When we left Panama City we headed 30 miles south to Islas Las Perlas, a 200 island archipelago. We stayed first at Isla Contadora where we had anchored before. Then we toured the eastern edge of the islands, ending at Isla San Jose for anchoring. The bay was large and a bit rolly, but okay for one night. Bill pulled out before light, and headed west on an overnighter. Upon our arrival at Bahia Honda the next afternoon, we were tickled with a super calm anchorage and lovely surroundings. This is where we were visited by not just one, but two small boats with family members onboard as it was Sunday. They were hawking their produce for either gasoline, money, or food items. So we wound up with bananas, oranges, a gigantic papaya, spinach, and peppers; they with money, cookies, boxed milk and canned goods, with some pens and pencils thrown in! Bill's brother Barry had enountered frequent opportunities to barter with locals in the early 1990's, but this was a rare occasion for us. The next day found us on our way to Isla Parida, high in the Gulf of Chiriqui in western Panama. This last anchorage was fairly calm and treated us to a beautiful sunset as we spent our last night in Panama on anchor. After four months there, it was bittersweet to know we would never see these gorgeous tropical anchorages again.
