Have you ever dreamed of traveling the world and seeing all of its wonders? Meet Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby, two best friends from Texas, who made that dream a reality at the age of 81! What started with a passing remark from Sandy to Ellie five years ago has turned into a reality.
“They were both sitting around the table working late one night when Sandy said, ‘Ellie, why don’t we take a trip around the world in 80 days when we are 80.’ To which Ellie responded, ‘Why not!’”
These two octogenarians are living proof that age is just a number. They recently completed an incredible adventure, traveling to all seven continents across 18 countries and seeing nine world wonders. Sandy and Ellie, who are both widows said their adventure was dedicated to their late husbands.
An Amazing Adventure
The duo started their journey on January 11, 2023, from Dallas, Texas to their first destination, Antarctica. They noted that the crossing of the Drake Passage to Antarctica was quite challenging due to rough seas and 15-foot waves. When they arrived in Antarctica, they were surprised by the high 40-mile-per-hour winds and low temperatures but also impressed. They spent time with penguins and enjoyed the breathtaking views.
In the course of their journey, Sandy and Ellie visited several other countries on different continents and got a chance to explore some of the most beautiful cities in the world. They explored Bali, Madrid, Japan, Nepal, India, Chile, Argentina, Egypt, England, and Italy. They also visited the Island of Zanzibar, got to see Victoria Falls in Zambia, and even the Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland! Sandy and Ellie said they completed their trip without taking first-class travel or hiring travel agents. Instead, they agreed to each carry only one small bag, stay in small hotels, use public transport, and avoid tours.
The two friends who met over 20 years ago are not new to travel and adventure, having traveled together on several occasions since they became friends. They noted that the planning for their trip was complex and they faced several setbacks due to the pandemic. Originally scheduled for January 2022, they rebranded their journey as “Around the World in 80 Days Aged 81” after being forced to postpone it. Despite the difficulties, they were committed to their trip and continued to update their blog, which they’ve been using to document their journey.
An Inspiring Friendship
When asked what motivated them to embark on this journey, Ellie said, “I think the number one thing is meeting people, and the world is full of the greatest, most exciting, and interesting people.”
Sandy and Ellie have appeared in photos wearing matching t-shirts with “81 and still on the run!” printed on their backs. They have also spoken about how their trip is inspiring others, including an 87-year-old man who wrote to them saying he was now considering his own trip around the world. No doubt, the story of these two friends has touched many lives, A number of their fans are hailing their friendship and calling for a sequel adventure tour which they have tagged “85 and still alive!”
These two remarkable women continue to encourage us with their sense of adventure and positivity and show us that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Like Sandy said, “Don’t sit in that chair and waste away. If you don’t use it, you lose it!”
