Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Beautiful work, congratulations on this huge effort! However, I can't seem to register as a member—the system keeps stubbornly asking for my email address, which I’ve already provided.

Best regards, bv

Good evening neighbor 101 Exactly about registration and some other features, that’s what I meant by: Not all features are active yet. Sorry, but we (Phil Guillotin and I) are missing the third Sunday paddler (Christian Grévisse) to move the canoe forward faster (you should see the size of the beast too!). He gets back from vacation on Wednesday. Yeah, with three newbies in this, we’re not off the island yet. I’ll give a shout as soon as land is in sight, and now that we’ve got the wind (varatraza) at our backs, it shouldn’t be long. See you soon, the Nosy Be local

hi, I just discovered the site... what a surprise to find names I’d almost forgotten! I’m Martine BURRET and I was at Amporaha in 70-71. I have a few photos I’ll try to post. Cheers to everyone

Hi Martine, I’m so happy to see you here on this amazing site. You’re lucky with those photos... ours are slides, and we’ll have to put them on a CD to share them with everyone!!!! But I don’t know how to do it!? Have you seen any other people you know from Cité Foch in Tana? Have a great day! Big kisses, Cathy

hello cathy no, I didn’t find anyone from Foch! I’ll post some photos of the site, the parties, the tarot competitions, and pétanque. for the slides, I have a scanner that handles transparencies... so I can digitize the slides. My dad and I had started last year—what a shame he didn’t know about this site... just a few weeks too late. He would’ve loved to see his buddies again! I left you a message on Facebook. cheers

I just read your message on Facebook—Nosy Be for me was July ’71

Thanks, Martine, for bringing back those great memories! ... despite the events!!! If it doesn’t bother Francis and our other friends, I also have some printed photos from the parties organized at the cité!! Have a good day Cheers

camp friends...... hey Francis!!!! just to let you know I can’t sign up on the new site?? Do you need a hand to "paddle"?? Needless to say, it’ll be soon......best regards to you all....see you soon jlou82

Hello,

I attended the Aporaha summer camp in 61/62/63, where we followed my father, Jean Pierre Boireau, who, as a nurse at BA 181, was detached every year for one month to Nosy Be. So many wonderful memories from that time—pirogue trips to the islet across from us with one of Monsieur Emile’s sons, fishing trips, the "young people’s table," island visits, and more. I’ve kept a few names in my memory from the different groups: Bouvier, Breton, Caillé, Galland, Lebechec, Damour, Gregoire, Matignié (apologies for the spelling), and others. By chance, about ten years ago, I found my father’s big album (he’s 84 and still with us). It’s full of sunny photos, laughter, and joy. If I could reconnect with the Breton family (children Yannick and Nadine, I think) and the Damour family (Joëlle, with whom we won quite a few junior cups on Lake Ambohiboa?), what a joy that would be.

I’m actively preparing a trip to the Big Island and the Small Island for January 2010, if my medical team gives me the green light—I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy for four years now.

With or without this trip... know that life has been beautiful and rich, and a big thank you to all of you for contributing to making it so. Michel Boireau "No matter what they say, as long as I can say it, my greatest love story is You." Barbara

Welcome to the club tine6433! I’m sorry about your dad. Your photos are amazing—some of the "former campers" might recognize themselves. As soon as the photo library on ivato-nosybe.com is up and running, you’ll all be able to post your photos. Best wishes to everyone, Francis, the Nosy Be local

lenosybeen@orange.fr

Welcome to the club Mios33! What a small world Michel! Regarding the Bretons, please message me privately. I’ll wait for your email and we can talk on the phone. @ + Francis from Nosy Be

lenosybeen@orange.fr

Hi Yannick,

What a pleasant surprise!!! I’m Michel Boireau, and I’ve always kept the best memories of our battles on the CSMI Vauriens at Ivato, as well as the water fights with Nadine in the lake to see who’d have to stay on the pedalo. Francis and I had a long chat last night, and the emotion was really there. I felt like I was still that kid from the 60s... You can reach me privately to exchange phone numbers. Best,

it was the first steps of the rascals at Ivato

Friends from the "camp" The photo below is from the 70s; I took part in regattas on Lake Ambohibao during my stay with OM... I found my helmsman's certificate from that time.... Best regards to you all......

Your father, being in the health service, must remember the dentist LE MENN, who was a former professional footballer for Stade Rennais, did his military service, and with whom I often spoke, being from Saint-Malo myself and a student in Rennes (so I watched the matches).

Best regards,

Hello, I knew this camp from 1962 to 1964; my father Henri BOUVIER was an air traffic controller at IVATO. So many great memories!

