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
Solomon Islands, Umbuni, 1982 - The area of the world known as Melanesia had the most profound impact on me of all my travels. From the moment I arrived, I began to see the world differently; the people lived in a society with such different values than the ones I had previously been exposed to. Here, life was hard and men lived boldly. Umbuni was the chief's son. To reach his land, the Kwaio, I sailed across the Pacific Ocean to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, traveled to Malaita by local boat, took a truck across the island, then caught a ride with Fred Billy Akwafaasie across a large stretch of ocean in a motorized canoe to Sinalagu Bay. Fred Billy was a Christian. He walked Kelly Soma and I up the steep bush track to the frontier of the Kwaio. Fred Billy's village had been converted to Christianity by missionaries, whereas Umbuni's people rejected conversion. On the way up the bush track I asked Fred Billy if he still believed in the old ways. At first he flatly denied it, but then he revealed that traditional beliefs linger for a long time. He said, "No, I don't believe in the old ways?but sometimes at night, you can feel the spirits of the ancestors." Ancestors were worshipped in the Kwaio in skull houses, where the skulls of their forefathers resided. I asked Umbuni what would happen if I entered his land without his father's permission. Umbuni, a gentle and kind man, stated his case simply and without aggression: "I would kill you."
Taiwan, Ilan County Prov, Truck Advertisement
Slovenia, Bovec Prov, Footbridge
USA, Wake Island, Tern With Fish
Moldova, Transdniester, Goose Step, 2003 - A visit to Transdniester is worth it, if only to get the flavor of this breakaway province of Moldova. They have their own money and their own government. It harkens back to the Communist Bloc days.
Uruguay, Lucia's Body, 1993 - After walking twenty five miles down the Horcones Valley after my Aconcagua climb, I caught a van to Mendoza. I was dropped off at the bus station. The seats were sold out on the night ride to Montevideo, but the stewardesses offered to let me sit in one of their seats. I got a ride in the front of the bus. As I took off my shoes I noticed that my feet reeked from the walk. I washed them at the first stop that night. When Lucia sat next to me, the first words out of my mouth were, "Te quiero (I love you)." She walked away. The next day as we were approaching Montevideo, I made some excuse to get her phone number. When I called, she was not eager to meet me. I just about gave up, when, in a subsequent phone call, she and I made an arrangement to spend my last night in Uruguay together.
Thailand, Buri Ram Prov, Kiln
Turkey, Karabuk Prov, Night
Vietnam, BacLieu Prov, Gosling
Cambodia, Kampong Chaam Prov, Tugging Of Gods