The couple, from Norwalk, Conneticut, have just visited Bermuda on board the cruise ship Dreamward -- and they plan to break the 40 barrier in May 1997.

"We're having the time of our lives,'' former travel agent Mrs. Lawrence said. "The size is perfect and the people are the best. It's the most beautiful island in the world.'' Mrs. Lawrence said it was Bermuda's proximity to the east coast of the US that made it an easy sell to her clients.

"We've sent more people to Bermuda than any other place in the world put together,'' she admitted. "It's so close to the east coast whether by air or by boat.'' She said there was nothing about the Island that she disliked and added that Bermuda had changed very little over the years.

"If there has been changes they have been very subtle and for the better,'' Mrs. Lawrence said. "There's magic here. It's just like that song I love, `Bermuda is Another World'.'' She added; "I especially love the school uniforms. I think they should be used throughout the world. It takes the emphasis off clothing and onto learning where it should be.'' A mother of two children herself, Mrs. Lawrence praise Bermuda's children as being well mannered.

"The kids in our country don't have manners any more. Here they do,'' she said. "Children are our legacy and you have a wonderful legacy here.'' The Lawrences, who was presented with a "special token'' from Tourism's Manager of Public Relations Charles Webbe, said they were planning to pay another four visits to the island next year.

"The first week in May,'' Mrs. Lawrence said. "We will be coming for my 67th birthday on this ship.'' She added: "We're coming back three more times. We're coming in June for my son's anniversary, in August for my daughter's anniversary and for mine in October.'' Mrs. Lawrence also said that the couple planned to purchase a condo on the Island.