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
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India, Corpse in Ricksha, 1984 - In this photograph, a corpse is being transported to the burning ghats in Varanasi by ricksha. The driver stopped to have a cup of tea and sits at the shop in the background. As I photographed this scene (without a flash), a man approached me on the left, asking for baksheesh (a handout). Even though people provided no service, they often tried to insinuate themselves into a tip by mere virtue of being in the proximity of a curious onlooker such as myself.
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Myanmar, Shan Prov, Silver Paluang Girl Bathing
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Slovenia, Ribnica Prov, Rounded Door
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Nepal, Wedding Dance, 1984 - A young woman, Gabrielle of New Zealand, invited me to go on a hike east of Katmandu. We fell in love on this trip and made a decision to meet in Africa a few months later, which we did. In the small mountain village of Kakani, we were lucky enough to see a traditional mountain wedding. They threw rice. After the ceremony, the husband carried the wife off on his back.
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Vietnam, ThanhHoa Prov, Young2Girls
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Slovenia, Dobrna Prov, Girl With Golden Hair Closeup
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South Georgia, Gold Harbor, Water Droplets On Penguin Wing, 2006 - I took this photograph about twenty feet away from a King Penguin. I noticed water droplets on its wing and took an image of only the wing itself. At the moment I took the photograph, I felt as if time had frozen. The penguin seemed suddenly motionless, as was my camera. Later, when I blew up the photograph, I noticed that the clarity was so fine that I could even see the light reflected off of the water droplets.
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Cambodia, Siem Reab Prov, Tractor Driver
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Slovenia, Nazarje Prov, Building Side
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Nepal, Jeff Shea at Kala Patar, 1983 - Here I stand at Kala Patar, a popular place for travelers to the Solo Khumbu region of Nepal. It is located near Everest Base Camp on the south side of the mountain. It was my first time to an elevation of 18,000 feet.