Who said age could limit our dreams? Certainly not these two octogenarians who, overnight, decided to pack their bags and go on an adventure. They traveled the seven continents, to visit the nine wonders of the world. An inspiring story!
Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby, two 81-year-old grandmothers and best friends to boot, were inspired by the novel “Around the World in 80 Days” to travel the planet. Courageous and reckless, these modern-day “Thelma and Louise” have already explored 18 countries and don’t intend to stop there. Their goal? To see as much as possible and enjoy life to the fullest. Dive into their extraordinary journey relayed by our colleagues at the Today site.
Unusual, the story of Sandy and Ellie has caught the attention of many people because of their astonishing energy and their desire to always see more. “Over the years, we have traveled to many countries and had many adventures together. As independent “second class” travelers, our adventures were never planned by a travel agency. We didn’t stay in luxury hotels or eat gourmet meals. At 81, we understand what is truly important and the real value of experience over comfort,” they explain. For them, age has never been a barrier. They simply decided not to stay cooped up in an armchair and enjoy life to the fullest. “It’s always a good time to start planning trips!” they say. Sandy is a doctor and Ellie is a documentary photographer leading a medical mission. The two have been friends forever. Two years ago, when they were considering the idea of travelling the world together, Sandy remarked to Ellie: “Don’t you think it would be more fun for us to travel around the world in 80 days when we’re 80?” “What are you talking about, Sandy, are you sure?” Ellie had asked. Their plans began to come together, but due to global restrictions, they were forced to postpone their trip. But in 2023, they finally set off: a small suitcase each, in no-frills roots mode, they were ready to go on an adventure, discovering the wonders of the world.
“We don’t fly first class, we fly economy. So when a woman says to us, ‘Oh, I’d love to travel with you two’, the first thing I do is look at her hands. If they’re manicured, I know she doesn’t want to travel with us!” jokes Sandy.
And what do their loved ones think of their incredible expedition? The two octogenarians are delighted to point out that their families have always supported them in pursuing their dreams. “My daughter is not too worried. She just says: ‘If mum falls out of a hot air balloon in Egypt or off a mountain… it’s not a big deal. She’s living the life she wanted to live and I’m happy for her!’”, Ellie points out with a laugh
Although this is their greatest adventure, the experience of travelling is not new. Sandy and Ellie had actually met almost twenty years ago during a trip to Zambia, where they had become very close and began their great friendship.
Despite a few minor health issues, including knee replacements, the two women seem tireless and feel in great shape. Their fantastic epic makes them more alive than ever! From China to Argentina, they have explored incredible places and aspire to continue for as long as possible. Sandy is hopeful that their story will inspire people of all ages.
“Our greatest joy is mingling with the locals. When you travel independently, nothing ever goes as planned. Luckily, Ellie and I share the same philosophy about travel. As an ancient Arabic proverb perfectly puts it: ‘Pray to God, but tie your camel anyway,’” says Sandy. Of course, there have been a few twists and turns along the way, but the magical memories will live on forever. “We have had many ‘travel crises’, but that has never stopped us from