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
Romania, Generations, 1997 - A few months before I took this photograph I had driven through Romania. I fell in love with Transylvania, with it rolling fields. It seems so suitable for walking, and I yearned to get out of the car. Shortly after I planned a walk. I purchased a used Rolleiflex in Munich. Carrying all my gear in a minimal pack, and toting the camera and a small tripod, I set off on foot from Cluj Napoca and walked by compass point to Brasov. On the way, I stopped to take this photograph of children and their grandmothers, generations apart.
Walking in Transylvania was spectacular. I walked through fields, forests, across streams, always following my compass. The people were friendly.
(6 cm format)
Slovenia, Polzela Prov, Wall
Turkey, Igdir Prov, Landscape
Bangladesh, Sherpur Prov, Crowd Accosts Old Man - I didn't know what precipitated this, but - although not visible in this photo - a crowd of people followed these men. The older man was forcibly brought to a place where he was sat down, awaiting some sort of proceeding.
India, Jammu and Kashmir Province, Lamayuru, 1999 -
I had just come from Tibet, where my Russian friends and I had driven to the highest point ever driven, (near Yangshaoping, Tibet), 5726 meters. Now I was on the road from Sringar to Leh, probably the most hair-raising I’d ever been on. It was made of dirt and had no barriers around turns where the drop off was seemingly interminable.
October 9, 1999 - written in Leh at the end of the day at an altitude of 3524 metres (11,562 ft) - The route took us through mostly barren territory today, from Kargil to Leh. The highlight of the day was seeing Lamayuru. Ashlem had told me it was like a moon land in 1974 when it opened up. Even today, the aspect of the village and the stupa was remarkable. There, an old poor woman collected shit into her basket, tossing the pieces off the ground backwards. There were stupas where very fine green and purple prayer stones were scattered by the thousands. I took an 8x10 image of them with Lamayuru in the background.
When we returned I discovered that the road to the Sia La (in Pakistan, or is it a no-man's land?) was motorable at least as far as Pamimuk in the Nubra Valley. The Sia La is 6200 meters high. I am still unclear on whether George and I (and Sasha and Sergei) really did go higher than anyone else? I enjoyed making love to Novita tonight more than I have ever before. (And again, and again.)
The village of Lamayuru was picturesque. Just outside the village, the road was lined with prayer stones. These stones were carved by devout Buddhists over the centuries. I was always fascinated how such veritable works of art could remain unmolested by hundreds of years of passersby.
UK, Rhondda Cynon Taff Prov, Imposing Tree
DK, Greenland, North Coast, Arctic Knot With Chick, 2007, IMG_5182CU2r1 - I crawled on my hands and knees to get close enough to this Arctic Knot. She began to trust me, and let her chicks out from underneath her belly, who were no doubt restless in their nest. They wandered around until their mother called them. Then they ran back underneath the safety of her body.
Latvia, Cesu Prov, Castle -
Papua New Guinea, Strickland Gorge, 1983 - On the second day of walking from Lake Kopiago, we came out of the forest and crossed the Strickland Gorge. The Strickland Gorge amazed me with its beauty.
Laos, Phongsali Prov, Tribal Girl