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 Places To Snorkel In Oahu
Snorkeling is by far one of the most popular activities in Hawaii. Oahu has 112 miles of beautiful coastline and an incredible underwater world waiting to be explored. Snorkeling in Oahu is a fun way to learn about Hawaii's marine life, and you don't need to be a pro...
Going On A Road Trip? Try These Tips To Keep You Comfortable
There’s nothing more exciting than heading out into the open road with your loved ones. Whether you’re taking a six-hour drive or going on a cross-country journey, a road trip is the perfect opportunity to kick back, relax, and immerse yourself in the sights and...
How To Make Sure Your Next Trip To Australia Is A Great One
It’s official: after two long years, the Great Southern Land is open for tourists again! As much as it is a sigh of relief for Aussie tour operators, it’s also an opportunity to explore one of the world’s most exotic and varied tourist destinations. From the Daintree...
40 Hilarious New York Puns
Heading to NYC and hoping to impress your friends with your witty sense of humor? Check out these 40 New York puns that will make your day in the city just that little bit NYC-er! From big slices of pizza to the Empire State Building, and everything in between, New...
Complete Guide: What To Wear In Canada In Summer
Summer in Canada runs from June to September, but the weather can be pretty variable throughout these months. While the days are considerably warmer than earlier in the year, spontaneous rain showers and random foggy days still happen. Being such a huge country,...
How Many Days In Porto Is Enough?
The historic hillside city of Porto has World Heritage status, filled with narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses with flowering balconies, and scenic plazas. It is the oldest city in Europe, and history lovers will be fascinated by its heritage and...