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
Perfect 2 Weeks In Thailand Itinerary
While you could certainly spend longer in Thailand, 2 weeks is a good amount of time to get to know the mainland and some of the well-known islands. This Thailand 2 week itinerary includes short stays in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, which will give...
Perfect 3 Days In Chiang Mai Itinerary
Chiang Mai Province is one of Thailand’s most popular travel destinations, located in the mountainous northern region of the country. Three days in Chiang Mai is just enough time to get a flavor for the city and experience some of the area’s most significant...
Worldpackers VS Workaway: Which Is Better?
If you're considering participating in a volunteering program abroad, you may have heard of Worldpackers and Workaway. Both websites allow you to find volunteer positions in exchange for accommodation and food everywhere around the world. In this post, I'm comparing...
Complete Guide: Best Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads
There are so many things to think about when you're traveling or living abroad. Accommodation, transport, and even where to go are just a few. Travel insurance for nomads is something that people often overlook and don't realize they need it until they actually need...
Complete Guide: Backpacking Essentials Europe
In this article, we’ll be going through what to pack for Europe, including what kinds of clothes should be on your backpacking Europe packing list, as well as some of the essential electronics and gadgets to make your trip all the easier! The weather in Europe is...
Complete Guide: What To Wear In Thailand
When creating your Thailand packing list, it’s important to consider a range of factors when deciding what clothes to wear, such as the weather, cultural etiquette, and where exactly you’re heading that day. Generally speaking, it’s expected that shoulders and knees...