Jeff Shea

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

Azerbaijan, Lankaran (AZ-LAN) Prov, Landscape
Estonia, Tartumaa Prov, Road Reflections -
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.
Turkey, Burdur Prov, Dusk Landscape
Ambon, Fish On A Stick, 2007 - This is a typical market scene in Ambon, an island in Maluku, the Spice Islands in the east of Indonesia. In 1999, religious wars saw the Muslims and Christians taking each other's lives for seemingly no other reason than one revenge after another that started by a single attack, allegedly started by agitators from Java. Today, Ambon is relatively peaceful once again. The Ambonese people are friendly, with a casual and playful attitude.
Kenya, Narok Sunset, 1987 - I invited my father to come with me on my second visit to Africa. (Of course, he paid for the lion's share of things!) He made a rule that I agreed to. That was, we should try to arrive in places before dark. On our first night out on the way to Narok, I stopped and took this photograph with my Rolleicord, a camera he had given to me. Of course, we arrived in Narok in the dark. He did not approve. Over a week later, we were going from Nairobi to Arusha in Tanzania. We were delayed at the border and continued on in the dark in a taxi, seeing a giraffe along the way. I turned around to see him laying in the back seat, propped up against the door, smoking a cigarette. He was enjoying himself. I thought, "Now he's starting to get the hang of it."
Papua New Guinea, Red Wigman, 1983 - When we arrived in Koroba, I was delighted to see that the villagers wore their wigs as part of their everyday dress. My good fortune had it that they were also more than willing to be photographed, unlike the men at the market in Tari. This man, whom I call the Red Wigman, was one of the first wigmen I ever photographed.
Estonia, Harjumaa Prov, Tallinn, Degree Swing -
India, Calcutta, Scorpions, 1984 - On the streets of Calcutta, some men kept these scorpions in baskets. I assume they were for sale, possibly for some purpose, though I cannot imagine what for.
Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Weed, 1984 - Even this weed appeared to me a thing of beauty on my walk up Mt. Kilimanjaro.