81-Year-Old Best Friends Circle the Globe in 80 Days

At an age when many are settling into retirement, two Texas grandmothers embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, circling the globe in just 80 days. Defying expectations for their age group, 81-year-old Ellie Hamby and 81-year-old Sandy Hazelip completed an ambitious itinerary that took them across all seven continents in a modern-day homage to Jules Verne’s classic novel.

The around the world 80 days journey began on January 11th in Antarctica, where the pair navigated the treacherous Drake Passage to reach the southernmost continent. “For almost two days, we were rocking and rolling and slipping and sliding through the Drake Passage, holding on for dear life,” said Ms. Hamby. “It was just wild.” However, upon arriving in Antarctica and beholding its stark beauty and exotic wildlife up close, the challenging voyage quickly faded into memory.

Over the next 80 days, the two best friends and old travel companions toured 18 countries, capturing global highlights like the pyramids of Egypt, the beaches of Bali, and the Northern Lights over Finland. They shared their exploits through social media, garnering a large following inspired by the traveling grannies.

Ms. Hamby and Ms. Hazelip have been friends since 1999, bonded by a shared love of adventure travel and volunteering. The idea for the around-the-world trip was hatched about four years ago as the two women contemplated upcoming 80th birthdays. “I mentioned to [Ms. Hamby] one day, wouldn’t it be fun to go around the world in 80 days at age 80?” recalled Ms. Hazelip. They planned for a 2022 departure but pushed the trip up to this year after COVID disrupted their original schedule.

Far from a relaxing vacation, the pair describe their ambitious itinerary as “an adventure,” complete with daily challenges. However, their lifetime of experience traveling together allowed them to complete the trip free of any squabbles. “We’re both independent, very stubborn,” said Ms. Hamby. “But we seem to allow each other to give space.” For her, the highlights weren’t the sights but the people she met along the way. “We have friends now worldwide that we love dearly.”

While conceding some small allowances to age, like avoiding motorbikes, the women say their advanced years didn’t hold them back. “Getting older does give you a little bit of wisdom in decision-making,” said Ms. Hazelip. “I appreciate so much more the beauty and can really soak it in. This was the perfect age to go.” Their advice for overcoming language barriers? “With Sandy and Ellie, there’s one language – a smile. And we found that worked wonders.”

Now, back at their Texas homes, the two are already planning their next adventure. Their around-the-world journey shows that with the right travel companion, passion and attitude, adventure travel knows no age limits. At 81, Ms. Hamby and Ms. Hazelip have proven that life’s possibilities remain wide open well into one’s later decades. As Ms. Hazelip aptly said, “81 is the perfect age” for seizing new experiences.

The epic trip covered over 35,000 miles across every continent and traversed every time zone. While many questioned the wisdom of two 81-year olds globetrotting so extensively, the women proved up to the ambitious challenge. Their itinerary packed the most iconic sights of each destination into a whirlwind schedule on a budget of just $10,000 each.

Despite the hurried pace, Ms. Hamby and Ms. Hazelip found time to savor magical moments like watching penguins in Antarctica, floating in the Dead Sea, and beholding Egypt's ancient pyramids. The trip became about far more than ticking off bucket list sites. Deep bonds formed through shared adventure cemented a 20-year friendship.

"With age comes the confidence to follow your dreams without worrying what people think," said Ms. Hazelip. "We've learned to live in the moment." Their infectious joy and thirst for discovery enthralled social media followers. Strangers approached bearing gifts and encouragement, touched by the inspiring 'glam-mas.'

While 80 days of nonstop travel proved tiring, the duo said that youthful excitement, not their age, was the biggest challenge. "Our only regret was trying to pack in too much," Ms. Hamby reflected. "It's easy to get overeager." In hindsight, they advise focusing on quality over quantity when crafting an itinerary.

Their advice for senior adventure seekers? Travel light, budget wisely, and bring a positive attitude. Ms. Hazelip noted technology like Google Translate helped overcome language barriers. Most importantly, find a compatible travel mate who shares your sense of curiosity and fun.

Now pondering their next escapade, Ms. Hamby and Ms. Hazelip prove it's never too late to explore life's possibilities. Their worldwide odyssey did require concessions to age like forgoing zip lines or certain vaccines. But by embracing each day's surprises with humor and flexibility, the pair turned 80 years old into the adventure of a lifetime.