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
Latvia, Daugavpils Prov, Church Repair ZZZZ -
Vietnam, Lao Cai Prov, Terraced Landscape
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Buddha Pointing To The New Moon
Thailand, Tak Province, Temple, 2008, IMG_3427 - The mists and rainscape with mountain jutting into the sky give this temple an other-worldly aspect.
Bangladesh, Kishorenganj Prov, Coal_Prov,_Landscape,_2009,_IMG_1363-700x467.jpg)
Turkey, Mersin (Icel) Prov, Landscape
Vietnam, Yen Bai Prov, Boat
Slovenia, Turnisce Prov, Bird With Feathered Feet
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.
_Prov,_Coronation_Stone,_2009,_IMG_3739-700x573.jpg)
UK, Kingston upon Thames (London) Prov, Coronation Stone