Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Friends from the camp, in response to the previous post, it’s not impossible to consider this possibility of making a "pilgrimage" to Nosy-Be... 40 years later, under an army TD9 tent (sic) 2010 would be ideal, since there would be the Francophone congress in Madagascar. Here are some vintage postcards... Best regards, jlou82.

Good evening everyone, I see that you, dear Patrick R, are unstoppable, and I can tell that Madagascar is missed by all of us (well... except me! Because I’ll be there in a week). Just stirring the pot a little... As for the "old-timers" (our parents, or the young-at-heart club if you prefer!), we’re hoping and planning to organize a little pilgrimage trip to Madagascar next year for those who are up for it. But we’re waiting for some answers and details that need to be checked on the ground first before we move forward. - Priority to what’s urgent! Voisin101 reminded us of that! We (meaning the former-young... uh, is that right? Did I get that right?) will get our turn later. Anyway, we’ll soon be able to discuss or debate this at length on our own site: ivato-nosybe.com or samba181.com. These two domain names are now reserved for us and actually lead to the same single site. I think the first one, ivato-nosybe.com, speaks for itself—everyone will get it. The second one, samba181.com, stands for: Site for Associates and former Military personnel of BA 181 in Ivato and the Nosy-Be holiday camp. Warning: The site isn’t operational yet—it’s still under construction, so you won’t get any response if you try to visit. Come on, just a little more patience! And don’t forget that when it comes to Madagascar, the motto is: *Mora-Mora*. Best wishes to all, and have a great evening, fellow Nosy-Bean!

here are some pictures of my work at the camp; luckily, a charming young girl seemed to be having trouble in the water, which justified my long moments under the parasol—where I was also able to bring back these splendid memories of the fishermen’s returns

it was the buddies from BA181 in 1962; maybe one of them will recognize themselves and get in touch

Hi Bernard,

I managed to find some people from that time by starting on the "Copains d'Avant" site (BA181, Ivato airbase, ..., various keywords). Then I discovered this forum. Good luck with your search!

Veloma, Christian

A photo of Tana and Lake Anosy with Lycée Galliéni and the Queen's Palace in the background

Friends from the Nosy-Be camp and former members of BA181... a few testimonies from that era.... 1 aerial view of BA181 in 1962, 2 insignia of BA 181, GLAM 50.... view of the former BA 181 as it is today...... more photos coming soon..... I’m also looking for a book published by Jean-Pierre Perrette, "Livre d'Or de l'Aviation Malgache" (impossible to find so far). Best regards to you all. Thanks in advance

a few memories from BA181: the adaptation camp for new recruits arriving from mainland France, a morning serenade on the base on January 1, 1963, and the base party with a swimming competition at the pool, plus the night before returning to France in front of the sports service

Hello, I just saw on the Air France museum website that the book is no longer for sale. But I know the author, Mr. Pénette. I’ll ask him if there’s another way to get a copy. Best regards, Franck

You can see part of the book at this link: http://books.google.fr/books?id=J32ohCtrSbAC&dq=livre+d%27or+de+l%27aviation+malgache&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=9sqL7xD8xB&sig=LuxS6YaFlvje717g1GYsBjiyK0k&hl=fr&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA107, M1 Franck

After contacting the author, he still has about ten copies left. For any information, contact me at my email madaroums@neuf.fr.

Best regards, Franck

Hi everyone,

Has anyone heard from Francis since Nosy Be??? No word, no news...

Zoma

Hello everyone, No news from our Francis... but as they say, "No news is good news," and in Nosy Be, communications aren't always easy—ADSL is hit or miss too. Speeds should improve soon with the new undersea cable from South Africa. Here are a few photos I took recently in Tana and the surrounding area during one of my trips. 1) Ivato Airport 3) On the road from IVATO to Tana 2) On the road to Antsirabe And as a bonus, a pousse-pousse from Antsirabe.

See you all soon!

Hello, I’m just passing along Francis’s phone number for Nosy Be that he shared in a previous post: 00 261 324 682 595 I’ll send him a text hoping he’ll give us an update later.... Franck

Tana 19/11/2008 Hello everyone, The trip went well, but it's been almost a month already. It rains practically every night and sometimes during the day, which is normal for the rainy season, no matter what some tourists and travel agencies might say. Mother Nature seems to be getting back to her usual routine this year, and if that's the case, watch out for January, February, and March. Despite all that, it's still an experience to live and appreciate for those who truly love nature and Madagascar. I'm in Tana for 3 days, and from a tourist perspective, things are moving in the right direction..... It seems to rain every evening in Tana, quite heavily and steadily. A special shout-out to the little Amporaha/Oise crew!!! I'm thinking of you while eating mangoes, pineapples, bananas...... picked right there... I'm sending you a big, warm sun from Nosy-Be because it's not great in Tana, so be nice... think a little about the one suffering under the Nosy-Be sun!!!!!! A few photos to back it all up.... Veloma to everyone (and to the "imported" *zoreil*, you'll know who you are) see you soon.... until the next episode....

