Space has showcased the talent that exists within and outside of our precious Iberian Peninsula at the International Contemporary Art Fair hosted at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel from the 27th August to the 1st September.
From sculptures to large oil paintings, and detailed pastel compositions, the contemporary art gallery has worked alongside Buckingham and Clarendon Fine Art in order to present a large selection of artworks that have been brought to the rock as a showcase of today’s contemporary art scene for all to enjoy and invest in. With several artists attending the art fair on specific days to meet and greet those wishing to get to know them further and learn about their work in person, the art fair has provided a dynamic and eventful few days for Sunborn hotel guests and visitors alike.
Featuring the original works of Mr Brainwash, Ben Jefferey, Paul Wright, Joe Galindo and an endless stream of other well-known contemporary artists, the art fair has been received with much acclaim. The exhibition opening featured complimentary drinks and canapés, and served as an exceptional place for networking with like-minded
people. This magical evening was greatly celebrated by the artists themselves, their guests, photographers, the Art Space Management Team, and the general public.
In collaboration with Spirit of the Rock, the GCS sponsored artists all designed limited edition gin bottles which were sold at an auction during the exclusive preview night. With an evening filled with music, laughter, culture, and an immersive experience in the Sunborn’s Aurora Ballroom, the exhibition’s success has been truly unparalleled.
Testimonial
Gill Welland
“It’s great to have the opportunity to exhibit my work in the exciting new Gibraltar Art Gallery, Art Space. This wonderful space will offer a professional platform for established and emerging artists. The friendly team was amazing to work with, and I’m delighted to have joined the 1st Gibraltar International Contemporary Art Fair in the Sunborn!”
Testimonial
Juan Torres
“The Art Fair has been an unforgettable experience. From the moment I entered the space, the staff greeted me with warmth and kindness. I felt very welcome. The exhibition space is truly beautiful, curated with such taste, which gives it a dynamic and special charm, creating a unique atmosphere for appreciating the works of art. It has been an honour to exhibit my work in such a distinguished place. The works on display were of such high quality and varied in style and technique. It was inspiring to see the diversity of talent gathered in one place. In addition, I was lucky enough to share this moment with my family, which made the preview night even more special. In short, it was a happy and rewarding day. I am deeply grateful to Art Space for giving me this opportunity and to the public for appreciating my work. I hope to continue participating in more exhibitions and continue to grow as an artist.”
By Tammy Levy
Spot differencethe
with Claire Yates: photo or painting?
Introducing locally-based artist Claire Yates, whose art is easily mistaken for a high-resolution photograph! Interviewing Claire has been an extremely insightful and heart-warming experience. Learning about her background, her source of inspiration, and motivation behind each and every canvas has been very humbling and thought-provoking to say the least.
Tell us about yourself, your background and your art.
My name is Claire Yates and I have lived on the Coast of Spain for 24 years. I was born in Birmingham, UK in 1973 into an artistic family. Ever since I could hold a pencil or a pair of scissors, I was drawing or making things out of cardboard and always trying to learn a new skill.
I’ve always been an introvert and suffered with anxiety and my way of coping was to sit and draw or be creative. I still practice this now when I’m feeling anxious. I find that spending five minutes drawing usually calms me down.
From an early age I spent most of my time drawing from pictures that I found in magazines, mainly famous people like Madonna or Michael Jackson. I started off using coloured pencil crayon, and then my father taught me the art of watercolour paint.
I have always worked in detail and have attempted painting abstract art in the past to try and loosen up my skill, but became frustrated and reverted back to the detailed work. To this present day, I am still working with photorealism. I want to be able to create what I see and put it on paper. At the moment I am obsessed with working with pastel stocks, pastel pencils and pan pastel on clairefontaine pastelmat paper. I find that I am able to produce a more vibrant colour and for example, with my animal
portraits I discovered that pastel had a softness to it which is ideal for creating fur on the animals. Over many years and with many hours of practice I have learnt how to make finer detail with the pastel which was a challenge at the very start.
When did you realise your skill & creativity?
My education in art began at secondary school where my art teacher was a fantastic role model, and gave me some confidence. I think that was when I realised that it was going to be my biggest passion in life. He suggested that I did my GCSE Art exam one year early and I passed with a grade A. I then furthered my education at Stourbridge Art College in the West Midlands and I gained a National Diploma in General Art and Design, which involved working through various courses like Fine Art, Photography, 3-D and Textiles.
After Stourbridge College, I decided to move away from home and carry on with a course in Textile Design (which is what I was
to
more about Claire Yates on Instagram
PHOTO OF LUNA
PAINTING OF LUNA
interested in at the time) at West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham, UK. After developing new skills in Printed Design, I finished the course with a BA (Hons) in Printed Textile Design. The course itself was very technically orientated and we learnt how to produce a piece of printed textile from the first stage, which was the drawing concept, but because my drawings and designs were very detailed, I found it quite hard to reproduce my work onto a piece of fabric and therefore I was told at the end of the three years that I would have been better studying an Illustration course.
What do you most like to paint/draw & why?
I absolutely love to draw wildlife and animals and I am very happy to take on any commissions for pet portraits, which I have been doing for many years and now my work has travelled all over the world! I also enjoy painting still life. In the past I have worked on rusty subjects like padlocks and doors with peeling paint. My cherry and pebble drawings which I produced many years ago, in pastel and watercolour were always a great success and sold at every exhibition, and so I have recently revisited this subject matter. Drawing animals though, is my biggest love as I am an animal lover and being a member of the Association of Animal Artists in the UK is like being part of a big family. We are all painting the same subject matter, but with many different styles.
How do you want your art to be received?
I really love handing the finished portrait over to the client and receiving their reaction, especially if they have recently lost their beloved pet. Having my clients smile and complement my hard work is the most fulfilling thing.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from things around me, I am always observing my surroundings and what subject matter I can paint next. The inspiration for my animal portraits stems from my love of animals and often comes from a visit to my local zoo where I am able to get close to the subject matter and transport myself.
My biggest inspiration though, was my father who was an outstanding artist working mainly in watercolour and pastel and his favourite subject was landscape. He was my motivation and got me to join various art societies in the UK, like The Birmingham Watercolour Society, Worcester Society of Artists and Wolverhampton Society of Art. In 2003 we held our first joint exhibition in a gallery in Worcester, it was a big success. My father also framed all of my work and took my paintings to various exhibitions in the UK. Before he passed away in 2022 he became a full-time member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Arts, UK, he was my biggest inspiration and still is to this day.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your creative process?
One of the biggest challenges that I am facing with my art is not having the confidence to project my work in places other than at my workspace at home. I’ve always felt that I am not good enough, and I am always striving to better myself and my technique. I don’t think I will ever reach the point where I think I’m ‘an outstanding artist’.
When I turned 50 years old in 2023 I decided I would carry on my father’s legacy and try and make a name for myself along the coast of Spain and other parts. I decided that life is too short and I want to follow my passion for art. I am still facing
INSIDE CULTURE
challenges now like marketing my art but hopefully that will get better in time and with experience.
Tell us about where you have exhibited previously?
I held my first solo exhibition in May 2024 in Mijas Pueblo, Spain at the local tourist office. I displayed 12 of my wildlife paintings and titled it ‘Wild and Wonderful’. My work received a lot of positive attention. Most recently the Art Space Gallery in Gibraltar gave me the opportunity to display three pieces at the Art Fair. I was overjoyed when my work was accepted and felt honoured to be part of this wonderful art gallery.
Do people usually mistake your artworks for photos instead of pastels?
People often mistake my artwork for photography and they are shocked they are pastel drawings! I appreciate the onlooker taking some time to study my artwork and not to dismiss it as a photograph because of the number of hours that I spend on each piece of art. Of course, the whole idea of photorealism is to make the drawing as close to the photo as possible!
Aside from being an artist, what other interests do you have?
Apart from my art, my other interests are singing and listening to music. In fact, I find that listening to music helps me focus on what I’m creating in my ‘Happy Place’, especially if I am working on something that is quite challenging. I also enjoy anything to do with the crafts and often will seek out a new project or craft to learn.
By Tammy Levy
My portfolio of work and information about my pet portrait commissions can be found on my website: www.claireyatesart.com
claireyatesart
claireyatesartist
Alan Perez
Getting ready to exhibit in Jerez
Born in Gibraltar Alan Perez studied Fine Art at the Edinburgh College of Art and over the years he has always experimented with different artistic disciplines and collaborated in projects of a social, historical or political value. He is interested in Installation art and other forms of experimental art which help to develop his work in a meaningful and creative way.
Art for Mr Perez is an internal necessity which is channelled through a continuous need to develop self-expression. As an artist he feels he has a social responsibility to sensitise our society through his art, as Art can be the voice of social conscience through freedom of expression.
Everyday news, social, historical and political issues are directly the sources which influence his work. Alan likes to use people as an artistic tool, to directly collaborate in different ways in his projects. Sometimes the people can become the Art themselves and other times they will produce the work through an organic collaboration which forms part of the process of the work itself.
He is always interested in collaborative artistic projects with people of different creative, social and cultural backgrounds in order to create meaningful Art with critical social value. He has been invited to Art residencies and developed projects in Gibraltar, Berlin, Jersey, Spain, London and Edinburgh.
Today Mr Perez joins me in the hotseat to discuss his upcoming exhibition in nearby Jerez as well as how he has grown as an artist and how the Art scene has evolved on the Rock and beyond.
Jerez exhibition
“I am quite excited. This opportunity is a very good one and not just for me. It could open doors for other artists. The curator is a very good friend of mine who is highly interested in promoting the Art from Gibraltar. I am also very excited because it is not just a specific theme and it features some of my new as well as some of my older works.”
Evolution
Of course I had to quiz him as to how important it is to look back on older works and see how much he has evolved as an artist. Mr Perez thoroughly said; “It keeps me fresh, it keeps me wanting to do new
things. It is very important for me too in a sense to document my career as an artist. It is also great that even though many years go by, there is a connection between my work then and my work now.”
The way of the world through art “When I came back to Gibraltar from University there wasn’t much going on. Us artists have been promised studio spaces by the current Government so I hope those come to fruition as it would benefit other artists. My work has changed a lot as I don’t only use paint as my only medium. Those who know me well enough know me through my installation work and it is a way of exploring with other tools. I also feel my work has also changed that due to the lack of studio spaces I am able to pencil some ideas in my sketchbook. The fundamental of my work is that I am also a catalyst for change and artists have a duty to express themselves. My work is very political, social and historical.
Collaboration importance
“For certain things I like to collaborate with any other creator. I have worked with musicians, poets, dancers and worked in Tangiers as well as in the South Bank in London. It keeps me wanting to develop more work. Fortunately I have a stable job as the Head of Art at Westside School and it takes up most of my time. I am always coming up with ideas and I am able to go back to my sketchbook for any of the ideas I’ve pencilled. For me it is very crucial and essential to collaborate. Most of my latest work, at least the central installation of it all at the Jerez Exhibition is an idea I had and that I started to work on last Summer. We went on a friend’s boat to the middle of the Straits, took a video with the added assistance from Stuart Holmes and Victor Gonzalez using their drones, it was edited and from there I was able to work with local poet Trino Cruz. I approached him as I had collaborated with him a few times and fortunately he granted me the permission to use some of his texts in my work. I have
also collaborated with a cellist. Most of my pieces and people won’t know these are mostly all collaborations.
Giving back
”As a teacher it is paramount for me as I have been able to network and obtain contacts all around the world, especially in the Campo area. I have been introduced to other artists and you need to be very open minded. I remember going to my first residency in Berlin in 2016 and it was fantastic because it put me in a position where I had to get out of my comfort zone. I am a firm believer that you need to shake yourself and the people around you to move forward.”
Social media
The way of the world allows us to showcase our lives across social media and of course for creatives it is just as important as it allows them to showcase their works to the world. I quizzed Mr Perez on this and he said, “social media has been very important in the last few years. My personal website has allowed me to document my work throughout the years as a personal record. It is very important especially when I am approached by other curators. I am not a very social-media-oriented person but I do post on my Instagram account the things I am working on or anything that catches my eye. It is very crucial these days but it appeals more to the younger generation and more so as it is the language they speak.”
By David Diaz
Check out Alan Perez’s website at: alanperezart.com or visit Instagram: @alanjohnperez
Surian and The Fusion
The local band Surianne and The Fusion recently rocked the night away at a music festival in Derbyshire for the second time this year creating a seismic splash of Gibraltarian musical talent, driving the crowd insane with melodic proficiency.
With a dramatic performance filled with an excitable crowd, the band had everybody engaged with their on-stage presence. Proudly flying Gibraltar’s flag onstage, the band experienced a pivotal moment in marking their presence internationally.
We asked Surianne a few questions about the event to get a first hand account of their musical endeavours abroad and she had this to say;
What was the experience like?
“The experience, from the moment that we set off, to when we returned was just awesome. We lived, we loved and we certainly laughed. It is incredible to be able to perform your music at an international festival but more so, it is even more incredible to be able to share those moments with a bunch of talented musicians and friends, who believe and
support you in so many different ways. I remain forever grateful to my live band and to everyone that took their time to congratulate and share their feedback in person at the festival”.
How was the morale in the band?
“High as a kite! We all get along like a house on fire. We are not only supportive of each other but we also care about each other on a deep and spiritual level. I feel protected with them all, safe on and off that stage”.
How did the crowd react?
“The crowd were mesmerised, especially when I spread my wings for ‘My Angel’. We received a lot of praise and positive feedback. With quotes such as ‘you guys just turned a gig into a show’ from the official photographer and ‘you blew them away, they where amazed and did not expect what they received’ from the
festival organiser amongst other wonderful thoughts from festival-goers who had seen us last year and were really excited to have us back again this year. This year we certainly went back with a bang!”
What are your future plans?
“I am currently recording 3 new songs with a view to release them independently later on in the year. The songs have been written by myself and my songwriting partner and mentor Louis Chipolina, complimented by the talents of my live band such as Albert Gonzalez (drums), Chris Johnson (keys) and Win Fernandez (keys)”
Keep a look out for their new songs and future shows, they will have a lot more to present and a few more shows to wow the crowd!
By Albert Gonzalez
Horror fans rejoice as the local film industry benefits greatly from a fantastic new feature set to really tingle the spine and make your hairs stand on end.
From the imaginative mind of Nigel Canepa comes Tragic Waste, a psychological thriller produced by Creep House Entertainment.
This thriller follows the tragic events of a young girl who meets her fate at the hands of a group of rouge law enforcement agents. Justice takes the form of a relentless mysterious force seeking to deliver swift righteousness.
The law enforcement agents haunted by their guilt and troubled by their memories of that gruesome event realise they are being stalked by their fear resembling an unknown power.
As justice continues to chase the agents the line between reality and nightmare becomes distorted leaving the viewer with a unique sense of dread.
The film features a great cast with the likes of Costas Mandylor which can be seen in films such as the “Saw Franchise”, “Virtuosity” and TV series “Picket Fences”.
Costas’ acting career spans over several decades further showing his versatility, when it comes to horror Costas is no stranger to the genre delivering shocks and scares as Mark Hoffman in Saw.
Orlando Charvetto and Harriet seed also take centre stage as well as the Director
Nigel Canepa who takes on the role of Casy.
The filming takes place around Gibraltar in various urban settings as well as certain areas around Spain giving the film a gritty yet realistic backdrop for an intense drama.
The director describes filming in Gibraltar as full of impressive cinematic locations. The upper town, for example, provides a dark and gritty backdrop, whilst Gibraltar’s nature reserve is a rich and exotic environment.
As a local, Nigel Canepa recognises the best areas to film in, to give the audience a gritty and unnerving ambiance, the winding streets of giros passage and the beautiful façade of Cornwall’s parade allows the development of a unique, mysterious and dark undertone viewed throughout the entire movie.
Unfortunately, he found that directing a movie in Gibraltar was immensely hard. The biggest issue he faced was dealing with the constant noise pollution. In one particular scene that should have been filmed in half an hour, it took over 2 hours to complete due to the unnecessarily loud sounds of motorbikes passing.
Nigel Canepa was quoted saying “Tragic waste is more than just a horror film, it’s a story about the fragility of life, and about the consequences of action. The film carries
some deep, profound themes that will test loyalties. It is emotionally heavy at times and the line between good and evil is often blurred. I’d like to extend my thanks to my Producer, Orlando Charvetto, as well as my Director of Photography, Jim Crone. Without them, this film wouldn’t have been possible.”
Actor Costas Mandylor stated that the film can be described as being very “heavy” further setting in stone the horror that is to come.
Arriving in winter 2024 and running for a total of 80 bone chilling minutes tragic waste is sure to deliver captivating performances that may leave audiences on the edge of their seats or even cowering behind them.
By Albert Gonzalez
If you’re brave enough, you can view the film’s trailer on their website or their YouTube channel.
THE JOB OF AN EDUCATOR IS TO TEACH STUDENTS TO SEE VITALITY IN THEMSELVES
JOSEPH CAMPBELL
hellocreativetutor@gmail com
Set sail from Gibraltar
A new beginning for Brits
I have an undying, immense love for the natural world, and I have seen its importance to humans diminish drastically over the last three decades. In modern society we have all but forgotten how to translate our complex technologicallydriven lives back to simplicity.
During the blissful months of summer, we break away from this dystopian world that we are so used to and relish in the opportunity to relax with our toes in the sand of an exciting new place, while the sound of the lapping ocean lulls us into a serene trance and washes away the anxiety inducing possibility of 7am alarm bells.
Our oceans are the life-blood of our beautiful home planet. Despite our very different tongues and tones, somehow most of us are innately attracted to these glimmering bodies of water that stretch for thousands of miles and welcome us at every sandy shore. The oceans offer no boundaries for us, they are the epitome of freedom.
What if you could live, work and play in this environment that we crave? To have your eyes opened to an entirely new and exciting world out there. If that is something that piques your interest, then please read on while I explain my own personal story…
As a younger man I had always wanted to try and work at sea. Something about working 9-5 in an office never sat well with me. I had moved around from different jobs trying to find my place, or at least some kind of peace with the working world in dreary England. The only way that I could ever maintain a happy working life was when I would be outside, breathing in the fresh air and revelling in the sounds of nature.
Trial-and-error
After years of trial-and-error, fitting into basic job roles that didn’t resonate with me, I had finally chosen to leave my UK bound life alone and start anew in the wonderful, sun kissed British enclave of Gibraltar. It was an easy choice to make. I got my oneway ticket and flew straight over in spring without hesitation.
Being somebody who had never worked on any kind of marine vessel before, there was a clear place to start. I had to become STCW qualified, which is the basic level of safety training needed for anybody looking to work on the water commercially, anywhere around the world. The various sailing schools around Gibraltar make it far easier than it sounds, offering basic maritime courses for beginners, just looking to start out in the industry, and also higher-level certifications as well, for seasoned professionals.
The STCW course covered everything I needed to know, from learning basic sea survival skills, vessel security, fire safety, and other topical modules. 5 days of hard work later, I was ready to go! I had completed my course and was eager to get out there on the open water. I couldn’t have dreamed that this moment would take me to where it did. I started out working for a small local dolphin excursion company. It was a very simple but endearing job, ensuring the safety of all passengers on board during the trip, explaining to them the various safety features of the vessel, and to also dock or undock to boat before and after heading out into the Bay of Gibraltar, a worldly renowned shipping port for Spain and Gibraltar, but also a safe breeding pool for a variety of dolphin species and other spectacular marine creatures.
Dolphin watch
Whilst on the water I would liaise with the captain helming the vessel to assist in searching for signs of dolphin activity and report it to the passengers. This was my version of heaven. This job opened my eyes to what work is supposed to feel like, waking up every day excited to be at work and proudly exhibiting the beautiful routines of nature. This continued for a couple of years and I loved every second of it, gaining a lot more confidence and transferable skills related to the maritime industry.
In the bay there were usually a number of luxury yachts docking at the port of Gibraltar for the night, usually to refuel before their long voyages across the Atlantic. I had been told many pleasing stories of the high income, non-taxed wages, and the travelling culture that exists alongside this job role. I knew this was something I had to try, and it seemed to be the next logical step up for me.
I enlisted myself on the Facebook yachting pages, drafted up my CV and started the search. To my surprise it didn’t take long until I had heard back and successfully obtained the role of a junior deckhand on a 44m Benetti Vision based in Toulon, Southern France. After a week notice period, I set off to the airport for my flight to France to meet my new team and get started on my new job role.
Try it and experience it all for yourselves. This kind of lifestyle is a few simple steps away, and if I can do it, anybody can! “ “
Seeing the world
The next year to follow was one of the most profound years of my life. Not only did I meet people from all over the world and make friends for life, but I was even scouted to take part in the Below Deck Netflix show as a Lead Deckhand! With this job, I was paid to see parts of the world that I never would have dreamed of. I have been rafting in the white-water canyon of Castellane, longboarding around the race track roads of Montecarlo, Monaco, eaten Gelato ice cream in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, and even crossed the Atlantic Ocean, which is a feat that had been at the very top of my bucket list for many years. The sheer sight of the unpolluted night sky blanketed with immeasurable numbers of stars, reflected like the heavens upon the water. It is a memory which I will always treasure in my heart and never forget, far above most others.
I could write on forever about the experiences I have had with joy, but I would rather implore you to try it and experience it all for yourselves. This kind of lifestyle is a few simple steps away, and if I can do it, anybody can!
By Aiden Bell
What lies beneath
Gibraltar’s
waters
With a surface area of 2,500,000km and an average depth of 1500m the Mediterranean Sea boasts an abundance of marine life. Gibraltar at its location, right on the verge between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, is at a prime position to enable migratory species to move in and out of the straits.
Straits & internal wave
The interesting fact about the straits is the unique wave pattern it generates. This is thanks to the inward and outward flow of water. Due to denser saltier water flowing westwards at a deeper depth and a larger amount of surface water with lower salinity moving eastwards, an internal wave is created. This process is aided by the carmaronal sill, the straits shallowest point.
This inflow and outflow of water allows for nutrient recycling hence the large species diversity within the Mediterranean.
Pelagic species
A number of pelagic species and cetaceans frequent the straits of Gibraltar on their journey to breeding grounds. The orca whose closest relative is in fact the snub fin dolphin can be seen regularly and has been on news outlets around the Iberian Peninsula for harassing passing sail boats.
Amongst these pelagic species you can find the perfectly designed, bullet shaped, blue fin tuna. Built for raw speed, these fish can be seen frequently performing acts of majestic leaps alongside their acrobatic friends the common dolphin. Fin whales can also be seen spouting water as they traverse the sea.
