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
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Woman Walking_Prov,_Barber,_2009,_IMG_3505-700x619.jpg)
UK, Greenwich (London) Prov, Barber
Tanzania, Poached Elephant Carcass, 1984 - This is a sad reminder of the ivory trade's devastation on the elephant population in Africa. The poachers cut out the tusks and left this carcass to rot.
Bangladesh, Narsingdi Prov, Woman Walking Rice Fields
Azerbaijan, Shamkir Prov, Turkey Face
Cambodia, Banteay Mean Chey Prov, Pot Sales
Turkey, Bartin Prov, Wedding Guest
Bouvet, Zodiac 3 Disaster Strikes, 2006 - The wave engulfs the Zodiac.
Solomon Islands, Umbuni and Family, 1982 - Here, Umbuni stands with his wife and child. Kwaio women who were married wore a blue cloth over their genitals, whereas unmarried young women went naked. We learned a lot about the traditions of the Kwaio from David and Katie, Peace Corp workers who lived in the Kwaio. David and Katie seemed to half-believe in the ancestors themselves. Maybe they too could feel the presence of the ancestors at night. I almost felt I could. When in areas of the world where beliefs run strong, it is hard not to feel these local energies, no matter how unexplained they might be. The Kwaio had unusual beliefs, and there were many taboos, or tambus. Woman went to the "flower house" during their menstruation. It was tambu for a man to go there. Women were not allowed to step over anything that a man might come in contact with. Interestingly, they believed in "retroactive contamination." As an example of this principle, if a man touched an implement before a woman who was menstruating touched it, then she touched it later, he would become retroactively contaminated.
Papua New Guinea, Jeff Shea Crossing Stream To Kutubu, 1983 - Here, I cross a stream on the way to Lake Kutubu. These types of stream crossings were common.