Costa Rica Wildlife Veterinarian

Our friend Karol Allard from the Salve Monos project here in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste brought to our attention the amazing work being done by Wildlife Veterinarian Doctor Irena Villalobos Hoffmann.  Yes you heard that right – A WILDLIFE Vet. 

Doctor Irena founded SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary in Nosara, Guanacaste.  SIBU’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured, orphaned and displaced Costa Rican wildlife, specializing in Golden Mantled Howler Monkeys.  It is a legally sanctioned Costa Rican Non-Profit organization that receives no government funding.

If you are interested in visiting SIBU or finding out more about their programs go to their webpage and you can reserve a visit.  We can probably all agree that at some point when you think of Costa Rica you think of the wildlife.  It is great to see someone putting in the hard work as a wildlife veterinarian to help out what would otherwise be forgotten wildlife.

So now it comes to the reason behind writing this newsletter.  Karol Allard is in constant communication with Doctor Irena with her work here in Playa Hermosa for Salve Monos and she found out the Doctor Irena had her car stolen.  Obviously she needs a car to get around and do her work as a wildlife veterinarian and as you can imagine this line of work does not pay very well and the Sanctuary is trying to raise money for their programs and there is no budget for a car for Doctor Irena.

Karol had the great idea of creating a GoFundMe campaign for the purchase of a car for Doctor Irena.  The goal is raise $8,000 – which will not buy a new car in Costa Rica by any means but will get something decent that will work for the purpose.  So please have a look at the GoFundMe campaign here and donate if you can.  We would really appreciate it.

Thanks for all your support.  It does make a difference.

Michael Simons

Come on Down Baby!

Tank Tops Flip Flops Newsletter edition no. 139

Tank Tops Flip Flops Newsletter edition no. 138

The Mayor of Playas del Coco

Anyone who has ever visited our amazing town of Playas del Coco, knows of the bar Zi Lounge. It is the most happening club in Costa Rica, and one of the more popular places to hang out. It is a constant party, and some of the biggest bashes south of Texas have occurred inside this madhouse. It is famous for creating some of the wildest and most outrageous themed parties; featuring live music or DJ and naked painted models; and the owner led the way with trays of Jager bombs and Chili Guaros being passed around for free. Every event was special and unique, and you just couldn’t get enough; always excited about the next one.

So, it was a huge shock to hear, that Zi passed away, just the other night.

Foad Shirazi was a legend. He had the most amazing smile and the biggest laugh you had ever seen or heard; he was the life of the party. He would stand up in the center of his universe, overseeing his Empire, making sure every single client was having the time of their life, and being treated like his number one customer. Everyone who ever met him, felt like they were his best friend. He made you feel important and you truly felt his love. He was a special human being.

Zi had the biggest heart of any person I have ever met in my life. No one has done more for this town and supported the local community, than he. If there was a charity that needed help, he was there. If a school needed funding, count on Zi. Whatever was asked, he was the first to assist. He was the true Mayor of Playas del Coco. The town will never be the same.

People from all over the planet are mourning his loss. There is a huge hole in the world today.

Costa Rica has lost a great man.

I have lost a fantastic friend.

RIP buddy. I love you man.

I know you are up there, buying everyone a round of Jaeger Bombs. Cheers.

Michael Simons