Scorpion fish
Venomous species
Gibraltar boasts a fantastic array of species, some of these are actually venomous if handled incorrectly. The aptly named scorpion fish can be found waiting for prey at the bottom of the ocean, uniquely camouflaged to represent seaweed covered rocks.
The weever fish can also be found in benthic habitats however this species chooses the natural environment for its camouflage, burying itself under a layer of sand as it patiently waits for smaller bait fish to approach. These can also be seen attacking any unsuspecting diver who unfortunately crosses its path.
Weever fish
Nudibranch filimare cantabrica
Nudibranchs
When you think of the word slug what comes to mind? Is it green and slimy? Well in the ocean biome things are much different.
Nudibranchs also known as sea slugs come in a variety of extraordinary colours and beautiful forms they can be found with intricate mixtures of blues and golds and different shades of orange and greens.
In terms of diversity approximately 3000 species of nudibranchs can be found worldwide even in the Arctic Ocean. Locally not much is known but Filimare cantabrica and Trannadoris europea, two Mediterranean species, have been spotted in Gibraltar waters. These molluscs can range from only a few centimetres in length to being slightly larger than your average teacup! Definitely a sight for sore eyes whilst enjoying a cuppa on a warm summer’s day!
By Albert Gonzalez
Orca
A diver A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
By Paul (Diver at Dive Charters Gibraltar)
At Dive Charters, our day begins bright and early. By 8:15am the team is already bustling about the shop. We start by setting up the outdoor furniture, filling the wash bins, and organising the gear and paperwork for the divers booked in for the day. If we’re familiar with the divers, we often get their equipment ready based on their previous preferences and sizes, making sure everything is perfect for their dive.
Gearing up is a crucial part of our routine. Each diver is provided with a full set of ScubaPro equipment, including a mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), regulator, and tank weights which we keep in the van. Depending on the dive, we might add specific equipment such as torches for wreck penetrations or for training dives we may use compasses, lift bags and slates.
Our dive sites are some of the best in the region. Camp Bay is a favourite, featuring wrecks like the 4 Spanish Barges, 482m, and Batty’s Barge, which are suitable for all certification levels. The 4 Spanish Barges are a series of wrecks that provide a fascinating underwater playground with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. The 482m and Batty’s Barge offer divers the chance to swim through corridors and witness the vibrant marine life that
has made these structures their home. Most of these wrecks have been sunk between the 90s and 00s to form part of Gibraltar’s Artificial Reef project, which has successfully facilitated an increase in biodiversity across Gibraltar waters.
On Sundays, we venture out on the boat to explore historic shipwrecks such as the SS Excellent, a former Royal Navy destroyer that now serves as an artificial reef, and the SS Rosslyn, a cargo ship that sank in the early 20th century. The vibrant reefs and wrecks of Seven Sisters and Sun Swale are also popular, offering a stunning array of coral formations and marine species. These sites are teeming with marine life, from groupers and octopuses to rays and an array of colourful corals.
A typical dive day starts with setting up equipment at the dive site, followed by a
comprehensive briefing. We discuss the dive plan, site management, and safety procedures. The excitement builds as we engage the divers with stories about the local marine environment and what they might encounter when we dip under the surface. Once everyone is suited up and buddy checks are completed, we enter the water for the first dive.
During the dive, we often see an incredible variety of marine life. The wrecks are particularly fascinating, with chambers and swim-throughs offering a glimpse into what seafarers may have walked across in the past. One of our most memorable experiences was at the 482m shipwreck. As we swam between the valley of wrecks 482m and Batty’s Barge, thousands of fish suddenly raced past above, blocking out the sunlight for a few magical seconds before the light returned, revealing Atlantic Bluefin tuna chasing shortly behind; a feeding frenzy like no other.
After the first dive, we surface and head back to the muster point, whether it’s the van or the boat. We change tanks and enjoy a surface interval with cookies and coffee, sharing stories and observations from the dive. Then it’s back in the water for the second dive. This routine of diving,
sharing, and learning creates a strong sense of camaraderie among the divers.
After the second dive, we dismantle our equipment, get changed, and head back to the shop. Here, we wash the gear, sign off our logbooks, and prepare for the afternoon session. Typically, we conduct two dives in the morning, one or two in the afternoon, and occasionally a night dive as the sun sets.
Diving in Gibraltar can come with its challenges. We sometimes get strong currents, due to the mixing of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea which create unique conditions. These currents bring an abundance of nutrients, attracting a diverse range of marine life. Watching rays glide gracefully by or encountering an octopus curiously extending its tentacles towards us are regular delights.
One of the most common and enchanting experiences is observing octopuses in their dens. They often extend a tentacle or two, sometimes fiddling across our hands or
Join us for an unforgettable adventure and discover the wonders of Gibraltar’s underwater world. “ “
Every day at Dive Charters is filled with excitement, discovery, and the joy of sharing the underwater world with fellow divers. Whether it’s exploring historic wrecks or marvelling at the rich marine life, each dive offers a new and unforgettable experience. I invite you to join us and discover the wonders of Gibraltar’s underwater realm.
If you’ve ever been curious about the underwater world, there’s no better way to start than with a try dive in Gibraltar. This introductory experience is perfect
for beginners and provides a safe, guided opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life beneath the waves. Our experienced instructors will equip you with all the necessary gear and provide comprehensive instruction to ensure you feel comfortable and confident. Whether you’re considering pursuing a diving certification or just want to experience the thrill of breathing underwater, a try dive is the perfect first step. Join us for an unforgettable adventure and discover the wonders of Gibraltar’s underwater world.
Photography by Sid Dewfall, Vinny Fitzgerald & Shaun Yeo
even climbing onto our arms, curious about these foreign creatures blowing bubbles and swimming around their gardens.
Tell us about your most memorable diving experiences.
My most memorable diving experience is the first time I breathed air under water. The most natural thing to do is hold your breath under water, so it feels alien, like you’re defying reality. Another one was on my open water diving course where I was still learning how to move my body under water. I saw an octopus that was underneath an old tyre covered in algae. My instructor Guillermo pointed towards it, and I saw this incredibly sweet little thing observing me with his curious eyes poking out. The octopus was about the length of a football or so from what I can remember.
Tell us about the Rescue Diver course & what challenges you faced during this impressive feat.
It’s the first step in the realm of becoming an instructor. It’s not diving from a leisurely perspective but from a safety perspective. When people are nervous it can stop their ability to think critically, and this can become a life-or-death scenario. It’s the first step into the instructor level where you learn tools to see how people feel, observe panic on their faces under water and be able to avoid any dangerous situations. One uses dummies to practice first aid, and the biggest challenge was to manage a human being’s weight which was so hard to move around, especially with all your diving equipment on your back and all the while mutually ensuring your own safety as well. Rescuing the dummy was a big challenge in itself!
Tell us about the different species of marine life you have encountered in Gibraltar waters, most specifically the famous octopus.
Off the top of my head, it’s difficult to remember all of them, but I know I’ve seen scorpion fish, eels, rays, and my friend the octopus. This little guy shot ink out and swam away initially, but my second experience with him was very endearing. He extended his tentacles almost as if he
diverRescue
Interview with Aiden Bell
wanted to greet me and shake my hand. This curiosity just confirmed its sentience, and it was amazing to simply strip back the human/animal boundary and feel at one. Life interacting with life. I’ve always seen him among the shipwrecks in Rosia Bay which is his home.
Tell us about what makes this creature so amazing.
For me, there are many socially complex animals in the ocean that we don’t know enough about. It’s amazing that in such an alien world that is the aquatic realm, certain animals have developed ways of communicating and defending themselves. An octopus is highly intelligent. Unlike training dogs with treats, an octopus will be able to solve puzzles and so, as has been proven, they have the ability to work things out themselves with caution and observation. When you look into a creature’s eyes you can feel a reciprocated sentient intelligence. An octopus will shield its eggs and protect its young, making them unable to eat. Usually, an octopus will give its own life for their eggs, except for some cases where the octopus will consume an egg for survival, but this wouldn’t go without extensive consideration. Just watch ‘My Octopus Teacher’ on Netflix, which is a nature documentary by Craig Foster, where he searches for meaning in life, and reminds us to keep our eyes open to unexpected teachers in all forms.
Tell us about the octopus’s habitat in Gibraltar, and how he has become so well known among divers in the straights. In Gibraltar we have quite a diverse ecosystem, with nutrients being washed into the bay from both oceans’ currents. Many creatures tend to be driven away by predators, and generally octopuses have a unique and distinctive defensive mechanism where they change their pigmentation to blend in with their environment. This particular octopus I believe was the Octopus vulgaris.
How can we as a populace better respect the ocean and marine life?
So aside from the obvious answer, such as disposing of rubbish and being more ecofriendly, I do have what some may consider to be quite a controversial view, as I personally believe that we should simply not eat them. People don’t realise that when eating cans of tuna, there’s huge ships with trawling nets with a lot of by-catch. Cutting down on eating these creatures, and consuming with the awareness is very important. I do recommend documentaries such as ‘Seaspiracy’ and ‘Black Fish’ especially, which I think are so important to watch in order to raise awareness about the harsh realities going on in the world. The ocean is the life-blood of our planet, and the food chain relies on the oceans being healthy. All species therein have a part to play with keeping it healthy. Don’t disrupt the habitat and don’t touch. One should never approach any creatures. If they approach you, you can extend a hand, but always respect and observe from afar without actively seeking them out and frightening them.
What advice would you give to firsttime divers who have never tried diving before?
I would ask the question ‘have you ever wanted to go to another planet? A world that’s completely different to anything you’ve ever experienced?’. If you go into it with the right training and level of knowledge, it shouldn’t be a problem. Be collected and calm, you won’t start at 30 metres depth, it will be shallow. It’s a different way of experiencing the underwater world compared to snorkelling or sea trekking. It’s one of my favourite things to do, and I’ll always recommend it. As long as you go into it with a level head, it’s truly one of the best experiences one can have. I am hoping to go further and gain my full instructor level course, but for now I am enjoying the leisurely side of things. One can even specialise in specific areas of diving if you continue gaining your different certification courses and so on. It’s an ‘underwater’ world of possibilities!
By Tammy Levy
An octopus is highly intelligent. Unlike training dogs with treats, an octopus will be able to solve puzzles and so, as has been proven, they have the ability to work things out themselves with caution and observation.
Below Gibraltar Deep ocean canyons
Have you ever looked out at a landscape full of mountains or deep cuts in the earth like the Grand Canyon? Have you ever wondered how those are formed? And lastly do those exist underwater?
To answer the final question yes, deep ocean canyons or trenches are found world-wide and are some of the deepest parts of the oceans.
Ocean trenches are narrow depressions on the sea floor. These trenches occupy what is known as the hadalpelagic zone or the deepest layer of the ocean. The intense pressure of the above water, low temperatures and a lack of light make these areas some of the most inhospitable places on the planet, only very unique forms of life may exist here and their forms may surprise you!
How are they formed?
Most deep sea trenches are formed along areas known as subduction zones, due to differences in density when two tectonic plates meet the denser plate is subducted underneath the lesser dense plate.
When a continental crust meets an oceanic crust the less buoyant oceanic crust will always subduct. Along these margins you may be able to spot hills known as outer trench swell spots marking the region where the plate begins to buckle.
It is interesting to note that the majority of ocean trenches formed along this oceanic-continental subduction zone are asymmetrical.
In subduction zones molten material from former zones can rise through volcanoes and create volcanic arcs and island mountain ranges, this can be seen at the Aleutian Islands just north of the Aleutian trench.
Sea life in the abyssal zone
Sea life deep in the ocean is built to survive and to use the minimal amount of light to be able to see. A variety of species can be found in these areas such as the deep-sea dragon fish, the dumbo octopus, the barrel eye fish and the sea devil anglerfish. These creatures can come in many different forms and have adapted to the harsh conditions deep under water.
Large eyes and more fluid bodies can help mitigate the intense pressure found at these depths and the beautiful evolutionary feature of bioluminescence allows some species to attract their prey.
The Gibraltar trench
When looking out at the bay of Gibraltar and seeing the vast beauty before you, take some time to think at what’s underneath the bright, blue briny sea. In this bay specifically sits a submarine canyon with a depth of close to 500m. Judging by what you can find at these depths have a think about that the next time you dip your toe in the water!
By Albert Gonzalez
A
lack of light makes these areas some of the most inhospitable places on the planet, only very unique forms of life may exist here and their forms may surprise you!
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World Ocean Day 2024
A Princess on a mission with Phoebe Noble
What is World Ocean Day?
Having taken place on the 8th June 2024, World Ocean Day serves as a catalyst to increase awareness about caring for the oceans, and making a conscious investment in our wellbeing as a collective. Striving to create a better future with abundant oceans and a stable climate, there are many organisations around the world which dedicate their lives to preserving the one ocean that connects us all. Relying on a healthy ocean to survive, protecting our blue planet and biodiversity is essential to ensuring a sustainable future for us all.
Where oceans cross
Where Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is a strategic location with a plethora of marine life and diverse species. With organisations such as the Nautilus Project, Gibraltar aims to encourage and educate its society and young learners about the importance of marine life and the environment, and what measures we can take to maintain it. Delivering environmental initiatives since 2016, the Nautilus Project charitably aims to preserve the local marine environment with the installation of artificial reefs, beach clean ups, educational programs for both children and adults, and is ultimately spearheaded by a passion for Marine Biology and wildlife as its driving force.
Nautilus Project.
Before the beach clean-up
A Princess on a mission
Winner of the First Princess prize in the Miss Gibraltar 2024 pageant, Phoebe Noble dedicates her new title to raising awareness about marine life and protecting it. With her many collaborations with Gibraltar’s Horticultural Society, Phoebe is not only a young woman of many creative talents, but also has a deep-seated passion for the natural environment. As an Art Consultant & Creative Assistant at the new Art Space Gallery, Phoebe enjoys marvelling over all the ocean-themed artworks which flow in and out of the gallery space.
How do you plan to raise awareness about protecting our oceans as First Princess?
“As First Princess I plan to always stand by my morals and beliefs, and always support brands that are eco-friendly and free from animal cruelty. With this, and any project I embark on, I will always try to promote this ethos and spread awareness about the environment and protecting our oceans through interviews or any other opportunities that may arise during my time here, not to mention cleaning up the beaches in Gibraltar which is something I do regularly”.
Having participated in the Miss Supra-national Competition, what environmentally-friendly practices are commonplace in Poland?
“From what I observed, Poland seems to be a very clean country and since its accession to the EU in 2004, the country has made significant changes and progress in reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses. With a warm, dry and subtropicalcontinental air, Poland’s Baltic coastline is protected via the International Maritime Organisation which is actively engaged in ensuring safe shipping for seafarers and clean oceans”.
In your opinion, what day to day habits can we adopt in Gibraltar to protect our oceans now that it’s bathing season?
“Day to day, one can be a lot more environmentally friendly and self-aware, particularly during the summer months when we spend more time at the beach. Ensuring that we never leave any litter on our beaches, always recycle our waste, use suncream that is free from animal cruelty, and becoming a lot more conscious about being one with the ocean and not disturbing marine life, will all help to better their ecosystems”.
By Tammy Levy
I will always try to spread awareness about the environment and protecting our oceans through any opportunities that may arise. “ “
A beautiful beast
In 1922 two motorcycle enthusiasts (William Lyons and William Walmsley) worked together to create The Swallow Sidecar Company in England’s well known tourist location: Blackpool. After 13 years Lyons wanted to change the direction of the company and launched the SS Jaguar, a 2.5 litre saloon, but this isn’t a history lesson on Jaguar acquiring its now world-famous name so let’s skip forward to 2013...
...Jaguar launched its first two-seater convertible sports car in almost four decades: the X152 more commonly known as the F-TYPE. Production of this wonderful machine ended May of 2024, with the last car to roll off the line finding its home in Jaguar’s Heritage collection next to the last of the E-Types from half a century ago.
These two beautiful vehicles ended production on nearly the same day 50 years apart and at the dawn of new and exciting ventures for Jaguar. The E-Type made way for the XJ-S and thanks to the future facing vision of Sir William Lyons the F-Type will make way for Jaguar’s next electric generation to be unveiled in 2025.
Driving around with its roof down the F-TYPE quickly gained the title of “World Car Design of the Year” and with its mix of power, luxurious interior, and gorgeous design it really is not too hard to see why it has now won more than 150 awards around the world.
The F-Type is an iconic sports car and will likely remain so for years to come. This is mainly thanks to the twenty plus variations
which appeal to a multitude of different road users and car enthusiasts. Starting in 2014 with the coupé version and ending with the limited-edition F-TYPE ZP.
Jaguar even dabbled with a Rally version: not for competition but rather just to have some fun with the possibilities. Replacing the suspension, dampers, and the wheels. Fitting a roll cage and making even more space for this safety feature by using the F-TYPE GT4 race car carbon-fibre door cards. The seats were replaced with lightweight racing variants both having a six-point harness. Most of the electronic safety systems were deactivated such as the autonomous emergency breaking (for obvious reasons), they did add an electrically actuated fire extinguisher though so at least safety was always a priority!
Then there is the F-TYPE SVR! Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016 it was the first car Jaguar had produced to carry the SVR (Special Vehicle Rating) badge. Reaching 60MPH in just 3.5 seconds and having a top speed of 200MPH this is the fastest and most powerful of all the F-Types.
The F-Type is an iconic sports car and will likely remain so for years to come. “ “
In 2018 Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations team worked alongside the Invictus Games Foundation and the co-founder of Superdry to create a race team using 2 F-TYPE SVRs specifically developed to enter the 2018/19 British GT Championship. 2018 taught the team a lot and 2019 saw rewards come in the GT4 Pro/Am class with wins in races one and two at Oulton Park and second place position in Snetterton and Spa.
Jaguar’s passion for great automobiles shines through in every vehicle they produce but especially in the F-TYPE and leaves us looking to the future with bated breath at the marvels yet to come...
By Ian Law
“
As Jaguar embarks on the boldest transformation in its history, to become a modern luxury all electric brand from 2025, this is a celebration of Jaguar’s internal combustion sports car provenance.
The ZP Edition is the ultimate celebration of that lineage, joining an illustrious roster of heritage inspired collector’s editions including the 2015 Project 7 and 2020 Heritage 60 Edition.
Rawdon Glover Managing Director, Jaguar
Jaguar F-Type (X152) P575 car showcased at the Brussels Autosalon European Motor Show, 2023.
Coastal camping
in
style
Thinking back to the old Volkswagen campervans, the 1960s and flower power era, this movement in the motoring community began as a rolling symbol for independence and freedom. At the Art Space Gallery, one of our most recent favourite works of art is Let the Good Times Roll by Mr Brainwash, in which this nostalgic air of long lazy summer days at Bolonia beach fill us with warmth, serenity and comfort. <
Ideal for small families, friends and couples touring the Spanish coast during the summer months, the award winning newly improved ID. Buzz campervan has been praised for being the best large electric car of the year!
Combining the practical elements of an MPV with the ease, comfort and sustainability of a premium SUV alongside low running costs of an electric vehicle, the ID. Buzz is compact but spacious, technologically advanced but partly made from recycled materials. Serving as a redefinition of modern e-mobility, Volkswagen has maintained the camper’s iconic design and introduced its beloved aesthetic to the age of electric mobility. Taking advantage of cost-effective electromobility at work, its ground-breaking performance features an electric panoramic sunroof to watch the stars by night, large windows for an indooroutdoor experience, multi-layered smart glass with a built-in privacy mode, light and heat protection and seven comfortable seats to accommodate larger groups of people. This additional row of seats with ISOFIX and Top Tether, the sleek high-
quality seats are adjustable as per one’s needs and preferences.
With the new standard 85kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery, ID. Buzz has a range of up to 474km. Using less energy from the high voltage battery allows for further range. Combining modern proportions with technological innovation, ID. Buzz visually pays homage to the first ever campervan created. Its sustainable mobility allows for up to 1,121 litres, increased luggage space, over 30 assistance systems, safety, comfort and quality. Ambient lighting allows for a pleasant atmosphere throughout the journey, and Park Assist Plus allows for ID. Buzz to identify parallel parking spaces and parking bays as well as determining recurring parking manoeuvres which can be carried out at the click of a button!
With the ID. Buzz campervan, one can enjoy a spontaneous road trip with minimal packing and station oneself in a trusted motorhome or campervan site along the coast. As a perfect travel companion, the Volkswagen camper is a symbol of freedom, fun and tranquillity.
What Car?
Electric car of the year awards 2023
The ID. Buzz was crowned the ‘Best Electric MPV’ at the What Car? Electric car of the year awards 2023, adding to its growing number of accolades since it was launched last year, including What Car? Car of the Year 2023. What Car?’s esteemed panel of judges voted the ID. Buzz the winner of the MPV category. The all-round driving experience of the ID. Buzz was also highly commended, thanks to its impressive visibility and smooth drive.
What Car?
Van Awards 2023
ID. Buzz has been awarded the 2023 What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicles award for being the best van based MPV. “Its looks may be an homage to the famous Type 2 Volkswagen Camper of the 1960s, but this van-based MPV is thoroughly forward thinking. For bigger families, going electric just became a lot more tempting.”
By Tammy Levy
LET
GOOD TIMES ROLL by Mr Brainwash
Most of us are familiar with the Tesla coil, an electrical transformer that utilises high-frequency alternating currents to power nearby electronic devices with spectacular arcs of lightning. This ground-breaking innovation was introduced by one of history’s most influential physicists and inventors in the field of energy, Nikola Tesla, in the late 1800s.
Tesla
Back to the future, or forward to the past?
The circuitry involving the Tesla coil was revolutionary for its time, facilitating advancements in energy research and even contributing to the development of X-ray technology. Nikola Tesla’s contributions have profoundly impacted humanity’s progress and continue to do so until this very moment.
“self-driving” cars, exploring the exciting possibilities and also the challenges they present. The future prospects and technological capabilities of electric vehicles (EVs) are impressive; however, the question remains: Are we ready to transition from our reliable diesel and petrol engines, which we have depended on for over a century?
I firmly believe that humanity stands at the threshold of something remarkable. “ “
Cutting-edge technology
Fast forward 200 years to today, and the name “Tesla” remains prominent, but in a new context. Over the past 10-15 years, we’ve witnessed the rise of sleek new cars bearing the Tesla “T” emblem on their hoods. These electronic vehicles have rapidly gained popularity, captivating the world with their cutting-edge technology and futuristic features. This development holds immense promise for our future, but it’s essential to acknowledge the potential concerns that may be easily overlooked.
