Since we’ve embraced life in a van full-time, we’re more relaxed. We can approach travel planning and obligations with ease, and we genuinely appreciate life more in general. We feel a deep gratitude for the life we had in the Netherlands, the opportunity to travel for an extended time, and our friends and family for their unwavering support.
Meet Hans & Marleen
We are Hans & Marleen from the Netherlands. Originally from Brabant and Drenthe, we now live together in Nijmegen. We’ve been together for almost six years and have been married since June 2022. Hans loves to ride his bike and is currently training for the Rotterdam Marathon, while Marleen enjoys the outdoors in all its forms—whether by foot, bike, or motorcycle.
How Did the Dream of Van Life Begin?
Half a year before the pandemic started, we bought our own VW T3 camper van. Unfortunately, it was an old, rusty van that turned out to be in pretty bad shape. With no mechanics or technicians in our family or friend circle, the repair costs were daunting. Therefore, we decided to sell the VW to someone who could fix it.
Although the VW story wasn’t a big success, we couldn’t let go of the dream of having our own camper van. After brainstorming with Marleen’s parents, we ultimately decided to buy a regular van and convert it into a camper van ourselves.
DIY Home on Wheels
During the COVID pandemic, we bought a former festival beer delivery van, which wasn’t useful anymore since there were no festivals. Over 32 days, spread across nine months, we worked diligently to convert this van into our home on wheels. We tackled this project in summer, autumn, winter, and spring—through sun, snow, rain, and wind—with the lovely help of Marleen’s dad. Meanwhile, Marleen’s mum took care of the catering, allowing us to focus solely on our van life project!
Van Travel Adventures
After we completed our van conversion, we eagerly went on our first trip together. We started with a drive to Spain to visit some friends in the summer of 2021. This trip took 2.5 weeks and covered 4,000 kilometres, and we enjoyed every minute of our outdoor adventures.
It was truly lovely to sleep in our van; therefore, when Hans ran the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland in September 2021, we knew we had to go with the van! We appreciated the freedom while staying at a beautiful campsite near Lake Brienz. At the finish line of the Jungfrau Marathon, Hans proposed to Marleen, which was incredibly romantic!
Starting Their Van Life Journey
In the winter of 2021, we began thinking about a longer trip with our van. Consequently, in February 2022, we made the decision to go for it. We sold our house and made all the necessary arrangements before informing our jobs that we would be quitting in a few months. During this time, we were also preparing for our wedding and honeymoon! By September 2022, we were ready. We had sold almost all of our furniture and packed everything we needed into the van.
Fortunately, selling our house helped fund our travels. With part of the surplus, we could travel in our van for several months without needing to work. This freedom allows us to embrace life in a van without worries.
Appreciating Life in a Van
For us, the best part of van life is the freedom—the ability to go and stay wherever we want! Another significant advantage is how we appreciate space and nature. Since there wasn’t much space in our van, it turned out to be just enough for the two of us to travel together. As a result, it has made us more mindful and patient; we can’t be impatient when the van is so small. We’ve come to appreciate nature even more than before. Ultimately, the beauty of the places where we can spend the night and enjoy stunning outdoor surroundings is simply amazing.
Words of Advice
If you are considering this lifestyle, go for it! We recommend renting a few camper vans in different sizes to explore your options and find what suits you best. This is especially helpful if you’ve never experienced van life before. If you enjoy life in a van, then don’t hesitate too much—have faith and dive in! We’re big fans of the saying, “In life, you don’t regret the things you did; you regret the things you didn’t do.” Experience van life and see how it feels, so you never have to wonder: “What if…?”
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Instagram: ubuntu.yoga.vanlife
