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, Kampot Prov, Landscape
Seram, Galopa Flower, 2006 - The Galopa flower is my vote for the world's most beautiful flower. This photograph shows a young galopa flower. They grow to be even more spectacular. They are found in the forests of Maluku Province in Eastern Indonesia. This specimen was photographed between the villages of Ilela Mariena and Kanikeh, deep in the high forest on the island of Seram, accessible only on foot a minimum of two full, long days' walk from the nearest trunk road. 
Slovenia, Podcetrtek Prov, Farmland
Vietnam, An Giang Prov, Cook
Slovenia, Loska Dolina Prov, Landscape
Pacific Ocean, Seascape, 1982 - Traveling across the ocean in a small boat offers an experience that cannot be gotten any other way. Being close to the water and without the protection of a large vessel gives one a sense of freedom. The ocean, despite what governments might purport, is truly still a no-man's land. It is a place without a country. It is the world as it once was. Here, a beautiful sunset inspired me.
Cambodia, Mondol Kiri Prov, Woman With Basket
Easter Island, Moai In Town, 1997 - One of the charms of Easter Island was the Moai in unassuming places such as this one, in the middle of town. The woman I stayed with had a Moai in front of her house.
India, Rajasthan, Throng of Kids, 1984 - This throng of children was typical when we passed a village on our walk to the Taj Mahal. It was not unusual to have fifty people watching me do something as uneventful as removing a toothbrush from my pack. Sometimes the youngsters would heckle us; after many days of this it became unbearable.
N Ireland, Louth Prov, Telephone Poles