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, Women Washing
Tibet, Monastery, 1991 - In 1991, it was necessary to be part of a tour if you wanted to enter Tibet. I paid for a few day "tour." When they wanted me to stay at the Holiday Inn in Lhasa, I begged them to put me up in a traveler's hotel. This was more to my liking. There, I met many interesting people, including one who had biked from the far east of the country. During a nightly discussion, one person spoke of how disrespectful Westerners were of the local traditions. They told a story about how they saw one Westerner walk across the floor of a monastery, such as the one in this photograph, while the monks were praying. Notably, the storyteller said that the monks did not seem disturbed by this. This seems to me to be an essential differentiation between the mind of a Westerner, or Christian, and that of a Tibetan, or Buddhist.
Argentina, Jujuy Prov, Trail On The Way To Warai Wasi
Slovenia, Novo Mesto Prov, Riverside Houses
PH, Davao Del Norte Province, Sam, Cotabato Driver, 2008, IMG_1454 - After my first driver in Mindanao completely chickened out of going to Cotabato, Sam - who was from Cotabato - said, "No problem." Grateful, I promised him he'd be Jeffshea.com's Hall of Fame. So here it is, Sam! The only problem, on my second journey there, was that Sam's van had an exhaust leak. After two days, I found my body was covered in soot. I feared for my lungs! But by now I have forgotten about it.
Latvia, Liepaja Prov, Tower And House -
Slovenia, Kungota Prov, Man Driving Tractor
Slovenia, Novo Mesto Prov, Farmland
Slovenia, Celje Prov, Knight
Morocco, Inside Berber Home In Atlas, 1988 - I was welcomed to stay in the houses of the Berber inhabitants of the Toubkal area. This room is built with thick walls to protect against the cold in the winter and the heat of summer. Designs were painted on the walls.