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, Kutahya Prov, Gypsies
Slovenia, Ilirska Bistrica Prov, Church On Hillock
Pacific Ocean, Flying Fish, 1982 - In 1982, I sailed with Boysie Day of Point Richmond, California across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to New Guinea. This was my first great adventure. The ocean, I learned, was still a place of mystery in a world modern man pretended it had conquered and understood. For me, many mysterious and curious personal discoveries awaited. One was the flying fish. Although I had heard of the Flying Fish, I did not know if it was fact or fiction. On this day, one flew into the boat! When traveling across the ocean on a small sailing craft, flying fish can be seen exiting the water, flying fifty feet or more and returning to the deep blue. Once, in Honiara, fish flew into the back cabin of the Sugar Bear, Boysie's ketch, when a predator entered their school.
Slovenia, Solcava Prov, Mountain Landscape
Iraq, Barf Detergent, 2000 - One of the examples of the sort of cross cultural marketing anomalies they talked about in business school. This Russian made detergent in sale in Iraq was apparently acceptable to the Iraqis. But to sell a laundry detergent called Barf in an English-speaking country probably would not go over too well. Barf, at least in American slang, means vomit.
Thailand, Yasothon Prov, East Meets West
Thailand, Opium Smoking, 1984 - On my first visit to Thailand I took a short trek in the hills outside of Chiang Rai. At night our porters smoked opium on the floor of our hut. On the second night, Lode Vanhoot, a fellow trekker from Holland, and I tried smoking with them. A long conversation took place. I did not feel high. But when we tried to stand, it was as if our bodies were drunk, although our minds felt clear.
Bangladesh, Habiganj Prov, Country House
Ghana, Jeff Shea With Tomato Merchants, 1987 - I found the people in Ghana to be very friendly. This photograph was taken in my first week in West Africa.
Slovenia, Dravograd Prov, Weed