‘Around the world in 80 days’: Two best friends travel 18 countries in seven continents at the age of 81

Ellie Hamby, an international documentary photographer, and Sandy Hazelip, a doctor who now looks after patients in long term care facilities, are friends from 23 years. The duo is now back home in Texas exactly 80 days after they departed to visit all seven continents of the world.

It was Sandy who came up with the idea as she said, “Ellie why don’t we consider travelling around the world in 80 days when we’re 80?” said Hamby. However, due to the pandemic, the trip didn’t actually happen until the friends had turned 81. Although the two of them have travelled together several other times, they spent years preparing for the trip. They finally took off in January this year as they departed for their first stop, Antarctica.

The duo visited 18 countries in seven continents during their trip. They travelled to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Finland, Argentina and India among others.

Their adventures are not planned by a travel agent and it doesn’t involve luxurious hotels or gourmet meals, they wrote in a blog post. They said at 81, they understand what’s truly important and the value of “experience” over “comfort”.

They both loved India for its architectural beauty and especially for the most friendly, loving people in the world. They visited Delhi first where they saw the Qutab Minar, India Gate and the Jama Masjid. Then they visited Udaipur, the city of lakes also called “the Venice of the East”, where they stayed in a 180-year-old mansion that had been turned into a hotel.

They also visited the Ranakpur Jain Temple and Bharatpur. And finally, they visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra and they crossed the 50-day mark during their India tour. The best friends told Today.com they also hope they’ve inspired future generations to realise you’re never too old to take in all the world has to offer.