A traveller has spoken to the Independent newspaper about his experiences in the beautiful Galapagos Islands.

Ben Ross says that he was astonished by the spectacular landscape and in awe of the creatures that make their home there.

Particularly striking, he said, were the giant tortoises which he describes as icons of the islands and indeed a symbol of evolution itself.

"Nothing," he said, "beats your first encounter with a giant tortoise in the wild".

The preservation of this wonderful part of the world has been extensive, with Mr Ross noting that Ecuador, which owns the islands, declared them a national park in 1959.

In 1978, Unesco granted them World Heritage Status, while 20 years later, strict residence and fishing controls were introduced.

Efforts have also been made to ensure that the large numbers of environmental tourists which visit the islands do not encroach on the natural habitat.

Visitors to the island "have learnt to modify their behaviour", Mr Ross said, adding that they "generate plenty of cash for the local economy".

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