Jeff Shea

This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2600 of the world’s 3978 provinces, to every country on earth and to the summit of the highest peak on each continent (thank heaven for good weather!). In my travels, I learned to respect the intelligence and ingenuity of people of all races and callings both past and present. Come see the world as I see it: as a peaceful place, full of nature and beauty. With the right spirit and intent, we can make our world a virtual Garden of Eden.

DISTINCTIONS: BBC 2017 Travel Pioneer • Journal Articles • Explorer’s Club Flag Expeditions
World Parks Project • Walk Across South America • Jeff Shea Travel Map

Cambodia, Angkor Wat, Aspareses, 1996 - Of all the temples in the world, I would rate Angkor Wat as the finest Although the pyramids of Egypt are the most grand, the reliefs of Angkor Wat are magnificent. They line wall after wall of this grand temple.
Myanmar, Tanintharyi Prov, Oceanside Temple
Seram, Suku Terasing, Zarah, 2006 - Zarah was one of the women that arrived with the Suku Terasing. There were about 15 people in all. The chief did not come. We were told it was because he had a bad leg. Zarah was the daughter of Mateus, a man that lived half in and half out of civilization. Mateus had married into the Suku Terasing. Zarah was a rather striking woman.
Vietnam, Thai Binh Prov, Kitchen
Papua New Guinea, Clear Water, 1983 - This photograph shows the remarkable cleanliness of the streams in the forests of New Guinea. Though I drank freely from the steams at virtually every opportunity, I never got sick from doing so.
UK, Bexley (London) Prov, Preschool
Slovenia, Kamnik Prov, Church And Mountain
Bangladesh, Dacca Dockworkers, 1983 - This photograph was taken at the docks in Dacca, Bangladesh. The hardship of these workers' lives was apparent by their clothing, dusty from sacks of flour that they were carrying.
Syria, Palmyra Moon, 1984 - In 1984, I traveled to Syria overland from Turkey during the 20th month of my 26-month adventure around the world. I went to Palmyra, or Tadmor, in the Syrian desert. This site had its heyday circa the 4th century A.D., when under the control of Rome. That evening, I walked among the ruins, visiting a local family in their tents. I took this photograph of Palmyra in the moonlight. That night when I slept, I had a fantastic dream about a man named Green Hanab. Later, a psychic friend of Judith's interpreted this dream: Green was my pure spiritual side, while Hanab was my earthly impure side. June 12, 1984 Palmyra (Todhmor), Syria Good morning, I’m Groggy! Practiced for an hour in the morning before I left. I hitched to Palmyra in the hot sun. Arrived about 3 p.m. Had good lunch. “The ruins are superb.” Wow! I certainly never saw the likes of this! I spent the afternoon sneaking into the Temple Bel, a huge walled square. I walked up through the complex at dusk, catching a wonderful sight and picture in the rising moon among four four columned arrays. I felt quite inspired by the ruins and sang as I walked up to the last temple. There’s a shepherd living in the ruins and his daughters pulled me in their courtyard reeking of animals to have tea. Two daughters were ripe and had smooth skin and gold teeth, and poured me three cups of tea while Mama, shaped like a cone (tip up) gorged herself, probably as usual. They had a TV in the open air and the moon hid behind a wall. They warmed me with their eyes. It felt like home, reminded me of Toniça. I went to my hotel to sleep, and had a sensational dream at dawn in which a real and very rich man revealed a glimpse of his mastery of organization.