This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2450 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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Slovenia, Postojna Prov, Fly
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Thailand, Sa Kaeo Prov, Cane Worker
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Slovenia, Mezica Prov, Old Slovenian Woman
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Vietnam, Thai Nguyen Prov, Crab Bread
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UK, Isle Of Wight Prov, Clocks
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Palestine, Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity with Godbeams
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Nepal, Mani Rimdu, Kantega, 1983 - One of the most exciting festivals I ever attended was Mani Rimdu at Tengboche monastery in the Solo Khumbu region of Nepal in 1983. Here, the head Lama presides over a ceremony with other monks in attendance. In the background looms Mt. Kantega at 6685 meters, or 21,930 feet. Kantega was first climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary. Although Mani Rimdu provided a delightful spectacle for local villagers, the ceremony carried deep meaning within the inner recesses of the monastery. A film was produced by scholar Rick Kohn of Berkeley about Mani Rimdu. The quote of the head Lama on the advertising poster for the movie is one of the most profound I have ever heard: ""When your mind is impure, everyone is ordinary. When your mind is pure, everyone is a Buddha."" In my journal, I wrote the following after meeting Rick Kohn: Rick told us about some of the things he?s done here. He?s working on his PhD. He?s recently translated his oldest ever recently. It is a prayer to the god of Central Tibet, who predates Buddha:
The Cloud of Worship of the god of the Plain
(Translated by Richard Kohn)
To name the body god?s father
He is Ote, gung gyal,*
To name the body god?s mother
She is the One Winged Turquoise Bird.
To name the body god himself ?
He is YA ? SHUD, the god of cruelty.
Take the name of the country in which you dwell
It is Shivering Swamp Bottom
A wild throne of shimmering green turquoise.
Verdant in summer, verdant also in winter.
The country in which you live is called Delightful To Experience.
*Ote, King of the Zenith (of the center of the sky)"
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China, Heilongjang Province, Harbin Ice Festival, 1992 - In 1992, I went to Harbin with my fiance at the time (later married, then ended). It was romantic: ice cold temperatures, dingy hotels and love in between visits to the ice castles. The Harbin Ice Festival is worth a visit.
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Nepal, Festival of Holi, Ed Gets Color Bombed, 1984 - Every year in India and Nepal they celebrate the Festival of Holi, or Festival of Colors. Here our friend Ed from Holland stands, a victim of children hurling "color bombs." It is simply colored powder.
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Bayanga Pygmy Girl with Sharpened Teeth, 2000
Central African Republic, Sangha-Mbaéré Province (Préfecture), Bayanga - 8x10 film Africa 1999-2000 Worldwide Photo Project - Central African Republic
The pygmy women sometimes sharpened their teeth, presumably to enhance their beauty.