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
Buying Guide: Best Hiking Flashlights
A well-made flashlight for hiking is an essential piece of kit. In fact, it's something you should always include in your adventure gear, even if you don't plan on hiking at night. It is not always easy to anticipate delays and you may just find yourself hiking in...
Perfect 2 Day In Vienna Itinerary
Austria’s capital city, Vienna, is a much-loved tourist destination thanks to its rich culture, beautiful architecture, and fine food. This 2 day Vienna itinerary will showcase this incredibly safe city, how easy it is to get around, and many exciting things to do and...
Complete Guide: The Best Leggings For Hiking
Leggings are an essential piece of clothing for us women as they are suitable for multiple purposes and occasions. Because they are so comfortable and easy to move around in, leggings make ideal pants for hiking. However, unfortunately, not all leggings are created...
Perfect One Day In Joshua Tree National Park Itinerary
With so many incredible nature spots in the USA, it would be impossible to see them all. Even so, one thing you should not miss on your travels is a day trip to Joshua Tree in southern California. Joshua Tree is famous for its vast desert landscapes and iconic...
Complete Guide: How To Fix A Zipper On A Backpack
Have you ever wondered how to fix a zipper on a backpack? The zipper is arguably the backpack’s most essential part, ensuring that the contents are safe and secure while keeping dust, moisture, and other undesirables out. As stylish and spacious as your backpack might...
Road Trip In Spain: Itineraries
Taking a road trip is one of the best ways to explore a new destination - and - thanks to its cheap fuel and low-cost parking - a road trip in Spain is particularly enjoyable! Not only does Spain's excellent road network make it easy to travel by car, but the scenery...