At the age of 81, two best friends from Texas, Ellie Hamby, and Sandy Hazelip, embarked on a world tour, visiting 18 countries across all seven continents. The idea for the trip was sparked by Sandy, who had suggested to Ellie that they should consider traveling around the world in 80 days when they turned 80. However, due to the pandemic, the trip was delayed until the friends had turned 81.
Ellie, an international documentary photographer, and Sandy, a doctor who now cares for patients in long-term care facilities, spent years preparing for their journey. Although they have traveled together before, this trip was different, as it involved visiting multiple countries on different continents. The duo’s first stop was Antarctica, followed by visits to countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Finland, Argentina, and India.
Their travels were not planned by a travel agent and did not involve luxury hotels or gourmet meals. In a blog post, they explained that, at the age of 81, they understand the true value of “experience” over “comfort.” The two friends enjoyed India the most, citing its architectural beauty and the friendly, loving people as the main reasons.
While in India, they visited Delhi, where they saw the Qutab Minar, India Gate, and the Jama Masjid. They also visited Udaipur, known as “the Venice of the East,” where they stayed in a 180-year-old mansion that had been converted into a hotel. They visited the Ranakpur Jain Temple and Bharatpur before finally seeing the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, marking the 50-day milestone of their journey.
Ellie and Sandy hope that their adventure inspires future generations to realize that age is just a number and that it’s never too late to explore the world. According to Today.com, they also believe that the true value of life lies in the memories we create and the experiences we share with others.