There is no place like home, so the saying goes, and for one American couple celebrating 50 years of marriage there was no better place to bring the entire family than their second home, Bermuda.

John and Mona Kirk of New Jersey are not strangers to the Island, having visited 53 times.

And the couple, who have visited in each month except March, have already made reservations for next May.

Married on January 28, 1951, the couple's anniversary is actually next year but they decided to celebrate throughout this year with the highlight being this trip.

Mrs. Kirk is a 72-year-old artist and, at 73, Mr. Kirk now manages the industrial properties he once developed.

And most of their clan -- two daughters, five grandchildren, two sons-in-law and a step-grandchild -- have been here numerous times.

While the couple have travelled extensively all over the world, they said they were drawn back to Bermuda year after year "like a magnet''.

"This was the ideal gathering spot for the clan, since we have all loved and enjoyed the Island over the years,'' Mrs. Kirk said.

"It was the most fitting place to celebrate and the family agreed.'' Bermuda is the perfect location because it is so familiar, stressed the Kirks.

The troop, which arrived at the beginning of the week, and Mrs. Kirk said a day later: "Last night my daughter asked if we had been here for a week yet.

"But we feel like we've been here forever.'' Mr. Kirk agreed: "You know how you go for a vacation somewhere and it takes a few days to get acclimatised to the place?'' A golden time in Bermuda "Here we feel right at home.'' The Kirks said they have stayed at the Hamilton Princess for 95 percent of their visits and have made many friends.

Mrs. Kirk recalled one Bermudian friend, who has since passed away, who used to walk with her and her family from the morning service at St. Theresa's Cathedral on Elliot Street back to the Hamilton Princess whenever the Kirks were vacationing here.

Another friend they mentioned was one of the co-owners of Tom Moore's Tavern where Mrs. Kirk said she has two portraits hanging.

They noted they knew many of the staff at the Hamilton Princess and were disappointed that they had left.

But Mrs. Kirk said the new staff members were "every bit as helpful as those who were there before''.

And, noting the changes that have occurred across Bermuda, they agreed that change is necessary.

But they added that Bermuda's greatest resource was her people and they have not changed.

"We have never had a problem with the clerks in the stores -- they are very polite and very nice,'' Mrs. Kirk said.

She also said they have always had positive experiences with the Island's taxi drivers.

The only negative comment they had about Bermuda was that they were sad to leave.

Mrs. Kirk said: "We don't even mind when it rains here.

"It's cleaner than the other islands and the people are friendlier.'' She added: "And we love it because we leave here relaxed.

"At times we will come here after vacationing in Europe because we need to relax.

"The people take good care of us here so that we feel like we are on a vacation.'' After being married nearly 50 years, Mrs. Kirk said the time has flown.

But they added that they have had their ups and downs.

Mrs. Kirk said: "I personally feel that when we got married we got married with the intention of sticking with it.

"We have had mutual respect over the years,'' she continued.

"We tend to stick to the subject of whatever the argument is about -- we don't go back and rehash something that's happened in the past,'' she added.

Mr. Kirk added: "Then there is the joke. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her, there is nothing she wouldn't do for me so over the years we have done nothing for each other.''