The Russian sailing family the Bondarenkos are back in Bermuda for a short visit before embarking on the final leg of their trip to Canada and a new life in Nova Scotia.

They sailed their small yacht into St. George?s harbour on Monday, four months after leaving the Island to spend the second half of winter in the British Virgin Islands.

The story of the Bonderenkos became a local ?cause c?l?bre? after the family-of-four were granted special permission by Government to remain in Bermuda firstly while they waited for clearance to live in Canada and then when bad winter weather made it too dangerous for them to sail their 37-foot yacht north to their new home in Nova Scotia.

They left Bermuda in January to sit out the remainder of the winter in the British Virgin Islands, promising their many friends in Bermuda they would stop off to say hello on their return before heading for Lunenburg where they will start a new life.

Yesterday Vitaly Bondarenko said his family would one day like to buy a home in Bermuda because, in more than 14 years of adventures sailing around the world, it is the closest they have found to a true paradise.

And it is not just the physical beauty of the Island and its turquoise waters and coral reefs, it is the kindness in the hearts of Bermuda?s people that has had a lasting impact on him, his wife Marina and their two children Ivan and Vasiliy.

?I?ve been around the world one and a half times and I did not see a more beautiful island than Bermuda with such a friendly community,? he said.

While in the BVI they fished and swam and met other members of the sailing fraternity before heading back to Bermuda. One of their first ports of call on their return to St. George?s was to see former mayor E. Michael Jones, one of their treasured friends who had given them support and advice during their initial stay.

Now back in St. George?s, Mr. Bondarenko said: ?Everybody we knew is happy to see us and we are excited to see our friends. It gives me a lump in my throat when I think about them all.?

The family were intending to set sail for Canada this Thursday but may be delayed an extra day or two because of a storm system moving through the area.

?I have called the people in Lunenburg and everyone knows we are coming. We are very happy. We feel that we are going back to our home and friends are waiting for us,? said Mr. Bonderenko.