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
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.
Vietnam, An Giang Prov, Duck Farm
Bangladesh, Sunamganj Prov, Woman Walking -
Park Bench Sleeping, 2009 Azerbaijan, Baku Province (Rayon) Worldwide Photo Project - Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Imishli Prov, Two Men
Slovenia, Gornji Petrovci Prov, Miniature Car
Azerbaijan, Shamkir Prov, Lake Scene
Warming Island Composite, 2006
Greenland, Uunartoq Qeqertaq
World’s First Reconnaisance of Warming Island 2006
The composite image above was created from two photographs I took from the helicopter on September 12, 2006. This full view of Warming Island tells the story: the ice bridge on the left that joined Warming Island with Greenland for all known history melted, revealing that Warming Island was not part of Greenland. The tabular iceberg shown on the left appears to have been part of the break-away. Whilst esoteric discussion between politicians steers public opinion about whether or not Global Warming exists, those individuals that live in or travel to the Arctic or Antarctic have a very clear view of what is happening. The world is melting. It is my view that it is not necessary to argue the point as to whether this melting is caused by human activity. The best course of action is for mankind to behave as if it is. Striving for a clean environment will have a positive effect on our quality of life.
Myanmar, Unknown Prov, Village People River Boats
Slovenia, Trzin Prov, Plantings