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
How To Teach English Abroad & Is it Worth It?
Wondering how to teach English abroad? Learn more with Sabrina's insights. She is an English teacher and she should be able to answer all the questions you may have. If you are wondering if teaching English abroad is worth it and/or if this is for you, you should get...
Complete Guide: Best Towels For Backpacking
When backpacking, you want to pack as light as possible and save as much space in your bag as you can. A normal bathroom towel isn’t the best choice when traveling, as they take up a lot of room, can become heavy, and are slow to dry, yet you want to be able to travel...
Souvenir Guide: Best Things To Buy In Thailand
Everyone loves picking up souvenirs from their trips, but there is often an overwhelming amount of knick-knacks to choose from and, if you’re going in unprepared, you probably don’t know what’s worth buying. Here are a few ideas of cool things to buy in Thailand,...
Bali Temple Dress Code: What To Wear In Bali Temples
When traveling anywhere, it’s always important to respect the customs of the country you are visiting, especially if you are heading somewhere with a lot of religious significance. Known as the “island of the gods”, Bali is a religious epicenter, home to over 20,000...
How To Get Visa Extension At The Immigration Office Bangkok
Traveling around Thailand? If you love Thailand, you may want to extend your Thai Visa to stay longer. In the past year, I spent a lot of time in Thailand and I had to extend my visa a few times. This time, I renewed my visa at the Bangkok Immigration Office. From...
Best Beaches In The South Of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is known for its incredible natural beauty and enduring authenticity. Cherished by surfing enthusiasts and relaxed holidaymakers alike, this is the perfect destination for anyone looking to recline next to the sea. The best part of a vacation is a beautiful,...