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
Cameroon, Witch Doctor Mosque, 1990 - When I passed this structure in a bus headed for Foumbon, I told the driver to let me off. He tried to discourage me, saying we were not near any city. I got off anyway. It turned out that this mosque was built and owned by a Muslim with four wives and twenty-eight children. I was invited to spend the night there. It was rather amazing to be in a house with twenty-eight children, four wives, the head of the house and an aide, totalling thirty-four people in all, not including me. The next day, the man showed me he was a witch doctor to boot. He showed me how he divined answers to questions through the use of a gourd and four feathers fastened to clay bases. He placed the feathers laying on the ground, then placed the gourd over them. He asked a question, beat on the gourd and then lifted it up. If the answer was No, the feathers stayed flat on the ground. If the answer was Yes, the feathers stood upright. When he asked, "Jeff est bon? (Is Jeff good?)", the feathers answered Yes. The feathers can't be wrong! I shot a video of this, which will appear in this website.
Azerbaijan, Agcabadi Prov, Patron
Azerbaijan, Shamkir Prov, Turkey Face
Slovenia, Idrija Prov, Rusted Metal
Malaysia, Melaka Prov, Melaka Old Quarter, 2008 -
Thailand, Yasothon Prov, Wooden Window
IN, Maluku Province, Seram, Tree On Beach, 2007, IMG_0574 - I stopped along the lonely coast of Seram for a swim and a run on the beach.
Thailand, Phangnga Prov, Coast Scene
Vietnam, Quang Binh Prov, Kitchen -
Sikkim, Gangtok Monastery, 1984 - To travel legally to Sikkim in 1984 required a permit from Darjeeling, and to travel to Darjeeling required a permit from Delhi. I obtained both. India had recently taken over Sikkim, formerly an independent country. Propaganda slogans were written on the walls of the road leading to Sikkim, such as one that stated, "Sikkim is the Jewel in the Crown of India."