Hi, I spent summers 1962 and 1963 at this camp—my dad was an air traffic controller in Ivato. So many great memories!

Hello, I just read your message. My father was stationed in Ivato from 1961 to 1964. We knew the dentist Lemenn well. After his military service, he opened a dental practice in Rennes in 1969. He had two children, including a son, Jean Christophe, if I remember correctly. His dental practice was near Pontchaillou Hospital, and he lived near Boulevard de la Duchesse Anne. Best regards, Paule BOUVIER

Good evening,

My father remembers Monsieur Lemenn very well, and so do I, having been in his care!!! Big scares stay in your memory... He was a very nice man and a good dentist (luckily, since he was the only one for miles around), or so he told me. He also thinks he remembers you—he’s currently digging through his memories (he kept a daily journal). As for sailing, the president was indeed the commander you mentioned, but he doesn’t recall the name of the Fleet Captain right now (maybe Lachaud), whose son teamed up with Monsieur Boutefroid’s son. They were later replaced by Monsieur Lebechec and Monsieur Damour. Best regards, Michel

Hello, I spent summers 1962 and 1963 at this camp. My father, Henri BOUVIER, was a chief warrant officer at the Ivato air base, working as an air traffic controller. There were four of us kids, and we lived in the apartment buildings at the exit of Ivato village. It was a dream vacation. Best regards to everyone

Hello, I was in Amporaha in June '65, and I also knew Maryvonne Le Bechec.... maybe you’ve found any trace of her? I went back in April '07 and I’d like to send her some photos. Her father was a commander at the time, and I saw him again in Antony in 1967. Thanks

Bordeaux, September 15, 2009 Hi Cathy, I’m Patrick, a former resident of Madagascar and Nosy-Be from 1967 to 1969. Reading your message to Martine, I see you’re looking to digitize slides. No worries—I’ve got the equipment to digitize all kinds of media, from Super 8 films to slides, and more. My personal work involves preserving many documents for projects tied to the past. You can reach me at this address: objectif.reportages@orange.fr.

A project is in the works for late 2009 with Francis, Christian Grévisse, Marie Louise, and the rest of the team. We’re exploring digitizing S8 films. From these documents, I’ll create a micro-documentary blending all our moving memories, which we’ll feature on the new site. Warm regards from a former resident of this paradise, Nosy-Be. Best, Patrick

Hi everyone, I just took a look at the site.... absolutely stunning!!!! Really, really great work... Best, Franck

On 09/22/09 To the Nosy Be team,

Bravo! Thanks to Francis, Philippe, Christiane, and our little island flowers for their perseverance in setting up the new site. Let's hope there are lots of participants and reunions. If anyone has photo archives, S8 films, or slides, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can merge these memories on the site. Long live www.ivato-nosybe.com! Véloma, Patrick

Hello everyone, I was at Tana BA 181 IVATO (Base Commander Lcl ANDRE, a great name from Normandie Niemen, Deputy Commander Ct URCUN) from July 1966 to July 1967, a conscript. I was assigned to EAA 21 LE GAULOIS, where I met wonderful people, NCOs who taught me the work of a "pistar" and aircraft mechanic, as well as some amazing pilots (Cmdr Pourchet, Capt Vautier, Brunier, Niefolow, Lt Daubas, Adj Comballusier, and many others). I have a large collection of photos from that time. I don’t remember the names of my fellow conscripts, but if they recognize themselves, I’d be delighted. My second post was at L'Infra, with Adj Bozon and Bouvron, Razaf, and Rakoto—the Malagasy guys who were incredibly kind to us youngsters. I spent some time in Nosy Be setting up the vacation camp, those famous tents. During that stay, we built the famous terrace and the sanitary facilities (washbasins and toilets)—it took truckloads of big rocks and bags of cement to achieve that wonderful result. A few names of buddies come to mind: Adjt Grimaldi, the supervisor, and the conscripts Chauvat, Gachet, Patisson, and many others. I’ll send some photos so all the old-timers can recognize themselves. PS: I later pursued a career in the Air Force and retired as Adj. Best regards to all, Jean Pierre. My email address: jeanpierrefioretti@hotmail.fr

Friends from the BA and the Camp in N-B, hello! Please excuse me for having deserted the site for a little while, but our societal system forgot to include the "mora-mora" of my island in its texts. So, whether we like it or not, we’re forced to run, run, ...to keep things moving like everyone else. Such is the modern world......and since this relentless 2-month "civilization" sprint has exhausted me, I’m announcing that I *have* to recharge a (little) bit: From 11/04 to 12/17 only ! Back in the land of mora-mora—shh, I can hear you already! So, who loves me, follow me.....!!!!

