In this interview, we sit down with Amanda Berggren, a Swedish photographer who has transformed her life into an inspiring journey of exploration and self-discovery. At just 32 years old, her adventures have taken her from childhood travels across Sweden to a life on the road in a self-built van, culminating in finding a home in Mallorca. With a passion for networking, a flair for storytelling, and a love for Africa, she shares her unique perspective on living authentically, the challenges of van life, and the joy of creating connections in a new community. Join us as she recounts her incredible story.
Could you please introduce yourself briefly?
I am a 32 year old photographer from Sweden, from just outside Stockholm. My mum is from the north, my dad is from the south, and I just grew up in the middle of the country. But I never really felt like home there… I always travelled as a kid, with my family, and I am very grateful for that. I started travelling alone when I was 20…
I came across your Instagram way before we met and I was instantly drawn into your life and your stories. How does one decide to do that? To pack up a life in a van and just go around the world?
My first van experience was when I was a child, and then again when I lived in Australia, rented a van and travelled along the east coast with a partner at the time. When I was younger, I used to work hard, save money, go travelling, spend money, go back to work hard and so on… At some point I started an online company, so I ended up working and travelling at the same time. I thought: I love this! This is genius! And I did that for five years. Then COVID came… I found myself on a last flight back from Australia to Sweden, having sold my apartment in Sweden weeks earlier and with nowhere to go but my mum’s place. I always wanted to live in a van, so, in the middle of that first lockdown, I thought to myself: What better time than now? I bought myself an empty van and I built a home!
You have actually worked on the van alone?
Yes! I bought it empty and I built a home in 36 days. Looking back now, I don’t know how I did it!? I worked full time, trained every day, and I was building the van after work. And then I left Sweden…
So, where did you go?
I travelled down to southern Europe. I worked my way down and ended up in Spain. I had an amazing lockdown! I was mostly in Portugal and Spain. I would wake up on top of the mountain or on the beach. Those were my views… Animals came so close… I enjoyed it to the fullest.
What is your favourite place you have travelled to, with the van or otherwise?
It is very hard to say, because every place has its own charm. But my heart and soul is in Africa. Tanzania and Zanzibar! Kenya is also a favourite. But Zanzibar I would love to go back to.
What are the challenges of living the van the way you did?
There are always challenges, living in the van or in the house, but something that you particularly have to think about is security. For example, I never changed to a new spot in the dark. I needed to see if it’s safe before I could stay. Also, you always need to plan... Where will you refill your water? Where will you empty your toilet? What papers do you need to take a van into different countries?
Is there a community of people living in vans?
Absolutely! There are Facebook groups. People connect; exchange tips and experiences, sometimes even travel together…
Sounds great! Why did you settle in Mallorca? Or, better, have you settled here?
Yes, I found home! (laughs) I have had a connection with Mallorca since I was 18 thanks to my dad who had a home here since then. I have been coming and going, but did not feel that Mallorca was my place. The last time I came here I did something I have not done before, I travelled around Mallorca with a van and I fell in love with Mallorca as an island. I felt that I found my spot. And then I started finding my people. I thought: This is nice!
How did you make friends? Aside from your dad’s cirle?
I love networking… When I decided that I wanted to stay, I started going to the same cafes, to the same gym… I joined a boot camp at Fit Club in Son Caliu and started getting work through that. Every opportunity I got, a networking event, a dinner, a party – either as a guest or as a photographer - I started saying yes to! One of the first events I said yes to - that boot camp – those people are still in my circle today.
Are you a part of a Swedish community here as well?
Well, two of my closest friends are Swedish, but aside from that I am not too involved in the community. Saying that, I am getting a bit more work from Swedish clients these days and making more connections in those circles.
Santa Lucia took place earlier this month. Obviously, that’s a huge holiday for Swedes in Mallorca. How do you celebrate it?
I am a little bit like a Grinch when it comes to Christmas! (laughs). But Lucia is beautiful. I like celebrating it here more than I did in Sweden. It is new for me here and it is celebrated in a different way. For example we eat these really tasty Swedish saffron buns. You need to try this! Also, I love Swedish fika! You need to experience that… And the celebration of Santa Lucia at the cathedral is amazing! It really brings the Swedish people and everyone else together!
What exactly is a fika?
It is this! (points at us and the table) Enjoying a coffee, a cake and a catch-up…