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
My diary entry of the day we visited the Tree of Life: We dipped in the lagoon, then dipped in the pool, then showered and went out in the 4WD. We drove to the Saudi border; it was interesting: they wouldn't let us go through. We drove to Riffa, had a delicious lunch of chicken and juice in the back seat of the car, then drove out to find the tree of life. Bahrain is small; the southern part is ransacked by past days and oil field remnants. We found the Tree of Life, the raced back to the hotel. We went to the airport; I had made a mistake on the departure time (and date); we flew first to Ad-Damman, a city 20 mins away by air in Saudi Arabia. They would not allow me to touch my toe on the jet way, one inch outside the plane. They said the Saudis were so strict, that would cause a one day delay for the plane to leave. (Nonsense.) Technically, just landing there counts for the TCC count, but I am not going to count it. We flew on to Amsterdam. The flight was uncomfortable, but towards morning I managed to sleep and to dream.
Thailand, Bull Fight, 1984 - Another surprise awaited me in Koh Samui, Thailand: a bullfight! I knew, of course, about bullfights with matadors, but I had never heard about bullfights where one bull fought another! Prior to the fight, the owners prodded the bulls in their testicles to anger them. The bulls' horns were embossed with gold-colored foil. In this photograph some of the spectators take to climbing coconut trees for safety.
Slovenia, Ribnica Na Pohorju Prov, Plow Harnesses
China, Guizhou, Old Miao Women, 1995 - In my travels in China, I was amazed at how many different cultural groups there were. I never took tours if I could help it. Discovering places on your own is enriching and more mysterious. These older Miao women looked on as younger, prettier girls dressed in magnificent costumes for the local festivities.
Philippines, Batanes Prov, Beach
Seram, Dragonfly, 2006 - On the walk from Ilela Mariena to Kanikeh, deep in the jungle, we stopped for lunch. While my guides cut up deer meat, I sat in the shallows of a stream photographing insects. Here a dragonfly sits on a floating leaf in the sun.
Romania, Farm Girl Sitting On Wagon, 1997 - On my visits to Romania in 1997, I brought an 8x10 camera. The beauty of the young women, so unassuming and natural in their rural environments, captivated me.
Papua New Guinea, East New Britain, Spider, 1983 - Kelly Soma and I camped on the top of the extinct volcano above Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. This spider startled us, and I used Kelly's tobacco pouch, a shoe, a pen, and a cup as props to show its size. While we were camping there was an enormous earthquake (magnitude 6.5-7.6 at its epicenter more than 100 miles out to sea), making the mountain feel like rubber.
Slovenia, Smartno Pri Litiji Prov, Dilapidated Roof
Papua New Guinea, Huli Sunglasses, 1983 - I don't think it mattered to this man that his sunglasses were missing a lens, just as many Highlanders wore wristwatches that were broken. Their interest was artistic, not practical. The Hulis had fantastic imaginations. I was impressed by the fact that they did not seem to differentiate between items from the forest and items from modern industry. Any item that could enhance their appearance was fair game. For example, this man's wig has both flowers and candy wrappers in it!