When Sandy Hazelip proposed a whirlwind vacation to her longtime buddy Ellie Hamby for their milestone birthdays, the 81-12 months-old leaped at the thought.
“She claimed, ‘Ellie, why really do not we consider touring all-around the entire world in 80 times when we’re 80?’” Hamby recalled in a recent job interview with NBC Dallas-Fort Well worth.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic necessary the two good friends of 23 a long time to place off their strategies for soon after they turned 80, the two eventually made their grand voyage.
On January 11, 2023, at the age of 81 many years outdated, the two started off their journey, disembarking from Dallas, Texas. Initial quit: Antarctica.
“We went to the North Pole in Lapland and saw the northern lights and took a sleigh ride. We ended up in Zanzibar. We went to Egypt, India, Nepal, Bali, Japan, Rome and of course, London, way too,” Hamby shared.
Along their route, their story caught the interest of social media platforms as they created their way close to the world, taking on just about every of the world’s continents. The additional they traced their progress, the additional they have been identified.
“People would request us, ‘Do you have TikTok?’ Nicely, no. Maybe we need to get this heading,” Hamby explained.
They rode a sleigh pulled by huskies in Finland, and flew significant in a hot air balloon in Egypt, put in time searching for wallabies in Australia. For six times, they invested time in Bali, and for two, they braced on their own as they weathered a rocky ship ride throughout the notoriously tough Drake Passage.
At some point, they began widening their social channels from Facebook and Youtube to Instagram and TikTok and at various ports, the two octogenarians commenced to notice they were being racking up a lover foundation.
“I am from Rwanda,” one particular consumer commented on a TikTok Q&A they shared. “We would adore to have you in this article.”
“I experienced to occur glance for you (two) immediately after looking at on 9 news in Colorado!!!!” another replied. “You 2 are AMAZING”
Speaking about their expanding pursuing, Hamby recalled staying regarded at an airport.
“Even when we arrived in LAX, two people arrived up and claimed, ‘You’re the TikTok traveling grannies,’” Hamby explained. “Yes! Which is us.”
Though the two just lately returned to Texas, they say that they hope their travels encouraged foreseeable future generations to retain exploring even in outdated age.
“The point that has psyched both of us is how we have brought persons pleasure as they adopted us on this adventure,” Hazelip said.
