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
Trekking Tours In Tibet
Trekking in Tibet is a wonderful and lifetime achievement for trekkers. As it’s the highest land on the earth and is surrounded by a vast Himalayan range. By trekking Tibet, trekkers can enjoy the spectacular scenery in secret places of Tibet and have a full insight...
10 Signs You Are Madly In Love With The World
I want you to focus here. I know how easy it is to dream, to be distracted. There’s so much stuff to think about instead of being in a chronically boring routine. Have you ever been in love? I have a few times… with humans. But, there’s no one out there who can...
How To Travel When You’re Broke
How to travel with no money? How to travel when you're broke? It this really possible? Travelling seems to be a luxury for many. Many of us will have four weeks of vacation per year and eagerly await the moment to relax. Fact: working can be stressful and exhausting,...
Don’t Fall In Love With A Traveling Girl
They said: don’t date a girl who travels. Some of us replied; date a girl who travels. Anyway. I'm a girl who travels. I met a guy who travels. What would be the story behind this? A good one? A romantic one? A sad one? I'm a girl who...
Plan Your Cuba Holidays With ViaHero Cuba
Ever heard of Cuba? You know; the largest Caribbean Island, the white beaches and the paradise of old American cars? If Cuba is well known in terms of All-Inclusive resorts, I do think there are other options to make the most of it (and keeping it cheap). These...
What It’s Like To Be Dating A Non Native English Speaker
I am exotic. Well. Not for my people. But… perhaps, I am exotic according to you. English ladies and gentlemen, here's why you should definitely date a non-native English speaker. 1. Our accent is cute. Lovely (and funny). And, believe me, this...