Fear takes a backseat when meeting the animals on the Galapagos Islands. They appear to lack that instinct. Here humans can walk a path through dozens of marine iguanas,step within inches of nesting gulls or swim alongside turtles and sea lions. Few animals bother to move! Like most visitors I flew to the islands through Ecuador's coastal city, Guayaqual and landed on the island of San Cristobal. After a short bus ride I arrived in the port of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the islands largest town, the home to over five thousand inhabitants. Taking a stroll along the sea front it became immediately obvious people were not the only ones to be attracted to this serene location. It's sandy beaches are the home to large colonies of sea lions. Sheltered by a tranquil bay, females raise their pups seemingly oblivious to the holiday makers who share the sands. The more adventurous males roam the streets. Some take the liberty of sleeping on the promenades's picnic benches. Others sit propped upon their flippers heads to the sky in a curious haughtiness. Close encounters with these charming creatures provide the visitor with a taste of what the islands have to offer. San Cristobal is renowned for some of the islands best snorkel/dive sites. The next morning I boarded a catamaran heading for the dramatic Kicker Rock. The rock formation rises to over 140 metres and is split in to by years of erosion. The cliff ledges are popular with nesting sites for Blue Footed and Narzca Boobies. The crystal clear water surrounding the rock is teeming with life. Snorkeling here is magical. Mesmerizing shoals of tropical fish weave in and out of the coral undeterred by groups of snorkelers. Manta Rays and Reef Sharks rest calmly on the ocean floor. Enormous turtles swim sublimely by, appearing ghostly under the penetrating rays of sun light. In contrast, playful sea lion pups dive twisting and turning as they glide effortlessly passed you in this under water paradise. Having experienced the delights of San Cristobal it was time to move on to my next port of call, the sea horse shaped island of Isabella. Here groups of penguins congregate on rocks near the water's edge hopping precariously from one rock to another. Landing on a stretch of lava rock care was needed to walk around groups of marine iguanas basking in the afternoon sun. These spiny creatures blend seamlessly with the blackness of the landscape. Scrambling over the same surface, dozens of frenetic lizards dart in and out of the rocky crevices. Surveying the surroundings a Yellow Crested Heron stands forlornly proving the the only burst of colour in this bleak environment. The following day I continued my journey, landing on the island of Floreana the home to a large population of Giant Tortoises. Leaving the sea shore I take a truck to highlands. Walking down a muddy track I catch my first glimpse of these venerable creatures in a sun lit forest glade. Some were stationary while others crept slowly forwards foraging on the abundance of lush vegetation. Watching them advancing towards me it was easy to see they were easy targets for whalers, who in past centuries, hunted them as a source of meat on long voyages. Fortunately, today these incredible creatures have few natural predators and have no fear of human activity. My Galapagos journey was nearing its end. It concludes with a visit to South Plaza, an uninhabited island, that's covered with prickly pear cacti and the home to a large population of colourful of land iguanas. These savage looking creatures are unperturbed by my presence. Feeding on the native cactus they sit motionlessly, among the cacti, waiting for a single leaf to drop. Treading carefully, avoiding the iguanas , I take a trail through the cactus forest to reach the cliff tops. Here I pass within feet of nesting Swallow-Tail Gulls many with newly born chicks. yet,my close proximity doesn't seem to be a threat. "Las Encantadas"- the Enchanted Isles, as early explorers chose to describe them, still have the power to cast a spell on those who care to pay them a visit. Remarkably, animals are unfazed by a human presence. That was something I didn't expect to find!