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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Papua New Guinea, Long Haus, 1983 - This long house was in a village near Lake Kutubu. We had occasion to sleep in such houses from time to time. It was very communal; everyone slept on the spacious floor. It was also very noisy.
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Papua New Guinea, Gera Chief Castrating Goat, 1983 - Gera's chief castrated this goat. Although this photograph is grotesque, I felt it was important. The villagers clearly enjoyed the proceeding. At first I thought they were cruel and primitive for expressing joy while the poor animal screamed. Then I reflected that in my own modern society, many animals are slaughtered for food, but I am insulated from it. It takes place on ranches and in meat factories, far from the sensibilities of everyday people. In Melanesian society, the realities of survival were dealt with directly. It really was not more primitive, just more direct, hence more realistic. This was revelatory for me.
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UK, Northhamptonshire Prov, Night House
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Slovenia, Kozje Prov, Chained Dog
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Slovenia, Bled Prov, Lake
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Algeria, In Beroutane, 1988 - This rock figure, called In-Beroutane, or "The Elephant", is situated in Algeria, more or less in the middle of the Sahara desert. I took this photograph while traveling across the Sahara in the back of a date truck. I found the evidence of such geologic history there 'intriguing'.
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N Ireland, Carrickfergus Prov, Castle
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Slovenia, Kranj Prov, Two Woman And A Dog
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Slovenia, Gorenja vas-Poljane Prov, Scarecrow
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Riska on top of Ternate Volcano, 2005
Indonesia, Maluku Utara Province
Twelve years later, I fulfilled this vision on the top of Ternate Island in Indonesia when Riska agreed to pose for me.