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The author’s memoir recounts a life deeply intertwined with the historical upheavals of 20th-century Europe and his personal freedom and adventure. Growing up in post-World War I Germany, and later Austria, the author’s childhood was shaped by the political and economic instability of the era, including the rise of Adolf Hitler, the outbreak of World War II, and the shadow of conflict and loss. Born in Hamburg and raised in Austria, the author’s family faced many challenges, including a failed attempt to immigrate to Australia. Despite hardships, the dream of exploring the world endured. After completing engineering studies, the author and his sister Ursula seized the opportunity to migrate to Australia. Their journey from Hamburg to Trieste, Italy, aboard the Motor Ship Flaminia was fuelled by a spirit of adventure and the hope of building a new life in Adelaide, where the author planned to work for Philips Industries. The narrative delves into the emotional complexities of family relationships. The author shares a close bond with Ursula but describes a distant, sometimes hostile relationship with his father, whose mental illness left an indelible mark on the family. Childhood memories are tinged with the hardships of war, periods of hunger, and the loss of a sibling, underscoring the desire for a fresh start far from Europe. Throughout the memoir, the author reflects on his mother’s strength and sacrifices during wartime, her protective nature, and her adventurous spirit. As the author departs for Australia, he contemplates the loved ones left behind, suspecting a family secret that is only revealed decades later at his grandmother’s funeral. At the age of eighty-seven, the discovery of his biological father and a half-sister living in Brisbane brings an unexpected chapter of reconciliation and belonging. Holding his father’s ashes becomes a moment of closure and connection, affirming the author’s enduring hope for a life rooted in freedom, love, and family.