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
Turkey, Denizli Prov, Pamukkale Night
Kayah Woman, 2012
Myanmar, Kayah Province (Division) - 8x10 film
The Long-Neck, or Giraffe-Necked woman are originally from Kayah State in Myanmar. To travel there required a permit. I had seen them before in Mae Hong Son Province in Western Thailand, but there, they are refugees. Like many customs involving disfigurement, this one is dying out. Typically, only the old women wear the neck rings. There is a photo on this site from Mae Hong Son of a girl wearing the rings, but these were removable. The woman in this photograph is one of the last remaining original Long Necked Woman. I found her in a house in a village on the side of the road.
Thailand, Ranong Prov, River House
World Map with the Altiplano shown in red Chile-Peru-Bolivia
Congo Zaire, Monkey on Riverboat, 1984 - This beautiful monkey was lucky. Rather than being used for food, it was probably someone's pet.
Congo Zaire, Roasted Monkey, 1984 - A grotesque photograph of a roasted monkey. It certainly doesn't appear appetizing to me, but to the Zairois, they seemed to like to eat them. Once I took a taste of boiled monkey for experience's sake, but I wouldn't try it again unless I was starving.
Slovenia, Velike Lasce Prov, Bee On Flower
Tibet, Everest Summit, Jeff Shea, May 24, 1995, 9 a.m. -
Being on the summit of Mount Everest was a dream. It lasted 40 minutes. During this time of jubilation, the back of my mind was wondering how I was going to get down. The summit is fine and all, but wise mountain climbers have an adage, that the real summit is back down at Base Camp. Fortunately, the weather was good and I made it back alive.
N Ireland, Moyle Prov, Rocky Shore
Vietnam, ThanhHoa Prov, Street Vendor Bike - The vendors in Asia load up their bicycles and motorcycles with a plethora of goods.