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
Moonlight is Sunlight ...
Turkey, Van Province, Hosap Castle by Moonlight, 2009 – Also known as Güzelsu Van. It is a large medieval castle in the village of Hoşap.
I made an effort to photograph every province in Turkey, completed in 2012. My journal from December 3, 2009 read….We came to the town of Hosap. The castle there took us quite by surprise. It was barely visible in the darkness but clearly beautiful, perched on a rocky hill. I drove till I got a good vista of the castle. I got out in the freezing temperatures and walked a bit up the slope. I managed, using the moonlight, to get a surprisingly good image. This was sort of revelatory for me. The image that came out looked almost like daylight. I realized then that moonlight is actually sunlight reflected off of the moon, which explains why photographs taken at night can appear to be taken during the day, if taken by moonlight! Moonlight is sunlight!!
Kayah Woman, 2012
Myanmar, Kayah Province (Division) - 8x10 film
The Long-Neck, or Giraffe-Necked woman are originally from Kayah State in Myanmar. To travel there required a permit. I had seen them before in Mae Hong Son Province in Western Thailand, but there, they are refugees. Like many customs involving disfigurement, this one is dying out. Typically, only the old women wear the neck rings. There is a photo on this site from Mae Hong Son of a girl wearing the rings, but these were removable. The woman in this photograph is one of the last remaining original Long Necked Woman. I found her in a house in a village on the side of the road.
Turkey, Antalya Prov, Hookah Shop
UK, Merton (London) Prov, Crossing Not In Use
Slovenia, Mozirje Prov, Butterfly
Slovenia, Dravograd Prov, Purple Flower
Lithuania, Taurages Prov, Effigy -
Slovenia, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec Prov, Church On A Hill
Estonia, Viljandimaa Prov, Cat In Window -
Taiwan, Keelung County Prov, City Lights Night