In this discussion, I will delve into the pros and cons of Tesla CEO, Elon Musk’s flagship
One of the things that stand out for most of us about Tesla vehicles is their innate ability to drive themselves without human intervention. Tesla’s driverless capabilities offer significant advantages and drawbacks. On the positive side, Tesla’s advanced Autopilot system enhances convenience and safety by enabling hands-free driving in certain conditions, reducing driver fatigue, and potentially decreasing the likelihood of accidents caused by human error, utilising a series of sensors which pick up the distance and speed of other vehicles to even brake safely or swerve out the way of danger before the human driver has had any time to react.
There are systematic and continual updates via wireless software ensuring that Tesla vehicles are equipped with the latest advancements in autonomous driving technology. However, the system is not without its flaws. Critics point out that the technology is not yet fully autonomous and requires constant driver supervision, which can lead to complacency and overreliance. There have also been various instances where the system has failed to correctly interpret road conditions or obstacles, resulting in accidents. The ethical and legal implications of driverless technology are also under scrutiny, with ongoing debates about liability and the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks. Thus, while Tesla’s driverless capabilities represent a significant leap forward, they also pose challenges that need to be addressed.
It is important to note that Tesla’s vehicles run entirely on electrical power, eliminating the need for oil, petroleum or diesel fuel, filter replacements and more. Additionally, they produce no carbon emissions, which is crucial for moving towards an eco-friendlier world with cleaner air and less noise.
Advantages & disadvantages
The Tesla engines are powered by LithiumIon batteries which offer several distinct advantages over other chemical batteries for various reasons. These batteries are lighter, longer lasting and perform far better in hot environments, such as the interior of a car engine. There is an equal measure of disadvantages with these batteries that we have to also acknowledge though, despite the positives. Lithium-Ion batteries contain rare metals that are overly expensive for the average consumer and difficult to
repair, posing challenges despite their benefits. As the world begins to accept this different way of commuting via our roads, I believe we will see further advancements with Lithium-Ion cell powered engines, to create a cheaper, further improved version that diminishes a lot of the negatives that we are currently concerned about.
In summary, I firmly believe that humanity stands at the threshold of something remarkable. Consider the possibilities: driverless Ubers, summoning your car with a text, or directing it to park precisely where you need it. A world of unparalleled convenience beckons on the horizon, awaiting our embrace. Until then, we must stay ever vigilant on the roads!
By Aiden Bell
Classic car rally in Gibraltar
The Gibraltar Classic Car Rally is an annual event organized by the Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association (GCVA) and is held in Casemates Square. Although this event is held in Gibraltar, it draws car lovers from all walks of life in the hopes of celebrating one thing; automotive history. This event digs deep into the beauty of vintage automobiles, and its cultural significance, which ties members of Gibraltar and visitors together.
The rally features over a hundred class vehicles mostly from the 1990s. These vehicles are usually restored and maintained by their owners and they boast of a wide range of makes and models from your iconic sports cars to classic luxury vehicles and vintage motorcycles.
When it comes to scheduling and activity, the rally generally runs from morning to late afternoon typically around 9am to 5:30pm. Within this time frame, visitors can enjoy a closer view of all the cars for show, interact with the owners, and learn about the history and restoration process of the cars. The best part about the Gibraltar Classic Car Rally is that it’s not a static event. It also includes a parade which makes it a little more dynamic. During the parade participants drive their cars in a policeescorted procession around the rock of Gibraltar, and they follow a route that typically includes significant and scenic landmarks like Europa Point, which offers a stunning view of Gibraltar’s landscape.
Sometimes there is a special demonstration for 4x4 cars, at Europa Point, where they can show off their off-road abilities. This part of the event is arguably the most popular because it adds an element of excitement to the event.
When it comes to participation, all registration is strictly done online. To apply to become a member of the Gibraltar Classic Car Rally or to renew your membership, all you have to do is visit the Gibraltar Classic Car website: gibraltarclassiccar.com
If you fit the requirements, simply fill out the necessary application forms and eagerly await your registration.
For the participants of the Gibraltar Classic Car Rally, this is more than just a display of cars. It’s a community event where people come together to share their passion for automotive history and restoration. Most times you get to see people exchanging stories and tips on how to maintain their cars while creating a supportive community network.
Visitors on the other hand get to enjoy a unique opportunity to view a wide array of classic cars, each with its own story to tell. The Gibraltar Classic Car Rally is a family-friendly event with different activities and attractions designed to engage people of all ages. In addition to viewing the cars and hearing about their history and maintenance, visitors can also enjoy different attractions in Casemates Square, including cafés, shops, restaurants, and pop-up markets, thus making the rally a comprehensive and cultural experience.
So far, this event has proved to be more than just a fun time as it contributes significantly to the local economy by attracting visitors and enhancing Gibraltar’s unique position as a cultural crossroad between Europe and Africa. With a rich history influenced by various cultures, the rally’s success has helped to establish it as a highly anticipated annual event in Gibraltar and is constantly looking for new ways to expand and engage the local community.
By Clara Awuse
The rally’s success has helped to establish it as a highly anticipated annual event in Gibraltar and is constantly looking for new ways to expand and engage the local community. “
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Trailblazing tarmac
on the
Women in motorsport
Motorsport has long been an arena dominated by men, a high-octane world where speed, skill, and daring are celebrated in the roar of engines and the blur of colour on the track.
But beneath the helmets and behind the visors, an ever-growing number of women are carving their path, challenging stereotypes, and redefining what it means to be a racer. Their journey is not just about breaking into a male-dominated sport; it is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the unyielding spirit of competition.
The history of women in motorsport is marked by pioneering figures who raced against not just competitors, but societal expectations. One of the earliest trailblazers was Dorothy Levitt, who in the early 1900s set records and penned “The Woman and the Car,” a guide encouraging women to take the wheel. Levitt’s achievements paved the way, but it was decades before other women began to follow in her tire tracks.
In the 1950s and 1960s, racers like Pat Moss, the sister of Formula One legend Stirling Moss, and Denise McCluggage emerged as formidable competitors. Pat Moss dominated the rally scene, winning numerous international events, while McCluggage’s prowess on the track was matched by her talents as a journalist, advocating for women in the sport.
Despite these early successes, women in motorsport faced significant challenges. Discrimination, lack of sponsorship, and limited opportunities were common hurdles. The physicality of the sport was often cited as a reason to exclude women, despite ample evidence that skill, strategy, and mental toughness are paramount in racing.
In the world of Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport, only a handful of women have ever competed. Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first, making her debut in 1958. Her participation was met with scepticism and even outright hostility— Enzo Ferrari famously declared that the only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser. It would be another
17 years before another woman, Lella Lombardi, would race in Formula One. Lombardi remains the only woman to have scored points in an F1 race, a remarkable achievement that underscores both her talent and the barriers she overcame.
Enzo Ferrari famously declared that the only helmet a woman should wear is the one at the hairdresser. “ “
The new millennium has seen a resurgence of women in motorsport, driven by a combination of changing attitudes, increased support, and undeniable talent. Danica Patrick’s rise in IndyCar and NASCAR captured the world’s attention. Patrick didn’t just compete; she excelled, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race in 2008 and finishing in the top ten of the Indianapolis 500 multiple times. Her success in NASCAR, including a pole position at the Daytona 500, further cemented her legacy as a trailblazer.
In Formula One, women have continued to push boundaries. Susie Wolff made history in 2014 as the first woman in 22 years to participate in a Formula One race weekend, driving in practice sessions for Williams. Her career, both as a driver and now as the CEO of the Venturi Formula E team, highlights the growing presence of women in all aspects of motorsport, from driving to team management.
Another standout is Jamie Chadwick, a British racing driver who has garnered attention and accolades in recent years. Chadwick won the inaugural W Series in 2019, a championship designed to promote female talent in motorsport. Her victories in W Series, along with her role as a development driver for Williams F1, signify a shift towards greater inclusivity and recognition of female racers.
Launched in 2019, the W Series has been a game-changer for women in motorsport. This single-seater racing championship exclusively for women aims to address the gender imbalance in motorsport by providing a platform for female drivers to showcase their skills. The series not only offers a competitive environment but also eliminates financial barriers, as the drivers do not need to bring sponsorship money to secure a seat.
The W Series has already made significant strides in increasing visibility and opportunities for women in racing. By featuring races alongside prestigious events such as the Formula One Grand Prix, it has brought female talent to the forefront of the motorsport world. The success of the W Series has inspired other initiatives aimed at nurturing female talent, signalling a positive shift towards greater gender equality in racing.
The impact of women in motorsport extends beyond the driver’s seat. Women are making their mark as engineers, team principals, strategists, and more. Claire Williams, who served as the deputy team principal of the Williams F1 team,
played a pivotal role in the sport’s history, leading one of the most storied teams in Formula One.
In engineering, women like Leena Gade, a race engineer known for her work with Audi in endurance racing, have shattered the glass ceiling. Gade’s contributions helped her team secure multiple victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most gruelling races in motorsport.
The presence of women in these roles is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and diverse motorsport environment. Their
expertise and perspectives enrich the sport, driving innovation and performance while challenging outdated stereotypes.
While significant progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in motorsport. The industry must continue to support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, providing equal opportunities for women at all levels. This includes investment in grassroots programs, mentorship schemes, and partnerships with organisations dedicated to advancing women in motorsport.
The media also plays a vital role in changing perceptions and inspiring the next generation of female racers. By highlighting the achievements of women in motorsport and giving them the recognition they deserve, the media can help to normalise their presence and challenge longstanding biases.
Women in motorsport are more than just participants; they are trailblazers, innovators, and champions of change. Their journey is one of passion, perseverance, and unyielding determination. As they continue to break barriers and set new standards, they inspire not only future generations of female racers but all those who believe in the power of equality and the spirit of competition.
The roar of the engines, the thrill of the race, and the pursuit of victory know no gender. As more women take their place on the starting grid, the future of motorsport looks brighter and more inclusive than ever. In celebrating their achievements, we honour their contributions to the sport and look forward to a new era of racing, where talent and passion are the ultimate driving forces.
By Amber Williams
Portrait of the British racing driver and journalist, Dorothy Elizabeth Levitt (b. Elizabeth Levi; 1882-1922) driving a 26hp Napier, at Brooklands, 1908.
Leena Gade, the first female Race Engineer in IndyCar history, works in the pit box along with IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, left, with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.
Neo Retro- Yamaha XSR 900, retro inspiration modern style
The stunning XSR 900 delivers thrills whilst beautifully maintaining its neo-retro look, and will most definitely turn heads as you are cruising down the coast or carving canyons!
Inspired by the 80s Yamaha racing machines which is apparent by the tank design and exposed aluminium frame, the XSR wonderfully incorporates modern design elements such as a 3.5-inch TFT display, machined headlight clamps, drilled fork caps amongst a whole other host of premium fit and finishing touches.
As you twist the throttle your ears become subject to a symphonic soundtrack provided by the cross-plane triple 890cc engine. Yamaha has meticulously engineered the engine’s intake system to provide resonating wavelengths and induction noises to function melodiously producing an unforgettable sound.
As an additional nod to Yamahas racing heritage, the striking legend blue model is a modern take on the classic Sonauto France machine piloted by GP champion Christian Sarron.
From commuting to weekend fun, the XSR 900 delivers in all aspects of riding. The grippy Bridgestone s22 Battlax tires provide stability and control and come as standard features on these motorcycles.
The journey is what makes a biker; the destination is just a bonus. “ “
Ducati Monster Limited Ayrton Senna
A true legend Ayrton senna graced the F1 grid and became champion in 1988, 1990 and 1991 and was one of three Brazilian Formula One drivers to ever become champion. Senna won a total of 41 Grand Prix and set 65 pole positions further cementing his legacy in the motorsport world.
To commemorate this icon, Ducati motorcycles have revealed the Ducati Monster Senna edition, a special version of one of the most iconic naked motorcycles of which Ayrton Senna was one of the owners. A limited series of 341 units are being made, 3 as in world titles and 41 for his GP wins.
The green, yellow and blue livery is inspired by his legendary helmet, a Brazilian flag tribute to the legend himself. This exclusive monster boasts premium equipment including Ohlins suspension and steering dampener as well as a whole other host of goodies!
Kawasaki Hybrid
Hybrid vehicles have always been on the cards for future development, however when you think of a hybrid vehicle you always think of a car. Kawasaki has taken it upon themselves to produce the first ever Hybrid motorcycle referring to it as a ‘strong hybrid’ .
The Kawasaki ninja 7 hybrid includes a new number of riding modes specific to how each person rides their motorcycle. This includes the new E-boost from a standing start to instant acceleration.
Not only does this Kawasaki include electric motor-powered e-boost start but also has the fuel economy of a much lower displacement machine. Its distinct riding character ushers in a new riding experience and changes the perspective many people have on hybrid vehicles.
It’s interesting to note that the Ninja 7 has the ability to select how you want your power used as its two engines can operate both in unison and individually. A true first of its kind!
Kawasaki is beginning to change how we view our motorcycles as they shift and target carbon neutrality. Among its variety of riding modes is WALK mode. Unique to the ninja 7, Walk mode assists with manoeuvring around a parking garage, opening the throttle when activated and allows the motorcycle to move at walking speed and closing the throttle past the “zero point”, thereby putting it in reverse, a feature normally reserved for larger touring bikes. What a stunning innovation!
By Albert Gonzalez
Photography by Mark Galliano & edited by Albert Gonzalez
Catherine Rubio
Transform your life with Gibraltar’s premier wellness coach
For 15 years, Catherine Rubio has been guiding individuals in Gibraltar towards healthier, more balanced lives. Her holistic approach emphasizes longevity through personalised programs, believing true beauty stems from a healthy body and happy mind.
Catherine’s expertise includes personalised yoga sessions to enhance flexibility and realign the body, one-on-one Pilates for core strength and conditioning, and personal training focused on body conditioning and mindfulness.
She also provides corporate wellbeing consultancy, enhancing employee health and productivity. Her upcoming project, Mindful Leadership, aims to empower individuals to navigate change.
What is Pilates
Developed in the early 20th Century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, Pilates is a mind-body exercise which uses 50 repetitive exercises flowing from the “five essentials”: breath, cervical alignment, rib & scapular stabilisation, pelvic mobility and the use of transversus abdominis with 3 to 5 repetitions of each.
What is the difference between Pilates & Yoga?
With both forms of exercise considered to be low-impact, Yoga typically consists of holding a specific position for longer periods of time, whereas Pilates challenges your core by moving arms and legs.
What is Reformer Pilates?
Performed on a reformer machine rather than a mat, reformer Pilates can be especially helpful for people with injuries, lack of flexibility, and precision in movement. The machine is similar to a bed frame, but instead of a mattress, the reformer has a platform on wheels that rolls up and down as you exercise. The reformer also has long, stretchy cords that you can attach to your feet and hands for specific movements and exercises, which help to elongate and improve strength. The machine was invented by Joseph Pilates and should typically be used with the help of a Pilates instructor.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
The benefits of Pilates are extensive and can be performed by anyone. They mainly include: improved flexibility, toning & muscle strength, improved balance & posture, body awareness, concentration, stress management and rehabilitation.
See Catherine’s 3 home-workout pilates exercises for beginners:
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Catherine Rubio Wellness
1
One-Leg Circles
Start by lying on your back with both knees bent, arms down by your side, pelvis in a neutral position and core engaged.
Inhale to prepare. Exhale to float one leg into single table top position. Inhale to hold. Exhale as you circle the leg away in a clockwise direction and inhale as you circle the leg back. Repeat for 30 seconds. Then repeat in an anti-clockwise direction. Repeat on each side.
The knee remains bent (in a flexed position) throughout the movement. ‘Imagine there is a pencil on the end of your knee and you are drawing a circle onto the ceiling’.
Swan Prep
Laying on your stomach layer your hands under your forehead. Stretch your legs long on the mat. Make sure that you’re not turning them out or separating them. Reach your tailbone for your heels and your front hip points should feel like they could lift away.
Without lifting your legs or pressing your lower back down lift your hands, elbows, head, and chest off the mat. Hover about one or two inches and then lower back down.
3
The Hundred
Bring your head up with your chin down and, using your abdominal muscles, curl your upper spine up off the floor to the base of your shoulder blades. Keep the shoulders sliding down and engaged in the back. Gaze down into the scoop of the abs. Stay here and inhale.
At the same time, deepen the pull of the abs and extend your arms and legs. Reach your legs toward where the wall and ceiling meet in front of you. You can adjust them higher if need be, or lower for more advanced work. Your legs should only be as low as you can go without shaking and without the lower spine pulling off the mat. Extend your arms straight and low, just a few inches off the floor, with the fingertips reaching for the far wall.
Hold your position. Take five short breaths in and five short breaths out (like sniffing in and puffing out). While doing so, move your arms in a controlled up-and-down manner — a small but dynamic pumping of the arms. Be sure to keep your shoulders and neck relaxed. It is the abdominal muscles that should be doing all the work.
Outdoor workout
The best hiking trails in Andalucía
Hitting the trails can boost your mood and improve your quality of sleep. All seasons of the year offer a unique hiking experience and make for a healthy alternative to gym sessions and classes. Walking through nature offers several benefits such as lowering blood pressure, and reducing depression and anxiety.
“ “
El Caminito del Rey
Location: Málaga, Spain
There’s a lot of research that shows the effects of being in nature… Our bodies find that certain colours can be stressful while some are calming. So, being out in nature with lots of green is a great therapeutic environment.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
The Caminito del Rey is an aerial trail built in the walls of the Gaitanes gorge. With a length of 3km, the trail begins in the municipality of Ardales, goes through Antequera, and ends in El Chorro (Álora). The path hangs on the vertical gorge
walls around 100 metres above the river with stunning views of the mountains and brilliantly coloured blue waters below. One of the most well known parts of El Caminito del Rey is the boardwalk on the Gaitanes gorge. This cantilever bridge is visible from the railway and offers picturesque views that can be spotted from anywhere. The pedestrian walkway installed on the walls ends at the railway from Córdoba to Málaga.
Dr Kampert (Cleveland Clinic US)
Sendero Río de la Miel
Location: Algeciras, Spain
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Generally considered to be an easy to moderately challenging route, the River of Honey trail takes an average of 4 hours to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, and the trail is open year-round inviting visitors at any time. With canopies of ferns and beautiful waterfalls and fresh water ponds, one can enjoy a refreshing swim at the end of the trail. Ideal for families, couples and individuals alike, this hiking path makes for a fantastic and active day out!
Pico de la Concha
Location: Marbella, Spain
Difficulty Level: High
Boasting breath-taking views, La Concha is considered to be one of the most challenging but worthwhile hiking trails in Spain. Being the reason why Marbella has its own microclimate, with the mountain and the sea, the summit is known as the queen and protector of Marbella. La Concha is a mountain located in the province of Málaga, and part of the Sierra Blanca range. The mountain is approximately 1,215 metres above sea level and takes approximately 4 to 6 hours to complete and descend thereafter. With stunning panoramic views of Gibraltar, northern Africa and Spain,
there are two routes that you can opt for. One is from Istan and the other from the Refugio de Juanar. As a bucket list item, it is a challenging trail but one worth the merit for any nature lover as it’s surrounded by pine forests.
Canyon of the Angosturas
Location: Benahavís, Spain
Difficulty Level: High
The Benahavís River Walk offers the perfect opportunity to explore the stunning Spanish outdoors, and combines elements of hiking and swimming. The river setting involves slopes, caves, deep waters, cliffs, and large loose stones to carefully balance on during the excursion and is quite challenging, therefore a reasonably high level of fitness and experience would be recommended. The unbelievable beauty of the area and fun experience will make it all worthwhile, and its duration is approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete the 3-kilometre trail. This activity is ideal and suitable for adventurers aged 8 to 65, making it a unique and active family experience! Guided tours of this route are also available, where you will be accompanied by an experienced Englishspeaking guide. The guide will ensure the safety of all, and provide any equipment necessary and help you through the more difficult parts of the trail.
By Tammy Levy
Paul Lyon
Life as a UEFA delegate
There are many people in Gibraltar who will know Paul Lyon, most probably as Head of Bishop Fitzgerald Middle School, a post that he retired from in 2015, but also as past Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Open Award Centre and as current Chair of Save the Children Gibraltar. However, what you may not know is that as well as being Vice President of the GFA (Gibraltar Football Association), Paul Lyon has been a UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Match Delegate for the past nine years.
UEFA is represented by at least one delegate at each football match, and this delegate is the highest sporting authority at a UEFA game, taking on the role as an ambassador and a diplomatic representative of the organisation. According to UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner, the role of the UEFA delegate “has become a vital part of the European body’s operations in modern-day football”.
When Paul retired as a Head Teacher he was asked if he would become Vice-President of the GFA. “I was elected in 2015 and the then General Secretary, Dennis Beiso, who had previously sat on the Youth and Amateur Development Committee in UEFA didn’t have the time to commit to that when he became General Secretary of GFA,” Paul explains. In May 2016 Paul was sent to the Men’s Under 19 Tournament taking place in Stuttgart as a new committee member and was told he was going to do some delegate work. “I had the assistance of a senior delegate, a gentleman from Slovenia, whom I shadowed, but then after the opening match I was told that I was on my own for the next game.” Returning from Stuttgart, Paul received an email from UEFA asking if he would be prepared to undertake training to become a UEFA Match Delegate, and as he says: “the rest is history”.
Paul explains what being a UEFA Match Delegate entails. “I will be the ultimate authority, but for some big games I rely on a lot of other people to do the work.” For example, if a match is considered to be a ‘high risk’ game there will be a venue
director, a security officer, a broadcasting and a media manager and they all get on with their own responsibilities. “I don’t interfere”, Paul states, “but if something goes wrong they will all turn to me and I have to make the big decisions.”
Normally, Paul will attend around eight games a season. “In 2019 I attended seventeen matches but that is because I was at the Men’s Under 17 final tournament in Dublin where I did nine games in 3 weeks including the final, and then I did a Women’s tournament in North Macedonia the same year,” he states. During this calendar year, Paul officiated at a game in the Conference League playoff in Germany in February but then didn’t attend another game until the 18th June. “That was my first match of four that I did in the Euros,” he comments.
Although Paul enjoys football, his first love is rugby. “I played at a very high level in the UK, but I enjoy all sport and when I came to Gibraltar I continued to play rugby, basketball, and volleyball.” When it comes to football, Paul says that he prefers to watch the game on the television when he is at home. “For example, in the Euros there were some great games that I was attending as the delegate but I wasn’t able to watch the game that much because I had to keep an eye of both sets of fans, so you don’t appreciate it that much when you are working.”
