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
Cambodia, Kampong Chaam Prov, Field Of Palms
South Sandwich Islands, Saunders Island, Two Penguins Jumping On Iceberg, 2006 - These chinstrap penguins amazed me. With persistence they managed to jump about four times their height up on to the iceberg!
Vietnam, Ha Tay Prov, Milling Yard
Papua New Guinea, Pandanus, 1983 - The pandanus grows wild in New Guinea. In addition to its use as a food source, there are those who claim its extract has medicinal qualities.
Slovenia, Lovrenc Na Pohorju Prov, Welcome To Obcina Lovrenc Na Pohorju
Cambodia, Krong Preah Sihanouk Prov, Landscape
Turkey, Zonguldak Prov, Ship Hull
PNG, Wabia Villagers Wave Goodbye, 1983 - After finding Wabia again by ourselves, Kellly and I rested and arranged for new guides to take us to Top Camp, a few days away on foot. Here, the Wabians wave goodbye. We virtually ran out of food on the way to Top Camp, having "pandanus pizza" the on the day before arrival. 
Slovenia, Hrpelje-Kozina Prov, Insect Mating On A Flower Closeup
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.