Things are looking good—departure is coming up. How lucky!!!! Make the most of it, though I know I can trust you with that😉.
Tell us all about it when you get back.
Hope to see you soon, along with the rest of the gang.
Safe travels.
Big kisses,
Marie-jo
Hey Francis,
If that’s not provocation, I don’t know what is!!
Okay, I don’t have time to plan a trip to Tana;; but you shouldn’t push it..
I just got back from Abidjan and I’m swamped with work in West Africa..
I’m still in touch with Telma for various projects but *mora mora*..
I’d love to chat on the phone!
Safe travels,
Wishing all the best to Nosy Be and the local friends—hope they’re doing well..
I’m replying with a "certain" delay to this message; you mentioned the following names: Nefiolov, Esposito Langella (Lieutenant), Péron (Colonel), Pallardy (Captain), Dumoucel (Commander), Pons (Adjutant at EAA)—all of these people were still at the base in early 1973.
Other names: Saez (Chief Adjutant), Noël (Chief Adjutant), Monnier (Chief Sergeant), Schmidt (MG Commander, left for Luxeuil in ’72, where he ended up as Lieutenant Colonel), Cordoliani (Medical Lieutenant), Vaissières (Medical Captain).
Everyone spent time in Nosy Be—so many memories!!!
I knew your father well back then, Lieutenant Esposito Langella. I was attached to the HQ in 1972-73.
There was an excellent atmosphere there, with charming people.
I spent some time with your father in Amporaha—it must have been around July 1972.
I only have good memories of my stay in Madagascar.
In 1972, that brave medic was an intern, then in 1973, Cordo was promoted to lieutenant at the base, so it was his career. A really nice guy, with whom we had some unforgettable parties!!!
For the song, it started like this (pardon the risqué side):
One day a *ramatoa* told me
Viva Tsiranana (pronounce all the letters)
If you pay well, I’ll touch *pipi*
Viva Tsiranana
She messed with me all night
Viva Tsiranana
Two days later, at the infirmary
Viva Tsiranana
I went to see my buddy Cordoliani
Viva Tsiranana
He gave me three shots of penicillin
Viva Tsiranana etc.
Good evening everyone,
Thank you for the messages, but I’ll say it again: those who like me, follow me!!! At least this post is only for those who love nature, the simple life, and who take the time to truly appreciate it!!!!
Thanks again to all of you.
Best,
Francis, the Nosy Be local
😉Hi everyone,
What a pleasure to read you all!
Actually, it was at the IVATO infirmary that I met Sergeant ATGE, a nurse in '62, for the same reason as "viva Tsiranana" 😏😏😏😏
Good evening,
Hmm, strange indeed 😐 I know one who’s in Benin and apparently caught malaria during his adventures 😛, which he recounts so well on his site!!! LOL LOL LOL
And well, even more than 40 years after the "viva Tsiranana," it continues to wreak havoc !!!
That said, I hope his songs will be as great as the previous ones, or even better—why not?
He’ll always amaze me as much as his father did.
Have a good evening, everyone.
Francis from Nosy Be
Good evening everyone,
Thank you for the messages, but I’ll say it again: those who love me, follow me!!! At least this post is only for those who love nature, the simple life, and who take the time to appreciate it!!!!.
Thanks again to everyone.
Best,
Francis the Nosy-Be local
My dear Francis, if I had the time, I’d definitely head back for another trip to that dream spot!!!
Hello everyone,
Here’s a little update from Nosy Be.
I went with my team to the “mainland” by pirogue to buy a zebu for the association’s anniversary, which will be held on December 9th and 10th, and also to check on the progress of the pirogue we ordered... last year.
The zebu is taken care of. But as for the pirogue, I think it’ll be ready next year... maybe!
We didn’t sail much under wind power because the wind was often against us and the sea was quite rough. The few fishing trips we made weren’t great.