Being a UEFA Match Delegate is a privileged role, and Paul acknowledges that he has been fortunate to watch some amazing
games and talented players. He recounts an anecdote about when he was a delegate during the Euros for the second group stage game where France were playing the Netherlands. “It took place in Leipzig and Mbappe had broken his nose in the first match,” Paul states. “France were training the evening before the game and when they finished training the French team doctor and Mbappe came to ask to speak to me, so I was brought over from my office and was introduced to him”. Mbappe explained to Paul that he had a broken nose. “He gave me two masks that he wanted to use, so I looked at them and checked that they conformed to UEFA standards and I asked him which was the most comfortable.” Paul says that Mbappe replied saying that both were fine and asked me to choose which one I would prefer him to use. “I chose the black one because for me it was a bit more discreet than the other one, so he said that was perfect, “I’m happy to accept that” and he shook my hand.” Paul’s opinion of Mbappe is that he is a very nice man.
As Vice-President of the GFA Paul says that although it is an honorary role he tries to involve himself as much as he can. “I work with the President and two other Board members on the Governance and Strategy Board which is separate to the Executive Board of Directors, and I try and support them by giving them my experience and knowledge of my travels as a delegate.”
Paul comments that there is a lot going on at the moment in football in Gibraltar.
“We have the new stadium pending and then we obviously had the issue of the
two Spanish players in Spain, so these are things which we are aware of and kept upto-date with as to what is happening and which we discuss as a group.”
Asked what his views are on Gibraltar football and its future development, Paul comments that it is in a good place. “We had an issue where we didn’t quite get it right with the women, and now we have a Women’s Development Officer.” Paul’s view is that if we could make a more competitive league in Gibraltar the better the quality of player there would be. “I have to say that the professionalism of the Gibraltar team in probably an eight to nine year span has improved tremendously. When I have travelled with the team I can’t fault them in the way that they are dedicated to the task, the sacrifices that
they make and the gym time they put init is not a holiday whatsoever regardless of what the public perception may be.”
“If we look at results, some of our younger age groups are doing very well against opponents who have much larger populations than ourselves such as the Under 21s who recently beat Moldova which is a great achievement,” Paul says. “For me the key test is always the Nations League - if we can compete and do well against Liechtenstein, Andorra, San Marino - and even then the next group up with the likes of Malta - if we can start to beat these teams regularly then we are moving in the right direction.”
By Jo Ward
My top three
Summerexercises
with Kezia Lopez
I qualified as a Personal Trainer in London in 2012 and formed part of a top team of trainers at ‘Nordic Balance’ based in St James’s Square. At the end of 2016 I decided to return to my native Gibraltar to provide my PT services in this part of the world.
Working with longterm clients whose ages range from 18 to 70, I have built effective tailored training programmes suited to various abilities. I ensure my sessions are intense but fun!
Alongside my work as a PT, I was also an ambassador and trainer for global sports brand NIKE for 5 years forming part of the NIKE TRAINING CLUB UK team of 18 trainers. This saw my involvement in various projects such as training journalists, stylists and editors during London Fashion Week, warming up a crowd of 5,000 women for the ‘Nike We Own the Night’ 10km run, and teaching sessions on the ME Hotel Roof Terrace for Grazia magazine.
My passion for sport and fitness stemmed from my involvement in rowing. Rowing at a competitive level for the first crew of
the Mediterranean Rowing Club based in Gibraltar, I competed in two British Rowing National Championships, winning a bronze medal at the Scotland Strathclyde Country Park Regatta. While in London, I also rowed for Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club and occasionally competed in British Rowing Head Races and regattas.
The best thing about my job is the thrill I get from seeing my clients improve with every session and helping them achieve their goals.
I offer 1 to 1 PT sessions as well as private small group sessions. When it comes to the location of my client’s sessions, they can take place outdoors, at client’s homes and at residential gyms. Additionally, I offer Pre & Post Natal PT sessions.
Deadlift
It’s tricky to choose one favourite exercise as I do have a few. But if I had to, I’d say my favourite exercise is a deadlift!
How to:
1. Stand with your mid-foot under the barbell.
2. Bend over and grab the bar with a shoulder-width grip.
3. Bend your knees until your shins touch the bar.
4. Lift your chest up and straighten your lower back.
5. Take a big breath, hold it, and stand up with the weight.
Working out with art
I think one environment that would be extremely fun to workout in would be the Art Space Gallery! With nothing but a gym mat and dumbbells, enjoying the beautiful artworks surrounding the space would make for a very entertaining session! I have hosted workout sessions in a local art gallery before, and squat jumping in front of paintings was great fun for all!
Pull-up
Pull-ups are a functional bodyweight exercise that is great for building upperbody strength, primarily using your biceps and lats to hoist your body up. You also have the option of doing an assisted pull up which can be modified by using a resistance band. This will build strength and perfect your movement and posture.
How to:
1. Start by standing directly below a pull-up bar. Place your hands in an overhand grip (palms facing away from your body) with your hands slightly further than shoulder-width apart. If you can’t reach the bar from standing on the floor, you can place a box beneath you and stand on that. Once your hands are holding onto the bar, you’re in your starting position.
2. Inhale, then exhale. Lift your feet up from the floor or box so that you’re hanging from the bar, and engage your core by pulling your belly button in toward your spine. Pull your shoulders back and down.
3. Engaging the muscles in your arms and back, bend your elbows and raise your upper body up toward the bar until your chin is over the bar. You can imagine bringing your elbows toward your hips if that makes the movement easier. As you move, avoid swinging your legs around or shrugging your shoulders up. You want to make sure your shoulder blades remain back and down throughout the exercise.
4. At the top of the movement, inhale. Then extend your elbows and lower your body back down to the starting position.
Squat
Squats are a lower body exercise and great for increasing muscle mass, strength and boosting bone density. By using dumbbells, kettlebells or a weighted bar you can also increase the intensity.
How to:
1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes slightly pointed out. This helps drive the knees out, instead of caving in.
2. Engage your core muscles and keep your back straight.
3. Lower your body down by bending your knees and hips, as if you were about to sit in a chair.
4. Keep your back straight and your chest up throughout the entire movement.
5. Lower your body down until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly lower.
6. Push through your heels to stand back up to the starting position.
If you would like to get in touch with me, you can reach out via my website klopezpt.com or drop me an email kezia@klopezpt.com
Charting new waters
Gibraltar’s World Champion Rower making waves
After
winning the GBC Sports person of the year award for a second year running, I had a catch up with Jack, to find out his latest ventures and where his exciting career is heading.
What sparked your interest in rowing?
I must have been around 11/12 years old, and I was a member of the Calpe Rowing Club. I remember my dad encouraging me to try it, but it was never forced. Some of my friends would do it, and I’d see and hear of them going off to competitions in the UK and Spain, so I just thought I’d try it out, and really fell in love with it. I put in a lot of time and effort, loads of hours, and received some great feedback from my coachesespecially ‘Leslie Grech’ who has coached me to a great level. I really owe a lot to the Calpe rowing club!
How did you transition from rowing in Gibraltar to training and competing at a professional level?
So I finished school at 18 and then moved to Oxford Brookes to start my university degree in Sports coaching and Physical Education. I was there from 2018-2023 and I joined the Oxford Brookes University Boat Club’s High Performance programme, which is recognised and supported by the GB Rowing Team. During my time there, I was training super hard, and when you first start, you are at quite a low rank. I really wanted to reach higher, and it was during the pandemic where I really pushed myself and started running and using the bicycle machine as well as rowing. I have won numerous National and International races, including two Henley Royal Regatta events. I’ve got 3 golds with the Great Britain rowing team; one at the under 23 European championships, the under 23 World championships, and the Netz Cup.
Where has your journey led you thus far? Well, in September 2023 I made the tough decision to move to the Leander club, which is one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, and I’m so grateful. I want to continue my rowing development, and it was this year that I got a Great British Senior vest at World Cup 3 (as I’m no longer 23) and raced in the Grand challenge cup at Henley Royal Regatta. We were up against teams who were at Olympic level. We managed to place 5th/12 which is still great, it was just quite an eye opener to see the standard of racing.
If you come across any opportunities that will push you and better you, take them and make the most out of them. Work hard, you’ll get your rewards. “ “
Who have been your biggest mentors or influencers in your rowing career?
I would definitely have to say my parents for all their support in everything, including the move from Oxford Brookes to Leander. Also everyone back at the Calpe Rowing Club, and my coach Leslie Grech who was also the old headmaster for Bayside School. He really made me understand the difference between junior and senior level rowing. Also, the Calpe team actually leant me a boat to use here in the UK. It’s been so helpful as I’m used to ‘sweep rowing’, which is using one blade, and ‘sculling’ is using two blades, so the more practice I get, the better.
What has been your most memorable competition or achievement in your career so far?
One of my favourite memories was winning the under 23 world championship in 2022! It was a massive achievement, I thought I could never do it, and to be up there on the podium was great. The whole summer too was fun, I remember the boat being so fast, and just rowing with new people
and meeting new people too. Oh and this years senior race World Cup 3 was great, because I remember seeing people there that I’ve seen on TV from the Olympics, so to me to be there and feel part of the rowing community was just such a ‘pinch me moment.’
What are your long-term goals in your rowing career?
Well I’m now currently part of British Rowing’s ‘La Group’ for the 2028 Olympic Games. So I’m going to see how that goes, but other than that, I’m hoping to get picked for the National team. I want to be good enough to race internationally.
What advice would you give to young athletes from Gibraltar who aspire to compete professionally?
I would say that you need to surround yourself with like minded people, that could be friends or family that can help you train and just keep you on the right path, and avoid the wrong crowd. If you come across any opportunities that will push you and better you, take them and make the most out of them. Work hard, you’ll get your rewards, but also be prepared because sometimes it won’t always happen.
By Anthony Loddo
Champions of change
Athletes who give back
In the high-stakes world of professional sports, athletes are often celebrated for their physical prowess, speed, and strength. Their feats on the field, court, or track captivate millions, turning them into global icons. Yet, beyond the accolades and endorsements, a growing number of athletes are harnessing their fame and fortune to effect positive change in their communities and beyond. These champions of change remind us that true greatness lies not just in their athletic achievements but in their ability to give back.
LeBron James, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, is a towering figure both on and off the court. His impact extends far beyond his scoring records and NBA championships. Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he has committed to transforming the lives of children and families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
In 2018, the foundation opened the I PROMISE School, a public school designed to support at-risk students. The school’s innovative approach includes a longer school year, extensive tutoring, and family support services. James’ vision goes beyond academics; he aims to provide a stable and nurturing environment where children can thrive. The I PROMISE School is a beacon of hope, offering a blueprint for how athletes can use their influence to drive educational reform.
Serena Williams, a dominant force in women’s tennis, has used her platform to advocate for gender equality and social justice. Williams has long been vocal about the disparities faced by women in sports, including pay inequality and lack of representation. Her advocacy extends beyond tennis, addressing broader issues of gender and racial equality.
Williams’ philanthropic efforts are diverse and impactful. She has supported initiatives that provide education and resources to marginalised communities, including building schools in Kenya. Her work with the Serena Williams Fund focuses on creating equality through education and promoting diversity. By leveraging her global platform, Williams amplifies critical conversations about equality, challenging the status quo and inspiring change.
Marcus Rashford, the young Manchester United and England football star, has emerged as a powerful advocate for social justice in the UK. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rashford’s campaign to end child food poverty brought national attention to the issue of hunger among schoolchildren. His own experiences of growing up in a low-income family fuelled his passion for the cause.
Free school meals
Rashford’s efforts led to a government U-turn on free school meal vouchers, ensuring that vulnerable children would continue to receive support during school holidays. His activism earned him widespread acclaim and even an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). Rashford’s unwavering commitment to social justice underscores the profound impact athletes can have when they use their voices for advocacy and change.
Few athletes have made as indelible a mark on social justice as Colin Kaepernick. The former NFL quarterback’s decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality sparked a movement and ignited a national debate. Though his stance cost him his career in the NFL, Kaepernick’s legacy as an activist endures.
Through his Know Your Rights Camp, Kaepernick provides education and resources to empower Black and Brown communities. The camp focuses on teaching young people about their rights and how to navigate systemic injustices.
Kaepernick’s commitment to activism and philanthropy exemplifies the courage it takes for athletes to stand up for their beliefs, even at great personal cost.
Naomi Osaka, the tennis phenomenon, has used her platform to bring attention to mental health, a topic often stigmatised in the sports world. Osaka’s openness about her struggles with anxiety and depression has resonated with many, shedding light on the pressures faced by athletes. Her decision to withdraw from major tournaments to prioritise her mental health sparked important discussions about self-care and athlete welfare.
Using ones platform
Beyond her advocacy for mental health, Osaka has supported various charitable initiatives. She pledged her winnings from the 2020 Western & Southern Open to relief efforts in Haiti, her father’s homeland, following a devastating earthquake. Osaka’s philanthropy and advocacy demonstrate the power of vulnerability and the importance of using one’s platform to support critical issues.
NFL star JJ Watt is known not only for his prowess on the field but also for his extraordinary efforts in disaster relief. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which devastated Houston in 2017, Watt spearheaded a fundraising campaign that raised over $37 million for recovery efforts. His swift and impactful response provided critical support to those affected by the disaster.
Supporting communities
Watt’s philanthropic work extends beyond disaster relief. Through the JJ Watt Foundation, he has provided funding for after-school athletic programs in underserved communities, promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles for young people. Watt’s commitment to giving back illustrates how athletes can leverage their influence to mobilise resources and support communities in times of need.
While high-profile athletes often garner the most attention, countless others quietly make a difference in their communities. From hosting free sports clinics to mentoring young athletes, these everyday acts of kindness reflect a broader culture of giving back within the sports world. Athletes understand the power of their influence and the responsibility that comes with it, choosing to invest in the next generation and uplift those in need.
The impact of athletes who give back extends far beyond the immediate beneficiaries of their generosity. Their actions inspire future generations to dream bigger and strive for more. Young athletes see role models who not only excel in their sport but also use their success to effect positive change. This ripple effect creates a culture of philanthropy and social responsibility, encouraging others to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
The power of sport
In the world of sports, success is often measured by championships, records, and accolades. But for many athletes, true greatness lies beyond the finish line, in the lives they touch and the changes they inspire. Whether through education, social justice, disaster relief, or mental health advocacy, these champions of change remind us that the power of sport extends far beyond the game.
As we celebrate their achievements on the field, court, or track, let us also honour their contributions to a better world. These athletes are not just competitors; they are catalysts for change, proving that with fame and fortune comes the opportunity — and the responsibility — to give back. Through their efforts, they show us that the true legacy of an athlete is measured not only in victories but in the impact they have on the lives of others.
By Amber Williams
thought into action Translating
As the human race has progressed toward current times, it has become exceedingly more common for us to fantasise about the future and what it has in store.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to communicate with friends and family telepathically, or interact with your mobile devices, by just simply thinking about it?
This is no longer a figment of our imagination. With a fully implantable braincomputer interface, very soon it may be possible to do just that and a lot more!
Neuralink is a company launched back in 2017, co-founded by entrepreneurial whizz, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. One who is renowned for his tenacity in pioneering world-bettering innovation. A man who has said himself that, “One day, a trip to Mars will be like a flight across the country”, and aspires to make that level of human advancement a liveable reality.
While Musk’s dreams of colonising Mars fall short of our current technological capabilities, there is still a big chance for the future to bloom in another unexpected and ground-breaking way.
“The Link” chip would fit within the diameter of a pound coin. It is implanted beneath the skull and uses 64 thin threads, with over 1,000 electrodes that can read specific neuron activity in the brain and translate that energy onto a compatible device, such as a computer, smartphone, or maybe even a prosthetic limb!
This concept is almost hand-picked straight out of a comic book! The general population has barely even dreamed about this until recently, with human test trials already fully underway. The possibilities for this futuristic technology are becoming increasingly real, and its applications are seemingly endless, as they can apply to a wide array of different industries, and serve as a way to offer solutions in all aspects of modern life.
According to the company’s website, its main mission is to “create a generalised brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs”, alluding to their strong focus on empowering victims of paralysis and amputation to regain a sense of their lost motor functions.
Nolan Arbaugh, a 30-year-old quadriplegic man from Texas, opted in to be the first human participant to test the Neuralink
chip earlier this year. He sustained a spinal cord injury when diving headfirst into a shallow pool of water and lost all control of his limbs and body as a result.
Nolan recorded his experience systematically and noted that the device implanted had reached highly innovative technological bounds, by giving him near to full control of using a computer with nothing but his internal thoughts! He described the experience by stating “I didn’t have anything to wake up for in the morning, and this has changed that for me. I was just very happy that I could be a part of something that I believe is so monumental. This is the next step forward in helping people with paralysis and similar issues.”
Better quality of life
Such is this incredibly fascinating tool, that it presents the hope for people with a wide range of disabilities to live a better quality of life and have access to all aspects of control and communication, but it doesn’t end there. It could also drastically enhance how the average consumer would live their lives on a daily basis. Humanity could be living a hands-free life in a matter of years, with a strong emphasis in regards to entertainment, financing, networking, shopping and telecommunications technology, the list really does go on when you consider turning your instinctual thoughts into reality.
Neuralink, is now commencing its second run of human trials and is inviting applicants to participate once again, but there is still a long and gruelling way to go before its chip is consumer-ready.
The Link project, albeit ground-breaking, has not gone off without a hitch and does present some very serious risks. After firstly having to remove a portion of the skull to meticulously implant the device, there have been some unexpected issues with the chip and its ability to maintain a perfect connection with the host’s brain. A number of the electrode threads have been retracting due to the chip’s excessive manoeuvrability in the skull, hindering the implant’s performance. This is one of the many risks that come to mind when looking to implant electronic devices into the brain.
One important thing that needs to be considered is the severity of the procedure that is necessary to implant the chip. If implanted incorrectly, it could lead to infections in the brain which could result in subjects developing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s in later life. This comes alongside various physical side effects, such as, bleeding, headaches, nausea, seizures, or even psychological side effects like mood swings.
We already live in a time where our entire lives are consumed by our devices, our jobs are being automated and our connection with the natural world is failing. It does entice one to stop and think about where to draw the line in humanities ventures, and how far we are willing to cross it in the name of science.
How will this affect the psyche of future generations when we can already see such a negative impact on society now, with high numbers of youth depression and anxiety? Having existed during a time where being proactive and using unassisted critical thinking skills were part of everyday life, and climbing trees with like-minded friends was considered the pinnacle of “modern entertainment”, to now seeing younger generations shying away from the world and instantly resorting to their technological devices, the concept of Neuralink certainly lends itself to a plethora of controversial concerns.
Pivotal turning point
While technology was initially used to foment human connections, it has ironically resulted in doing just the opposite. Indeed, we are at a pivotal turning point, where the future of innovation could be exponentially driven forward by this technology, or it could be a means to further the enslavement of our younger generations, subjecting them to a robotic and false reality from an early age, unearned convenience and an array of mental disorders related to the social framework that exists alongside it all.
Only time will reveal the future of this exciting, yet morally controversial innovation. Until then, we will need to wait for further updates as human trials continue onward.
By Aiden Bell
Virtual Reality
Is real, real anymore?
With the ever-changing tide of technology humans are continually pushing the boundaries between the real and the unreal. Our reliance on technology and the drive for ingenuity continues to fuel modern day society. Every year new highly developed phones, handheld devices even vehicles are released with new features to help with everyday life.
One such technology which is being developed and maturing on a daily basis is that of virtual reality. Gone are the days of scrolling on google earth and using street view to visit an area, of course why do that when you can literally walk, fly or drive to different regions of the earth from the comfort of your chair and your home via your virtual reality goggles.
What is VR ?
VR or Virtual reality refers to a computer generated artificially simulated reality which can be viewed through VR Goggles. This technology not only has revolutionised entertainment systems but can be used in different sectors such healthcare, education and the cultural sector.
The idea or concept of virtual reality came about in the 1960s when researchers began theorising about how to create a simulated reality, it wasn’t until the 1990s that VR began to take off with the creation of customer grade headsets.
Uses of VR
At the moment in 2024, VR can be used by trained medical professionals to simulate medical procedures, help patients deal with chronic anxiety and even train future doctors or nurses. Surgeons can better refine their skills before performing complex operations, minimising the risk to their patients for example.
In education students can visit and explore historical landmarks with simulated time periods showing how people would have once lived. Even the creation of the universe can be simulated showing how once celestial bodies were created and how supernovas or white dwarf’s function.
In the cultural sector, a VR headset can allow you to be immersed in a digital world, and view a plethora of artworks, museums and experience the artwork on a physical and neurological level, which goes beyond anything we’ve seen before.
Headsets
Have you ever felt like walking on a tightrope hung between two skyscrapers hovering over the whirring streets of New York? These VR headsets have you covered completely with the feeling you get in your stomach when at a high altitude.
Headsets such as the apple vision pro or the oculus rift are equipped with high resolution displays, advanced haptic feedback and accurate motion tracking systems allowing for a very realistic experience especially when paired with hyper realistic development engines such as the new unreal engine 5.
Experience & limitations
All these systems combined give the user a realistic and on some occasions, extreme experience. However, there are some known side effects, including headaches and nausea which can be due to the increased screen time. The headsets also suffer some limitations with the Apple Vision Pro for example having a limited battery life.
The technology behind it is astounding, to the point where some might not even be able to tell the difference, which begs the question is real, real anymore? “ “
With every development humans are slowly bridging the gap between what is real and what isn’t. Experiencing Virtual reality is something everyone must do at some point in their lives, because the technology behind it is astounding, to the point where some might not even be able to tell the difference, which begs the question is real, real anymore?
By Albert Gonzalez
Architectural wonders
Fusing construction & technology
Situated 1000km from the Iberian Peninsula and hailed as the pinnacle of technological progress since its opening in October 1997, The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum designed by architect Frank O. Gehry, is considered a ground-breaking marvel of communication technology.
Renowned for his bold, postmodern shapes and unusual fabrications, the Guggenheim, Dancing House and Walt Disney Concert Hall are greatly celebrated among his many other architectural wonders.
Utilising CATIA (Computer Aided ThreeDimensional Interactive Application), the Guggenheim in Bilbao was conceived during a crucial time of technological evolution, at the turning point between analogue and digital practice during 1991 and 1997. Such a shift permeated all aspects of the building’s construction and its curved titanium-clad exterior.
At the initial stages of its design and construction, the building’s complexity was best communicated through annotated physical models which were then circulated amongst the team. With its design strategy being planned via phone calls, in-person meetings and over 16,000 transmitted faxes, 6,000 were solely dedicated to the museum’s façade.
