latest edition of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition that hit the newsstands yesterday.

From a traditional whitewashed roof on top of a home in Paget to Tobacco Bay beach, Bermuda's natural assets are tastefully displayed on 20 colourful pages.

Super model Daniela Pestova graces the cover of the 196-page issue. She was one of 14 top models who posed in Bermuda during the 29 day shoot.

Models Cheryl Tiegs and Vendela flew in especially for the shoot. It is estimated that more than 50 million people will read the magazine.

In an accompanying article entitled "The only way to go'' writer Kelly Whiteside takes a humorous look at the Island from the front seat of a City Express moped.

"Only a Shakespearean fool would ride a scooter on a tiny island that is teeming with tourists who are likewise riding such conveyances for the first time,'' she writes.

While the terrors of moped riding dominate, Ms Whiteside also examines the Island's history and customs including Bermuda shorts, codfish and potato breakfasts and kite flying on Good Friday.

"Hamilton is a place where businessmen, Government leaders and tourists with ample cash to spend all converge,'' Whiteside continues. "At lunchtime knobby-kneed men walk briskly along the store-lined streets wearing sport jackets, ties and Bermuda shorts with socks pulled high, almost to the knee.

"In most other parts of the world, only the fashion-impaired would wear shorts with black socks, but since temperatures in Bermuda range from 75 degrees to 90 degrees from May to October, fashion takes a backseat to common sense.'' Tourism director Mr. Gary Phillips said he had not yet read read the article when The Royal Gazette contacted him yesterday, but he predicted the exposure Bermuda received would be good for the Island.

"I haven't seen it yet,'' he said. "But I expect it will do Bermuda well by giving us a high profile.'' IN THE SWIM -- Dennis's Hidewawy owner Mr. Dennis Lamb -- fully clothed -- is among the local celebrities featured in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue.