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, Hoce Slivnica Prov, Country Farm
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, Zrece Prov, Country Landscape
Seram, Gaharubuaya Tree, 2006 - The Gaharabuaya tree grows flowers out of its trunk. I hypothesized that perhaps seeds drop in pockets on its bark but I was assured that from the time it is a sapling, this tree has flowers on its trunk. The Gaharubuaya tree is not to be confused with the Gahurua tree, a different species used for the aroma of its wood. This tree was on the path from Waiputihputih to Roho on the island of Seram.
Slovenia, Kranjska Gora Prov, High Country
Bismarck Archipelago, Panguna Copper Mine, Bougainville, 1983 - In 1983, Panguna were peaceful. After I left, indigenous rebels seized the mine. A conflict went on for years. The immense size of this mine can be appreciated if (you take a magnifying glass and) note the size of the trucks on the left hand side. These are the same size as the truck in the other photo (Jeff Shea With Panguna Copper Mine Truck) on this site. Bougainville is purported to have the people with the blackest skin on earth.
Slovenia, Sentilj Prov, Yellow Flower With Insect
Papua New Guinea, Gera Women, 1983 - These women were happy to have Kelly and I as their guests. They put on their best regalia for us.
Cambodia, Kampong Thum Prov, River Temple
Thailand, Lopburi Prov, Buddha In Clouds