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
Chile, Antofagasta Prov, Flamingos
As we sped away from Bouvet Island after an exciting visit, the sky took on a lustrous light. Not only were we fortunate enough to land, but we were also the lucky beneficiaries of some beautiful panoramas of this, the world's most remote. Bouvet is one of the most forbidding islands in the world. - March 10, 2006
Slept in ship off the coast of Bouvet Island
Today was one of the best days of my life. In the morning we approached Bouvet. We anchored off the beach about 3/4 mile. Many of us were on the upper deck or at the stern, taking photographs and video. The island was quite clearly visible, though the peaks were covered with clouds. Jan announced we'd have a short lunch. He drew names for the first and second Zodiacs from a cup. Mine was on neither of them. So, before he had finished, I rushed upstairs and packed in a panic. I was out the door, forgot something, went back in, then raced downstairs. I was third in line for the third Zodiac. It went quickly. Soon, we were down the gangway and onto the Zodiac. I shot videos the whole way in. I was advised to put away my video camera, but I said that I did not care. I wanted to film it to the beach. The landing was easy! My feet were on Bouvet. It was a thrill. (Continued on record for photo, “Bouvet, Zodiac Attempt to Depart, 2006.) 
Congo Zaire, Jeff Shea with Leopard Tooth Necklace, 1984 - A pygmy in Mt. Hoyo in eastern Zaire sold me this leopard tooth necklace from around his neck for scarcely a dollar. I proudly sported it. It did not occur to me in those "innocent ages" of the connection to preservation of wildlife. It is not recommended to buy any animal parts, for that reason. With that said, loss of habitat (by deforestation for example) is by far the greatest threat to animals. I was told in Cameroon in 1999 that the bush meat market in Africa was thriving. I was told that even gorilla meat was popular. There is an enormous disconnect between Western ideologies and the reality on the ground, especially when hunger is involved. The answer is to preserve large tracts of land in great World Parks, one on each continent.
Estonia, Laanemaa Prov, Ferry -
Slovenia, Destrnik Province, 2006, IMG_4913 - Slovenia is farmland through and through, carefully tended to by the energetic and hardworking Slovenes.
USA, California Prov, Stanislaus National Forest
Cambodia, Kampot Prov, Harbor
N Ireland, Ards Prov, Houses On Water
Slovenia, Postojna Prov, Modern Giant
USA, Wake Island, Birds Terns