About the Green Toad Bus!
Sounds cliche these days, because everyone seems to attach the slogan 'by backpackers for backpackers' to their product. But that's just what we are: backpackers for life! We are still out there working in hostels and with travel operators, socialising with backpackers at hostel bars and cafes and with every chance we get we are out discovering the world for ourselves with our backpacks strapped to our backs. That's how we know our products are good, because we would have used them if they were available when we started travelling in the region.
Some of us arrived to Latin America as backpackers and others were born here, but we all made friends with the owners, operators, and just plain travel freaks who make up the backpackers scene on the continent and whom make it possible to offer our bus passes at such low prices. Our hope is that you have the travel experiences in South America similar to those experiences which made us come to the conclusion that this is the best region in the world to travel!
Our Objective
We endeavour to provide a network of local transport travel passes facilitating easy travel for backpackers covering the majority of the best destinations and attractions on offer. We also wish to provide, activities, tours and accommodation available as add-on's to the travel pass allowing travellers to completely plan, book and pay for their trip prior to the commencement of travel. This is so the only thing you have to worry about is where to find the cheapest beer, but don't worry, we will tell you that as well.
Whats with our name?
We were going to originally call it the 'Gringo Bus' in reference to what the locals call foreign travellers in Latin America. Although we still think it would have been funny, we decided to go with something that rhymed a little with 'Gringo' and fit into the hop-on hop-off nature of our passes. We called it 'toad' rather than 'frog' because frogs are pretty, we are not! And toads backpack more than frogs we reckon, he he. All of us at the Green Toad Bus hope that you decide to Hop with the Toad!!!!
The People
Valentine Murray (Australia)
After studying tourism, Valentine decided to see the world before sending others to see it first. While travelling Latin America he realised that's where he wanted to stay. Val became a guide, leading tours all over Mexico, Central America, Cuba and South America for 5 years. These tour were conducted on either local transport or overland trucks where groups would camp all over South America. It was while doing these tours that he saw the potential in a product like the Green Toad Bus pass, which fills a niche between organised tours and independent travel.
Favourite Sth American Country = Brazil
Favourite South American Food = Peruvian Cerviche or Lomo Saltado
Favourite Sth American Attraction = Machu Picchu in Peru
Favourite Sth American Activity = Huacachina Dune buggies & Paraty boat trip
Best Trait = Big puffy cheeks when is smiles
Worst Trait = bad speller (sorry for all the mistakes)Travel Experience = Papua New Guinea,Thailand, Hong Kong, England, Spain, France, Germany Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, USA, Cuba and every Latin American country except the Guyanas, Surinam and El Salvador
Where does he want to go next = The Guyanas, Surinam, El Salvador & Morroco
Photo: This is Valentine jumping off the boat in Paraty (Brazil). We reckon he looks scared, but he swears he wasn't hehehe.
Diego Marcel (Brazil)
Born to a Brazilian dad and Argentinian mother, Diego gets to choose what country he comes from depending on who won the football that day! Diego has done his own backpacking around South America travelling all over Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Columbia. He studied tourism and became a guide leading people around the Iguassu Waterfalls and national parks. Diego worked in hostels in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, the Pantanal area, Florinopolis and the USA before moving back to Foz do Iguacu to open his own. He also has his own travel agency in Foz, which the Green Toad Bus also works out of. If he's not backpacking or working in the hostel and agency, you will find Diego on the Iguacu river on his wake-board.
Favourite Sth American Country = Argentina
Favourite South American Food = Argentinian Steak
Favourite Sth American Attraction = Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia
Favourite Sth American Activity = Surfing Peru
Best Trait = he is a charmer
Worst Trait = he is too charming for his own good
Travel Experience = Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, USA, Canada
Where does he want to go next = South-east Asia
Photo: Diego in Copacabana, Bolivia, looking the part.
Joanna Goodman (United Kingdom)
Sent to South America by a military court for a crime she didn?t commit, Jo promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the South American underground. Today, still wanted by the government, she survives as a soldier of fortune (well a Tour Leader, a tour planner and a hostel Manager with a chihuahua!!). If you have a problem, if no one else can help AND if you can find her, maybe you can hire........You know the rest!
Favourite Sth American Country = Argentina
Favourite South American Food = Lomo Saltado (Peru) or Argie steak
Favourite Sth American Attraction = The drive in to La Paz or Iguazu Falls
Favourite Sth American Activity = Horse riding in Salta
Best Trait = Positivity or karaoke prowess
Worst Trait = Talks ALOT or karaoke prowess!
Travel Experience = Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Dubai, Egypt, Malaysia & lots of Europe!
Where does she want to go next = India or Mexico
Photo: Jo horseriding in Salta on the horse that had a heart attack the very next day!! (She must have been singing to him!)
