After decades of dreaming, two friends in their 80s take the trip of a lifetime
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Two friends from Texas have proven that age is no barrier to chasing dreams or embracing adventure.
Their journey, which captured global attention, began as a promise shared in their late seventies.
By the time they were 81, that promise had turned into a bold reality: traveling the world together in 80 days.
What started as a dream between two widowed women became a worldwide story of resilience, friendship, and fearless living.
Ellie Hamby and Dr. Sandy Hazelip, both 84, first met more than two decades ago while serving on a medical mission trip in Zambia.
Their bond deepened when Hazelip moved in with Hamby a few nights each week while establishing a clinic in Texas.
Over shared meals, conversations, and the grief of widowhood, their friendship grew into a lifelong partnership built on trust and adventure.
As Hazelip recalls, “About a month after Ellie's husband, Kelly, passed away, I called Ellie and said, ‘I have a deal for you: if you will give me a bed for two nights a week, I will take you out to eat.’ That was 20 years ago.”
The pair had already explored far-flung destinations before committing to their most ambitious idea—traveling the world in 80 days to mark their 80th birthdays.
COVID restrictions delayed their plan, but they refused to give up and began the adventure at 81 instead.
Also read: After 76 years of friendship, two lifelong best friends share a touching reunion
Together, they journeyed across seven continents, visited nearly 50 countries, and stood in awe at some of the world’s wonders.
“The best highlights aren't just about the places, but it's about the people we met along the journey,” Hamby said, reflecting on what mattered most.
Their global tour included exhilarating moments, from riding the Trans-Siberian Railway to finding themselves in the Syrian desert when war broke out.
Source: aroundtheworldat80 / TikTok
Every stop brought a new lesson, a new connection, and a story that defied expectations about age and limits.
Their 80-day trip was completed in one consecutive journey, a feat they never imagined would resonate so widely.
A TikTok video of their adventure reached over 6 million views, turning them into accidental social-media celebrities. “Never in our wildest dreams did we think something like this would ever happen to us,” they said.
Also read: Beware: This simple Facebook friend request mistake cost a woman $40K and her beloved pets—protect yourself now!
Hamby and Hazelip have since committed to spreading the inspiration their travels sparked. They remind others that it is never too late to live boldly and intentionally.
Their message is both simple and powerful: “Get up out of your easy chair, step out of your comfort zone, make a plan and live.”
Their new book, Here We Go—Lessons for Living Fearlessly From Two Traveling Nanas, offers both practical wisdom and encouragement to people of all ages.
Read next: Struggling to make friends as an adult? Discover the surprising ways 7 people built meaningful connections!
What about you—if you could plan one adventure that you’ve always dreamed of but never pursued, where would it take you, and what’s holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comments, because inspiration is often found in the stories we exchange with one another.
Their journey, which captured global attention, began as a promise shared in their late seventies.
By the time they were 81, that promise had turned into a bold reality: traveling the world together in 80 days.
What started as a dream between two widowed women became a worldwide story of resilience, friendship, and fearless living.
Ellie Hamby and Dr. Sandy Hazelip, both 84, first met more than two decades ago while serving on a medical mission trip in Zambia.
Their bond deepened when Hazelip moved in with Hamby a few nights each week while establishing a clinic in Texas.
Over shared meals, conversations, and the grief of widowhood, their friendship grew into a lifelong partnership built on trust and adventure.
After decades of dreaming, two friends in their 80s take the trip of a lifetime. Image source: aroundtheworldat80 / TikTok
As Hazelip recalls, “About a month after Ellie's husband, Kelly, passed away, I called Ellie and said, ‘I have a deal for you: if you will give me a bed for two nights a week, I will take you out to eat.’ That was 20 years ago.”
The pair had already explored far-flung destinations before committing to their most ambitious idea—traveling the world in 80 days to mark their 80th birthdays.
COVID restrictions delayed their plan, but they refused to give up and began the adventure at 81 instead.
Also read: After 76 years of friendship, two lifelong best friends share a touching reunion
Together, they journeyed across seven continents, visited nearly 50 countries, and stood in awe at some of the world’s wonders.
“The best highlights aren't just about the places, but it's about the people we met along the journey,” Hamby said, reflecting on what mattered most.
Their global tour included exhilarating moments, from riding the Trans-Siberian Railway to finding themselves in the Syrian desert when war broke out.
Source: aroundtheworldat80 / TikTok
Every stop brought a new lesson, a new connection, and a story that defied expectations about age and limits.
Their 80-day trip was completed in one consecutive journey, a feat they never imagined would resonate so widely.
A TikTok video of their adventure reached over 6 million views, turning them into accidental social-media celebrities. “Never in our wildest dreams did we think something like this would ever happen to us,” they said.
Also read: Beware: This simple Facebook friend request mistake cost a woman $40K and her beloved pets—protect yourself now!
Hamby and Hazelip have since committed to spreading the inspiration their travels sparked. They remind others that it is never too late to live boldly and intentionally.
Their message is both simple and powerful: “Get up out of your easy chair, step out of your comfort zone, make a plan and live.”
Their new book, Here We Go—Lessons for Living Fearlessly From Two Traveling Nanas, offers both practical wisdom and encouragement to people of all ages.
Read next: Struggling to make friends as an adult? Discover the surprising ways 7 people built meaningful connections!
