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
Cambodia, Pousaat Prov, Fire Tending
India, Jeff Shea At Taj Mahal After Pilgrimage, 1984 - I walked approximately 200 miles to get to the Taj Mahal, a sort of personal pilgrimage. On the way, I contracted hepititus. It made walking especially difficult, not to mention the blistering sun. Here, I arrive, wasted, after walking the last 50 kilometers through the night, arriving the next day in the late afternoon.
French Guiana, French Guiana Prov, Lighthouse On Devils Island
Vietnam, Binh Duong Prov, coconuts
China, Langde, Guizhou Province - This is a simple scene of the everyday life of a Miao girl. I took this photo after a festival in the village of Langde, which is famous for its customs. Not shown here is the traditional Hwa Miao outfit. In this case, Hwa means bird, signified by their silver wing-shaped headdress, which is quite dramatic. Here is an excerpt from my diary: "We went into town. They had a festival going on. In order to get into the village, you had to go by a few 'guard posts.' The purpose of the 'gates' was to insure that no one entered the village without having a sip of alcohol. I mean, they didn't charge anything for that. So I thought 'What an awesome custom.' All bureaucracy should have such a noble purpose!" One girl was dressed in a traditional Hwa Miao outfit. In this case, Hwa means bird, signified by their silver wing shaped headdress, which is quite dramatic. (8x10 format)
Turkey, Antalya Prov, Hookah Shop
Tibet, Everest, View Of Kanchenjunga From North Ridge, 1995 -
This photograph was taken in the morning of my ascent to the summit of Mount Everest above the Second Step, in the vicinity of the Third Step. In the foreground is snow that I am standing on, and below it, a 10,000 foot drop off to the Kangshung Glacier. In the distance is Kanchenjunga.
Vietnam, Tay Ninh Prov, Receptionist B
Latvia, Madonas Prov, Old Woman Working -
Seram, Poisonous Snake Whose Head I Unwittingly Stepped On, 2006 - On my last day in the forest of Seram on my Search For The Little People 2006 expedition, me and my three guides from Mosso were walking from Kanikeh to Jalan Lintas, or, the Asphalt Road, via Roho. It was a long day. We started walking at about 10 a.m. and arrived at about 930 p.m. on the side of the road. Midday, I was in the lead when I heard a sound. I turned around. Memet, the lead guide, was slashing about with his parang (i.e., machete). He cut this snake in three pieces. Memet, Edi and Saiful all agreed that this snake was so poisonous that if I had been bitten, I would have been dead within an hour unless I'd been given the anetedote: little likelihood out here in the middle of nowhere. They said I was lucky to step on its head - it couldn't bite. Had I stepped on its tail, it would have been a different story, and I would be history.