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
Vietnam, Thanh Hoa Province, Dong Chung Mountains, 2010 - This scene made me think of Shangri-La.
Thailand, Buri Ram Prov, Landscape
Slovenia, Smarje Pri Jelsah Prov, Yellow Flower
Slovenia, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec Prov, Puff Blossoms
PNG, Unamo, 1983 - On the way to Unamo, Kely and I were abandoned by our guides, partly because she was slow and it was getting dark, maybe because we had not adequately shared our provisions with them, but also because they had broken an unspoken code of ethics. They had our food pack with them. After backtracking to Wabia through remote rain forest, we rested and got new guides. A day later, we arrived at Unamo. Our food packs had been left in the abandoned houses shown in this photograph. That was all there was to Unamo.
Thailand, Udon Thani Prov, Temple Figurines
India, Jammu and Kashmir Province, Lamayuru, 1999 -
I had just come from Tibet, where my Russian friends and I had driven to the highest point ever driven, (near Yangshaoping, Tibet), 5726 meters. Now I was on the road from Sringar to Leh, probably the most hair-raising I’d ever been on. It was made of dirt and had no barriers around turns where the drop off was seemingly interminable.
October 9, 1999 - written in Leh at the end of the day at an altitude of 3524 metres (11,562 ft) - The route took us through mostly barren territory today, from Kargil to Leh. The highlight of the day was seeing Lamayuru. Ashlem had told me it was like a moon land in 1974 when it opened up. Even today, the aspect of the village and the stupa was remarkable. There, an old poor woman collected shit into her basket, tossing the pieces off the ground backwards. There were stupas where very fine green and purple prayer stones were scattered by the thousands. I took an 8x10 image of them with Lamayuru in the background.
When we returned I discovered that the road to the Sia La (in Pakistan, or is it a no-man's land?) was motorable at least as far as Pamimuk in the Nubra Valley. The Sia La is 6200 meters high. I am still unclear on whether George and I (and Sasha and Sergei) really did go higher than anyone else? I enjoyed making love to Novita tonight more than I have ever before. (And again, and again.)
The village of Lamayuru was picturesque. Just outside the village, the road was lined with prayer stones. These stones were carved by devout Buddhists over the centuries. I was always fascinated how such veritable works of art could remain unmolested by hundreds of years of passersby.
Nepal, Katmandu, Dog In Bag, 1984 - During a return visit to Katmandu after a journey on foot from Jaipur to Agra, I became interested in the woman who's dog is in her bag. I never actually consummated my relationship with the woman, having been invited by Gabrielle on a trek in Tarke Gyang and subsequently falling in love with her.
Thailand, Samut Sakon Prov, Pots For Sale
Tibet, Xegar, View Of Valley From Top Of Hill, 1995 -
Xegar, also known as Tingri, is on the way from Lhasa to Everest's Rongbuk Base Camp. We climbed the hill above Xegar, for the lama said if you could see Everest from there, it was good luck. We were about to head down when the clouds parted and Everest appeared. This photograph shows the valleys and hills below. The monastery that once coveted the ridge up the mountain was destroyed by invading forces.