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
UK, Gwynedd Prov, Castle
Antarctica, Jeff Shea at South Pole in Globe with Plane, 2001- This is a photograph of myself and the international flags at the South Pole reflected in the marker Globe. In the background is the DC-3 which carried me from Patriot Hills.
Argentina, Jujuy Prov, Warai Wasi Valley Night, 2010 - Argentina, Jujuy Prov, Night Walk On Way To San Lucas - In 2010, I walked across the South American Altiplano. I pulled a cart with water until I got past the Quebrada de Humahuaca to Tilcara. There, I abandoned my cart. Consulting with a llama keeper, I ventured to find the way across the mountain range leading to the termination point of the Andes. This shot was taken before I bed down for the night on the side of a vast canyon.
Thailand, Surin Prov, Haystacks
Slovenia, Kidricevo Prov, Monster Power Towers
Afghan Girl, Afghanistan, 2002 - This photograph was taken about 30 miles outside of Kabul. The girl’s eyes were mesmerizing, reminding me of a famous National Geographic photo taken many years ago. Many Afghanis had blue/green eyes such as these.
Cambodia, Banteay Mean Chey Prov, Buddha
Original Journal - “Have a lot going for them...”
Tibet, Tibet Children, 1995 - I was traveling back to Katmandu from Rongbuk base camp after climbing Mount Everest. Our land cruiser got a flat tire. We stopped and the driver began to fix the tire. It was bitterly cold and very windy. I looked up and noticed a crowd of curious children outside my closed window. I wanted to go outside and photograph them, but I was so cozy where I was! Finally, I rousted myself from the comfort of the vehicle and unpacked my 8x10 camera. I brought the children out to the windy plain adjacent to the road. After the photograph, I instructed them to form a row, so that I could give them candy. As I handed out the candy a piece at a time, walking along the row of children. I noticed one of the boys who had already received candy ducking down and running behind the other children's backs. He appeared at the end of line and held out his hand as if he had not yet received any.
(8x10 format)
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.