Nosy-Be 26/11/08 Hello everyone Sorry, but I couldn't send the first part from Tana, so here's the rest. As expected, the weather is very unpredictable and changeable, but it's especially muggy and stormy. In short, the heat in Hell-Ville is oppressive, even unbearable. Long live the countryside! Nosy-Be 27/11/2008 Hello again. I still haven't managed to send the previous messages, but here we are in Nosy-Be, which is normal. Power outage or cut..... slow connection.... I haven't given up hope.

Best wishes to all, francis

Hello Francis, Finally heard from you, we were starting to worry!!!!!!!! But we won’t complain about you being too hot—just don’t forget to pack a thick fleece when you come back to France. 😉 Anyway, it’s great to know everything’s going well in Madagascar. Spare a thought for us! I think I’ve found a place where we can all meet up again. I’ll keep you posted when I know more. Have a great end to your stay in Nosy-Be and bring us back some beautiful photos. Big kisses. See you soon. Mariejo.

hi Francis I got your text at...... 3:45 AM last night. Were you coming from Sakamanga??? Anyway, it’s great to hear from you. As Marie Jo said, bring a sweater because it might get chilly!!!! We’re waiting for you to come back... Best, Franck

Hi Francis, The rain and sun will make the forest grow back... I hope so, because it’s suffered, but our friends in Nosy Be gotta eat!!!! Think about vanilla. Best, Pierre FABRE

Hi Bruno, I think we might know each other—I was in Ivato in ’71, ’72. Can you confirm? I also remember Bernard Pallardi and Hervé Muiron, whom I haven’t seen since, by the way. For my part, I often travel to Mauritius and Madagascar for work... So!! Best, Philippe

Hi Philippe, To really identify you, since you only gave me a hint about your last name, I need to know if the 12 hours of MANTASOA ring a bell. For me, that regatta brings back some great memories. Maybe it was also with you that we were welcomed by the owner of the DZAMANDZAR distillery in NOSY BE, and that we flirted a bit with his daughters at the beach? Looking forward to hearing from you. BRUNO

Hi there, One of my friends gave me the name of a mechanic in Ivato but couldn’t tell me the exact date. All I know about him is that his name is BRETON Jacky (nickname Nénesse) and he was an educator in Saintes (BA 722, with the Arpètes). He was supposed to be an aircraft mechanic. If any of you know him, could you pass on my phone number: 02 36 47 62 64. Thanks in advance! Best, Franck

Hi Bruno,

To help jog your memory, here’s a photo of the CMAI where I think some of you will recognize yourselves. In no particular order, there’s you, your sister, Marie-France, and Geneviève (whom I married), Magali, Colette, and Hervé. I’m not in the photo taken in June ’71 because I’d already left the year before. We’re missing 3 names!!!! Time to dig into those memories… ROM or RAM?

Christian

Hey everyone,

I did a little digging. This photo isn’t unfamiliar to me. I think it was taken by Christophe SALVAN. The girl all the way to the left is a friend of Marie-France, whose name I can’t remember, the guy behind Marie-France is Philippe CARDOT, and the little lady sitting on the bench with Magali’s arms around her shoulders is Mrs. BOULISSIERE. There you go. Well, that doesn’t make us any younger, and it confirms I didn’t wait until I was old to act the fool...

I went back to CMAI two years ago. Needless to say, things have changed. I also got to visit the base, the pool, the cinema, the tennis courts, the housing area... Quite an impression!

See you soon,

BRUNO

Hi Bruno

I’d really love to hear news from Dany, who was one of my best friends in Madagascar. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to see Christian and Nini, Francis, Muriel, Marie-Louise, and Philippe again. It was pure happiness. I also spoke to Jean-Michel Nourreux on the phone. We’d love to hear from Hervé Muiron too. I live near Lille. I’m eagerly waiting for news. Hugs. Marie-jo

Nosy-Bé, 12/01/08 Hi everyone, Well, here I am again! Since things are finally going smoothly, I’m taking advantage of it. Thanks for the personal messages, but I’ll get back to you after I return—only two weeks left now... Still dealing with electricity issues in Nosy-Bé. On the other hand, I’m impressed by the road crew’s perseverance at work! The weather’s actually pretty nice during the day (too hot and humid for my taste, though...) as long as it doesn’t rain—can’t complain, especially since I heard it snowed in the Paris area the night before last... Here are a few more photos.

