When Jack Murphy first came to Bermuda in 1966, he thought the island was the perfect honeymoon destination.

Three years later, he followed up on that thought with his wife, Mary Beth — the second of around 40 trips to the island.

Returning to the island this week on board the Veendam, Mr Murphy said the island’s beauty and its people kept him coming back.

“When I first came here I said I had never seen a place like it in my life,” he said. “I love the beauty of the island, the people, the climate and the culture. It’s just a beautiful place.”

Over the years, Mr Murphy said they have stayed in almost every hotel and resort on the island, including the Carlot Beach, the Southampton Princess, Castle Harbour and the Elbow Beach Hotel, which they described as their favourite spot on the island.

He also boasted about being able to see Bermudian entertainers including Hubie Smith, the Bermuda Strollers and the Talbot Brothers during their trips.

And he said they were first introduced to golf on the Turtle Hill golf course — where the Fairmont Southampton now stands — and have since played every course on the island.

“We will always remember Mickey Caines, who greeted you with his smiling face at Elbow Beach, Ian Crowe, the former golf pro at the Belmont and Nadra Cook who greeted you at the Ferry Terminal each night,” he said.

“The lure of Bermuda continues to be the beauty of the Island, the people and, of course, the golf.”