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
Complete Guide: Best Camping Tents For Trucks
Are you looking to turn the back of your truck into a safe haven or a place to rest for the night? Then, a truck tent is what you need, and you’ve come to the right place to learn more about them! Here we cover some of the most important qualities of tents for trucks...
What To Wear Hiking In Summer
The summer is a beautiful time to get out into nature and start hiking. However, hiking in the summer can mean being outside in intense heat, so it’s crucial to think about what to wear hiking in summer. Of course, you want to stay cool and avoid overheating....
Buying Guide: Best Sinks For Camping
A portable sink for camping can have so many uses! Not only is it the easiest way to clean up your dishes and pans after camping meals, but it's also handy for washing your hands, soaking various items, or even storing drinks in ice! In this guide, I've listed several...
Buying Guide: The Best Camp Shower Tents
After a day exploring the great outdoors, a camp shower tent will allow you to get clean and comfortable in privacy so you can settle down and enjoy your evening. This guide is designed to help you find the best shower tent for your needs and describes the...
5 Long-Haul Destinations Worth Visiting This Year
After the last 18 months, many of us are itching to go on vacation. The idea of jet-setting somewhere far, far away is more appealing than ever before. If you love travelling and want to explore other parts of the world, here are some of the best long-haul...
Buying Guide: 5 Best Pop Up Camping Tents
Pop up camping tents may just be about the most useful accessories invented for making the most of the great outdoors. Instead of wasting valuable time pitching your tent, they allow you to get set up within just minutes. This means you can go and have fun...