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
Thailand, Ranong Prov, Boat
Slovenia, Kamnik Prov, New Architecture
Thailand, Chiang Mai Prov, Light Painting
Tibet, Monastery, 1991 - In 1991, it was necessary to be part of a tour if you wanted to enter Tibet. I paid for a few day "tour." When they wanted me to stay at the Holiday Inn in Lhasa, I begged them to put me up in a traveler's hotel. This was more to my liking. There, I met many interesting people, including one who had biked from the far east of the country. During a nightly discussion, one person spoke of how disrespectful Westerners were of the local traditions. They told a story about how they saw one Westerner walk across the floor of a monastery, such as the one in this photograph, while the monks were praying. Notably, the storyteller said that the monks did not seem disturbed by this. This seems to me to be an essential differentiation between the mind of a Westerner, or Christian, and that of a Tibetan, or Buddhist.
Bangladesh, Sirajganj Prov, Worker - 
Slovenia, Dobrovnik Prov, Red Brick Building
Light Box House, 2009 Turkey, Hakkari Province (Vilayet)
Rocks for Sale, 2009 Bangladesh, Sylhet Province (District)
Slovenia, Osilnica Prov, Church
Nepal, Mani Rimdu, Horns, 1983 - These impressive horns make a deep, bellowing sound. One night above Tengboche monastery (in the Solo Khumbu region of Nepal), the horns blew, resounding off the walls of the immense valley where Tengboche lies. Tengboche, where this photograph is taken, is arguably one of the most fantastic places on earth, especially during the festival of Mani Rimdu.