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
Mexico, Yucatan, Chichenitza, 1993 - The Mayan ruins of the Yucatan in Mexico were phenomenal. I overheard a guide telling his group about the games they played, much like basketball, where the object was to throw the ball through a rock hoop (part of the construction that is still visible) in the wall. He said that at the end of the game, the lead player of the team would be sacrificed to the gods. The guide posed the question, 'Which player would be sacrificed to the gods, the winner or the loser? Only the best would be sacrificed!" The idea that the leader would try to win the game knowing that his fate would be death posed a somewhat humorous contradiction in my mind!
Turkey, Antalya Prov, Coastal Mountains
November 29, 2009 - A really wonderful day. I loved today. Lots of great sites, enthusiasm, photos, love and food. When I went out for a morning run, I went back to get my camera because the mountains across the bay from Antalya's old ciity were incredibly beautiful, spanning for twenty miles and beyond. I ran through the cobblestone streets of the old city. I got the family, we went out by car to the old city, stopping for bread and cheese, olives, etc. We bought nougat and then I had Turkish coffee at a tea shop with hookahs. We left and drove towards the east. I stoped before Sekir?? because there was a table mountain with high peaks behind it. But I spent too much time trying to get close to it and we lost a valuable hour (although the first half hour resulted in good photos). We drove as far as M___. On the way we got hot corn on the road side. Then we headed northeast towards Konya. The mountains were beautiful!! The scenes changed from forested peaks to bare earth-colored mountains. We got tea on the road side. Two women cooked a kind of large pancake, but I told the family there was no time to wait. We finally entered Konya province after 3p. Once on the flat plain I took some photos of a beautiful burnt tree. (IMG_1086) We raced to get to Karaman province but instead of heading off on the main road to the east, we took the road to Hidam, which ended up being very windy and time consuming. It is completely dark by 520p (and getting dark by 420 or so?). We stopped in Taskent (Tashkent) and had the most delicious local pizza ever wth tea, 15 Lira. We finally got to Karaman Province at about 7p. I took a lot of night photos, maybe two hours worth. (IMG_1124) (IMG_1137) Later, maybe an hour before stopping for the night, I stopped off the side of the road and made love to Novita. It was incredibly hot.
Myanmar, Yangon Prov, Temple
Malaysia, Melaka Prov, Melaka Old Quarter, 2008 -
UK, Monmouthshire Prov, Castle
Sudan, Obdurman Mosque, 2002 - Every week in Obdurman, across the river from Khartoum, there is 'dervish dancing.' This mosque is adjacent to the site of the dancing.
Taiwan, Ilan County Prov, Ducks Cooked
Cambodia, Kampong Thum Prov, Roasted Duck
Singapore, Singapore Prov, Fishing Cat At Singapore Night Zoo
Twisted Torso II, 2000