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
Slovenia, Tisina, Bug, 2006 - I took this photograph during a short stop in Tisina Obcina. This girl was fascinated by a small bug on her hand.
Thailand, Phetchabun Prov, Landscape
Bangladesh, Habiganj Prov, Motor Trishaw - A typical means of transportation.
Bangladesh, Sylhet Prov, Man In Boat
Vietnam, Quang Nam Prov, Carved Boxes -
Latvia, Riga City Prov, Bottle Of Love - This is not an ordinary bottle of juice. I was with an extraordinarily beautiful woman, Claudina. You will meet her later. She was in love with me, to my amazement. Ten years earlier, I saw her for a moment. She was with her boyfriend. I asked her girlfriend if I could get her number. I wrote to her and called her but never reached her. Ten years later, I got an email from her. We traveled together. In a cafe in Riga, she explained to me why she loved an ordinary guy like me. She said it was not what was on the exterior, but what was on the inside, like that bottle in the photo, she said. The juice was delicious. I finally understood. Sort of.
Atlantic Ocean, Total Eclipse, 2006 - On March 29, 2003, at a point between St. Helena and Cape Verde, our ship, the Alexey Maryshev, passed deliberately in the path of a total eclipse. I had seen a partial eclipse before, but that could not possibly prepare me for what I saw that day. As Dick McConnell, our resident astronomer had described, it was one of the most spectacular sights I would ever see, a moment when three colossal heavenly bodies position themselves in perfect alignment. It so happens that the size of the moon, given its distance from the earth, is coincidentally perfect to just block out the sun. During totality, as depicted in this photograph, one's eclipse sunglasses can be removed. For a period of two minutes forty seconds, with glasses removed, I could see the sun's
Slovenia, Podcetrtek Prov, Slovenian Girl
Vietnam, Kien Giang Prov, Marketplace Vendor -
Turkey, Diyarbakir Prov, Marble