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
The Beautiful Underrated Cities That Should Be On Your Bucket List
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Is Hakone Worth Visiting?
Hakone is a popular destination for visitors in Japan, and with good reason! Not only is it home to stunning natural scenery, but it also offers plenty of activities to do. Wondering if Hakone is worth visiting? If you have limited time in Japan, you might wonder if...
Our Guide To An Exclusive Weekend In Singapore
Singapore is a fascinating holiday destination and one that's perfectly suited to a life of luxury. Despite its tiny size, Singapore is a country in its own right. It's comprised of 64 individual islands, all connected by roadways, making it perfect for those who...
Complete Guide: How To Get To Hakone From Tokyo
Hakone is a beautiful, mountainous region in Japan, and it can be the perfect retreat from chaotic city life. If you want to get away from Tokyo for a day or two, Hakone is the ideal destination! In fact, Hakone is one of the best spots to see Mount Fuji. So, how can...
Holafly eSIM USA Review
Traveling to the United States soon? Looking for the best way to access Internet while you're visiting the USA? Look no further than Holafly eSIM USA! This convenient eSIM provider offers fast and reliable service around the world, allowing you to stay connected while...
Holafly Europe eSIM: Unlimited Data For Travelers
Traveling to Europe soon? Looking for the best way to stay connected while traveling in European countries? Look no further than Holafly eSIM Europe! Holafly is a legit eSIM provider that offers fast and reliable service around the world, allowing you to stay...