Bermuda Islands Kellie Hall wants Bermudians to know she is ready to vie for the Miss World crown on Saturday night.

She has already "hit it off'' with one of the judges, actor Louis Gossett Jr., she told The Royal Gazette in an interview from the five-star resort's Cascades Hotel last night.

Miss Hall has been rehearsing for hours every day since leaving Bermuda on November 6.

But she has also taken time out to meet the celebrity judges -- singer and controversial former beauty queen Vanessa Williams among them.

She has posed for pictures with ANC leader Nelson Mandela's daughter Zinzi.

And she paid a visit to a children's school in a nearby village.

The tour of the school, which is overseen by the charitable organisation Operation Hunger, was particularly depressing for her, said Kellie.

"Seeing those kids in that school made me shed some tears,'' she said.

"Their school was made up of wood and mud and their one meal a day, which was in a big pot, looked like thick porridge.

"While we were there, we gave the children, some of whom were sick, little trinkets which made them very happy. We also sat with them and sang some songs.'' Miss Hall added that even though the children were thrilled the contestants were visiting, they were also a little scared because "we looked so different.

"School children in Bermuda should feel so lucky, they have truly been blessed with all the things they have in their schools.'' While in the village Miss Hall also got the opportunity to meet and chat with Mandela's daughter Zinzi.

Most of her days though, have been spent in rehearsals for the contest, which will be televised around the world.

"I have been rehearsing every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,'' she said. "This week we rehearsed for the evening gown and swimsuit contest along with our costumes from our countries.

"We also had two-minute interviews with a few of the celebrity judges such as singers Vanessa Williams, Grace Jones and actor Louis Gossett, Jr. and model Christie Brinkley.

"I really hit it off with Mr. Gossett after he'd told me he had been to Bermuda several times and wanted to know if we still ate codfish and potatoes on the weekends.'' Miss Hall said that although she had a hectic rehearsal schedule, the Miss World committee arranged several parties and tours for the 81 contestants.

"Since I arrived in Sun City, we have been treated like royalty,'' she said.

"When we came off the plane we stepped right on to red carpet which was laid out for us. An African choir also sang.

Miss Hall added: "People come up to us and ask for our autographs and want pictures taken, it's really nice.'' Before leaving Bermuda, Miss Hall was told to be careful of contestants' changing attitudes towards each other as the contest draws nearer.

Though she has kept that all in mind, she feels the women have stayed the same.

"The girls who were nice when we all arrived are still nice and the ones that weren't so nice still aren't.'' She added that she's meeting a lot of pen pals and learning a few words from different languages.

"With my schedule I haven't been able to see very much of South Africa, but before I leave, my parents and I are going on a safari.'' Miss Hall said her parents arrived in Sun City on Monday to "give their support as usual.'' When asked if she was getting nervous about the upcoming event, Miss Hall said: "I am a little nervous because I'm dealing with a much larger audience than the one in Bermuda.

"I have to get used to the idea that the show will be live, televised all over the world. We have to be perfect. It should be flawless because we've rehearsed so much.'' Miss Hall added that she felt she would do fine because she had already passed the test with the "toughest audience'', which is the local audience.

"I feel that this year the judges are looking more towards friendliness, personality and intellect -- opposed to beauty and sex appeal.

"As the show gets closer everyone seems to be more concerned with the fact that we'll all be splitting up instead of who will win the Miss World title.'' Realising that it is almost show-time, Miss Hall said: "All I can do is relax, put my best foot forward and be confident within myself.'' Miss Kellie Hall.