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
Turkey, Antalya Prov, Corn Vendor
UK, Cheshire Prov, Knight
Tanzania, Jeff Shea On Bus, 1984 - Gabrielle and I traveled by bus, riverboat, dhow, train, airplane and on foot. Here, I relax on a bus, studying my map of Africa.
Vietnam, Ha Tay Prov, Watermelon
Turkey, Hakkari Prov, Woman
Greece, Santorini, 1987 - When I arrived in Santorini on my way to Africa with my father in 1987, I took off for a long walk. I walked all day, sleeping at a small place along a black beach. I wandered, one of my favorite activities. Why rush through life, being busy, for what? Life's most precious moments are those when we stop and do nothing, allowing ourselves just to soak in the surroundings. I avoided tours with a passion. I also avoided preoccupying myself with dates and names of places. Guidebooks were helpful but sometimes it was better not to "know" anything about a place, but simply to revel in it without purpose.
Latvia, Liepaja Prov, Boarded Up Window -
N Ireland, Ards Prov, Houses
Turkey, Burdur Prov, Dusk Landscape
Tanzania, Poached Elephant Carcass, 1984 - This is a sad reminder of the ivory trade's devastation on the elephant population in Africa. The poachers cut out the tusks and left this carcass to rot.