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 Get To Nusa Penida
If you’ve seen these famous shots of Nusa Penida and you’re wondering “how can I get there”, this post is for you. Getting to Nusa Penida isn’t complicated - in fact, it’s quite easy. The important thing to remember here is the cost - it’s easy to get ripped off. If...
Best Things To Do In Siem Reap Besides Temples
If you already know everything about Angkor Wat and/or you are thinking about doing something different while in Siem Reap, Cambodia - I got you covered. Although the temples throughout Siem Reap are a must-see and extremely spectacular, there’s so much more to the...
Bali Vs Thailand: Where Should You Go
Wondering where you should go during your next holidays in Southeast Asia? I know - it’s a hard one. Bali and Thailand both have great things to offer. If it’s not possible for you to travel to both Bali and Thailand, I’ll be comparing both destinations to help you...
Best Waterproof Backpacks For Travel
Choosing the best waterproof travel backpack doesn’t have to be too complicated. It is important to protect your valuables when you go overseas. Imagine if all your valuables (and passport) would get wet because of the weather. That’d be awful and it would make your...
Complete Guide: Where To Stay In Koh Phangan
When it comes to finding the best places to stay in Koh Phangan, you have many options to pick from. Here’s a list of options for backpackers, travelers and luxury travelers too. You can find accommodation for any budgets in Koh Phangan, Thailand. Where is Koh...
Revealed: The Best Beaches Koh Phangan
When in Koh Phangan, make sure to head to the beach! There are many beautiful beaches to pick from. If you’re wondering what are the best beaches in Koh Phangan, check out this list. Obviously, you should note that the Koh Phangan beaches are very pretty. With white...