84-Year-Old Friends Travel 7 Continents in 80 Days After Heartbreak

A Friendship That Transformed Into a Global Journey

Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip have known each other for over two decades, but their story began as an unexpected friendship that evolved into an incredible journey across the world. Both in their 80s, the two women embarked on a bold adventure to travel the globe together, which eventually led to the publication of their upcoming book: Here We Go: Lessons for Living Fearlessly from Two Traveling Nanas, set to release on September 16.

Their journey started when they first met at a medical missions workshop in Dallas. While they shared a common passion for humanitarian work, their bond deepened after both experienced personal losses — becoming empty nesters and losing their husbands. Five years after Hazelip’s husband passed away, Hamby lost her own husband suddenly in a tennis accident. About a month into her grief, Hamby received a call from Hazelip, who had been asked to open a geriatric clinic in Abilene, Texas. She proposed staying at Hazelip’s house two nights a week in exchange for dinner.

That simple arrangement marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Despite their contrasting personalities — Hazelip being warm and gentle, Hamby more adventurous and bold — late nights filled with work, laughter, and endless coffee revealed how similarly they viewed life. “That was when we started realizing, oh my, we're kind of looking out of the same pair of glasses at the world,” Hamby recalls.

The two women embraced life with fearless curiosity and a shared belief that joy can be found anywhere — even on a shoestring budget. Their philosophy of never traveling first class and sticking to a budget of just $29 per night became a guiding principle for their many adventures. By choosing second-class accommodations and small family-run inns, they were able to meet locals and experience cultures in a way that tourists often miss.

In 2008, they took their first major trip together outside of mission work — traveling second-class on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Their journey continued with international trips in their 60s and 70s, but it wasn’t until 2020 that Hazelip came up with a bold idea: why not travel the world in 80 days at the age of 80? Inspired by Jules Verne’s character Phileas Fogg, the two women planned their own version of the iconic journey. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to pause their plans.

Undeterred, they revived their dream in January 2023, embarking on what they called Around the World in 80 Days at 81 and Still on the Run. Their resilience and unshakable spirit turned what started as a playful dream into a globe-spanning reality that also catapulted them to viral fame as the “traveling grannies.”

From Cairo, where they stayed in a budget-friendly hotel for just $13 per night, to witnessing the Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland, their cinematic tales have resonated with millions. Their journey has included navigating the start of the Syrian war in 2011, sipping a Singapore Sling at 10 a.m., and ziplining through the jungles of Australia.

Despite their differences in travel styles, their friendship has grown stronger over the years. Hazelip admits she has stretched herself since meeting Hamby, recalling her first trip to Zambia, where they slept in tents and used latrines. Meanwhile, Hamby continues to push the boundaries of adventure, ziplining, snorkeling with sharks, and even allowing a python to wrap itself around her body.

Despite their age, Hamby and Hazelip have remained remarkably healthy on the road. They have four artificial knees between them, yet they’ve avoided falls, broken hips, and lost luggage. Their families, while initially surprised by their adventurous spirit, now keep track of their whereabouts through daily check-ins.

As they continue to explore the world, they have opted for a slower pace — one continent at a time, for 30 to 40 days, exploring off-the-beaten-path places far from big cities. They are also excited to share their experiences through their upcoming book, Here We Go: Lessons for Living Fearlessly from Two Traveling Nanas, which will be available on September 16.

Their message to others is simple but powerful: get out of your chair, step beyond your comfort zone, make a list of what you dream to do, and then go live it. “There's a great, big, wonderful world out there just waiting for you,” Hamby says. “The people you're going to cross your path are just waiting there also for you to open your heart.”