From steel to titanium
Experimenting with abrading and burnishing, the project’s architects struggled with using steel due to its reflective properties. Eventually resorting to titanium, the metal is characterised by its high strength to weight ratio, and rarely used in construction due to its light weight and high cost. Exactly 42,875 panels of titanium were used to construct the Guggenheim’s exterior, and were purchased during a time when Russia offered titanium at a low market value, which the construction team took advantage of.
As a metal which does not oxidise and is highly resilient, the team certainly exploited the material’s qualities to create a paperthin rippling aesthetic in the façade. Carefully calibrating a billowing effect, as if blown by a gust of wind, the golden glow offered by this reflective exterior effortlessly transforms in response to Bilbao’s changing skies and weather conditions.
Rather than engaging a high-tech system to install the building’s parts, mountain climbers were employed to install the titanium panels, as they “found that it was easier to hire climbers and train them as crimpers than to hire crimpers and train them as climbers” (Luis Rodriguez Llopis).
Culminating in an iconic construction, the asymmetrical undulating curves of the Guggenheim were bilaterally attributed to the pioneering digital technology of the time. Using CATIA and CNC (Computer Numerical Control), the team of architects, engineers and mountain climbers alike all came together to create a symbiotic relationship between the building’s idiosyncratic titanium grid and illuminating ephemeral characteristics.
With a meticulous approach to every detail, the building’s aesthetic elements were characterised by the postmodern era in which deconstruction, subversion and irreverence were overriding Modernism. Technological potential began to develop as from the 1960s and based itself on the concept that ideas are unfixed, unstable, inter-reliant and inherently contradictory.
With architects taking the lead during the postmodern style, previous architectural practices were criticised for their formality, austerity and functionality. Playfulness in architecture suddenly came into play, with form taking precedence over function. Disregarding previous repressive orthodoxy in art, postmodern architects such as Gehry experimented with and prioritised aesthetic considerations. With the Guggenheim design being inspired by the ocean, Gehry created a “fantastic dream ship of undulating form in a cloak of titanium” with panels reminiscent of fish scales (Calvin Tomkins). Seamlessly integrated with the industrial heart of the city and its central estuary, Gehry featured outdoor sculptures to aid the building’s façade, such as Jeff Koons’ beloved Puppy made with fresh flowers and beloved by locals and visitors alike.
A perfect fusion
As a highly irreverent and mercurial work of art, Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum serves as a perfect fusion between technology and architecture, human manual labour and human intelligence. Combining uncommon and juxtaposed methods of construction, the museum is deemed as a courageous, sublime and highly transformative icon of postmodern architecture, transforming the city through urban regeneration.
By Tammy Levy
Driverless taxis
With each passing day, more people open their minds to the use of technology for more handson jobs, like driving. This notion has given rise to a technological breakthrough in the creation of ‘driverless taxis’, which are also known as autonomous or self-driving taxis.
A driverless taxi uses technology to drive without human intervention. It does so by relying on a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, lidar (light detection and ranging), and artificial intelligence (AI) to perceive its environment, make decisions, and control a vehicle.
How it works
Although all of this might sound complicated, how driverless taxis work is actually very simple. First, their sensors collect data from their surroundings. This data is important for the car to be able to sense objects, measure distances, and provide real-time feedback on the environment.
For this to be possible, most autonomous cars make use of two types of sensors, ultrasonic sensors and cameras. The ultrasonic sensors are used for close-range detections like when you’re parking or trying to manoeuvre at a low speed. Then there’s the camera that provides the car with visual data. This is very necessary for recognising road signs, traffic lights, people on walkways, and other cars.
While using its sensors, driverless taxis also use radars and lidars. What the radar does is use radio waves to detect objects and measure their speed and distance. This is particularly effective in poor visibility conditions like fog, rain, or darkness.
As for its lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) component, this measures distances by sending out laser pulses and calculating the time it takes for the pulses to bounce back after hitting an object. This bit of technology provides highly accurate 3D maps of the environment.
For a more detailed view of its environment, autonomous cars also make use of maps and GPS to plan which route to follow and navigate to its destination. These maps are usually more detailed than your everyday GPS map.
Lastly, data obtained from the sensors, radar, lidar, maps, and GPS are processed by AI and used to interpret the car’s environment as well as make decisions and control its actions.
According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) so far there are 6 levels of driving automation ranging from 0 where there’s not a single automation, to 5 which is a fully automotive car.
Here’s a breakdown of each level:
Level 0
(No automation or assistance)
Here everything is manual, this means you control every movement made by your car with no assistance whatsoever
Level 1
(Driver assistance)
Here the car assists with simple jobs that can range from accelerating to braking, or even steering. This level of assistance only works for a single automated service, not more. For instance, it can be either steering OR braking, lane centering, OR adaptive cruise control. Most of the cars we use these days fall into this level of automation.
Level 2
(Partial automation)
Here the car can provide more than one automated service. So it can assist you with both steering AND braking, lane centering, AND adaptive cruise control.
Technology has changed the world, is changing the world, and will continue to change the world. “ “
Tom Perry
Level 3
(Conditional automation/self-driving)
Level 3 self-driving vehicles can perform most driving tasks without any human intervention, allowing you to focus on other things. However, this can only happen under limited conditions, and it will still need you to take over when prompted or when it encounters a situation it cannot handle.
Level 4
(High driving automation)
The major difference between level 4 and level 3 automation is that here the car is completely autonomous. This means you can sit back, watch movies, eat, and even take a nap without worry. However, this level of autonomy is linked to specific conditions like having a defined driving route.
Level 5
(Full driving automation)
Here the car performs all the driving tasks you can think of under any condition, with no limitations. At this stage, a human driver or co-driver isn’t needed, and you’re a complete passenger.
Other than the most obvious benefit of not having to drive yourself everywhere, driverless taxis boast of a wide range of benefits and impacts which include:
• Reduced accidents
• Increased accessibility
• Increased efficiency and reduced cost
• Environmentally friendly
• Improved walkability and liveability among others
But like everything that has an advantage, it also has its disadvantages that simply cannot be ignored. They include:
• Safety and reliability concerns
• Cost and economic impacts
• Legal and ethical issues
• Privacy concerns
• Technical and operational challenges
What the future holds
Although there have been a lot of improvements and updates in the creation and use of driverless taxis over the last couple of years, there’s still a lot to look forward to and hopefully experience.
But this depends on how far we’re willing to trust the process. Economically and
socially speaking, the more people that embrace the use of driverless taxis, the more unemployment we will see. However, there’s a widespread belief that driverless taxis could create new opportunities in the technology, maintenance, and fleet management sectors. This is because the nature of transportation jobs will likely shift, requiring people to obtain new skills and training.
Now, when it comes to planning and development, it’s projected that driverless taxis can reduce congestion. With reduced congestion and fewer parking needs, more cities can undergo urban restructuring to create more pedestrian-friendly areas, increased green spaces, and reimagined roadways and infrastructure.
When it comes to how driverless motoring technology can improve our personal lives, it’s expected that the future designs of driverless taxis will focus on passenger comfort. We can look forward to seeing new features like customisable interiors, more entertainment options, and seamless user interfaces!
By Clara Awuse
techWearable
Revolutionising health & lifestyle
In the age of rapid technological advancement, wearable tech has emerged as a game-changer, seamlessly integrating technology into our daily lives. From smartwatches that monitor our heart rate to fitness trackers that count our steps, these devices have become indispensable tools for those seeking to enhance their health and lifestyle. The impact of wearable tech extends beyond mere convenience; it is transforming how we understand and manage our well-being.
The journey of wearable technology began with basic fitness trackers, which gained popularity in the early 2010s. These devices offered simple functions like counting steps and estimating calorie burn. However, the potential for wearable tech was far greater. As technology advanced, these devices evolved, incorporating more sophisticated sensors and features that provided users with comprehensive health data.
Today, wearable tech encompasses a wide range of devices, including smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart clothing, and even medical-grade wearables. These gadgets are equipped with sensors that can monitor various physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, sleep patterns, and oxygen levels. The data collected is then analysed to provide insights into the wearer’s health and lifestyle, empowering users to make informed decisions about their well-being.
One of the most significant impacts of wearable tech is its ability to empower individuals to take control of their health. With real-time data at their fingertips, users can monitor their physical activity, sleep quality, and overall fitness levels. This continuous feedback loop encourages positive behaviour changes, motivating individuals to stay active, eat healthier, and improve their sleep hygiene.
For instance, a fitness tracker can alert users when they have been sedentary for too long, prompting them to move and break up prolonged periods of inactivity. Similarly, sleep monitors provide detailed analyses of sleep patterns, helping users identify factors that may be disrupting their rest. Armed with this information, individuals can make adjustments to their routines, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
Preventative healthcare
Wearable tech is also playing a crucial role in preventive healthcare by enabling early detection and intervention. Devices equipped with advanced sensors can track vital signs and detect irregularities that may indicate underlying health issues. For example, smartwatches with electrocardiogram (ECG) capabilities can monitor heart rhythms and alert users to potential arrhythmias, which may require medical attention.
This proactive approach to health management can potentially save lives by identifying problems before they escalate. In the context of chronic disease management, wearable tech allows for continuous monitoring of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory disorders.
Patients can share their data with healthcare providers, facilitating timely interventions and personalised treatment plans.
For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, wearable tech offers a wealth of benefits. Performance trackers provide detailed metrics on various aspects of physical activity, such as heart rate variability, VO2 max, and recovery times. This data allows athletes to fine-tune their training programs, optimise performance, and reduce the risk of injury.
Smart clothing, embedded with sensors, takes this a step further by providing realtime feedback on form and technique. Runners, for example, can use smart insoles to analyse their gait and make adjustments to improve efficiency and reduce strain. Such insights were once only accessible to elite athletes with access to specialised equipment; now, wearable tech democratises this information, making it available to anyone with a passion for fitness.
Mental health
Beyond physical health, wearable tech is also making strides in the realm of mental health. Devices that monitor physiological indicators of stress, such as heart rate variability and skin conductance, can help users identify stress triggers and develop coping strategies. Some wearables offer guided breathing exercises and mindfulness practices, providing on-the-go tools for stress management.
The integration of wearable tech with mental health apps creates a holistic approach to well-being. Users can track their mood, engage in cognitive-behavioural exercises, and receive reminders to take breaks and practice self-care. By fostering a greater awareness of mental health, wearable tech encourages individuals to prioritise their emotional well-being alongside their physical health.
The future of wearable tech is brimming with possibilities. Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to enhance the capabilities of these devices, providing even more accurate and personalised health insights. Emerging technologies, such as non-invasive glucose monitoring and hydration tracking, promise to expand the scope of wearable health applications.
However, the proliferation of wearable tech also presents challenges, particularly regarding data privacy and security. The sensitive health information collected by these devices must be protected to prevent misuse and ensure user trust.
Regulatory frameworks and robust encryption methods are essential to safeguarding personal data and maintaining the integrity of wearable tech.
Another challenge lies in ensuring the accessibility and affordability of wearable tech. While these devices have the potential to revolutionise health management, their benefits must be accessible to all segments of the population. Bridging the digital divide and addressing disparities in access to technology are critical to maximising the positive impact of wearable tech on public health.
The integration of wearable tech into daily life has become increasingly seamless. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are designed to be worn around the clock, providing continuous monitoring without being intrusive. The convenience of having health data readily available on one’s wrist makes it easier for individuals to stay engaged with their well-being.
The social aspect of wearable tech also contributes to its appeal. Many devices include features that allow users to connect with friends and family, share achievements, and participate in fitness challenges. This sense of community and friendly competition can be a powerful motivator, encouraging individuals to stay active and committed to their health goals.
Wearable tech has undoubtedly transformed the landscape of health and lifestyle, offering unprecedented insights into our bodies and behaviours. By empowering individuals to take charge of their health, facilitating preventive care, and enhancing athletic performance, these devices are redefining what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle.
A healthier connected world
As technology continues to evolve, the potential for wearable tech to improve our lives will only grow. However, realising this potential requires a concerted effort to address challenges related to privacy, accessibility, and inclusivity. By fostering innovation while ensuring ethical and equitable practices, we can harness the power of wearable tech to build a healthier, more connected world.
In the end, wearable tech is more than just a collection of gadgets and gizmos; it represents a new era of health consciousness and self-empowerment. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, these devices serve as our digital companions, guiding us toward better health, greater awareness, and ultimately, a richer quality of life.
By Amber Williams
Exploring the digital realm with
Jarod Vassallo
After an iced tea and a lovely interview with Jarod Vassallo, I found myself completely captivated by his extensive knowledge and admirable passion for his work.
Could you briefly tell me about your journey and how you got started in digital creation?
So I started at the age of 14 and I was really into the video game ‘minecraft’. I loved the animation and the parody music videos that were being made. I really wanted to learn how they made that, so I started off by using a programme called Cinema4D. I would make animations and characters which sparked the interest of others. I would make characters for people and earn a bit of money on the side too.
After studying creative and professional writing at university, and coming back to Gibraltar, I wanted to get back into animation. Inspiration hit me randomly when I saw a wasp, and I attempted to sculpt it. So I used my Z brush (which is my main sculpting software) and I ended up creating this monster that I was in absolute awe of. I then became a ‘monster’. By this I mean relating to my work ethic of working 10-12 hours mastering and perfecting these skills. Since then I’ve created short films and I am now a businessman working specifically in 3D for ‘Bartonsolutions’ which you can find on Instagram.
You mentioned Zbrush? Could you tell me a bit about that?
So Zbrush is the industry standard software used to create soft body (skin) or hard surface assets (armour). I use a digital pen when it comes to this software because it makes sculpting seamless, and it really does feel like I’m actually working with real clay sometimes.
Are there any other tools and software you use for your projects?
Unreal Engine is one that I use, which is a game engine that has actually been used in the film industry. For example, Star Wars, The Mandalorian, was made using this software. It’s used for compiling assets into a scene and accomplishing the final reorder. I also use Cinema 4D, which is primarily used for motion graphics, anything to do with motion, character and particle animations, cloth simulations, Cinema 4D can do it all. I like to think of it as the analogue of filmmaking because I have the most control. I used to use it to animate hands and edit my motion capture, but nowadays I’ve been using Iclone for it all. I use Iclone to edit my animations now because I have more control of pivotal actions such as
handling props and/or manoeuvring around environments because motion capture isn’t perfect, and Iclone provides the best tools to smooth out any issues found.
You’ve worked with a motion capture suit before, could you tell me how it works?
So, at every point, from my feet, calves, thighs, torso etc. there are markers that function as motion sensors, which is a universal way to track a character’s skeleton. Once the suit is on, it knows all the coordinates, positions and movements of the character and translates that into digital data that can be used in animation. The company ‘Rokoko’ makes these suits, and you go on their software and you make the connection from your suit to their software and when you start moving, you will see either their template model or the model you have imported inside the programme. The model will move seamlessly, like a livestream of where you are currently, so much so that you can wave at yourself, it’s pretty funny. It does have its limitations though, you need to be great at editing, you need to know how to edit motion capture software. Editing is a big aspect and can be very time consuming.
Gibraltarian creator, screenwriter and filmmaker Jarod Vassallo speaks in great depth about his journey into the digital realm and the complexities of this time consuming craft. “ “
Are there any pros and cons to using the motion capture suit?
Pros are that the character literally becomes ‘me’. By that I mean not only have I had the idea about creating and conducting the animation myself in the suit, but editing it afterwards feels good. So if my character was flying in space, I was flying in space because I was imagining it and conducting the movements in the suit. It’s
also super efficient. In one of my projects ‘The Myrmidons’ I had to get knocked in the face, and did a break fall to the ground and the friction sadly made a little tear in my suit, my bad! A negative to using the suit is that it does take ages to put on, and you need to be aware of your surroundings in order to not damage it. It’s why I don’t really trust anybody to be in my suit, I really want to choreograph a fight scene, but I only have one suit, therefore the choreography would need to be perfect, and I’d only trust people that are able to match my passion, I’m the only one in Gibraltar who has the suit, I feel like I’d be giving them a bit of myself, my ‘baby’.
How do you connect and engage with your Audience?
The way I do that is through my Instagram. I post stories of the progress of my animations, and It gets a lot of attention from the youth.
Any tips for somebody starting out in Digital Creation?
I would say that you need to put your whole heart into it, your life, your hours, your time. Well, it depends if you want to save it as a side hobby, to make you happy, then go for it. However, if you want to start a whole life around media, you need to start with I think at least four to six hours a day. Keep it slow for now, small steps at the beginning and then increase the hours so you can accomplish that biggest possible outcome.
By Anthony Loddo
Castillo de Monda
A hidden gem
This hidden gem in southern Spain, I came across during a spontaneous stay as a guest in this breathtaking castle hotel with equally stunning views.
This hidden gem in southern Spain, I came across during a spontaneous stay as a guest in this breathtaking castle hotel with equally stunning views.
Castillo de Monda is a place where history meets beauty in a peaceful, relaxing environment whilst taking in the beautiful Spanish countryside. Located up in the hills of Monda, around 19km from Marbella and 45km from Malaga airport, the castle is nestled in the tranquil Andalucían surroundings.
Once in Monda, access to the hotel is gained by narrow winding roads leading upward to the property and adjoining car park. It was a unique albeit interesting journey! Wowed upon entering the castle,
I was met by friendly welcoming staff who helped make the stay there a truly memorable experience. The castle is built on what was once an Arab fortress from the 9th century with one of the towers still visible and parts of the foundations which can be seen from the interior.
A mix of history
Reading up on the history of the hotel has been an interesting experience, with a mix of history and some rather unusual practices taking place within the hotel walls. It was used many years ago as a meeting place for the ‘swinging’ community! Being on top of a hill you can only imagine the wonderful views which can be seen of the Andalucían surroundings. This boutique hotel is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Castillo de Monda is a place where history meets beauty in a peaceful, relaxing environment whilst taking in the beautiful Spanish countryside. “ “
Why choose Castillo de Monda?
Well, I can think of lots of reasons. Here are a few of my favourites:
The hotel is multifunctional and can hold up to 50 guests simultaneously in 34 spacious guest rooms. From a choice of an intimate gathering of 20 or a larger party size of up to 150, whether you are looking for a corporate event, a romantic getaway, family time, celebrating a birthday or even privately hiring for the wedding of your dreams, then this is your ideal location. Where contemporary blends with moorish architecture for the perfect backdrop during your stay, the hotel offers an informal relaxed atmosphere with exceptional cuisine and an all-round fantastic service second to none.
The venue can be hired out for fully exclusive events or semi-exclusive, hiring parts of the hotel specific to your requirements or needs such as the dining area, dancing area and cocktail terrace. Not surprisingly, Castillo is a popular place for a wonderful fairytale wedding, with staff attending to every detail to ensure a day never to be forgotten.
For meetings, the hotel boasts a high floor conference room holding up to 30 people, complete with a projector for presentations, good internet connection and a private terrace to meet and gather outside whilst enjoying the amazing countryside views.
The hotel takes into account being as sustainable as possible with no single use toiletries, multi-item recycling, solar panels to heat water and insulation in all rooms.
Now lets talk about food
The Albacar restaurant on the 5th floor boasts fine international cuisine, led by Chef Jaap Schaafsma, in a Mediterranean setting with stunning terrace views. Typically a 2 course lunch starting at €32, and a 3 course dinner from €42, a choice of a BBQ or Paella menu is also an option. Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant consisting of a selection of pastries, fresh fruit, juices, tea and coffee and freshly cooked hot food.
Throughout the summer months the castle offers exclusive wine tasting events, boasting a sumptuous selection of wines to choose from with guidance from a local wine expert. The evening includes a selection of 5 fine wines and tasty canapés. This can be pre-booked via the castle or online, starting from €29.95 and includes exclusive discounts on the presented wines.
Relax and unwind
The hotel has a lovely swimming pool and surrounding area with beautiful views beyond to relax, swim and soak up the sun. If you fancy wetting your tastebuds with a poolside sangria or a cocktail, then waiter service is provided. It’s a perfect place to unwind and relax in the Spanish sunshine.
If you fancy the idea of unwinding with a relaxing massage or treatment, the Castillo wellness centre is located on the top floor of the hotel. A choice of relaxing treatments
led by physiotherapist Markus Link are available between 10am and 7pm. I would advise that pre-booking is essential.
Wrapping up my experience of the castle, it really is a unique and truly relaxing place to stay. I was really impressed with the décor in each room, a traditional Andalucían vibe with beautifully adorned bedrooms, comfortable beds and quirky bathrooms. I advise you to come and visit this amazing place and experience yourself the relaxing ambience, the staff who go above and beyond to make your stay simply perfect in every way. I know I will be visiting Castillo again very soon.
With love Sarah
BeautifulAndalucía
Soaking in the beauty of the Spanish landscape, one can enjoy visiting a wealth of places, both extremely diverse and rich in cultural heritage.
From boasting lush bucolic surroundings in the Basque region and offering a taste of cultural inspiration with Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, to marvelling at a starry night sky up in the hills of Granada or wind-surfing along the bohemian white, sandy beaches of Tarifa, Spain offers ample choice and varied settings to explore.
Peppered with white-washed villages, stunning look-out points towards the straights
of Gibraltar, natural waterfalls, cobble stone streets and the melodic serenading of lyrical acoustic Spanish guitar at every turn, this country certainly offers a lifestyle to be enjoyed through rose-tinted lenses.
With the metropolitan centres of Madrid, Valencia, Marbella, Seville, Malaga and Alicante, one can enjoy exploring a hub of entertainment, museums, Mediterranean cuisine, luxury shops, theatre, and a wealth of history.
Aside from mainland Spain, one can also venture out on a tropical getaway to some of its major islands, such as Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Just a short ferry journey away, one can indulge in a luxurious paradisical lifestyle in this exotic oasis showcasing a jaw-dropping coastline and tranquil way of life. Here are a few of our top favourite picks for a perfect weekend away.
By Tammy Levy
Tarifa Córdoba
Famous for its small and windy cobblestone streets, boho-chic fashion boutiques, white sandy beaches, whale watching and water sports, Tarifa is an enchanting hippy haven!
Exploring the old town centre of Tarifa is an absolute must, and getting lost in its quaint side streets provides a maze of fun and discovery! An essential recommendation is to try a mint mojito in any restaurant or beach chiringuito, which is sure to tantalise the tastebuds! Try some quad biking along the sand dunes of Bolonia beach and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and music of long lazy summer evenings at any venue in the town centre. Another unmissable trip is certainly the whale watching tour where you’re sure to spot Free Willy the orca, dolphins, tuna fish, humpback, sperm, fin and pilot whales!
An all-time favourite location is Córdoba. An epicentre of history, culture and art, this city is an architectural marvel of the Spanish Inquisition.
