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
125+ Hilarious Beach Jokes
Think of a summer activity. You thought of going to the beach, right? There’s nothing that screams July vacation more than a trip to the ocean. Whether you’re building sandcastles, slurping on ice creams, or splashing around in the big blue waves, summer just isn’t...
The Best Jasper Winter Hikes
The alpine town of Jasper in Alberta is one of Canada’s most beautiful winter destinations. The whole national park looks magical during the coldest months of the year, from snow-tipped mountains to ice formations to frozen waterfalls. Winter also brings the...
How To Pack Appropriately For A Trip To Darwin
When traveling to Darwin there are a few things to keep in mind when you are packing. It is known to be warm, with plenty of bugs and rain, but also offers spectacular views and things to do. From temperature to activities and from accessories to necessities we will...
Expat Guide: Best Places To Live In Japan
If you dream of experiencing the Japanese way of life, read on to learn the best places to live in Japan. Japan is a unique and exciting country with beautiful scenery and rich culture. Of course, Japan is most known for Tokyo’s neon lights and advanced technology,...
Hilarious Road Trip Jokes
Road trips are one of the most incredible ways to travel. You get to see everything, you feel ultimate freedom, and you can hop out of the car whenever something takes your fancy. But they are sometimes long, which is why you need a long list of road trip jokes so...
Expat Guide: Best Places To Live In Bali
If you decided to move to Bali, you may be searching for the best areas to stay in Bali. I have lived in Bali for nearly two years in the past, and I’ve been writing lots of content about it. That said, I’m in a good position to recommend the safest places to live in...