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
Thailand, Sukhothai Prov, Duck
Philippines, Batanes Prov, Woman With Umbrella
Papua New Guinea, Jeff Shea Christening SS Pukpuk, 1983 - In this photograph, I tried to christen our raft by breaking a bottle over its bow. Actually, the bottle was so thick, it would not break.
Slovenia, Jezersko Prov, Mountain Landscape
Nepal, Chitwan, Rhino I Approached on Foot, 1984 - Gabrielle, Ed and I were in a machan in Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal near the border with India. Chitwan is famed for its large population of Indian One-Horned Rhinocerous. I told Gabrielle and Ed I was going down on the ground to get a close-up of the rhino. When I got to the base of the machan, they called down to me not to go near her, as she had a baby. I thought they were just trying to scare me from going, so I crept closer. When I was within about twenty-five feet of her, I saw the baby rhino. As the camera shutter snapped, the rhino reared her head. As rhinocerous are almost blind but with an acute sense of hearing, she listened to assess the danger. I had two choices: stand still or run barefoot. I chose to run. So did the rhino. She was actually running for the safety of the forest but I thought she was running after me. Fortunately she wasn't. She passed me going off in a slightly different direction. Rhinos run faster than humans. I wrote, "I felt, for the first time in my life, afraid for my life, afraid for my life because of a wild beast."
Slovenia, Kostel Prov, Burning Leaves
Slovenia, Novo Mesto Prov, Farmscape
Java, Jeff Shea Summit Mt. Merapi, 1983 - When I went to Java for the first time, I traveled to Borobudur. Mt. Merapi overlooks this fantastic temple complex. I climbed Mt. Merapi at night, arriving at dawn.
Vietnam, Can Tho Prov, Pig
Turkey, Amasya Prov, Grocery Cooler