12/11 Z'oreil, sorry about the text! Only one week left! See you soon

Hi Marie-Jo, and to everyone who’ll read this message. My name might ring a bell for some of you: Alain GERMANOVITCH. Like many of you, I’m looking for those who knew IVATO (BA181) and NOSY BE between 1969 and 1971. I see you already have a lot of contacts. I stumbled upon this forum yesterday, and this morning I spoke with Francis on the phone. He’s out fishing near the Sacred Islet, across from Amporaha Beach. So many of the names you mention take me back nearly 40 years, and some have never left my memory (Muiron, Guillotin, Nourreux, Tavel, Salvan, Normann, Roth, ...). So many memories of the base, the cinema next to the pool, the tennis courts, Byebye with his 2CV break selling fruits and veggies near the clubhouse. I really hope we can organize a big reunion one day to get together and relive those wonderful years. Hugs to all, and hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Marie-Lou, Just to remind you, in the photo, the tall guy on the right is Marc ROTH (nicknamed "la rotouze"—I think he was a radio-nav). A very close friend of my parents. He was on the Nord Atlas 2501 with my dad (my dad was a mech-nav). For those interested who want to see a Nord Atlas 2501 again if they didn’t get the chance to go inside (Ivato - Nosy Be was quite the trip), there’s one in the Paris region, specifically in Aulnay-sous-Bois (93), next to a sports complex. I’m lucky enough to see it every time I go to my office when I’m in France. Kisses and greetings to all, @+

😎 Hi everyone, Just a quick hello from Nosy Be to send you the last rays of sunshine... no Amporaha unfortunately... but from the sacred islet (photo attached) where I got a call from... Romania (gotta love it! technology does have its perks!) from Alain Germanovitch (1969-70 in Nosy Be), who just discovered our forum. Welcome to the club, Alain! Only 2 days left and I'm heading back. See you all soon, Francis

Hello Alain, The sound of your name rings a bell—I was in Madagascar from 1967 to 1969, and it seems we were in Nosy-Be together. I was there with my dear Marie Louise, and while some beautiful memories remain, the years do fade them. Anyway! The main thing is that all of us who once walked the fine sands of Amporaha can reconnect. If only Nathalie Gac, Solange Delpech, Catherine, and Jean Jacques Perrin could discover this site, I think many of us would be thrilled to find them again.

Hello dear Francis, I’m here to reassure you—and you’ll understand—my Nosy-Be hope can still be planned, and the results are good. My Christmas gift is that my candle won’t go out this year…

Thank you for your emails and photos—it means so much. See you soon, all friends of Madagascar, past and present.

Patrick

Hello there,

I’ve kept a few photos since I was lucky enough to visit Nosy Be three times in ’67, ’68, and ’69. I made the trip twice on a Nord and once on a DC3. Here are the photos—I still have the negatives, so I’ll re-scan them in high definition. The third photo is me back in 1968. Just a few nostalgic snapshots to share with the community here. Fair winds to all. Patrick Romé

Hi Alain,

Welcome to the group! It’s great to see our Madagascar alumni club growing. I think we’ll need to rent a big house for our next meet-ups because we’re going to be so many—and that’s awesome!!! 🙂 I’ve added you to my friends list on the "Copains d’Avant" site. If you can share some photos, that would help jog my memory a bit. Looking forward to hearing from you. Big hugs. See you soon.

Marie-Jo

Hi Bruno, Sorry for the delay in my reply—I was on assignment in Mauritius, not too far from you since I think you're on Réunion!! About my participation in the 12 Hours of Mantasao, the answer is no; but we did race at the CMAI on Lake Anbohibao, or go aquaplaning together... Hervé Muiron was part of it, as well as Jean-Michel and others... For my part, I was in Ivato in '71 and '72 because after that, I returned to France at the end of '72, and my parents stayed in Ivato until '73. I also knew your sister Dany, and Bernard Pallardy, with whom we had a few parties—I even found some photos of those. My last name is Agrissais. I go to Madagascar from time to time for work! Looking forward to hearing from you Philippe

Hi, For my part, I recognized Bruno, Hervé, and Dany, but starting from the right and on the bottom bench, wouldn’t that be Catherine Esse, an old friend of Magali’s? I didn’t know everyone because I arrived at the end of ’70 or the beginning of ’71. To be continued… Philippe

I think now’s the perfect time, so here goes!

