We started our journey valuing independence, freedom, and a slow-paced life. Most people slept in cars or tents. By buying a van, we wanted to add comfort and warmth to our travels.
We didn’t like the usual motorhome designs, and the internet showed us many beautiful, handmade interiors. So, we decided to create our own.
Taking on this project was a big challenge because we didn’t know what we were getting into. We planned to finish the van in five months, but it took 13 months instead.
Looking back, we see it positively. Traveling with the van while it was still being finished let us find and fix problems as they came up. We could also change things to fit our new travel style, which we were just learning about.
We were the first to build a wooden frame around the van’s walls to attach all the furniture and floorboards. We insulated it with hemp. Then, we covered the walls and ceiling with wooden planks.
We installed water, electricity, and gas lines in the walls and floors and set up sockets, switches, and lights. The most important part was making sure we had enough power.
We calculated how much energy we needed for the solar panels, batteries, inverters, and water heating. You can find out how to do all these technical steps on YouTube or in Facebook groups for nomads.
In the end, our favorite carpenter made the furniture just for us. This was the best part of fixing up the van because it turned the van into a home. We named our van Nom, meaning it’s a good van with good karma.
We share Nom’s stories, experiences, and the beautiful places she finds with you on Instagram (@Nomathehappyvan).
