Book excerpt: This is the story of a man who has really lived. Captain Hans Meyer grew up in Hamburg as Germany was emerging from defeat in World War II. On leaving school he trained to be an officer with the German Merchant Navy. Following his training, Captain Meyer worked on cargo ships all over the world. He also worked for shipping companies onshore, including Hapag Lloyd, before running his own business out of Darwin, Australia, selling his expertise of all things nautical. Not a man to be tied down, nor a man to be cowed by convention, Captain Meyer has travelled around the world multiple times, and has made his home in Germany, America, Australia, East Timor, Thailand, the Philippines and Peru, amongst other places. His varied experience of the world and his specialist knowledge of the shipping industry makes for entertaining reading, as he reflects back on his 72 years of adventures. Life has certainly never been dull for Captain Meyer on the slippery sloppery gangway!