To all the former Amporaha crew and your families, I wish you happy holidays and an amazing 2009. Sending hugs to all of you, even if I didn’t know everyone—our bond is still there. Hope you’re not too cold for Christmas; I’ll be thinking of you from Réunion, where it’s lovely right now. Thanks for everything...

After that, I’ll be taking it easy on January 2nd in Fort Dauphin, and I’ll keep thinking of you all...

Okay, I’ll stop now,

Happy New Year to everyone!

BRUNO

Hello everyone, I’m back home from Madagascar, and contrary to what you might think: Happy to be back!! Because it was way too hot, too heavy, hard to bear—even for someone who’s native to the place! I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very, very happy New Year 2009, even if sometimes the circumstances aren’t ideal. My thoughts are especially with the Tavel family, as Monsieur recently passed away. Stay strong! Wishing everyone a happy and joyful year ahead. Best regards to all, Francis

DECEMBER 25, 2008 TO FRANCIS AND MY FRIENDS (MALE AND FEMALE) FROM MADAGASCAR AND NOSY-BE, AND TO ALL THOSE I KNOW OR DON’T KNOW. 😉 TO EVERYONE I KNOW OR DON’T KNOW, WHO HAS BEEN TO MADAGASCAR VIA NOSY-BE AT SOME POINT, I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008, AND MAY ALL THE MEMORIES OF THE BEAUTIFUL MALAGASY YEARS LIVE ON. THROUGH OUR MEMORIES, OUR PHOTOS, OUR VIDEOS, WHY NOT CREATE A MEMORY FILM WITH ALL OUR ELEMENTS.

HERE’S MY CHRISTMAS WISH—IF THIS IS FEASIBLE, I THINK THAT DURING A CHRISTMAS, WE COULD PRESENT TO THE PEOPLE OF NOSY-BE A REFLECTION OF PARADISE AND HAPPINESS IN LIFE.

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT! CALLING ALL ENTHUSIASTS—IF THIS TIMELESS PROJECT INTERESTS YOU, MY JOB ALLOWS ME TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

You can contact me for more information:

objectif.reportages@orange.fr

MERRY AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE, AND THANKS AGAIN TO FRANCIS FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND YOUR WEBSITE. 😎

Best regards, Patrick

I wholeheartedly support your project! Personally, I made a slideshow with photos taken in '62-'63 in Nosy-Be and at the Ivato air base, and I’d be happy to share it with everyone.

Happy New Year 2009—I hope that those of us who aren’t *quite* as young anymore can take another trip to the places of our memories!

I WAS A SOLDIER IN THE AIR FORCE (CONSCRIPT) AT IVATO FROM OCTOBER 1962 TO 1963; IN JULY 1963 I HAD THE CHANCE TO STAY AT THE NOSY BE BASE AS A BARTENDER; VERY, VERY GOOD MEMORIES; UNFORTUNATELY, I NO LONGER REMEMBER THE NAMES OF THE BUDDIES WHO WERE WITH ME; IF ANY OF THEM RECOGNIZE THEMSELVES, I WOULD LOVE TO RECONNECT WITH THEM; CHEERS...

I was at Ivato from '62 to March '63—maybe you recognize some of the friends whose photo I posted on page 3 of the forum? I was assigned to the sports service and was detached to Nosy-Be in the summer of '62.

See you maybe on the forum!

Hi there. I stumbled upon your post while looking for info about Nosy Be on the Amporaha camp friends' website. I saw you were looking for people who spent time there. I'm Thierry Denis, 1968-70. I think you might be Patrick, who lived at the edge of the village and played guitar. Is that right? I’ll also reach out to Francis. It’s amazing to find photos and see names of people we knew over 30 years ago. So many memories!!! Hello to those who recognize me, and maybe see you soon.

December 29, 2008 Hello Thierry, and surely Gilles, your brother,

If you're the one I knew well in Tana during those years 67/69, your father was a commander and after Madagascar, you were posted to Strasbourg or Metz, somewhere in eastern France. By the way, I’d written to you from Creil, a place far less paradisiacal than Madagascar was back then.

