Jeff Shea

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

Peru, Inti Raymi At Sacsayhuaman, 1979 - The stone work at Sacsuaman is amongst the most incredible I have seen. As visible in this photograph, enormous stones are fitted one on top of the other. What is not visible here is that, even though the stones are sometimes on the order of 3 meters across, you cannot fit a quarter in between some of them, so fine is the workmanship! This is incredible considering it was made centuries ago. This vintage photograph was taken with a Kodak Instamatic on my second international trip, a six month journey overland across Central and South America. (Photo 110 format from Jeff Shea Travel Archives)
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Pink Carriage
Slovenia, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec Prov, Mountain Village
Tattoo-faced Pyu Woman, 2012 Myanmar, Chin Province (Division) - 8x10 film
South Sandwich Islands, Saunders Island, Penguin Leaping On To Iceberg, 2006 - These amazing chinstrap penguins could jump five times their body height out of the water and up on to this iceberg, located several hundred meters off the coast of Saunders Island. The South Sandwich Islands are rarely visited and difficiult to get to.
Bangladesh, Narsingdi Prov, Back Of Bus - I find beauty in the textures and colors of simple things.
Slovenia, Bovec Prov, Village Through Mirror
Latvia, Preilu Prov, Conversation -
UK, Greenwich (London) Prov, Balconies
Mali, Mopti Area, Bozo Girl, 1987 - When I was in Mopti I hired a canoe to take me to an island in the middle of the Niger river. In 1987, the area around Mopti was still very old-world. The women were bare-breasted. I have always thought that women should not be restricted to wearing clothes to cover their breasts. It seems natural that they should be able to decide for themselves, and it it gives them more freedom and comfort not to wear a top, they should have that right. Wasn't it part of nature's plan that one should enjoy the beauty of women's bodies?