For about a week now, it’s been raining almost every evening—not much, but enough to water the plants. A lot of plants didn’t survive the drought on the land. More than fifty banana trees bent over from lack of water, which is pretty rare.
The ground is starting to turn green again.
I’ll post two photos next time because today the connection is pretty spotty.
Have a great day everyone
Have a great stay, Francis, and say hello to beautiful Nosy Bé for us... which will always be our youthful dream come true! So happy to have seen it again over 40 years later, even with an even more battered road and more deforestation—but it’s still kept its scents and our memories.
Best to you. Pierre
Hello. After enormous difficulties, I managed to find Gé Cordoliani, Corsican like me. I think he’s distanced himself a lot from his hometown of Rutali. I had trouble locating him—he lives either in Africa or far from everything, and has health issues. He promised to get back in touch because he planned to return to Corsica. Since then, nothing. That must have been about a year and a half ago. I’d spoken to him on the phone because in Nosy Be, we used to sing in the showers. He sang beautifully, often in Corsican, and also a song that later became the famous one from *Les Bronzés*: "Da la dir la da da" with these lyrics: *Un jour ma ramatou m'a dit da la dir la da da, si toi paie pas moi touche pipi, elle m'a trifoullé toute la nuit et le lendemain à l'infirmerie je vais voir mon pote Cordoliani...*
As for Saez, check *Copains d’Avant*. I posted a photo taken in 1971 during what I think was a sports certificate event. There are a lot of people from the command building (Colonel, Commandant, Lieutenant Exposito, whom I saw again later in Vence, where his wife was from...). Adjutant Saez—if my memory serves—we crossed paths again in Nice, where I was living, as well as another adjutant whose name I don’t remember. I was in Tanna from December ’71 to September ’72, with a 2-month stay in Nosy Be, and I worked in Colonel Peron’s Secretariat. That’s why I saw so many things and people, and I had a wonderful time. It’s also true that in the military, function takes precedence over rank...
Hello fellow traveler,
The zebu is good! Did you bring some back by pirogue? Here in Aquitaine, we're also experiencing drought—worrying situation, but with winter coming, rain or snow should improve things... Global warming!!!!!
Thanks for the news. I see that fishing is also declining.....
Enjoy your little paradise and spend those euros. When you return to France, we might be back to the old Franc or bartering..... (lol).
See you online soon.
Best wishes,
Patrick
I just got off the phone with Cordoliani 10 minutes ago. Poor guy seems to have had some serious health issues.
He’s in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, in PMI;
Phone: 0594341147.
Best,
Henri.
Hello everyone,
Just 2 photos to show the drought here—no rain on the ground since March 12, but it does rain occasionally at night.
Connection issues, but I’m trying anyway.
Tomorrow there’s a zebu sacrifice for a birth on the grounds, and the following Saturday another zebu sacrifice and celebration for the association’s anniversary.
It’s really hot (and humid) during the day, but at least there’s some rain at night for now.
Best wishes to all
Francis,
Welcome back among us! We should’ve sent you a few buckets of water—since there’s no snow this year, at least in Paris, we’ve been well watered!
Merry Christmas to you, your family, and all the friends in Madagascar. I don’t have a zebu, so I’ll sacrifice… a capon instead!
Sending big hugs to all of you, and see you next year—I hope it’ll bring many of us together in MADA again! (I’m at your disposal, Francis)
Kisses to everyone… 😎
Hi Lamumu,
Glad to read your message. I sent you emails via Orange and Copains d’Avant, but I don’t think you got them. Wishing you and your family happy holidays—may all your wishes come true. Hugs from Patrick in Aquitaine. My personal email address hasn’t changed. Hope to hear from you soon. Kisses, Vélouma. Patrick
Hello Francis,
Wishing you and your family happy holidays.
See you soon, with all my best wishes and fondest memories.
Happy holidays to all the former campers who once visited Amporaha in their lives.