We were really good friends. I know the group included JJ and Catherine Perrin, but things were a bit distant between JJ and you. There was also Nathalie Gac, Solange Delpech, JJ Gourves, JJ Patachini, etc. Just to jog your memory—were you at ESCA? I’ve got tons of memories from Madagascar, and ever since I reconnected with ML TROIN, Muriel CRUCHOU, FRANCIS, and everyone from the site, those memories have come flooding back. Here’s my professional email for my business: objectif.reportages@orange.fr I’m counting on you to reach out—I think Francis’s idea is amazing. This site is pure joy, whether it’s reconnecting with old friends or those who came before or after us. Looking forward to catching up again. Sending you all my friendship from back in the day. On the eve of the new year, I wish you and your family all my best. Vélouma. Patrick Romé

I’m looking for anyone who knew the old Amporaha holiday camp (north of Nosy-Be)

Nosy-Be folks, I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone on the forum for the year ahead... "Let yourself be led by the nose and set off to discover the exquisite scents of ylang-ylang" from the Amporaha camp... and long live the forum... Francis LenosybeenA Madagascar old-timer.

Hello Francis, I hope you had an excellent stay on this island at the end of the world, and maybe you can confirm that things have improved a bit for the *gazy*. Last time I was there, there were quite a few changes in Hell-Ville (construction well underway and a new power plant... almost operational, and GSM coverage at 100% on the island..) Anyway, you’ll have to tell us all about it!!! So, since we’re on the topic, I’d like to wish all the forum members a happy holiday season and hope that 2009 brings us a little breeze from the Indian Ocean...... Happy New Year to everyone

Philippe

To all the internet users of the site, my 2009 wishes and words of hope. For this new year, I suddenly feel like talking about our planet and telling you that our collective happiness will exist the day we all become aware that our beautiful blue universe is suffering from the lack of respect we show it. So for 2009, for everyone’s happiness, my wish is that we think of our garden, which I call Earth. Your oceans, which seem so vast, yet we lack the heart to perceive their cries, and every day we bring them misfortune. They, in their kindness, bathe all those paradise islands that make us dream. They bathe all the waters of the north and south, offering us their corals as a gift. So for this new year, I offer you my wishes in the form of a thought. The more sensitive we are to this call, the happier we will be in our lives and in our little unique paradise in the world. Hope to see you soon. Happy New Year 2009, Patrick Romé

Hi Christian,

I’m Thierry DENIS. I was at Ivato from May ’67 to July ’69. I remember you as a javelin thrower but especially as a basketball player I tried to score a few baskets with. I reconnected with Patrick and Francis thanks to the site and looked for photos and documents from that time. I found two photos with your dad—maybe you don’t know them! I’ll try to scan them and, above all, check with Patrick and Francis for photos that might interest everyone. Hope to hear from you soon. See you later

Welcome to the club, Thierry!! I remember your parents perfectly! I’ll contact you privately, Francis--

Hello everyone and best wishes to all, Many of you sent me private messages to wish me a happy New Year, so to make sure I don’t forget anyone on this first day of 2009, I’d like to extend my most sincere best wishes to all of you. Let’s make sure this incredible friendship that’s bound us for over 40 years—even 50 for some—stands the test of time... Wishing you all a very happy New Year, good health, and who knows? Maybe we’ll see each other again on a trip to... Madagascar... The world is so small!! Happy and healthy New Year to all, *Véloma* Francis the Nosy-Be local

Good evening Best wishes for happiness, prosperity, and health to everyone Cheers Franck

Hello everyone I wish you all a very happy 2009. And above all, that we can reunite with many of us. Until our next meet-up, big kisses to all.

marie-jo

Good evening everyone...😉

May this new year bring you success in everything you undertake, May all the difficulties of this new year spare you, May happiness be waiting for you in your hearts, in those of your loved ones, and in the hearts of all the alumni of Mada, ready and determined for our next meet-up...

In a word, I wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!Hugs...from Marie-Lou!

Hello, I came across this message a bit late. I was the Secretary to Commander DELHOUME and then Commander SIZUN from September '67 to September '68. Our office was located in the small helicopter hangar. My name is Claude PELLERIN.

Anyway, I’m available for more info if needed.

Best regards,

Hello, I’m one of the sons, the youngest Bertrand, of Commander DELHOM. I have a few memories of Tana (standing guard at the rainwater drainage entrance under the runway near the Broussard that served as a wreck for firefighter drills and warning the whole gang in the pipe if the *Mp* came... among other things). I also remember collecting Bombel paste in Nosy Be so fishermen could caulk their canoes with it—my reward was a coconut chosen by the right person. Not to mention the "Tropical Man" who walked through the tents in his "Darth Vader" outfit with his sprayer, making an unholy racket that reduced me to tears...

Anyway, I was very young, but my brother Marc has more memories. Now, my parents are in Brest, my family and I are in Plabennec, and my brother is in Upper Normandy. Well, it’s safe to say the climate isn’t the same—oh well, we make do! ;;;; Best regards, Bertrand D.