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
Norway, Spitsbergen, Longyearbyen, 2000 - This is the settlement of Longyearbyen on the island of Spitsbergen (Svalbard) off the far north coast of Norway. Spitsbergen is home to an immense amount of wildlife. I took this picture from the plateau above the village. I followed the local advice, which was to carry a gun, in the event of polar bears. A woman had been killed there by one some years earlier.
Nepal, Katmandu, Milk Baba, 1999 - Milk Baba was so named because he lives entirely on milk. No food passes his lips. He lives in a small room on the side of the stream at Pashiputinath, in the Katmandu greater city. He is one of the most memorable people I ever met. When he stood and let his hair down, it was longer than his body, falling to the floor and then some. He sat and began to play a hand organ. It was the most mellifluous melody I could imagine, combining beauty and mystery. He continued to play this for about ten minutes, and then, unexpectedly, he began to sing. The sound of his voice carried us away into another dimension. Being a good host, he asked us if we were wanted something to drink. Milk!!!
Slovenia, Hrpelje-Kozina Prov, Ant On Leaf Closeup
Laos, Phongsali Prov, Young Woman
UK, Carmarthenshire Prov, Street Party
Greenland, Warming Island, off coast of Liverpool Land, Cross Fox Rolls In Snow, 2006 - This white fox came to our camp the first afternoon we arrived, no doubt curious and attracted to the smell of food. Here, it rolls in the snow.
Ecuador, Jeff Shea And Santo Domingo De Los Colorados Indians, 1979 - The Indians of Santo Domingo De Los Colorados had interesting customs, as is evidenced by the man's hair on the left. The Indians come to market in Otavalo, 129 km from Quito. This photograph was taken of me with the first camera I ever traveled with, a second-hand Kodak instamatic using 110 film. Twenty-seven years later, I scanned it and had it touched up. 
Cambodia, Kaoh Kong Prov, Night House
Vietnam, Lai Chau Prov, Many Terraces
Central African Republic, Portrait Pygmy Scars, 2006 - This young woman's face is scarred and tattooed in designs.