With an unmissable trip of the famous Mosque by night, the tour will leave you speechless and in awe of its beauty. The Córdoba bridge connecting two sides of the city provides stunning views of the land and its central river, and in the outskirts one can visit Spain’s only Alpaca Farm & Bed & Breakfast; “Experience Alpacas in Andalucía” where you can enjoy meeting, feeding and walking the alpacas for a pleasant day trip or overnight stay!
From museums to art exhibitions, markets, restaurants and shops, Sevilla has something for everyone!
Visiting this beautiful city during the winter is a special time of year! With Christmas carollers signing Spanish “villancicos” around every corner and seasonal markets peppered around the city, Sevilla is always an enjoyable weekend escape! With pop-up and rotating exhibitions coming to Sevilla every season, be sure to keep your eye out for exciting new events!
Granada Sevilla El Palmar
Home to the heart of flamenco, the romantic city of Granada is brimming with art, culture, heritage, history and beauty!
Visiting the Alcazar palaces and the famous Alhambra by night is a very special and magical experience featuring mood lighting that almost takes you back in time! With a wonderful high street to explore, vibrant ambience, tea houses and delicious cuisine, ordering a drink in any bar or restaurant will be served with a traditional Spanish tapa (small nibble). Visiting “La Cueva del Rocio” the Maya family are the founders of flamenco itself! Offering an intimate setting where it all began the dancers will perform a “tablao” and showcase the real and raw talent flamenco entails, deviating from a tourist-driven performance lacking in heart and soul. With passion and drive, dive into the heart of Spanish culture in this beautiful city set to take your breath away!
Castellar de la Frontera
Castellar de la Frontera is a beautiful area of Spain. It has a gorgeous stone-walled castle, small zoo featuring a veterinary clinic where you can visit baby animals being nursed to health, and a stunning river to enjoy some kayaking or canoeing. As a romantic location to explore for a weekend away, Castellar has a variety of restaurants specialising in organic recipes and locally sourced produce. Indeed, it is a location which is sure to not disappoint!
One of the most tranquil areas providing completely untouched beauty is El Palmar.
With a beautiful high street, long strip of beach and chiringuitos, and bohemian wicker upon every turn, El Palmar is a place like no other. The serenity, tranquillity and peace oozing from this small hidden gem is a meditative experience altogether. With campervan sites and fields of sunflowers surrounding the drive to the centre, El Palmar is a summer hotspot unknown to many.
Ronda
One of the most astoundingly picturesque weekend escapes is certainly Ronda!
Exploring the famous Tajo de Ronda by buggy with “Top Buggy Spain” is an unmissable experience! With a rush of adrenaline and guided tour, exploring the majestic mountainous town centre and dramatic landscape rich in history and culture is an unforgettable experience.
Júzcar
Dedicated to the Smurfs, this quirky and highly eclectic blue-washed town in Spain is known as the Smurf village.
With all houses painted in blue, most residents have the different Smurf characters decorating the exterior of their homes! This odd yet enchanting little weekend escape provides a complete and utter disconnection from technology and is nestled away in the mountainous region outside of Ronda. The main hotel offers a Smurf-themed restaurant with local Smurf-themed dishes, even including blue Smurf cake for a special sweet treat after dinner! The town also serves as somewhat of a maze encouraging you to find large statues of several Smurf characters hidden around the town centre and ready to pose for a memorable selfie!
UK hot spots
Weekend adventures
For a lot of us there is no better feeling than creating that countdown in our phones that ticks down the time before we are jet setting on our holiday in the sun for a week of pleasure in paradise. Understandably there tends to be a lot of pressure for the holiday to exceed our expectations, and often if things don’t go to plan the disappointment can be crushing which is followed by remorse for the money spent on the lacklustre experience.
After a long work week, the last thing you want to do is feel as though you have wasted your hard-earned money and time, and the good news is that this can be a feeling of the past. Instead of relying on one luxury break a year, why not decide on a beautiful weekend break to refresh and rejuvenate you.
Not only does this mean you don’t have to wait so long between a rewarding trip for relaxation, but it also means you get to reap the reward more often throughout the year.
Additionally, it means you get to dip your toe into experiencing a new country and culture and get a taste of what it has to offer before committing to holidaying there for a longer and pricier period.
Furthermore, a holiday should be a time where you feel the pressures of daily life being alleviated. The excitement of looking forward to your next adventure should free you of buyer’s remorse.
Short breaks also have the added charm of being able to experience somewhere closer to home that you may not have considered for a holiday otherwise.
Something that can excite some but be a cause of dread for others is the planning. For the ultimate break it can often take time and effort to plan plan plan, but planning for a short break can be different to what you’re used to. If you’re anything like me you can sometimes struggle to plan out your day let alone a whole week or two, so having the luxury of knowing you can focus on the things you really want to do and you
don’t have to have a plan for the moments in between can really take the pressure off meaning you can genuinely enjoy the quiet moments amongst the chaos. The beauty of a short break is that is only needs to be as complicated as you want it to be.
Short breaks have the added charm of being able to experience somewhere closer to home that you may not have considered for a holiday otherwise. “ “
Interestingly, a recent survey from the talent management firm Cornerstone found that 87% of people taking part considered a three-day weekend more stress-relieving than longer trips, in part because they don’t have a mountain of work waiting for them when they return to work. This means that people can enjoy a short break more without being followed by a shadow of guilt and dread for what is to come once the holiday is over.
Amid a cost-of-living crisis it understandably makes the pressure even more unbearable as when you feel you need a holiday most, the funds aren’t always there to give you that holiday abroad. Another positive of indulging in a short break is that it is a massive money saver. You can still enjoy the experience of getting away,
disconnecting from your day-to-day life and experience new things but you don’t have to sacrifice your budget for the enjoyment.
They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you may feel as though you can’t experience it in a day either, but that is OK why not try one of the following English options shown on our map.
Of course, these are just a few of our culture packed recommendations, there are plenty of other adventures to explore.
The question that remains is where are you heading on your next short break?
By Kassidy Spight
1. Isles of Scilly
Recognised as the UK’s answer to the Caribbean, the Isles of Scilly are located off the Cornish coast, in southwest England. The subtropical islands are home to sandy beaches such as Great Bay on St Martin’s. There is a cosy balance of sunny and sandy relaxation on the beaches and historical intrigue of the Valhalla Museum which displays shipwrecked figureheads that can be experienced across the five inhabited islands.
2. Trevone
Trevone is a Cornish seaside village and bay near Padstow in Cornwall. If you want to connect with nature, Trevone Bay is the place to be as it is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI for short. Containing four different geological conservation review sites within the area of outstanding natural beauty, Trevone is home to incredible fossils and a sink hole formed by a collapsed sea cave.
3. Lake District
For a mixture of nature and history the Lake district can offer both. With plenty of lakes and Cumbrian mountains to explore, there is no shortage of beautiful landscape views to enjoy and explore. The Lake District is also the historical founder of Grasmere Gingerbread which was invented by a Victorian cook named Sarah Nelson in 1854.
To this day stands a fascinating little shop called Grasmere Gingerbread Shop that is still selling its award-winning gingerbread as well as other sweet treats including toffee, fudges, chocolates, conserves and cake so there is a little something for everyone. 4 3 2 5
4. Whitby
Why not pay a visit to Whitby, a seaside town in North Yorkshire. With its rich maritime history, Whitby is a great place to learn about herring and whaling fleets and even take a photo under the Whale bone arch that stands on Whitby’s west cliff which frames the ruins of the Abbey.
The Whitby Abbey was a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. It is situated on the East Cliff in Whitby which can be accessed various ways but most famously at the top of a 199 step climb on the historical Whitby Abbey steps. The steps come from 1340, but they’re believed to be even older. The stones which were originally made from wood, were replaced with stone in 1774.
5. Stratford Upon Avon
If literature is more your cup of tea, then perhaps you’d prefer to explore Stratford upon Avon. This market town is located in Warwickshire and is known for being the birth and burial place of playwright and poet William Shakespeare. Why not pay a visit to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Backinpacking Mexico
The road to becoming a social influencer with Gabriele Janaviciute
Tell us a bit about yourself & how you ended up travelling around Mexico.
I’m an adventurous soul. Ever since I was little I loved to spend time outdoors and explore places around me. Once I went on my first big solo trip at 17 to Bali I fell in love with travelling. Since then I moved to Spain and ended up going to Mexico after covid as it was one of the places open for tourists. I absolutely loved my time there, it was so different compared to Europe.
Tell us about your journey with social media & your professional goals in this sector.
I always loved taking photos, videos and creating content overall. I tried different niches from fashion to motivation to travel. Travel is what I stuck to because it’s something I’m strongly passionate about and I want to inspire people to take that step out of their comfort zone and to go explore our planet, even if there’s no one to go with. My long-term goal is to start working with sustainable brands and airbnbs/hotels to create content for them, and to host trips. There are other goals I’m hoping to achieve but that will come later, with time.
What type of content do you aim to produce & what demographic do you wish to appeal to?
I’m going on a solo backpacking trip around SE Asia soon and I want to share my experiences, tell more about each country and what makes it special, different places to see, things to look out for etc. I want to make it easier for fellow solo travellers and provide information which will be useful for anyone travelling to these countries. The demographic I wish to appeal to are young people who want to take a different path in life, to explore the world, travel to different places and not necessarily follow the typical path in life.
What message do you wish to convey through using this platform?
I want to inspire people to follow their dreams, to try out new things, get out from their comfort zones and explore the world, to provide information about different countries as each of the countries is so unique and different especially compared to European countries.
What was your best and worst experience travelling around Mexico?
My best experience was witnessing ‘El Dia de Los Muertos’. It’s a big holiday in Mexico on the first of November where they believe that the spirits of their ancestors come back from the land of the dead. They all dress up, paint their faces and provide offerings to the dead. My worst experience would be when we were stuck in no man’s land on our way back to Mexico from Guatemala. Our entry was refused and we were stuck in this small town for a few days until we had to make our way back to Guatemala and fly from there. It was a very intense and stressful time for us.
Is it easy to make a living through social media platforms?
I would say it depends how you utilise the platform. There are people with lots of followers that don’t make much money and there are people with a little amount of followers that make much more. It all depends how you utilise the platform. But apart from monetary gain, you often get products for free in exchange, I was also featured on a website when I was in the fashion niche and you get to build connections with brands.
What was your favourite place that you visited in Mexico?
My favourite place in Mexico was the Sumidero Canyon and Chichén Itzá. Both
places are so rich in history and so different to anything I’ve seen before, I recommend checking them out if you’re in Mexico!
What life lessons have you taken with you from your travelling experiences?
I’m definitely more appreciative of the little things in life. The simple things like running water, safety, having a nice home. After travelling I’ve become a lot more minimalistic. I don’t need more things in my life or to buy luxury items. I appreciate experiences over material possessions. The biggest difference between Europe and Asia/South America is how happy people are with the few things they have.
What advice would you give to the younger generation looking to make a living through social media?
My advice would be to first find something you’re passionate about and start creating content around it, provide value to other people and make it engaging. With time you’ll start growing, you just have to be consistent! It’s something I’m learning as well. I’ve taken a little break from social media but now that I’ll get back into travelling I’ll start taking it more seriously and being consistent, you can follow along to see my journey! @gabriele330
By Tammy Levy
The Jewel of the Mediterranean with Minister Christian Santos Gibraltar
Why should tourists travel to Gibraltar? Minister Christian Santos explains just what Gibraltar has to offer and how it has become a leading destination in the global tourism market.
Former Mayor of Gibraltar between 2021 and 2023, Christian Santos was appointed Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism in October last year. “I also have responsibility for Training Apprenticeships, Skills and Youth as well as looking after the airport from a commercial aviation point of view and the DARS (Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services) programme for Bruce’s Farm.
With such a full portfolio, how does Minister Santos make sure that Gibraltar is recognised as a top tourist destination?
“Having travelled the world during a twelve year period when I worked as a performer on cruise ships and for Disney, I realised what we have to offer here in Gibraltar and what makes us unique,” he says. “In other countries you need to travel to get to the tourist sites, but here we have a proximity
which makes it very easy for someone to come and enjoy everything we have to offer in a short period of time.”
“What is very unique to Gibraltar, which isn’t just our size, the apes and the Rock, is the community and how from a tourist perspective Gibraltar will make you feel as if you are home away from home but also it is that the community embraces tourism, which isn’t necessarily so in other countries,” Minister Santos states.
In his maiden budget speech, the Minister said that “tourism is not just an economic opportunity but a bridge that connects us to the world”. “Tourism puts Gibraltar on the map,” he comments. “The economy is built on tourism in Gibraltar which along with gaming and the financial sector is one of the pillars of our economy.”
Marketing is essential and one way to do this is for the Minister and his team from the Tourist Board to attend conferences to promote awareness of Gibraltar and to make contacts for potential future familiarisation trips. “We are a destination and although we are small we are competing with larger destinations in the Mediterranean such as Spain, Malta and Portugal,” Minister Santos explains.
“The Mediterranean is the gateway to the world and that is what brings people over here,” he says. “Our main feeder market at the moment is the UK, but hopefully after the Treaty deal is finalised we can open up the airport to other routes.” Although the Minister sounds optimistic about a deal, he knows that if the border doesn’t open up he will need to reassess the situation, something he is working on at the moment. The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the travel and tourism industry, so what can be done to recover preCovid figures? This is a challenge that the Minister states they are well on their way to achieving. “We are seeing the numbers
rising already,” he comments. “There is a lot of new investment from private companies, for example by 2025 we will have more cruise calls than we did in 2019.”
Minister Santos goes on to say that one of his main aims for tourism is to go beyond the typical attractions that day-trippers flock to Gibraltar for, such as the apes, the Upper Rock and the jewel in the crown which is the Nature Reserve. New projects that are coming to fruition include the enhancement of the World War II tunnels which will open in the autumn and the introduction of a completely new and interesting tourist attraction funded by a private investor with the Hollow Rock project in Devil’s Tower Road featuring a micro-brewery and tap vault bar. The Minister explains that this will include an immersive history experience about the history of Gibraltar that includes the Great Siege and the Battle of Trafalgar. “Then of course we have the Northern Defences which we have been working on for the past ten years and which will hopefully be ready to open by the end of the year,” he says. This area is an array of fortifications that protected Gibraltar for centuries against any attacks from the north and the site will also include an immersive experience for visitors.
The Minister says that Gibraltar attracts a lot of repeat visitors, so they are trying to tap into niche markets that go beyond the typical attractions that day-trippers flock to Gibraltar for. “We have a lot more to offer than just the Upper Rock,” he states. Gibraltar’s gastronomy and the Mediterranean lifestyle are major selling points that are reflected in the food and weather. “We had a fantastic first quarter in 2024, January to March figures were amazing and we are seeing bookings up to late November now.”
Tourism led events are another reason for people to come to Gibraltar. “We have a very rich cultural calendar all year round but it is in the summer where outdoor living comes into its own. The Calentita Food Festival is a popular gastronomic event
taking its name from one of Gibraltar’s unofficially recognised national dishes. The festival puts the spotlight on the vast cultural diversity in Gibraltar. “Then of course we have some great musical events that attract tourists from across the border as well as from the UK,” the Minister says, going on to cite Nile Rodgers & Chic and local band Melon Diesel who held concerts recently. “We are looking at a different format to the music festivals of the past, with smaller events that are mainly artist led,” he adds. “There is also the very successful International Literary Festival and, of course, the Christmas events which see an influx of tourists flocking to Gibraltar.”
The Minister is passionate about the fact that there is a lot to celebrate within the community. “Not only do we have a big series of summer events both at the beach and at Casemates, there is also a full National Week programme.”
Sport is also part of event led tourism that not only caters for locals but which attract a lot of tourists to come to the Rock as well. “We have the World Netball Junior Championship next year, the Rugby Sevens, backgammon and darts, as well as many other sports.
What can Gibraltar offer to attract more visitors to Gibraltar going forward?
“We are already investing in new sites and we have got more hotels coming, so the more hotels you have the more you can market for overnight stays and for people to stay longer,” Minister Santos explains. “Some of the niche markets we are working on include weddings, adventure trails and diving.” As mentioned by the Minister in his budget speech: “divers are constantly searching for new destinations and although competition is tough, Gibraltar has a superb scuba diving environment. With 35 wrecks and reefs to explore and an abundance of marine life, it is an opportunity to position Gibraltar as the perfect diving destination.”
“We have also introduced an interesting initiative whereby 3D scans of some of our tourist sites have been developed and posted on our website,” Minister Santos explains. This will enable visitors to experience restricted places such as heritage site Gorham’s Cave which only allows 150 physical visitors annually. Visitors will be able to experience sites in an immersive way by accessing the 3D scan which will also provide links to interesting facts and information.
Social media is a tried and tested way of marketing that is key to bringing a whole different demographic to Gibraltar. “We want to assess what we offer our younger demographic and to keep visitors coming, with new products, and a new outlook into our cultural identity,” the Minister comments. With this in mind, the Minister and his team at Visit Gibraltar are engaging with travel influencers in an effort to attract younger tourists.
A rebranding campaign was launched in April by Visit Gibraltar, the marketing arm of the Gibraltar Tourist Board, to showcase Gibraltar to new audiences across TV, radio, mobile, on and offline print media and social media channels in the UK and at home. This included rolling out a new logo and identity inspired by Gibraltar’s nature and heritage, and a slogan: “Where the Med Begins”.
The Minister comments that he still considers Gibraltar to be the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’.
By Jo Ward
What we have is our British heritage and the British identity together with the Mediterranean lifestyle - so it is very unique and it is a magical place that everyone who comes to wants to come again - and that I think is the true testament of the success of Gibraltar as a destination. “ “
Does the idea of working from anywhere in the world appeal to you? Are you yearning for a life of adventure or maybe you are tired of the daily commute and want to break free from your traditional work routine? You’ve seen digital nomads on social media, working at their laptop from some picturesque location and hanker after their lifestyle, but is being a digital nomad all it’s cracked up to be?
Since 2020 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a seismic shift toward remote work and this doesn’t just mean working from home, but travelling and working anywhere in the internet connected world with no defined base. So if the idea of quitting your job, travelling the world and getting paid for it appeals, then being a digital nomad could be just what you are looking for.
The rise of digital nomadism came with the merging of the internet revolution and the evolution of youth tourism, but it was from 1983, ten years before the invention of the World Wide Web, when Steve Roberts, a freelance tech writer from Columbus, Ohio, spent eight years living as a nomadic writer. Roberts travelled 17,000 miles across America on his custom bike which he had converted to include a four-button keyboard and LCD screen on its handlebars, while solar panels, connected to batteries, powered everything but the wheels!
Even before the 80s, the idea of travelling whilst working was nothing new. Take Ernest Hemingway who funded his travels abroad through his journalism and by writing novels sitting in cafes and bars around the world. A type of nomad without the ‘digital’ prefix. However, it was when Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners popularised the term “digital nomad” in their 1997 book of the same name, in which they created a manifesto for a lifestyle movement that would change the way the working world operated, that the term came into mainstream use.
Another term for digital nomads are digital ‘slomads’, a phrase that came into usage more recently. A slomad is someone who also changes locations, but not as frequently as a digital nomad, preferring to stay in one place for longer. This may be for eco-friendly reasons, travelling and living sustainably and trying to reduce fossil traces by flying less in an effort to minimise their environmental impact and living as green a life as possible.
Then there are LIEs (location independent entrepreneurs). They are pretty much the same thing except that a digital nomad is someone who earns their income online whilst traveling around the world, whereas a location independent entrepreneur still makes their money online, but travel isn’t necessarily their priority. Location independent workers are usually entrepreneurs, or freelancers, that can live anywhere they want. They often run businesses which are able to function without their physical presence, or the businesses themselves don’t depend on functioning from a specific location.
downsides for us,” Dan adds, “and that is moving away from family and friends, but we were lucky to have an established group of friends who were already living here, so moving to the Costa del Sol wasn’t such a daunting prospect.”
What are the advantages to being a digital nomad? On the plus side you will have the freedom to learn from different cultures and to see some incredible places. There are, of course, some disadvantages to being a digital nomad. Constantly moving from one place to another can make it difficult to establish a sense of stability and find a routine that works for you. Life as a digital nomad can be lonely, unless you are travelling with a friend or partner - and self-discipline and good planning skills are a definite requirement.
Digital nomads often have to face techrelated challenges such as finding reliable internet connections in remote areas or securing their sensitive data on public Wi-Fi.
“
“ “
Technological advancements have made working remotely easier, with cloud-based tools, seamless video conferencing platforms, and reliable internet connectivity allowing you to explore new cultures without sacrificing your career aspirations.
Dan, an online entrepreneur, and Kasia, an artist, are a young couple who are typical LIE’s who took the leap to move to Spain last year. Kasia explains that they were both working for themselves from home in London. “We hadn’t considered moving abroad,” she says, “and as far as I had wanted to move was to Surrey, but after visiting friends in Spain we thought we would like to buy a holiday property.” Kasia goes on to say that it made sense when someone said to them why wait until you are sixty to move somewhere nice when you can do it now. Dan comments that what they were paying in London for a two bed apartment they are now paying half the price for a townhouse with an extra bedroom, a garage, garden and views of the sea. Then of course there is the weather. “It really makes a difference, it makes you want to get out of bed and the lifestyle here is so much more relaxed and people generally seem happier,” Kasia states. Another plus is that Dan and Kasia don’t crave a holiday as much as they did previously when they would pack their bags and work from wherever they wanted. “There are some
Becoming a
digital
nomad requires discipline in managing your own working hours and making sure you have a good work-life balance. “
There is no doubt that digital nomadism continues to rise in popularity and it’s estimated that one billion people will be digital nomads by the year 2035. Currently, 66 countries offer digital nomad visas (a temporary resident visa that allows people to stay in one country while working remotely) with new countries joining every day.
By Jo Ward
Meditation activation into
Superhuman Inc.
Living in such a fast-paced world can significantly deteriorate one’s mental health and wellbeing. Whether one works in a creative or corporate field, taking conscious time out of a busy schedule to press pause and focus on being in the present moment is something we forget to prioritise.
Founded by CEO Mimi Bouchard, the Superhuman app is truly like no other. Unlike traditional meditation practices, Mimi has transformed the act of meditating into activating. While many can find meditation to be a dull and tedious experience, Mimi initially created a wide spectrum of guided meditations for any occasion. From meditations to be listened to at the grocery store, the gym, whilst writing, cooking, getting ready for bed, travelling or running errands, there’s something for everyone.
