first time in March, 1952. She flew here for $85 roundtrip and stayed at the Princess Hotel.

While she and her two girlfriends dressed in cocktail dresses for dinner and a show, hundreds of wild college students went on a rampage, destroying rooms and chucking blankets into Hamilton Harbour, she recalled.

"You wouldn't believe what those kids did,'' she said.

The chatty retiree remembered lending a couple of college students' money for a meal because they had spent it all at the local bars. And she noted how US Senator Ted Kennedy's now-former wife was the "college queen'' at Horseshoe Beach one year.

Mrs. Blye and her two friends -- known as the "Three Bs'' because their surnames all began with the letter B -- came to Bermuda in 1952 to get away from the fast pace of their banking jobs in Boston.

They enjoyed the Island so much, especially the friendliness of residents they met, they returned every year after.

March happened to be the only time all three women could get away, so they were often here when the now-ailing college weeks programme was on.

When Mrs. Blye and one of the "Three Bs'' married, they brought along their husbands.

Although Mrs. Blye's girlfriends and her husband died several years ago, she kept on visiting, considering Bermuda to be her second home. This year marks her 48th visit.

"My friends up in Massachusetts think I'm crazy,'' she said. "They think I should go somewhere else for a vacation. But they don't know the Bermuda people the way I do.'' Sadly, this visit may be Mrs. Blye's last as she is retired and an annual Bermuda vacation puts a big dent in her savings.

"I remember when flying to Bermuda cost $85,'' she said. "And the ferry cost just 50 cents. I can't believe it's three dollars now!'' Mrs. Blye also recalled the many "bargains'' to be had on Front Street. "I bought a pair of china salt and pepper shakers for $3. That same pair are now $30,'' she said. "There aren't many bargains here now -- but that's everywhere.'' People also do not dress the way they used to, said Mrs. Blye, reminiscing about the days when tourists dressed up for dinner, the men wearing neckties.

"It's amazing what people wear now,'' she said. "They do not dress properly at all -- I can't get over it.'' Mrs. Blye's only regret about her visits to Bermuda was that she and her husband did not buy a home here.

"I think I would love to have retired here,'' she said.

VISITING HER "SECOND HOME'' -- Bostonian Mrs. Myrtice Blye relaxes at Waterloo House in Hamilton on her 48th visit to Bermuda. She says the Island's friendly residents lure her back every year.