This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2450 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
Ireland, Monaghan Prov, Bar Scene
United Arab Emirates, Sharjah, Windows, 2000 - A wall of windows in Sharjah.
Nepal, Chitwan, Rhino I Approached on Foot, 1984 - Gabrielle, Ed and I were in a machan in Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal near the border with India. Chitwan is famed for its large population of Indian One-Horned Rhinocerous. I told Gabrielle and Ed I was going down on the ground to get a close-up of the rhino. When I got to the base of the machan, they called down to me not to go near her, as she had a baby. I thought they were just trying to scare me from going, so I crept closer. When I was within about twenty-five feet of her, I saw the baby rhino. As the camera shutter snapped, the rhino reared her head. As rhinocerous are almost blind but with an acute sense of hearing, she listened to assess the danger. I had two choices: stand still or run barefoot. I chose to run. So did the rhino. She was actually running for the safety of the forest but I thought she was running after me. Fortunately she wasn't. She passed me going off in a slightly different direction. Rhinos run faster than humans. I wrote, "I felt, for the first time in my life, afraid for my life, afraid for my life because of a wild beast."
Vietnam, Binh Phuoc Prov, Sandals
UK, Hampshire Prov, White Horse
Papua New Guinea, Kelly On Raft On Sepik, 1983 - We make-shifted a canopy for our raft to protect us from the sun. Kelly stands at the helm.
Cambodia, Prey Veaeng Prov, Country Girl
Slovenia, Metlika Prov, Ants On Flower Closeup
India, Rajasthan Family, 1984 - Judith and I slept in the small roofed structure on the left in this photograph, known as a 'de-la'. Water pipes, used to smoke tobacco, sit on the ground in front of the de-la.
Vietnam, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Prov, Motor Bikes