German Ambassador Jurgen Engel. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Nineteen forty-five marked the end of an era in Germany. Adolf Hitler committed suicide and German troops surrendered their arms, marking the end of World War II.

That was the same year German Ambassador to Jamaica Jurgen Engel was born in the city of Cologne.

His father worked for the postal service and his mother was a housewife. Growing up in post-war Germany was tough and like many children Engel 'survived on kicking tin cans if was necessary'.

Posted to Jamaica since June last year, the career diplomat is soaking up the sun and culture with his wife, Ana Martha. The couple, who will celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, have two adult daughters.

Ambassador Engel's first assignment was in Ghana when he was 24; another posting to San Salvador would allow him to meet his wife.

Now 62, three years shy of official retirement from the German foreign service, he hopes to spend his last days in the diplomatic service in Jamaica.

While not sure what he will be doing to mark either event, he is sure it will be a big bang.

What kind of place is Cologne?

It's a city that you can say is in the middle of Germany, it's neither north nor south. The thing that most people know is the famous cathedral, Cologne Cathedral it's called. It began in 1248 and took a long time to finish. It's really a marvellous building. The Cologne region is known as the region of amiable people, not very German like (stern). The world thinks we are a little bit different. So I had no problem to integrate wherever I was in the world.

What was it like growing up in Germany?

After the war, times were really tough in Germany and there was no time or energy to spoil anyone. Economically, it was not easy and, at that time, you had to pay for school. They abolished it later.

What's the link between Jamaica and Germany?

The beginning of this link was in 1835 when a couple of Germans came here and settled in (what is now) Seaford Town (in Westmoreland). We just completed a project with the Institute of Jamaica, a CD with people talking about Seaford Town. It was launched last year March.

We also have the cultural exchange and we try to extend scholarships to Jamaican students.

Environment is very high on the agenda and nowadays renewable energy is on the agenda of every party (in Germany). There is a specialist who works within the region and he has been in contact with the PCJ (Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica). The Jamaican Government is interested in the topic, renewable energy, and the institution which is actively working towards this is the GPC. If you want to promote renewable energy, you have to have a base for that and Germany has a lot of experience. This is exactly what the Jamaican Government is thinking, and the prime minister has mentioned many times that the dependence on oil has to be reduced. The (alternative) choices are hydropower, the sun and the wind.

What's your favourite Jamaican food and place?

My two favourite items of Jamaican food is the smoke marlin and jerk pork. When I see (either) on the menu, I always order it. It's difficult to say I have one favourite place because everywhere has its own unique thing about it.

You mentioned that you enjoy football, but what other sports do you enjoy?

I enjoy tennis. I am a member of a tennis club in Kingston and whenever I have time, I like to squeeze in a few hours of tennis. Apart from that, I dive and I couldn't be in a better place for that.

Now with the Euro Cup, I'll be watching and I'm quite happy with Germany's first show. When the Reggae Boyz are playing their qualifications, I'll be watching too.

Tour of DUTY with SACHA WALTERS