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
Best Airalo Alternatives: Compare eSIM Providers
Are you tired of dealing with outdated SIM cards and all the hassle that comes with them? Are you looking for a better way to stay connected while traveling abroad? Well, look no further! We have the perfect solution: eSIMs. eSIMs are revolutionizing the world of...
Dubai Desert Safari: What To Expect On A Desert Safari In Dubai
Behind all the glitz and glamor of Dubai, the city is a desert land. The desert is where the Arab tribes lived in the past. Although the population in the desert is dwindling, the Emiratis of Dubai have not let go of their Bedouin culture and traditions completely....
Cheapest Travel eSIM And Data Plans
eSIMs are becoming extremely popular, and new eSIM providers are popping up all over the place. It's no wonder - who wouldn't want to be able to switch between multiple eSIMs without switching out their physical SIM card? It's the ultimate convenience! But with so...
Lesotho eSIM And SIM Cards: What You Need To Know
Visiting Lesotho soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Lesotho SIM card. Fortunately, Africa is one of the places where you can buy a SIM card easily. You should be able to find an affordable SIM card pretty much anywhere in Lesotho. In...
Palestine eSIM And SIM Cards: What You Need To Know
Visiting Palestine soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Palestine SIM card. Fortunately, Asia is one of the places where you can buy a SIM card easily. You should be able to find an affordable SIM card pretty much anywhere in Palestine....
Saint Martin SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know
Visiting Saint Martin soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Saint Martin SIM card. In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card for Saint Martin in person and online. We'll also discuss prepaid travel SIM cards and eSIMs if your...