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
UK, Stoke On Trent Prov, Wind Powered Go Cart
Tibet, Tibet Children, 1995 - I was traveling back to Katmandu from Rongbuk base camp after climbing Mount Everest. Our land cruiser got a flat tire. We stopped and the driver began to fix the tire. It was bitterly cold and very windy. I looked up and noticed a crowd of curious children outside my closed window. I wanted to go outside and photograph them, but I was so cozy where I was! Finally, I rousted myself from the comfort of the vehicle and unpacked my 8x10 camera. I brought the children out to the windy plain adjacent to the road. After the photograph, I instructed them to form a row, so that I could give them candy. As I handed out the candy a piece at a time, walking along the row of children. I noticed one of the boys who had already received candy ducking down and running behind the other children's backs. He appeared at the end of line and held out his hand as if he had not yet received any.
(8x10 format)
Congo Zaire, Jeff Shea with Leopard Tooth Necklace, 1984 - A pygmy in Mt. Hoyo in eastern Zaire sold me this leopard tooth necklace from around his neck for scarcely a dollar. I proudly sported it. It did not occur to me in those "innocent ages" of the connection to preservation of wildlife. It is not recommended to buy any animal parts, for that reason. With that said, loss of habitat (by deforestation for example) is by far the greatest threat to animals. I was told in Cameroon in 1999 that the bush meat market in Africa was thriving. I was told that even gorilla meat was popular. There is an enormous disconnect between Western ideologies and the reality on the ground, especially when hunger is involved. The answer is to preserve large tracts of land in great World Parks, one on each continent.
UK, Rutland Prov, Landscape
Myanmar, Mandalay Prov, Bagan Temple Buddha
Slovenia, Gornji Grad Prov, Running Horse
Bangladesh, Netrakona Prov, Reader - A man relaxes with his paper.
Laos, Xekong Prov, Woman With Pipe And Child
Azerbaijan, Agstafa Prov, Old Man
Papua New Guinea, Oksapmin Man Rhinoceros Beetle Pinchers, 1983 - This Oksapmin Man wore Rhinoceros beetle pinchers through the two front nose holes. Oksapmin men had five nose holes, two in the front, two on the side and one through the septum.