Patrick in Aquitaine
Hello everyone,
My little family (which keeps growing year after year) joins me in wishing you happy holidays and hoping we can keep exchanging on this site and others.
Oh, by the way, I’m still looking for Brigitte DAMOUR, who was in Madagascar between 1961 and 1965—does anyone have any news about her?
Best,
Yannick
Hi Francis,
Best wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity to you and your family in the new year.
I’m in mainland France for a few more days before heading back to Africa.
Cheers,
Franck
Francis, I wish you wonderful end-of-year holidays and hope you haven’t forgotten your swimsuit, hehe! It’s starting to get a little chilly here. See you soon, and make the most of it!
Yves
Francis was in Nosy Be these past few weeks!!
But I don’t see him in the photo... do you recognize the spot? There are witnesses: Marie-Josée, Nathalie, Marie-Hélène, Gérard, and many others...
So, see you next year to take another one in the same place and with him.
We wish you and your families a very Happy New Year 2012—may all your wishes come true.
Warm regards,
Geneviève and Christian
Hello everyone,
> I want to wish you all a very happy New Year 2012, may it bring you joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
It’s been a little while since I last logged onto the forum, but I see that contacts are growing... well done, Francis...
I hope we can see each other again soon!!
Yannick, all my best wishes, and don’t hesitate to get in touch...
Best regards to all,
Philippe
* A little memory: 'Waiting for the bus on the Islet!'
Hello everyone!
I wish you all a very happy New Year. Yes, Christian, I recognize the photo—I was there!!!!
I’m a little sad because I won’t be able to make the trip this year 🙁. I hope you’ll think of me when you all reunite on the beach in Nosy-Be.
But I hope we can still see each other in France.
Kisses to all the old Madagascar crew.
Hi Philippe,
My best wishes to you and your loved ones as we step into this new year, and most of all, to seeing each other again and again in this little paradise that Francis built and brought to life through his determination and courage.
As for me, I’m heading back to Madagascar from February 4th to the 25th.
Cheers,
Yannick
Thanks for your wishes, Francis. Back from India yesterday, I’m sending mine to you and to all the old-timers (and old-timerettes) from Amporaha. Mada will join me in August, but before that, work...
Bruno LATASTE
Hello,
Thank you all for your wishes, and I wish you a very, very happy 2012 in return.
Bruno, since you’ve been back to Mada several times, I’d love for you to chime in on the site about planning the trip: TRAVEL PROJECT TO MADAGASCAR IN 2012
We’d like to hear from everyone who’s already experienced a return trip to Mada and share their thoughts.
Hope you’re getting back into the swing of things, though our paths won’t cross just yet—I’m thinking of being there from mid-April to mid-July at the latest. But I haven’t given up hope, and maybe one day we’ll be there together.
Best wishes to all,
Francis the Nosy-Be local
Another one reminiscing about those special moments from the holidays at the Amporaha military camp... back in 1962 or 1963!!!!! A paradise!
Porcelain shells and "7 fingers" under the rocks at low tide....
An amazing aquarium with mask and snorkel! (rays, barracudas, turtles, etc.)
Pythons on the trail....
The "fannies" (bats) at lunchtime!
Hunting for the "dahut"
The shark that swims right past your nose when you come out of the water... during spring tides!
I saw there’s now a hotel on that beach???
How do you get there now????
On Google Earth, no sign of the airstrip or any tracks....
Welcome jomartinique, to the BA 181 alumni club!
You can join us on the site: ivato-nosybe.com
Goéland tells me there’s a show on M6 at 8:50 PM tonight, Sunday, January 15, 2012.
Hi "lagouardette",
The better question would be: Where was the vacation camp (not military camp!) of BA 181 Ivato located?
And the answer: It was in Amporaha, north of Nosy Be.