Having begun her professional journey at nineteen years of age, Mimi’s life completely changed after reading Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles. Dropping out of university and following her dream to pursue a life of entrepreneurship, Mimi motivated herself during her personal successes and failures by recording pep talks on her mobile phone. Listening to herself and deeply delving into the world of personal development, she launched a selfmade app with all her guided meditations to share with the world. Struggling with concentration and the traditional way of meditating, Mimi slowly began to move away from the word itself! Changing her guided meditations to activations and becoming well versed in the science behind manifestation and law of attraction, Mimi has transformed her life and the lives of many by implementing science-based techniques to activate and motivate one’s internal power and drive to create your own rose-tinted reality.
With motivational audios adapted for any moment of the day and trusted by over 100,000 daily users, Mimi has proven that listening to her activations for as little as ten minutes per day will create long lasting results in a mere three weeks of consistent use. Tapping into one’s ultimate potential is the driving force of the application. Transforming every area of your life is Mimi’s ultimate goal. Feeling empowered, strong, capable and developing a quick “bounce back rate” is aided by Superhuman activations. Having begun her journey with £8 in her bank account and working at a juice bar in London, Mimi’s company now makes 6 figures per month and has drastically peaked in its success. Living her best life as the best possible version of herself, Mimi encourages others to do the same and not give up on their hopes, goals and dreams. Stating that “we are driven by a mission to help you live your future now. Making it happen is possible. Fall in love with yourself and watch your life transform”.
By Tammy Levy
We believe your one shot at life should be spent living as the person you want to be. “ “
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Crystalhealing
with Christina Galliano
Speaking with the much beloved Christina Galliano, we immediately fall in love with her eccentric, confident and bubbly personality! Upon interviewing local Crystal Healer Christina, we learn of her interests in alternative health therapies in the wellness space.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in crystal healing. My name is Christina Galliano and I live in Gibraltar. My interests and hobbies are Zumba, Tai Chi, reading, walking and meditation. I am also a locally certified Tour Guide which I enjoy immensely.
I first became interested in Pranic Healing with crystals, during Covid where I met some people online who introduced me to it. After the pandemic died down I decided to take a course here in Gibraltar. From there I went on to further my knowledge and skills with Advanced Courses including the Crystal Course the latter which I immediately fell in love with!
Where do crystals come from?
Crystals form around and below the surface of the earth. Changing temperatures and pressure will develop crystals over the course of millions of years. Some transported by rivers and oceans. Minerals
and rocks also play a part through shifts in the soil. There are far too many to be mentioned here but the main crystals we healers use are the clear Quartz crystal and the Rose Quartz.
How exactly does crystal healing work? Pranic Healing with Crystals is a no-touch non invasive, no-drug complementary therapy. It works with the chakras and is used to heal a wide range of physical and psychological issues and ailments. The word Pranic comes from Prana which means Vital Energy. An ancient concept going back many thousands of years, which after many years of research was developed by Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, for the ordinary person to be studied and used. The energy is projected through the crystal, to the patient which the patient is receiving. Remember energy is all around us, and when using crystals the energy projected is 100% more powerful, and thus enhances and quickens the healing process.
What are chakras?
Chakras are whirling energy centres which we all have but cannot see. The chakras control and energise the vital organs of the body. Chakras play a huge part in our health and emotions, they are actually major acupuncture points.
Chakras spin in one direction to expel dirty used up energy, and in the other to receive clean new energy. When the chakras are not functioning correctly the body will be undergoing some sort of ailment or disease.
Crystal Pranic Healing will come into action either to activate the chakras or deactivate whichever is necessary. Physical ailments from the common cold to cancer can be treated, and also anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, and addictions. All which can be helped and removed with this healing, attaining excellent results. Your health can be measured by your chakras! Happy Healthy Chakras = Happy Healthy You!
How do you conduct a crystal healing session & how long does it last?
A Crystal Healing session is approximately one hour. The client sits comfortably and it is conducted firstly by assessing the client. Scanning the chakras, asking some health questions etc. Once we know where to go we will cleanse the aura and the chakras. After cleansing we will energise to project new clean energy. The result is a relaxed, sometimes sleepy client on their way to better health!
What feedback have you had from your clients?
Feedback is always good as this healing can do no harm. You might feel sleepy, great, or lighter. Everyone is different but the result has always been very positive!
Who would you recommend crystal healing to?
Pranic Crystal Healing is recommended to all as it works with everything, physical ailments including fibromyalgia, stroke, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, to name but a few. On the other hand, the Psychotherapy works beautifully with anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, anorexia, and addictions.
Is crystal healing backed by science?
Pranic Healing as a science was born in 1987, after years of research and validation and is immensely scientific and systematic in its approach!
How do you look after & cleanse your crystals?
Crystals have to be looked after very well and cleansed very thoroughly. They must never be touched by others, especially if used for healings, as the energy will change. Crystals are cleansed in salt and water everyday or after every patient, they can be cleansed overnight too. There are also ways to cleanse them in the full moon. When buying crystals always cleanse thoroughly before using them or placing under your pillow, as they will have someone else’s energy that can be transferred to you. Our healing crystals are also wrapped in silk cloths inside velvet pouches, if not in use or if travelling.
What else can one use crystals for & what benefits do they have?
Certain crystals can be used to bring in abundance and prosperity into your home, also for peace and love. Smaller crystals can also be used for healing when they are placed on the patient’s body where the
chakras are located. The crystals will draw out the impurities and negative energies from the chakras, the patient will feel great!
By Tammy Levy
Your health can be measured by your chakras. Happy healthy chakras mean a happy healthy you! “ “ Rediscovering
Deliciously Ella
Cooking with Plant-based recipes
Planning quick and healthy meals during a working week can be extremely tedious and time consuming. Ensuring that you consume all your vitamins, minerals and nutrients is essential, especially during the summer months where one is typically more active and dehydrated.
Deliciously Ella cookbooks are the perfect place to start! In an attempt to cultivate positive change through creating plantbased recipes, Ella’s culinary journey was exacerbated by her underlying health conditions at 21 years of age. Becoming the UK’s best-selling cookbook in 2015, Ella has opened restaurants, cafés, created 100% natural plant-based grocery products, and written several cookbooks with vegan recipes for all occasions.
After suffering from chronic fatigue, IBS, brain fog, acid reflux, migraines and other physical conditions, Ella began to conduct her own independent research to diagnose her ailments. Delving into the science of nutrition, Ella soon realised the benefits of leading a plant-based lifestyle and how one’s food choices can greatly impact everyday life.
Struggling to find health-conscious recipes which are both delicious and focused on improving one’s health became a feat for Ella. She began by creating a website which quickly reached over 130 million visits and later progressed to hosting culinary clubs and cooking classes. As Founder of the number 1 plant-based recipe app in Europe, Ella’s success has helped many individuals struggling with their diet. From freezable recipes to weekend meals, under 10-minute snacks, dips and deserts, Ella introduces a large variety of exceptional healthier alternatives, even for those who dislike spending time in the kitchen!
By Tammy Levy
INGREDIENTS:
50g ground almonds
1tsp baking powder
3tbsp spelt flour
65g creamy tahini
5tbsp maple syrup
Salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
After preheating the oven to 180˚C, line a baking tray with baking parchment.
Place the almonds, baking powder, flour & salt into a bowl & whisk together.
Add the tahini & maple syrup & chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, roll the mixture into balls & place on the baking tray.
Cook for 10-12 minutes & leave to cool.
Tahini cookies
A succulent summer meal to tantalise the tastebuds
Kale & mushroom salad
INGREDIENTS:
25g pumpkin & sunflower seeds
Olive oil
1tsp cumin
200g mushrooms
200g kale
1tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 slices sourdough bread
1 garlic clove
2 ripe avocados chopped
Salt
60g cashews
100ml almond milk
2tsp Dijon mustard
1tbsp nutritional yeast
Lemon juice
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 200˚C and bake the seeds with olive oil, salt and cumin for 5 minutes.
Fry the mushrooms in a pan with olive oil and salt until golden brown.
Tear the kale into smaller pieces and place in a bowl.
Add the oil, vinegar and salt to the leaves and massage for 1 minute until softened.
Add the cashews, almond milk, mustard, yeast and lemon juice to a high-speed blender and blitz until creamy.
Toast the sourdough and rub it with the raw garlic clove.
Massage the dressing into the kale and toss in the remaining ingredients.
Veggie Lasagne
INGREDIENTS:
Olive oil
1 diced onion
2 chopped garlic cloves
1tsp paprika
1tsp cumin
2tbsp tomato puree
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
250ml water
1tsp coconut sugar
1tsp oregano
250g green lentils
Salt & pepper
600ml almond milk
5tbsp nutritional yeast
3tbsp tapioca flour
½tbsp Dijon mustard
SERVES 2 15 MINS TOTAL SERVES 6 75 MINS TOTAL
INSTRUCTIONS:
Stir the onion, garlic and salt in a pan over a medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add the paprika, cumin, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, water, coconut sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and lentils, and
Remove this pan from the heat and preheat the oven to 180˚C and lightly oil a baking tray.
Spoon half the ragu on to the bottom followed by 4 lasagne sheets and half the white sauce.
Repeat the process and ensure everything
Nature’s superfood or gateway drug? THC
Many of us are familiar with Cannabis as a plant and a substance, but what is the plant made up of? THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, is one component that makes up a plant more commonly known as Cannabis. The other component being CBD (cannabidiol). Both compounds are psychoactive, however only THC creates a sense of euphoria or a ‘high’ as it is usually referenced.
Historically, Cannabis has been a controversial topic for discussion with some arguing it is a breakthrough tool to help improve patient care and comfort and others arguing it is a gateway into A-class substances and an addiction.
Despite the inability to overdose on the substance, people still have concerns leading to a stigma that surrounds the drug. Where some people interpret its calming effects as a wonderful aid for their anxiety. Others perceive it as becoming lazy and docile. Some may also argue that even though many find its use positively impacts their mental health, the psychoactive properties can activate
and worsen mental health problems with issues such as paranoia or even experiences of psychosis.
Interestingly, there are various potential benefits of THC usage, some that may surprise you. Here is the breakdown of the potential benefits of THC use:
1. It is thought to have many benefits in the medical community as a natural source of pain management for those battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy as well as those who suffer with chronic pain conditions. It is also known to help those suffering with other conditions that effect the mind and body such as steadying
the hands of someone with Parkinson’s or calming the vocal and physical tics for someone struggling with Tourette’s syndrome. There are countless instances of patients deeming it a life saver and a miracle. For those people, Cannabis is a medical tool that helps them regain their independence as well as improving their overall quality of life.
Other medical benefits include alleviating anxiety, reducing nausea and vomiting, and treating migraines and seizures. Furthermore, there are several conditions that people have found cannabis use as a beneficial treatment option including the aforementioned as well as epilepsy and
Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Please note that if you are considering Cannabis use as a potential treatment option, please consult a medical professional.
2. Shockingly, although people fear that Cannabis use can serve as a gateway drug to harder substances, studies have actually shown some interesting results. A study conducted by neurobiologist Yasmin Hurd found that CBD could reduce cue-induced cravings in people using heroin while also lowering anxiety levels in those patients. This finding proves to be very promising for those struggling with an opioid addiction and gives their family hope. With studies like this, it does beg to question whether Cannabis is actually a progressive tool for harm reduction, and not a threat to productivity.
3. Moreover, THC and other cannabinoids have the potential to destroy or slow the development of certain cancers, so as well as making the patient more comfortable by reducing their pain, it also has the potential to aid in their recovery. According to Cancer Research UK, in the trials ran using
lab grown cancer cells and animal cancer cells, the use of Cannabinoids led to a reduction in cancer cells, and even though there is not enough data yet to suggest that the use of Cannabinoids can be used as a reliable cancer treatment in humans yet, the beginning looks promising. The study also found that the Cannabinoids had different effects on different types of cancers.
Furthermore, in 2021 the results from a clinical trial which studied human patients with recurrent Glioblastoma’s taking a mixture of chemotherapy and Cannabinoids showed that after one year of use 83% of patients taking the mixture of treatments were still alive, compared to only 44% of those who took the placebo.
Cannabis isn’t the first herbal remedy recommended for those facing mental and/or physical turmoil, but one of the first bits of advice given to you is to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of water and herbal teas. As well as reading a list of nature’s super foods, with promises that if you follow their instructions you will
be better in no time. Perhaps Cannabis will join the list of superfoods.
Despite the plethora of potential benefits Cannabis possesses it is important to note that with any substance that requires you to inhale smoke comes some side effects, which is why we recommend speaking with a healthcare professional before partaking in its use as long-term use can irritate the lungs and throat especially for those with conditions such as Asthma and COPD. Other than the traditional method of smoking the substance, people have developed creative ways to avoid the need to inhale smoke such as the use of edibles in which the Cannabis is baked into sweet treats such as brownies or other candied goods. As well as drinking it in its brewed form as a herbal tea.
With that being said, the question that remains is one only you can answer, is Cannabis a gateway drug or is it nature’s new superfood?
By Kassidy Spight
The healing power of paws therapyDog
In an era where mental health and well-being are increasingly recognised as vital components of a balanced life, dog therapy has emerged as a beacon of hope and comfort. The bond between humans and dogs is timeless, and this relationship has found a new dimension in the therapeutic context.
Dog therapy, or animal-assisted therapy involving dogs, is a growing field that taps into this profound connection to provide emotional, psychological, and physical benefits. It’s a practice that’s touching lives and transforming hearts, one wagging tail at a time.
At its core, dog therapy harnesses the natural affinity humans have for dogs to facilitate healing and support. Unlike traditional therapy, which often involves talking through issues, dog therapy integrates the presence of trained therapy dogs into the healing process. These dogs, carefully selected for their temperament and demeanour, offer unconditional affection and companionship, creating a unique and nurturing environment.
The therapeutic benefits of interacting with dogs are well-documented. Research has shown that spending time with dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins. This biological response helps explain why dog therapy is so effective in managing conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The simplicity of a dog’s presence — its warmth, its gentle nudge, or even its playful antics — has a calming effect that can soothe even the most troubled soul.
Dog therapy is versatile, finding applications in various settings and for different needs. In hospitals, therapy dogs visit patients to provide comfort and alleviate the stress of medical treatments. These visits can be particularly beneficial for children, whose fear and anxiety about procedures often diminish in the presence of a friendly canine companion. The therapeutic interaction
can also speed up recovery times, offering emotional support that complements medical care.
In schools, dog therapy is increasingly used to support students with emotional or behavioural challenges. Therapy dogs can help create a calming classroom environment and provide a safe space for students to express their feelings. They also offer a non-judgemental presence that can encourage social interaction and reduce feelings of isolation. The presence of a therapy dog in school can transform the educational experience, making it more inclusive and supportive.
Mental health facilities and rehabilitation centres also benefit from dog therapy. Patients in these settings often face significant emotional and psychological hurdles, and therapy dogs offer a unique form of comfort and encouragement. The
dogs’ ability to connect on a deep, nonverbal level helps patients open up and engage in their therapeutic processes. This connection can be a powerful motivator for recovery and personal growth.
Not every dog is suited for therapy work. Therapy dogs undergo extensive training to ensure they can handle various environments and interact appropriately with people. This training focuses on socialisation, obedience, and the ability to remain calm under different circumstances. Therapy dogs are taught to be gentle and responsive, as their role requires them to be both comforting and adaptable.
The certification process for therapy dogs typically involves passing specific tests that assess their behaviour and temperament. These tests ensure that the dogs are well-prepared for the demands of their work and can provide a positive
Research has shown that spending time with dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins. “ “
experience for those they are meant to help. The training also involves educating handlers on how to best work with their dogs in a therapeutic context, ensuring that both the human and canine elements of the therapy are effective.
Handlers play a crucial role in the therapy process, guiding the interaction between the dog and the individuals they are helping. The bond between a therapy dog and its handler is essential, as it ensures that the dog remains focused and attentive during therapy sessions. Handlers also provide support and oversight, ensuring that the therapy is conducted in a safe and ethical manner.
The impact of dog therapy is best illustrated through the stories of those who have experienced its benefits first-hand. For many individuals struggling with mental health issues, the presence of a therapy dog has been transformative. Take, for instance, the story of a war veteran suffering from PTSD. After working with a therapy dog, the veteran reported significant improvements in their emotional state, including reduced anxiety and increased feelings of security. The dog provided a sense of companionship and comfort that traditional therapies alone could not offer.
Similarly, children with autism spectrum disorders often find solace in the presence of therapy dogs. These dogs can help children develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and provide a calming influence. The bond formed between a child and a therapy dog can create a bridge to communication and
emotional expression, offering a unique avenue for growth and development.
In educational settings, therapy dogs have been instrumental in helping students who struggle with anxiety or social difficulties. A therapy dog’s presence in the classroom can create a more relaxed and welcoming environment, making it easier for students to focus and engage. Teachers have observed improved behaviour and increased academic performance as a result of incorporating therapy dogs into the school setting.
As awareness of the benefits of dog therapy continues to grow, so too does the potential for expanding its applications. Researchers are exploring new ways to integrate therapy dogs into various aspects of healthcare, education, and community support. Advances in understanding the human-animal bond may lead to even more innovative approaches to therapy, maximising the positive impact of canine companionship.
One area of interest is the potential for dog therapy to support individuals in underserved or remote areas. Mobile therapy units, equipped with trained therapy dogs, could provide access to emotional support and comfort in communities that lack traditional mental health resources. Such initiatives could bring the healing power of dogs to those who need it most.
Dog therapy is a testament to the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs, a bond that transcends words and resonates deeply with those who experience it. The simplicity of a dog’s presence — its warmth, its gentleness, and its unwavering loyalty — offers a profound source of comfort and healing.
In a world where the demands of daily life can often feel overwhelming, the companionship of a therapy dog provides a gentle reminder of the power of unconditional love. As dog therapy continues to evolve and expand, it stands as a shining example of how our relationship with animals can enrich our lives and foster a deeper sense of well-being.
Ultimately, the success of dog therapy lies in its ability to bring comfort, joy, and healing in the most genuine and heartfelt ways. Through the wag of a tail, the nuzzle of a nose, and the quiet companionship of a faithful friend, dog therapy demonstrates that sometimes, the simplest things can have the most profound impact.
By Amber Williams Photography by Nick Bell
in Andalucía Alpaca experience
Alpacas are social herd animals traditionally found grazing on the level heights of the Andes, Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Ecuador and Northern Chile. They typically live in family groups consisting of a territorial alpha male, females and their young. Alpacas can nowadays be found in ranches and farms around the world, especially popular in North America, Australia and Europe.
Their origin was in fact depicted in a legend which states that the alpacas came to be in the world after a goddess fell in love with a human. The goddess’ father only allowed her to be whisked away by her lover as long as he cared for her herd of alpacas. When the human did not offer the proper care to the herd, she ran away. It is said that these remaining alpacas are still seen today in swamps surrounding the Andes mountains waiting for their goddess to return!
Nestled in a quiet mountainous region in the outskirts of Córdoba Andalucía, lies a happy Dutch family with their beloved herd of alpacas. Amidst the olive groves between Montoro and Córdoba, the isolated alpaca ranch offers people the opportunity to experience a wholesome nature-filled escape, away from the hectic buzz of everyday life and improve one’s well-being and mental health. Sourcing their own water and electricity, the family offers frequent alpaca walks, where you can enjoy a relaxing stay at their rural Airbnb, and bond with their furry friends.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the family relocated to this quaint farmhouse in September 2021 and refurbished the building. Wishing to implement as many eco-friendly tools as possible in order to live sustainably and respect the world we live in, they source all produce from local farmers and abstain from social vices. This friendly oasis oozes purity, health and wellness. Offering an organic breakfast procured from local farms, a private barbecue fire-pit and a complete disconnection from the rest of the world,
‘Experience Alpacas Andalucía’ is exemplar in the notion that it’s the simplest things in life that bring one happiness and peace.
Their lodging consists of a private ‘casita’ or studio, of 100 metres squared with a kitchenette and en-suite bathroom. The studio is suitable for a maximum of six guests with two double beds and 2 sofa beds. Encouraging a range of different activities such as mountain biking, hiking and walks in nature, the ranch is located between two national parks. Day trips to Málaga, Torremolinos and Sevilla are only a two-hour drive away, meanwhile Córdoba is a mere forty-five-minute journey from the ranch.
Spending time with the friendly alpacas is certainly a memorable experience. As the only ranch in Spain to offer this opportunity, engaging with these beautiful animals is a heart-warming therapeutic experience. For youngsters, families, couples or individuals, alpaca walks allow you to disconnect and enjoy interacting with these beautiful animals, have a first-hand experience as to what looking after them entails, and enjoy locally sourced Spanish tapas whilst petting these furry friends.
Each individual alpaca has a personality of their own. The family greatly cares and looks after them with such love and compassion, tending to them every day and nurturing their health and wellbeing from the moment they join the ranch. With picturesque mountain views from every corner of the venue, you can enjoy the most rustic and rural parts of Andalucía. Steeped in cultural richness and tradition, Spain is a warm and welcoming location renowned for its friendly inhabitants and hospitable environment. Not only does the South offer a diverse choice of terrain; from seaside cliffs and sandy beaches, to bucolic mountains and cosmopolitan meccas
in which to inhabit, but its mild climate is certainly an attractive consideration when evaluating one’s next trip abroad!
Indulging in a slow pace of life with delicious and healthy food, a wealth of places and activities to explore, as well as an affordable sun-kissed life of luxury, Spain has become one of the top destinations in Europe to
visit and reside in. Living as the locals do, and partaking in the typical afternoon siesta is emblematic of cultural tradition, significant stress reduction, and a positive attitude towards life in which enjoyment and pleasure are prioritised. Indeed, visiting the alpacas in Córdoba will heighten your serotonin levels, and become one of the most cherished experiences you can possibly have in the entire country.
By Tammy Levy
As the only ranch in Spain to offer this opportunity, engaging with these beautiful animals is a heartwarming therapeutic experience. “ “
The Mystery Guest
Nita Prose
293 pages
Fiction / Cosy Mystery / Crime
This, the second in the Molly the Maid series, is just as good, if not better, than the first. It adds depth to the character and gives readers another fantastic story in the Regency Grand Hotel.
The Mystery Guest follows our neurodivergent protagonist, Molly, now the head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. When tragedy strikes and a world-famous author dies in the middle of his speech, Molly takes it upon herself to catch the culprit and bring them to justice, no matter the cost.
When “The Maid” was released in 2022, it was a sleeper hit, slowly growing in popularity to eventually win the Best Mystery & Thriller award on Goodreads. Filled with characters who grow to feel like best friends and a protagonist who you cannot help but root for as she goes around the hotel trying to solve a mystery that is so much bigger than her.
