About Melissa
Hello, I’m Mel!
I’m a Canadian travel blogger who has been traveling and living abroad since 2014.
Learn more about my story below.
Life before blogging
I’m originally from Quebec, Canada. Back in the days, I used to be a social worker. I used to travel once a year for about a month and I was always spending my summers in Europe since I was 20 years old.
In June 2014, I started my journey around the world at the age of 25.
Life on the road
I first started my journey in the Canadian Rockies, where I hitch-hiked my way around. Then, I moved to Australia for two years. I started A Broken Backpack in July 2015. Back then, I was working on a farm in Australia and needed something to stay entertained. Quickly, A Broken Backpack became popular.
After Australia, I decided to go on a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. Later, I moved to the UK for less than a year.
In October 2017, I decided to move to Southeast Asia. Bali became my home for about one and a half years.
In 2019, I was based mostly in Thailand.
In 2020, I moved to Bulgaria.
In 2022, I moved to Thailand, and it became my main base.
Of course, I do plan occasional trips in and out, but since I’m running an online business and a few successful blogs, I prefer slow travel.
This brings me to you
A Broken Backpack offers excellent travel tips to help you stay on the road longer. I left Canada with less than CAD 2,000 in my name (and many student debts).
I’m living proof that you don’t need tons of savings to make your travel dreams come true.
I learned how to travel on the very cheap, volunteered when I needed to, and created an online business to support myself abroad. I share all these tips here on A Broken Backpack.
I’m now in my thirties, and my travel style has evolved. I’m not all about budget travel anymore, and I now travel with my husband (we met in Thailand).
So, A Broken Backpack is not just a budget travel blog anymore. You’ll find all the travel tips needed to plan your dream trip no matter your travel style, budget, or interest.
Pick Your Travel Style
Living Abroad
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Digital Nomadism
Volunteering
Read my latest blog posts
Indian Citizens: Apply For A Turkey E-Visa Online Now!
Are you an Indian traveler seeking to explore the enchanting wonders of Turkey? Look no further! The Turkey E-Visa offers a convenient and efficient way for Indian citizens to obtain their travel authorization, allowing them to embark on their Turkish adventure with...
Yesim Review: Is Yesim ESIM Good?
Want to find a reliable eSIM card to stay connected to the Internet during your travels? Look no further than Yesim! This eSIM store offers a wide range of eSIM plans to keep you covered during your trip. In this Yesim eSIM review, we'll provide more information about...
Wine And Dine: Vineyard Visits And Gastronomic Experiences Between Lisbon And Madrid
Spain and Portugal have some of the tastiest cuisines in Europe, and this is perhaps best evidenced in their capital cities, where all those amazing flavors combine. Traveling between these two capitals will take you past a wealth of local delicacies and specialties,...
The Digital Nomad’s Guide To Working And Winning From Anywhere
Are you tired of the same old routine? Do you crave adventure and excitement? Do you want to work from anywhere in the world? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be a digital nomad at heart. A digital nomad is someone who works remotely,...
Chongqing: A Futuristic Urban Marvel
Chongqing is one of the most exciting cities in the People’s Republic of China, a country that’s steeped in rich history and culture. Technically, the city is the largest in the world, though this is due to the fact that it’s also a municipality that encompasses a...
The Income Potential Of Teaching English Abroad
Your income potential when teaching English abroad will depend on a few things and these usually include where you are based as well as your experience. However, above all, it’s often determined by what kind of job you go for in the English teaching industry. ...