Two lifelong best friends have spectacularly proven that age is no barrier to global adventure. At 81 years old, Sandra Hazelip, a physician, and Eleanor Hamby, a documentary photographer, successfully circled the globe, completing a whirlwind journey that covered all seven continents, 18 countries, and nine world wonders in just 80 days. Heavily inspired by the classic Jules Verne adventure novel, the Texas-based duo affectionately dubbed their ambitious expedition "Around the World at 80."
Their epic itinerary kicked off at the literal bottom of the world, where they boarded a ship to Antarctica and braved the notoriously turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. From the icy polar landscape, they transitioned directly into the intense heat of Africa. Their time on the continent brought a completely different set of thrills, including riding camels past the pyramids in Egypt, embarking on a wildlife safari in Zambia, and exploring the historic coastal streets of Zanzibar.
The duo next navigated Asia, masterfully tackling the sprawling subway systems of Tokyo before traveling to Nepal to take in breathtaking aerial views of Mount Everest. Europe subsequently delivered its own brand of magic, featuring a husky-drawn sleigh ride under the northern lights in Finland's Lapland, followed by historical sightseeing in Rome. Dubbed the "Traveling Grannies" by millions of viral social media followers, the pair packed additional stops into their strict 80-day timeline—including Bali, remote Easter Island, and the Grand Canyon—leaving their journey standing as living proof that the spirit of exploration has no expiration date.