Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby have been best friends for 23 years. They met in Zambia while on a medical mission and have been close ever since. So, when Sandy suggested the pair travel around the world in 80 days when they turned 80, Ellie was all for it, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reports. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their plans by a year, the 81-year-olds set off on January 11, 2023 and have had an incredible adventure.
@aroundtheworldat80 Hot Air Balloon over Egypt. #aroundtheworldat80 #sandyandellie #aroundtheworldin80days #hotairballoonegypt
- The pair headed to Antarctica first. Leaving their homes in Dallas, Texas, they traveled all the way to Usuaia in Peru to make the treacherous journey across the Drake Passage to the southernmost continent. “We sometimes had 20-foot waves and two days traveling,” Hamby recalled of the journey in an interview with Today. She and Hazelip recalled “doing a-rockin’ and a-rollin’ and a-slippin’ and a-slidin'” as the large waves hit their ship.
- However, there were many more sights Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby wanted to see. The friends really did make the most of their 80-day trip. They rode camels in Egypt, took a rickshaw ride in India, and even got to ride on a husky-pulled sleigh in Finland. They had the time of their lives!
- If you’re thinking they must be rich, think again. The pair carefully planned out their budget for the trip so they could make the most of the destinations they visited. In fact, their hotels only cost an average of $29 a night. “We’re not wanting our comfort zone. We’re wanting an adventure,” Hamby said. “You do not have to stay in the big chain hotels. In other countries, the best hotels are local places. They may not be a hotel. They may be someone’s home. They may be just small little places, but those are the best buys and the most fun.”
- Traveling around the world has had a tremendous impact on Sandy and Ellie’s friendship. In fact, they’re closer than ever. “We’ve been together 80 days 24/7, and we’ve just had a great adventure,” Hamby said. “It’s just really made us even closer than we were. We both — being widows — kind of found each other and found this friendship, and we both had phenomenal marriages, the best husbands in the world. And then we found the best friends in the world.”
- If you think they’re done, think again. Hazelip revealed to Today that they’re planning another trip in 2024. They’re not revealing what they’re thinking just yet, though. “We’ve got some ideas about where we’re going and what we’re going to do, so you just need to stay tuned for the next adventure because it’s going to happen!” Hazelip teased.
You can follow Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby’s adventures on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. I certainly will be!
@aroundtheworldat80 Sandy & Ellie at 81 travel to the South Pole – Antarctica #antarcticatravel #bfftraveltime #travelover50 #thedrakepassage #sandyandellie