About our site, ivato-nosybe.com, it might be pretty, but it’s not very functional. We’ll try to keep improving it, especially the registration part! We’ve added a few photos. Welcome to the club, escadronivat! I sent you an email. Warm regards to EVERYONE, Francis, the Nosy Be local PS: The photo is from a week ago!

You probably don’t remember the conscript who supervised the swimming or who did the chores... Also, in Ivato, I was friends with a cadet or second lieutenant who worked in the control tower, so he must have known your father. Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten all the names of the people I met back then

Hi Francis

Off you go again...... How lucky! Yes, I love you, but unfortunately, I can’t come with you😉 I think we all love you. Enjoy your trip, come back refreshed and full of great memories. I’m trying to plan a get-together like last time at Christian and Nini’s place. I’ll look into renting a cottage and keep you posted when you’re back. In the meantime, sending you big kisses. See you soon.

Marie-jo

Hello everyone!

With permission from the photographer of Amporaha (Jlou82, whom I’d like to thank again), I’ve recreated the fishermen’s huts from the village in watercolor. You can see the (modest) work on my blog: http://kako.artblog.fr/ I’ll be doing more and will keep you posted.

Cheers, Charly40

Hi Charly, and hello everyone,

Beautiful watercolor of a village near Amporaha—we’re waiting for the next ones (sail pirogues, the famous badamier tree on the beach). About the Ivato-Nosybe site, we still can’t post photos and/or emails... but by the end of November, the last technical issues will be resolved. So just a little more patience, *mora mora*.

Francis has been on his beach since last week—I think he’s got better weather than we do!!! *Mora mora* for him too.

*Veloma* Zoma

Hello everyone, friends from BA 181 IVATO and the Nosy-Be camp! I’ve safely arrived in Nosy-Be this time via Air Mad. Here’s proof (photos) that Sakalava villagers can take charge and achieve things on their own, but at their own pace, much to the dismay of those who blindly follow this so-called "civilized" consumer society, who want the Sakalava people to adapt to their "modern" ways to supposedly evolve! The weather hasn’t been great for the past four days—it rained a bit yesterday—but let’s not forget we’re in the rainy season. Christian, Nini, Patrick, Thierry, Mumu, the whole gang...... Franck, Higgins..... how do you like the hut? 😊 All that’s left is to enjoy! A word to the curious: This isn’t Amporaha—it’s nothing like it. It’s *very* natural! Have a great day, everyone, and see you soon! Francis, the Nosy-Be local

11/25/2009 Hi Francis, Your place is amazing, but you know I dream of visiting it! It’s so refreshing to reconnect with the values in your paradise. I just finished a big month-long shoot—though I wasn’t in Madagascar, I was with people from the Sea in France who shared their passion with me. Now I’ve got to edit everything... The team from the weekly Sea magazine is wrapping up their journey with Tara in Madagascar (Tulear). I hope I’ll be selected to film some great reports... Send us some beautiful photos—they’re good for the soul! See you soon, Francis. Best to all the old-timers from Mada Nosy-Be. Patrick

The hut is gorgeous—it reminds me (but newer) of the ones all along the track between Amporaha and Hell Ville that I used to do at least once a day back in June '65... and I saw them again in 2007 on a road completely wrecked, like it must be now during the rainy season.

Okay, fair enough, it’s missing coconut trees, my favorite tree. When are they planting some for our grandkids?

Warm regards and enjoy your stay in Malagasy Tahiti (as we used to call it). Pierre

Hi jlou82, I just saw the photo of the boat on Lake Ambohiboa - It brings back good memories because back then (1970) I was often at CMAI since my friend Claude Mahistre and I used to tow water-skiing enthusiasts and we ran the club (regattas, etc.). I lived in Cité Cadres in Ivato. I passed by there in November 2007 during one of my trips to Ivato: ouch - With my association, I often go to the Ambositra region in Zafamaniry country, a bit below Antsirabe. So many memories... too long to tell here - and Nosy Be.....

Best regards from Jean Marie in the Cévennes (Dept 30) Veloma

Hello everyone, Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season! I made it back safely on Friday the 18th to Roissy under a beautiful blanket of snow (and a strike!)... from my little sunshine, nature, and sea getaway. The trip went well overall. I welcomed Thierry Guillotin on Saturday, December 12th at 11 PM (yes, 11 PM—those Romans are crazy!!) at Fascène. We spent a few days together, and I left him at the campsite until the 23rd. On the 24th, his brother Philippe took over until January 7th. Who’s next?