Francis the Nosy Be local
The road wasn’t actually paved before from Bemanondrobe (not far from Fascène) to Amporaha, but it is now paved from Hell-Ville to Béfotaka. So, there are still 7 km left to Amporaha that aren’t paved. About 500 meters before reaching Amporaha, a road on the left leads to Amarina Hotel, which, according to some, was recently taken over by Italians (in October).
There are currently 2 hotels on Amporaha Beach: one at each end of the beach.
...and at the site of the old hotel, "Chalet du manjaka tsy miavona," where the BA holiday camp used to be, something is being built today thanks to corruption and fake papers!
What a shame that hotels are starting to ruin this paradise!
It’s true that in Madagascar, corruption is everywhere....
My last trip to Madagascar was 2 years ago, and I wish I’d known about you sooner!
Hi, it wasn’t exactly a military camp but rather a holiday camp for air force personnel from Ivato and army soldiers. The Ivato base handled the logistics (transport up north, equipment, supplies, and staff) for this canvas camp, which ran for six months of the year. Its only purpose was to give each family a two-week break, since we weren’t allowed to take vacations outside the country.
I’d love to get news about a Norwegian couple, Werner and Marianne Loslie, who traveled the world on foot for 23 years with their three donkeys and five dogs. Maybe they have a website or wrote a book about their journey.
I traveled to Chile several years ago.
I met a family who lived in a suburb of Santiago, Chile.
Finding this family again would be a great joy.
So I’m reaching out to the French-speaking community there for help.
Feel free to contact me privately, and I’ll provide all the details I have.
Hello,
I’m looking for Richard Sibanga (Masule), who is of Namibian origin. He lives in Windhoek and is likely a high school teacher.
He earned a master’s degree in geography from the Sorbonne and Paris 10 (Nanterre) in France around 1996 and 1997.
I’d be incredibly grateful if anyone with news of him could contact me as soon as possible, since I haven’t heard from him since 2010.
A long time ago, a great group of young backpackers, mostly from Quebec. We met during a trip to Crete (Greece).
More specifically at a youth hostel in Mirthios.
Anyway, we celebrated Christmas. There was a Quebec flag on the wall. We even wrote our names on a sheet with some drawings.
Just for fun, what have you all been up to? Are you VFers?
I’m looking for a friend, Arnaud DEVIS, who’s 44 years old.
We haven’t heard from him since July 5th.
He was on a cycling trip from Perpignan to Gibraltar, and on July 5th, he was between Malaga and Mijas.
The language barrier is really a drawback here.
If you have any information about my friend, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Hello everyone.
I’m trying to get in touch with Kherornou Maryline.
They came as part of a group to Burkina Faso in 1999 to a village called Saponé.
Thanks
Hello,
I lived in Yaoundé from December 1965 to June 1971 full-time, then I only returned for the long holidays until 1975.
I was at the downtown school and then at Lycée Général Leclerc from 6th to 9th grade.
I’m looking for people who were my age back then.
I’d like to write a book about that special time in my life.
Here are a few names:
Philippe Bourigan
Brigitte Bourigan
Roland Cauvet
Serge Djamkepo
Marie-Françoise Prudent, who worked with my mother at the French mission for aid and cooperation
Brigitte Botela, with whom I danced my first slow dance
Francis Derozario (former Air France pilot)
Thierry Pakis, who had a jewelry shop
Jean-Michel Blondel, whose father was a gendarme
Marina (I no longer have her last name)
Brigitte, who lived near Aix-en-Provence
François, who had a Suzuki
and so many others
Getting in touch
I’m trying to get in touch with Michel Hodin, 79 years old, who lived or still lives in Troyes.
If anyone knows him and/or has his contact details…
Thanks in advance!
I’m looking for a man I met 42 years ago in Calvi, Corsica. His name at the time was Ayat Azir, and he’s Turkish from Izmir. He was in the 2nd REP with the French Foreign Legion. It’s been a long time, but I’d really love to find him again. Thanks for your help.
