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
Expat Guide: Living In Chiang Mai
Thinking of moving to Thailand? Most nomads choose Chiang Mai since it’s a budget-friendly destination. It’s a great option if you’re looking into productivity while enjoying the mountains and the Thai lifestyle. In this post, I’ll be giving you details on what it’s...
Perfect 2 Days In New York City Itinerary
Although it is virtually impossible to cover New York City in two days, well, you have little choice if you just have two days in the world's most iconic city. All you can do is plan a perfect itinerary to experience the best of what the Big Apple has to offer you. As...
Complete Guide: Hostel Work Exchange For Free Accommodation
Dreaming of working in hostels abroad? Wondering HOW to work in a hostel? This post is for you. Finding hostel jobs is a great alternative for travelers. If you want to travel further and longer, you can work in hostels for free accommodation. Some hostels can give...
Worldpackers Promo Code: Get $10 Off
Want to join the Worldpackers crew and you’re looking for a Worldpackers promo code? We got your back. When using the code ABROKENBACKPACK you will get a $10 discount on your annual plan. GRAB DISCOUNT NOW If you still need to learn more about Worldpackers, in this...
Travel Saving Challenge: 52 Week Money Challenge
Traveling isn’t always cheap and many travelers postpone their travel plans due to insufficient savings. Saving money for traveling can often be quite challenging. At the end of the day, many travelers prefer to spend money on stuff we see right away rather than...
How To Get To The Sahara Desert
When I think of Morocco, I think about the Sahara Desert and this is exactly why I wanted to visit Morocco so badly. Planning your trip? Here’s what to expect from a trip to the Sahara Desert and more importantly, how to plan it the right way. There are many...