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
Niger, Niamey, Clothes Washer On Niger River, 1988 - I ran out of money in Niamey and could not return home till help arrived! So, I spent many days wandering around the dusty streets. I crossed a bridge one morning and looked down to see this man laying out clothes to dry. It was an interesting concept to lay out clothes rather than hang them on a line. In this very hot place, it worked well.
Azerbaijan, Lerik Prov, Window Detail
Azerbaijan, Gadabay Prov, Beautiful Bride
Turkey, Konya Prov, Landscape
Slovenia, Velike Lasce Prov, Student And Teacher
Slovenia, Gorisnica Prov, Tractor
Kazakhstan, Jeff Shea On Tibet 98 Expedition, 1998 - Here, I 'horse around' during a break on our travels across Russia and Kazakhstan. We were on our way to China and Tibet. In 1998, our expedition was self-financed; we bought two Russian Lada 4-wheel drives. We drove all the way to Rongbuk base camp at the foot of Mount Everest, at a height of approximately 17,000 feet. Lada was so pleased, they made three special 4-wheel drives for our expedition the following year. In 1999, we drove to a height of 18,781 feet on a mountain in Tibet.
Atlantic Ocean, Total Eclipse, On Way Out, 2006 - This photograph shows a full eclipse as the moon moves away from alignment with the sun. It was taken during the full eclipse of April 2006 near Cape Verde.
Iraq, Marsh House, 2002 - In our eight days in Iraq, six months before the American invasion in 2003, we saw this traditional Marsh Arab house. We were on our way from Basra to Baghdad. I felt fortunate to see this exquisite example of construction from natural materials. It reminded me of Wilfred Thesiger, the author of The Marsh Arabs, famed British explorer who traveled across the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh, Sunamganj Prov, Woman