81-Year-Old Best Friends Travel The World In 80 Days Together

When Sandy Hazelip proposed a whirlwind journey to her longtime close friend Ellie Hamby for their milestone birthdays, the 81-12 months-aged leaped at the plan.

“She mentioned, ‘Ellie, why don’t we look at touring about the environment in 80 days when we’re 80?’” Hamby recalled in a the latest interview with NBC Dallas-Fort Really worth.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic needed the two mates of 23 decades to set off their ideas for soon after they turned 80, the two ultimately designed their grand voyage.

On January 11, 2023, at the age of 81 many years previous, the two begun their journey, disembarking from Dallas, Texas. Initially cease: Antarctica.

“We went to the North Pole in Lapland and noticed the northern lights and took a sleigh trip. We had been in Zanzibar. We went to Egypt, India, Nepal, Bali, Japan, Rome and of program, London, much too,” Hamby shared.

Alongside their route, their tale caught the interest of social media platforms as they built their way around the world, getting on each individual of the world’s continents. The more they traced their progress, the extra they were recognized.

“People would inquire us, ‘Do you have TikTok?’ Well, no. It’s possible we should get this heading,” Hamby defined.

They rode a sleigh pulled by huskies in Finland, and flew high in a hot air balloon in Egypt, invested time looking for wallabies in Australia. For 6 times, they used time in Bali, and for two, they braced them selves as they weathered a rocky ship experience across the notoriously tough Drake Passage.

Ultimately, they commenced widening their social channels from Fb and Youtube to Instagram and TikTok and at unique ports, the two octogenarians commenced to recognize they were being racking up a supporter foundation.

“I am from Rwanda,” just one consumer commented on a TikTok Q&A they shared. “We would appreciate to have you in this article.”

“I experienced to appear glimpse for you (two) just after seeing on 9 information in Colorado!!!!” one more replied. “You 2 are AMAZING”

Talking about their growing adhering to, Hamby recalled remaining identified at an airport.

“Even when we arrived in LAX, two persons arrived up and mentioned, ‘You’re the TikTok traveling grannies,’” Hamby spelled out. “Yes! That is us.”

Although the two just lately returned to Texas, they say that they hope their travels inspired potential generations to maintain exploring even in outdated age.

“The point that has enthusiastic both of us is how we have brought people joy as they followed us on this experience,” Hazelip explained.