Salut. Je suis à la recherche des coopérants qui étaient au lycée Benboulaid à Batna(Algérie) pendant les années 1978;79 ;80. Mer Fourneri(physique). Madame Seur(math). Mer Broise(français). Mer Gandi(français). Madame Beurdi(français). Je serais très reconnaissant à tout personnes de qui peut m'aider et merci
Bonjour,
Je suis une amie de Jérôme Lopez, parti à pied pour Jérusalem depuis Santiago de Compostelle le 12 avril, entré au Sahara par M'hamid le 29 mai, et depuis, plus de nouvelles...
Sans être pessimiste sur le long chemin de ce doux rêveur, nous serions rassurés si quelqu'un avait croisé jérôme dans le désert et pouvait nous confirmer qu'il va bien...
Il a un blog sur lequel il met de ses nouvelles, http://peregrino.over-blog.com
Merci à tous ceux qui pourront rassurer famille et amis
Bonjour,
Je recherche une personne se rendant prochainement à Nagpur ( Maharashtra).
En effet, j'ai besoin d'une personne pouvant faire quelques recherches à Nagpur sur place afin de retrouver ma famille biologique. J'ai quelques pistes.
Je peux en parler en privé merci de se faire connaitre. L'idéal serait quelqu'un qui ai déjà des contacts là- bas.
Bonjour,
Je suis née sur la "Hippie trail" en 1973 et j'ai réalisé une enquête sur le voyage (un peu catastrophique) de mes parents que je viens de sortir sous la forme d'un roman graphique . Il me reste quelques questions sans réponse qui me taraudent un peu et je viens de découvrir ce site qui pourra peut être bien me tuyauter.
Je cherche une personne à Hérat : Qassem qui tenait une échoppe de "Fine skin and Furs shop next door Bezhad Hotel". Il est venu en France en 1972 et il parlait un peu français. Il a fait la route en 4L avec mes parents depuis Lyon. J'ai une image de lui en 1972. J'espère pour lui qu'il a traversé les années de guerre sans trop de tourments. Peut être l'un de vous l'a-t'il croisé, ici ou ailleurs. J'aimerais vraiment pouvoir le contacter
Je cherche également des gens qui auraient croisé, toujours en 1972, un couple d'allemands en cox jaune décapotable. Les uns comme les autre apparaissent dans ce 8mm ramené par mes parents. Qasem à la 7e seconde et le couple d'allemand sont le gars en marcel bleu et la fille qui prend des photos. Évidemment, je cherche ces photos qui sont là, en creux.
je lance une recherche pour mon conjoint.
Polynésien, il était parachustiste basé à Toulouse au début des années 2000.
Il a eu un fils en 2003 avec une jeune engagée walisienne, mais ils ne sont pas restés ensemble.
Après la naissance de son fils qui s'appelle Eric, la maman lui avait transmis des photos et une adresse qu'il s'est fait volé.
Depuis il a perdu tout contact.
Il cherche aujourd'hui à retrouver son fils qui a aujourd'hui 17 ans.
La maman s'appelle Eri Siu ou Eri Siuli, il pense qu'elle est en nouvelle calédonie...
Si jamais cela vous dit quelque chose, n'hésitez pas à me contacter.
Bonjour,
Je suis actuellement à la recherche de ma famille Vietnamienne. Je cherche ma grand mère Thi Uoc Nguyen qui serait rester au Vietnam, ainsi que sa famille proche.
Je cherche aussi des informations sur mon grand père Huu Ky Nguyen (repabtisé Jean GUYEN) décédé en France. Ainsi que des information sur Thi Lich Nguyen (veuve Lapina), qui a élevée mon père en France.
J'ai quelques photos en ma possession, ainsi que quelques dates et lettres manuscrites.
Après deux voyages au Vietnam, j'ai réussi a retrouver la terre des parents de Thi Lich Nguyen, sans avoir plus d'informations sur mon père ou ses parents.
