In 1969, more than 9 years after I had left Berlin, I decided it was time to go home for a visit. I had liked the North Atlantic crossing in 1960 by ship and wanted to do the same again. In 1969 there were still regularly scheduled North Atlantic crossings by the big liners, such as the 'Queen Mary', the 'Queen Elizabeth', the France', and the 'United States', but they were too fast and too expensive. So I checked around for something else. In the late 1960s there was a maritime law that allowed freighters to carry up to 12 passengers, if they so choose. By having 12 or less passenger they got around the requirement of having a medical doctor on board. I started the process of looking for a suitable ship in 1968, about a year before I actually sailed. My first choices were HAPAG, and Norddeutscher Lloyd, both German lines, and both for the German food. Neither one had anything sailing when I wanted to go so I checked United States Lines. They didn't have anything at all, I think they had discontinued the practice of carrying passengers. So now I checked around for anything. I found Meyer Line, a Norwegian company. I sailed from Brooklyn, NY on 1 August 1969 on the M/S HAVSKAR', 10500 BRT, about 430-ft. long and 70-ft. wide to Antwerp, Belgium, the trip took 10 days. The return trip was scheduled from Hamburg, Germany on mid-November back to Brooklyn, NY, also 10 days. The round trip cost $396. There was no entertainment on board, only the other 11 passengers, most of them experienced travelers, and one has the run of the ship. Go up on the bridge and watch them shoot the sun at noon, weather permitting or go with the Chief Engineer to check on the diesel engine, the size of a family house. Or go to the bow and watch dolphins surfing the bow wave. Or check the horizon for possible ships etc. The main events were the four meals; breakfast, lunch, tea, and supper. The fare was Scandinavian and excellent. In this picture the swells were about 12 to 15-ft. high and coming from the port bow. Occasionally they got caught under the bow and the result was spray like that. The ship swayed from one side to the other in 10 to 15 second intervals, but we never changed course. On clear days, we watched the stars coming out of the horizon. Generally, it was very relaxing and the ocean was empty, even though we were on the busy North Atlantic route. As we approached Europe it became busier and warmer. Sailing into Antwerp was uneventful. This picture was taken in August 1969 and later scanned. Thanks for viewing and commenting.