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
Slovenia, Kanal Prov, Evening River
Slovenia, Zuzemberk Prov, Farm
Cuba, Street Scene, 1997 - One thing that could be said for Havana: there was a certain verve in the city. It looked like someone had built a grand city and then walked away from it for forty years. But it was fun. There were people playing cards and chess, rolling cigars. I asked a young woman for directions. She took me home to meet her family.
Cambodia, Prey Veaeng Prov, Basket Bicycles
Slovenia, Ljubno Prov, Village River
Mursi Woman, 2014
Ethiopia, Oromiya Province
The scarification on her body is achieved by cutting the skin and putting ash in the wound.
Slovenia, Gornja Radgona Prov, Two Tractors Getting Gas
Slovenia, Salovci Prov, Landscape
Latvia, Talsu Prov, Beach -
Congo Zaire, Jeff Shea with Leopard Tooth Necklace, 1984 - A pygmy in Mt. Hoyo in eastern Zaire sold me this leopard tooth necklace from around his neck for scarcely a dollar. I proudly sported it. It did not occur to me in those "innocent ages" of the connection to preservation of wildlife. It is not recommended to buy any animal parts, for that reason. With that said, loss of habitat (by deforestation for example) is by far the greatest threat to animals. I was told in Cameroon in 1999 that the bush meat market in Africa was thriving. I was told that even gorilla meat was popular. There is an enormous disconnect between Western ideologies and the reality on the ground, especially when hunger is involved. The answer is to preserve large tracts of land in great World Parks, one on each continent.