Je me demande aussi si vous connaissez d'autre famille Nguyen, qui ont perdu le "N", et pourquoi?
Cela fait beaucoup d'interrogations, mais si jamais quelqu'un avait des renseignements pour m'aider dans mes recherches, je vous serais très reconnaissante.
En vous remerciant par avance,
Cordialement
Bonjour,
J’aimerais beaucoup retrouver Wang, qui étudiait le français à Rennes autour des années 1979/81 ou 2.
Nous avions sympathisé alors, elle était venue en vacances en famille avec nous. J’ignore de quelle région chinoise elle provenait. Elle faisait partie d’un groupe de 10 où 20 étudiants, qui faisaient aussi de l’initiation au chinois à des rennais .
Si quelqu’un peut nous renseigner ou nous donner un site chinois où nous pourrions relayer cet appel. Wang doit avoir maintenant autour des 60 ans....
Bonjour
Je suis à la recherche de mes anciens professeurs du lycée technique les palmiers Oran
Mr Lys et Mme Lys professeurs de physique
Mr Brument professeur de Mathématiques
Mr Salor professeur de Français
Mr Chemalko professeur d'électricité
Les années 70/80
Bonjour je lance une bouteille à la mer.
Vue la situation actuelle dans le monde avec le corona virus, j'aimerais avoir des nouvelles de ma demis soeur qui vit à théssalonique afin de savoir si elle va bien.
j'appelle a son numéro mais personne ne decroche.
J'aimerais savoir ou je peux me renseigner pour avoir de ses nouvelles.
Mon père recherche des anciens de Dupleix en Algérie notamment la famille Béteo ou Bétéau, désolé si j'écorche le nom mais je n'ai pas l'orthographe exacte. Il travaillait pour cette famille, il accompagnait leurs enfants à l'école lorsqu'il avait 12 ans, c'était dans les années 50-60. Il aimerait tout simplement les revoir, avoir des nouvelles, mon père vit en France actuellement.
Merci par avance
RECHERCHE D'UN HOMME QUI ETAIT CHAUFFEUR DE TAXI A DJERBA SON PRÉNOM EST ALI.
SI VRAIMENT VOUS LE CONNAISSEZ REPONDER MOI.
Je suis une ancienne amies, j'ai perdue Vu cette homme.
Toutefois si vous le connaissez prevener moi par message .
Je tiens a recompense et promis la personne qui me donne des renseignements .
Merci mon annonceest trés serieuse.
Bonjour,
Nous nous sommes rencontrés le 19 janvier 2020 dans le centre historique de Bogota, prés du palais présidentiel, nous avons parlé du Costa Rica et du Panama et chacun a continué son chemin . Si tu te reconnais , merci de me contacter. Eve
Je suis a la recherche d'un Ami Sergent Chef LAMINE BADJI depuis mon dernier séjour en 2001.
Je lui ai adressé un courrier en aout 2018, A L ETAT MAJOR DES ARMEES A DAKAR je n'ai pas eu de réponse .
Aussi un ami qui habite a FASS CASIER aussi Mustapha DIENE qui était couturier sur mon iles ou je suis née Marie Galante perdue de vue ......
En vous remerciant de votre aide
Je suis le cousin de Tiphaine Veron qui a disparu à Nikko le 29 juillet 2018. Nous sommes à la recherche de tout témoignage permettant d'identifier où elle a pu aller ce jour-là. Voici, en pièce jointe, l'avis de recherche qui a été relayé par la plupart des médias français et japonais. Si vous connaissez quelqu'un susceptible d'avoir visité Nikko ce jour-là, merci de contacter aussi rapidement que possible l'adresse mail indiquée sur l'avis de recherche.
Bonjour,
Je recherche une amie sur Istanbul dans le quartier de Nişantaşı se prédominant incesu Esra. Si une personne la connaît pourriez vous m’envoyer ces coordonnées car je l’es aient malheureusement égarées .
