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
Congo Zaire, Monkey on Riverboat, 1984 - This beautiful monkey was lucky. Rather than being used for food, it was probably someone's pet.
Slovenia, Solcava Prov, Mountain Village
Vietnam, Ha Tinh Prov, Two Girls
Cambodia, Svaay Rieng Prov, Jars
Solomon Is, Kwaio Woman Weaving Straw, 1982 - This woman seemed curious about one of our possessions, so we handed it to her. She took this to mean that we gave it to her. The Melanesian people were generally very generous with possessions, possibly an outgrowth of the wantok system. Wantok came from the words "One Talk", meaning one's villagers or greater family. I was told that a person's wealth was based not on how much they had, but how much they had given away. This was a revelation to me. I realized that we strive so much not only to have, but to impress others and to gain their approbation. I developed the concept of Status Structure. Beyond the essentials of survival, people are motivated by what increases their status. So, depending on the Status Structure of their society, one would be motivated in very different ways. Whether the idea that one's wealth was determined by what they had given away was true or not is secondary. What is important is to realize how much nicer our human world would be if we held and lived out the belief that giving was greater than having.
UK, Poole Prov, Coat Of Arms
Slovenia, Zalec Prov, Snail On Grass Stalk
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.
Bent-Up Old Wigman, 1983
Papua New Guinea, Southern Highlands Province, Koroba - 35mm Kodachrome film
Slovenia, Ljutomer Prov, Country Scene, 2006 - The only part of Slovenia that I did not like were those parts bordering the main highway arteries. This is not surprising. Most of Slovenia is rural, hearty, wholesome countryside.