My one criticism of “The Maid” when I read it was that Molly lacked a backstory. Readers knew she lived with her grandmother and loved to clean, but you do not learn a lot more than that beyond the surface level.
Nita Prose has now fixed this issue with The Mystery Guest. Throughout the novel, you gain insights into Molly’s history and where she developed her love of cleaning. This allows the audience to connect to the protagonist, which they may not been able to do with the first book.
The best thing about The Mystery Guest is that our favourite characters are back
at the Regency Grand, allowing you to feel like you are stepping back into a familiar world where everyone is your friend. This is where the novel really shines. Nita Prose’s characterisation is second to none; she allows each character their own space to breathe and develop with their own needs and motivations.
With The Mystery Guest, Nita Prose has given everyone a sequel that most fans probably didn’t know they needed but definitely wanted. A great, cosy mystery page-turner that will let you get lost in a world with fantastic characters.
If you pick this book up, you will not want to put it down, and what’s even better is that you don’t have to read the first book to appreciate it!
A great, cosy mystery page-turner that will let you get lost in a world with fantastic characters. “ “
Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World
Naomi Klein
350 pages
Non-Fiction / Autobiography
Politics / Environmentalism
Feminism /Psychology
This award-winning non-fiction book about the mirror worlds that exist online and offline lives up to its tremendous hype.
What would you do if the world kept confusing you with your polar opposite on social media? Someone with a different surname who lived in a different part of the same country and had a wildly different worldview?
This has happened to Naomi Klein online for years, and she is constantly mistaken for Naomi Wolfe. What makes this situation interesting is that even though they are on polar opposite sides of the political spectrum, their lives are eerily similar in other ways; they both have partners called Avi, both were children of Jewish parents and had written generation-defining bestselling books.
This dichotomy encouraged Naomi Klein to dive into the world of doppelgangers and online doubling. But what began as an exploration of mistaken identity in the digital age and its impact on personal and professional lives evolved into a profound journey into the mirror worlds of our existence, both online and offline. This transformation led to a deep dive into the pressing societal issues of our time, including feminism, big tech, the climate crisis, and fast fashion.
While tackling each topic, Klein explores the issue through the lens of a chronically online world that is constantly doubling on itself through screenshots, avatars, memes and reused stories. For example, in the chapter on fast fashion, she explores the shadow world of child labour and cheap exploited labour. These companies try to cover this by creating highly polished videos inviting influencers to their warehouses, highlighting happy, smiling people. In turn, the online community in the West ignores this reality and favours cheap goods sold in bulk.
The concept of doppelgangers has long fascinated storytellers, from blockbusters like Us and The Prestige to literary classics such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and A Tale of Two Cities. However, few have
approached this theme with the unique and exciting perspective that Naomi Klein brings in Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World.
With immense fanfare around this book, topping multiple end-of-year lists in 2023 and having various opinion pieces written about it in various respected publications, I stayed clear of it for a long time despite enjoying Klein’s book, “No Logo.” The reason is that rarely does any media live up to such hype. Still, without a shadow of a doubt, Doppelganger by Naomi Klein not only lives up to the hype but, in some ways, exceeds it.
The author shines in her ability to grab the reader’s attention and explain complex and nuanced topics in a simple, down-toearth way. Her writing is personable, with her personality and wit shining throughout the chapters. Doppelganger’s full title is apt because this book is equally hilarious and terrifying. It highlights the consequences of a world of over-consumption that will not happen in the future but is currently happening in many parts of the world as I write this.
My only criticism of this book is that some of its chapters feel shoehorned into the theme of doppelgangers and mirror worlds. Despite this, Naomi Klein brings a fresh and exciting perspective into each issue the book addresses, allowing them to breathe without overstaying their welcome.
With Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World, Naomi Klein has penned one of the most influential non-fiction books I’ve encountered in a long time. Her unique take on pressing societal issues, coupled with a message of hope, has the potential to reshape perspectives. Even with its slightly disjointed and forced theme during some of the book, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone, as it can bring about transformative change.
Reviewed by Joel Francis
41ofyearsservice
Mediterranean Estate Agents
Embarking on a trip down memory lane as we delve into Gibraltar’s property world, we commemorate the renowned Mediterranean Estate Agents Ltd. After forty-one years of having its doors open to the public, the estate agency was in operation since 1975 until 2016.
Founded and spearheaded by the popular and beloved local Manolo Veneroni, his shrewd business skills led the company to success for many happy years. With only eight employed staff members and approximately 1000 retail, commercial and residential units, flats and buildings, the business was always founded on trust, empathy and a good work ethic.
Savvy businessman
Initially owning the small sweet shop known as Rainbow Confectionery, Manolo dedicated a large chapter of his life to helping his father manage the family shops. Having always had a reputation as a savvy businessman, he practically began his professional career at fourteen years of age, buying and selling stamps at school!
Engaging in a vast array of business opportunities from his early years, the establishment of his own business was preceded by work at the Montarik Hotel and the restoration of second-hand bicycles which he splattered with paint. Thereafter, he created his own fragrance which was known as “Delicia de Saigon” using essential oils and purchased by fairgoers. Manolo even implemented his painterly skills once again in creating hand-made cardboard horses consisting of chocolate boxes and iron moulds purchased from Portobello London. Having also had a hand in the esteemed Risso Bakery and as a musician for the band Harris y sus Muchachos, he earned a simple living by playing the drums in concerts around La Linea de La Concepcion at eighteen years of age.
Following on from his evacuation to Tangier, he joined the Gibraltar Regiment for six months and also carried out administrative work for a construction company in later life.
From using his entrepreneurial skills for selling sweets at the store to later trading delicious goods on cruise liners, such was his vocational journey, that he found himself collecting weekly rent from the Armed Forces and helping his friend manage his properties. On a holiday back to the Pasadena Hotel in Tangier, he began to invest in and renovate properties around Gibraltar with his business partner. Several years later with the help of his close friend Momi Levy, Mediterranean Estate Agents was born.
Man of the people
After years of excitement, creativity, compassion and hard work, Monolo is certainly considered a man of the people; a sociable and loveable character who has always invested his time in his work, and ensured that his clients have left his office doors feeling supported, cared for, and smiling all the way home.
By Tammy Levy
Office exterior
The team
Timeless interiors
with JL Studio Home Designs
Nestled in the heart of Gibraltar, JL Studio Home Designs has become a beacon of sophisticated interior design, celebrated for its ability to transform spaces into timeless sanctuaries. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, JL Studio Home Designs continues to set the standard for elegant and enduring interiors.
The beginnings
Founded by designer, Kayleigh Podesta, JL Studio Home Designs was born from a passion for creating spaces that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. Kayleigh’s philosophy is simple yet profound: every home should tell a story. Her approach to design transcends trends, focusing instead on creating interiors that remain stylish and relevant for years to come.
The timeless appeal
What sets JL Studio Home Designs apart is their dedication to timelessness. In an industry often dominated by fleeting trends, JL Studio prides itself on creating spaces that stand the test of time. Their designs are characterized by classic elements, balanced proportions, and an unwavering attention to detail.
From luxurious living rooms that exude warmth and comfort to kitchens that are as functional as they are beautiful, every project undertaken by JL Studio is a testament to their commitment to quality and longevity. Their design ethos is centred around the idea that true style is enduring and that the best interiors are those that feel both current and everlasting.
Client-centred approach
At the heart of JL Studio Home Designs is a deep commitment to their clients. Kayleigh and her team believe that successful interior design is a collaborative process. They work closely with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and lifestyle, ensuring that the final design is a true reflection of the client’s personality and taste.
Whether you’re looking to revamp a single room or undertake a complete home makeover, JL Studio Home Designs promises to the perfect space for you.
2024 interior design trends
1. Biophilic elements & sustainable materials creating an indoor-outdoor living space
2. Smart tech revolutionising living spaces with AI-driven home management
3. Dramatic patterns & over-sized large-scale tiles to create a stunning focal point
4. Permanency of a home office & investment in ergonomic furniture
5. Ornate & redefined furniture for a contemporary appeal
6. Large windows, skylights & strategically placed mirrors to enhance natural lighting
7. Warm minimalism which creates serenity & exacerbates simplicity
8. Character & personality with artisanal craftsmanship bringing individuality to your home
9. Texture mixing & stripes
10. Silver accents & futuristic materials
By Kayleigh Podesta
JL Studio Home Designs
Creating beautiful spaces, one home at a time
True style is enduring and the best interiors are those that feel both current and everlasting. “ “ jlstudiogibraltar
CONTACT US AT: JLStudioHomeDesigns@hotmail.com
High-riskrenting
An interview with Gibraltar-based Airbnb host about the highs and the lows
Airbnb is an American company that serves as an online marketplace for hosts to market and advertise their short and long term lets. The company, which was founded in 2008, has gained a lot of traction in recent years with many tourists opting to book an Airbnb as opposed to a traditional hotel for their holiday stays.
As
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many residents of Gibraltar choose to enjoy their summer months holidaying abroad, it offers a unique opportunity to earn additional money by turning your property into a short stay holiday home for tourists to enjoy while it is unoccupied.
Although hotels belong to a long standing and trusted industry, Airbnb’s can offer a different and equally as rewarding experience for both hosts and visitors. It is no shock that running an Airbnb as opposed to a hotel is a much more costeffective investment, but it can also reduce a lot of the stress that comes with running a hotel. As a visitor, the differences extend beyond this. Some of these differences include: hotels can become a costly affair if you require more than one bedroom, however you can find various Airbnb’s that offer a generous amount of space and number of bedrooms for the same price of a singular bedroom in a hotel.
Additionally, in a country as small as Gibraltar the locations you can find a hotel to stay in is limited and you may find that none of them match up to your comfort or planned agenda for your stay in Gibraltar. The beauty of Airbnb’s is that there are new properties in different picturesque locations popping up often, thereby expanding your options in Gibraltar.
Despite these added charms, if you decide to opt for an Airbnb, you go without the added services which a hotel can offer such as: a cleaning service to refresh your room during your stay, offer of a cooked breakfast ready for you when you wake up and room service. However, the added privacy that an Airbnb provides may be enough to make up for those differences!
As many residents of Gibraltar choose to enjoy their summer months holidaying abroad, it offers a unique opportunity to earn additional money by turning your property into a short stay holiday home for tourists to enjoy while it is unoccupied. This provides a mutually beneficial system that provides both for the host as well as the tourist industry that helps Gibraltar to thrive.
Earlier this month I conducted a short Q&A with Amanda, Airbnb host of Flat 7,269 Main Street, Gibraltar to gain an insight as to what it means to be a host in Gibraltar from someone with a first-hand experience.
1. How long have you had an Airbnb? I have been a host for 5 months, on AirBnB and Booking.com.
2. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in having an Airbnb business? Be prepared for a lot of cleaning!
3. What would you say the pros to owning an Airbnb are?
The pro’s are financial, in that you can earn a good return on Airbnb compared to longterm rental. It is also a good way to meet new people from all different walks of life.
4. What would you say the cons of owning an Airbnb are?
If the apartment is your own home (like mine is), I find it hard when some guests do not respect the place. For example one group smashed the kitchen tiles, ripped the curtains down, burnt a cigarette hole in a velvet chair, lost a key and left the rug covered in muddy boot prints!
5. What is the biggest challenge you faced in the process of setting up your Airbnb?
Deciding on the price to charge and dealing with the platforms. Airbnb is a wonderful platform, booking.com is not a great platform.
6. Would you recommend being an Airbnb host to others and why?
Yes and no. It really depends on your own circumstances, how much time you have, whether you are letting your whole apartment or just a room. I personally could
not let a room and have someone stay in my home with me. But I am coming round to letting my own space. I just need to take the emotional attachment out of it.
7. Have you had Airbnb’s or long lets in places other than Gibraltar?
No. I have never had an airbnb or long let, but my family did run Bed and Breakfasts when I was a child and I am a frequent user of Airbnbs.
8. Do you think that being an Airbnb host in Gibraltar may be different to being a host in another country? Why/why not? I think it may be different, because my guests seem to come for short stays, whereas I would think in Spain or other countries, they may stay for a week or 2 weeks. But on the whole, I would think the experience is very similar in that you check guests in, check them out and clean or organise cleaning and maintaining the property.
By Kassidy Spight
The
impact of Airbnb
The rise of Airbnb since it was founded in 2007 by two designers, Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky, has been meteoric and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guests in nearly every country across the globe.
The idea for Airbnb, an acronym for ‘Air Bed and Breakfast’, sprang up when the duo struggled to pay their rent and decided to put their loft to use by turning it into a lodging space for people attending a design conference in San Francisco. They offered guests air mattresses to sleep on and a homemade breakfast in the morning, thereby creating the original concept of ‘air bed and breakfast’.
In December 2020 Airbnb successfully completed its initial public offering. It began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol ABNB and the offering was one of the most highly anticipated of the year. The company raised $3.5 billion in its IPO (Initial Public Offering), valuing it at $47 billion and making it one of the largest IPOs of 2020. Its net worth as of 22nd July 2024 was $95.31 billion.
However, Airbnb has left a deep impact on the short-term rental, hotel and hospitality industry leading to significant changes in guest expectations, pricing models, and the very essence of what defines a memorable stay. Not only that but its influence extends beyond the hospitality sector, affecting local economies and prompting regulatory changes worldwide.
A look on the Airbnb site shows hundreds of properties available for rent in Gibraltar. In the Chief Minister’s Budget Address on 1st July 2024, he stated that the Government is hoping to bring some regulation to the industry. “To ensure the safety and quality of properties offered in respect of short term holiday lets, and to avoid unfair
competition of hotels, the Government will introduce a mechanism so that EVERY property offered for short term rental shall have to be registered and inspected. A fee will be payable for registration and other conditions will apply. This is becoming widespread throughout the world as the popularity of Airbnb style properties has grown.”
Airbnb has created economic opportunities for property owners by enabling them to monetise their extra space. This has had a positive impact on many local economies, particularly in areas that are less frequented by traditional hotel chains. People can generate additional income, which can be especially beneficial in economically struggling regions.
One of the key selling points for coming in to the Gibraltar market as an inward investor is the fact there is no CGT (Capital Gains Tax). The Landlords Association would like to see more consultation about the proposed new tax. Ed Allison-Wright on behalf of The Landlords Association says: “Whilst the use of Airbnb is present in any community, offering a valuable service to certain visitors and a source of additional income to owners, it can easily overinflate in an unregulated market, leading to negative impacts to the purpose-built hotel industry and disrupting the balance within residential communities that are not designed to cater to the short stay market as a whole.”
He adds that: “The Landlord’s Association has called on the government to bring all
stakeholders around the table to consult fairly and inclusively on devising the appropriate balance for Gibraltar. This balance would look to protect the hotel industry and complement a regulated Airbnb market. An outcome that underpins and strengthens Gibraltar’s accessibility, affordability and viability is one that all stakeholders strive for in what is a competitive global travel market.”
As stated by Ed Allison-Wright, when it comes to hotels one of the key concerns is the fact that Airbnb has been an unregulated industry. In its latest financial report the five-star luxury Sunborn Yacht Hotel pointed to the growth of Airbnbs and the demand of mid-budget short let apartments as a key reason for recent low occupancy.
Airbnb often provides a more affordable option than traditional hotels, particularly in expensive cities or during peak travel times. This has made travel more accessible to a wider range of people, including budgetconscious travellers and larger groups who can share accommodation costs.
There are, of course, pros and cons for both guests and hosts. For guests Airbnb offers a diverse array of properties, from city apartments, villas and suburban homes to unique stays in treehouses, yurts, houseboats or historic castles that will appeal to more adventurous travellers. Airbnb properties are often cheaper than hotels. This is especially true if you’re with a group of family or friends and you can split the bill. For families they can offer more space than a hotel, with amenities such as living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and laundry facilities as well as more than one bedroom.
Cons for guests include misleading listings where photos, descriptions and reviews may not always accurately represent the property. It’s worth noting that Airbnb’s customer service may not be as responsive or effective as hotel front desk services, especially in urgent situations.
For hosts, Airbnb can bring in some extra income with the ability to set their own prices and adjust them based on demand, seasonality, and market conditions. Hosts
can choose when to make their property available and block off dates when they don’t want to host. Airbnb provides access to a large, international pool of potential guests and the website offers tools for managing bookings, communicating with guests, and handling payments.
The cons include the fact that Airbnb takes a percentage of each booking as a service fee. Allowing strangers to stay in your own property can raise privacy and security concerns and despite protections, there is always a risk of significant damage, theft, or other property issues.
Airbnb and hotels can coexist and embrace the evolving needs of travellers. Hotels can learn from Airbnb’s approach by providing consistent services and amenities, personalisation, unique experiences and by utilising tools to enhance guest satisfaction, whilst Airbnbs can provide home comforts and diverse accommodation options.
By Jo Ward
Airbnb and hotels can coexist and embrace the evolving needs of travellers. “ “
The Cliftons
£445,000
This beautifully presented home is located on the ground floor in a quiet high-end historic development, in the South District. Boasting a large open plan kitchen and living room, one bedroom and one bathroom, this spacious property has been cleverly designed to maximise space. It comes with a private parking space outside and only a five-minute drive to town. Residents benefit from the communal pool, sauna, and gym.
PXRS1254
Eurocity
£275,000
This bright and spacious studio offers stunning West orientation views from your very own large balcony. Perfect for watching our beautiful sunsets! Every apartment is a luxurious style statement, complimented by quality craftsmanship in finishes, fixtures, and fittings. Set in a central location with expertly landscaped cactus gardens, decked terraces, pools, a gym, secure car parking and a concierge service. PXRS895
Europlaza
£1,900,000
A spacious property where the living room is the heart of the home and centres around a real wood-burning fireplace. Initially planned with three bedrooms with 266m2 internal space, it was later transformed into a two-bedroom home, which can easily be converted back. The private terrace boasts an amazing 360˚ panoramic view and you have the opportunity to construct an upper level or create your own private plunge pool - all subject to planning permission. This home comes as a complete blank canvas and 5 car parking spaces! One of a kind!
This bright and airy studio is located on the ninth floor with an East facing balcony with partial sea views and a stunning view of our beautiful Rock. It also comes with its own private parking! Every apartment is a luxurious style statement, with quality craftsmanship in finishes, fixtures, and fittings. Set in a central location with expertly landscaped cactus gardens, decked terraces, pools, a gym and a concierge service.
PXRS1252
Ocean Spa Plaza
£920,000
This CAT 2 property consists of two bedrooms and two bathrooms with an open plan kitchen and living room which leads onto the 28m2 private terrace boasting a spectacular panoramic view of Gibraltar and Africa. Plus, it comes with a private car parking space! Residents can enjoy the roof top swimming pools, and an adult only spa. Local amenities such as Ocean Village, shops, restaurants and town are right on your doorstep.
PXLET41
The Reserve
£1,650,000
Located on the 11th floor boasting a large master superking-sized bedroom with fitted wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom and private access to the terrace. There is a second superking-sized bedroom and a third king-sized bedroom both with fitted wardrobes and en-suites. It also boasts a one and a half bathroom, a stunning open plan kitchen and living/dining room which leads onto the large private terrace overlooking the beautiful Bay of Gibraltar and Africa. Plus, it comes with a storage room and a private car parking space! Your dream home is waiting!
Nestled in the coveted south district, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment offers an unparalleled living experience with its breathtaking views of the Bay of Gibraltar, Spain and Africa. This property boasts an open-plan kitchen and living room which leads onto the private terrace, perfect for al-fresco dining. Plus, it comes with a private car parking space and a storage cage! The master bedroom comes with an en-suite bathroom and the second and third bedroom are south facing which fills the rooms with plenty of natural light. All bedrooms have fully fitted wardrobes. Local amenities such as schools, the beach, restaurants and Europa Point are a five-minute drive away. In addition to this, you have convenient transport links right on your doorstep. This property is perfect for a growing family as you have the convenience of having a children’s playground nearby.
Breathtaking panoramic views
Private parking and private terrace
Air conditioning
Amenities nearby
Tradewinds
£1,040,000
A beautiful high-end apartment in the exclusive Tradewinds development with dual aspects catching the Rock of Gibraltar and the Bay towards the Spanish Hinterland. 2 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one ensuite), generous hallway, bespoke kitchen with dining area and a large living room/dining room leading onto the terrace. Air conditioning throughout, private indoor parking space and use of a communal pool. G33676
Upper Town
£599,955
A modern three-bedroom apartment with 2 thoughtfully designed shower rooms, in the heart of the picturesque upper town, within the exclusive Bado’s Garden development. The apartment’s quirky design and vibrant ambiance creates an inviting atmosphere, with an abundance of natural light and an expansive 22m2 terrace with scenic views. Includes a communal swimming pool and a dedicated parking space. S1043
Europa Mews
£2,100,000
A beautiful semi-detached home located in the exclusive Europa Mews development. Four double bedrooms, three offer access to the charming landscaped garden and breathtaking views of Gibraltar. Bright and airy living space with fully fitted kitchen, garage with direct access to the property and 2 extra spaces at the front. Easy access to sports, beaches and transport links. Don’t miss out on this exceptional home. S1043
Ocean Village
£900,000/£2,700 pcm
A stunning 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom property in the exclusive area of Ocean Village, The Mews, a very private and quiet area with a 40m2 garden off the living/dining room. The bedroom is a sanctuary with reverse air conditioning, top of the range sliding wardrobes and access on-suite with shower and a bathtub. Access to over 35,000 square feet of gardens with 5 pools and 7 jacuzzis. Private covered parking space.
S1036
Town Area
£825,000
Large 3 bedroom apartment in Prince Edwards Gate, in the heart of the old town. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large internal living areas of around 120m2 with a 14m2 terrace enjoying views of the Bay of Gibraltar. Air conditioning, underfloor heating and a large master ensuite bedroom with walk in wardrobe. Private parking space, store room, communal outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna/steam room, decked gardens and fitness room.
G33673
Upper Town
£2,600,000
Large early 19th-century freehold building in the Upper Town, located a short walk from Main Street with an abundance of amenities. This is the perfect project for a developer looking to purchase a buy-to-let investment. The property currently offers 16 individual apartments, of which 75% are vacant and it is prime for regeneration. The building offers many architectural features and stunning views of the Bay of Gibraltar.
S1053
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Cultivating creative thinking in early years
Supported by leading professionals around the world, the programme endeavours to expose young children to the world of fine art, thus fostering an environment where imagination and creativity can flourish.
Reflecting Gibraltar’s unique cultural heritage, the programme aims to establish the Rock of Gibraltar as a hub for artistic and creative development.
