Jeff Shea

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

Congo Zaire, Children, 1984 - This was taken on my first visit to the Congo, then known as Zaire. I was impressed by how happy the children seemed. I realized then that material wealth was not a guarantee of happiness; ironically, it seemed that children smiled and laughed more in poor places than in rich.
Pacific Ocean, Looking Down On Deck, 1982 - This photo is taken from the boson's chair up the main mast on the Sugar Bear, the 43-foot ketch that I crewed on across the Pacific Ocean. We sailed this 41-foot Morgan Out Island 42 days, not including breaks in Hawaii and Kiribati, out of San Francisco?s Golden Gate to Honiara, Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. From there we sailed up the Solomon Island chain. We had a four or five person crew depending on the leg of the journey.
Cambodia, Kampot Prov, Elephant Statues
China, near Shanghai, Old Chinese Woman, 1996 - On my way back to Shanghai from a short trip southwest, we went through an area with clusters of houses surrounded by fields. The houses had this whitewashed appearance and were somewhat picturesque. I stopped to take a photo. This old woman appeared at the doorway. She wears pants with patches at the knees. (8x10 format)
Vietnam, An Giang Prov, Plates
Congo Zaire, Pygmy Dance, 1984 - In Mt. Hoyo, the pygmies put on this "Monkey Dance" for Gabrielle and I. It was my first introduction to the pygmies of Africa, of which there are many tribes.
Turkey, Canakkale Prov, Trojan Horse Replica (Troy)
UK, Falkland Island Dependencies, South Georgia, King Penguins, 2006 - South Georgia is one of the most beautiful and spectacular islands on the planet. The wildlife is abundant. Go there if you can.
Slovenia, Solcava Prov, Soccer
Cambodia, Svaay Rieng Prov, Temple Elephants