swoon...

i mean, really, how could i not?

based solely on lonely planet's phrase "russell, which has all the charm and character that paihia lacks," i decided to book a bed across the bay from the hub of the bay of islands area, here in russell. and the town is adorable. only about 1000 people. organic market. internet cafe that charged me local instead of tourist rates. gorgeous beach. views to kill. excellent bakery.

... and the sheltered waters backpackers. i booked a bed at the only backpackers (that's kiwi for hostel) i could get ahold of, even though it was a few dollars more than i expected to pay. the hospitality of janet, the resident manager, though, is worth more than any backpackers could charge. when i arrived, she was lounging in a hammock on the front patio. she showed me around, offered me a cold bottle of beer, and we settled ourselved back on the front patio to visit with the only other guest there, clayt. other than a quick trip to the shop, that's where i stayed, along with an ever-growing collection of fellow guests, until it was time to go to bed.

today then, i stopped back around noon-time. janet had some freshly-dug tutu (sp??) in a bowl on the counter and cracked one open for me to sample. like a little mussel... it was a salty morsel of yumminess. a few minutes later, she brought me a whole bowl of them that she had steamed. divine.

and then... this afternoon, i find the community message board. that has both of these notes tacked to it:

* who would be interested in house- and cat-sitting during the winter months from may to october 2006? free of rent, beautiful property close to russell, complete privacy, lots of fruit trees, deepwater mooring available. for further information please call...

* who would like to sail on a genuine square rigger for free? during the summer months in new zealand waters and in the winter to the south seas islands (tonga, wallis, fiji, vanuatu). some sailing, the willingness to learn and help with maintenance jobs would be required. for further information please call...

if that's not enough to fuel an afternoon of daydreams i can't imagine anything could... can i just stay??