“Hello, is there anybody out there?” No, I’m not messing up the lyrics to Comfortably Numb, it is how we are feeling as we move into the off-season. Suddenly the normal flood of familiar names heard over the radio or anchored nearby has become nothing more than a trickle. 
For our land-based friends, the off-season (June-Nov or hurricane season) sees many cruisers leaving their boats and heading back home. Many Pacific Ocean cruisers set sail for the South Pacific (think soft white beaches, palms and friendly Polynesians – but only after sailing 3 weeks across an ocean) or head back north into Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. We have chosen to move south and east where we are safely out of the hurricane zone, but well within the rainy season. Not only are there very few cruisers out there, Western Panama has very few people, period. It is tranquil to say the least.
Islas Las Secas
Crab coconut condo
Lucy loves this place and did not want to leave
It is a rugged, very tropical, wet, jungly and sparsely inhabited land. There are indigenous peoples mixed in all about and everyone lives a subsistence lifestyle, as there are virtually no cities for miles around.
Fishing cabin
Some of the little villages we saw didn’t even have roads going to them. The locals move about by boat or when necessary over unforgiving trails through the thick forests.
Neko anchored in Bahia Honda
We dropped anchored in the beautiful bay of Bahia Honda and were promptly greeted by life-long island resident and friend to cruisers, Domingo. Although my Spanish is still that of a 3-year-old, Domingo’s constant chatting somehow sunk in and we were trading goods for fruits and herbs, visiting his home and being his guests to visit Salmonete a tiny village up a river to buy lobsters from the fishermen, undoubtedly his buddies.
Domingo’s house
Red bananas, yellow bananas and pineapples from Domingo. Problem with this many bananas is they all ripen at the same time. So even freezing some for smoothies, left us with A LOT of bananas
Domingo’s pig, who lived with a terrified cat in this pen. Never got a straight answer why the cat was in there. Maybe we don’t want to know.
Domingo taking us up the river
Young villager welcoming us
Larry, Peter and Domingo and Lucy
Lobster dinner
Larry and Debbie from “Tropical Blend”
Kayaking in Bahia Honda
sssssssnake
On our second day there we were joined by Larry and Debbie from “Tropical Blend” (whom we met back in El Salvador) and it was nice to have friends join us on the lobster adventure and kayaking through the estuaries.
Sailing on Neko 
It truly has quieted down. … and, hard as it is to image, it seems a little more relaxed to me. I love forgetting the day of the week. Now we’re starting to forget the month. But I think the World Cup will keep us on a ‘schedule’ for a little while. Wish we were there to share Panama with you, but we are still truly enjoying Costa Rica.
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing. Yep, weird without all the people we are used to like back at Bahia del Sol. It’s quiet here as well at Papagayo. Looking forward to “cruising” season. Miss you guys!
Beautiful pictures. (except for the snake).
Looks like a gorgeous area. Lucy has good taste in her selection of favorite places to stay. Do you ever hum the theme song from Gilligan’s Island?
Ken P.
We have never met…but I would like to. Looking for a deck hand??? Great shots!! travel safe..
Hoc
I am using Tommy’s PC so I logged in again, love the photos and hearing from you, so you haven’t gone thru the canal yet? Things are progressing slowly here, we have the new windlass but it isn’t installed….trying to find conversational Spanish classes to attend, but not having much luck. Trying to make good use of my ‘down time’…..play me some dominoes! be safe and keep in touch!
Always so interesting! When will we see you in person?
Chris, etal were here for a week. Got to enjoy Sophie. and babysit while they explored NYC.
Glad you are safe. We are out here enjoying all of your adventures and beautiful pics!
Hola from Costa Rica. We are now in Herradurra, but can’t wait to get out of here. Holly just about choked on the $54 rib eye she saw in the shop. They should call this place costa-lotta rica. We will go to Quepos, then quite quickly to Gzolfito and into Panama. The storms here have been truly amazing – spooky / scary storms. Lots of fresh water for the tanks, but shivers up and down the spine while they happen. How’re the storms down there? Glad we’ll be following in your wake soon!