A few photos from the trip.

Friends from BA 181 in Ivato and the Nosy-Bé camp, hello, Finally, some good news! It wasn’t easy—let’s just say that for beginners, it’s an understatement—but we’ve done it: the become a member page is now up and running on our site: ivato-nosybe.com. For the rest, *azafady* (sorry!), but *mora-mora* please—after a few weeks in Nosy-Bé, I’d even forgotten how this computer thing worked, so... don’t ask too much of me. I think the member list will be online after the holidays (Come on, Christian, get to work!! Hehe). Warm regards to all: Welcome to the club! Francis, the Nosy-Béen

Hi Francis,

I see you’ve just been to Nosy Be… Lucky you! Quick, give us the news from Amporaha and Hell-Ville! I haven’t been back to Madagascar since the end of 2007—I’m thinking of going to Réunion in spring 2010.

Congrats on the website! Best wishes from the Cévennes,

Jean-Marie (from Raisin Noir)

Hello to all you friends from the "Amporaha camp"! I wish you a very happy 2010, my best wishes, and lots of happiness to come... especially for trips to Madagascar! Best regards,

Thank you for your kind wishes. I send mine back to you, with lots of happiness and good health to each of you, and may this new year see Madagascar return to a more normal situation for the benefit of its people.

Veloma

Claude PELLERIN

Wishing a very happy New Year to all our friends in Madagascar... the old-timers, the newcomers, the lovers of Nosy-bé, and everyone else... Wishing you all nothing but happiness. Sending big kisses to all.

Mariejo

Hello,

Friends from Ivato, Antananarivo, Majunga, Diego, Tamatave, Nosy Be, Fort Dauphin, Tulear, ... from the Red Island and neighboring islands... we’re sending you this photo full of memories that’s still very much alive in our hearts.

Feel free to share!

Geneviève and Christian

I wish you all a very happy New Year, hoping that the new site will allow us to reconnect with friends and buddies from ba181.

On a personal note, I hope we can organize a little trip to revisit the base and especially Amporaha, where we all left such great memories.

Best wishes to everyone

Hello everyone, I think I got myself all mixed up after losing the direct access link to the forum. Oh well, no big deal—we’ll see how it goes. Wishing you all an excellent 2010. I’ve found some old photos and I’m about to have them scanned to upload to the site. There’ll be photos from the 60s with the Amporaha bar and Emile’s good ol’ face, plus others from 2006 at the Base and CMAI. See you later! BRUNO

Hello and Happy New Year to Everyone!

I "stumbled upon" this really lovely travel journal.

http://voyages.liberation.fr/jeunesse-dun-tour-du-monde/carnets-de-madagascar

Hi everyone, I’m not great with all this, but I’ll try to share some photos with you. These are the "strategic" spots around the base, as I found them back in 2006. The pool, the tennis courts, the clubhouse, the "villas," and so on. I’ll be getting more soon and will post everything on the site. See you soon. Bruno LATASTE

Hello Bruno, I enjoyed discovering your photos of the strategic points of BA 181.... which I knew back in the 70s... time flies so fast... we can never turn a page in our lives without a certain nostalgia for that period clinging to it....... A former from Madagascar Best regards jlou82

Hello, To all my friends from BA 181 Ivato, I wish you my best wishes for happiness and, above all, good health for this new year 2010. I hope even more of us will get together and meet this year. Happy New Year to everyone! The Nosy Be local

Hello everyone Neighbor 101, we were supposed to organize a nostalgic trip: visiting the BA, Antananarivo, Antsirabe, ...Nosy Be. The current situation in Madagascar (hoping that, as Nerellep would say, the country comes to its senses and returns to normal for the benefit of the population this new year!) doesn’t guarantee that flights in the coming months won’t be diverted to other destinations, as was the case a few months ago. I’m not talking about safety because I think if you avoid certain places, there’s absolutely no problem. However, this year, on June 26th, it’s their 50th anniversary of independence. I think that’s significant, and if the situation doesn’t improve quickly, it could escalate again. (Just my opinion.) On the other hand, TRELYS, beware of disillusionment! Madagascar has changed a lot, especially for parents. Some who returned came back sick and struggled to recover. If you do go back, my advice is to save what you knew and open a new chapter in your story. Rediscover a different country: Madagascar. As for Amporaha camp, I’ll write its entire history from its creation to 1973 and describe how it ended up in its current state (which isn’t great! Sorry, but that’s the reality) on our site as soon as it’s working properly. That doesn’t stop me from going back to Nosy Be 2 or even 3 times a year. For updates on the situation in Madagascar or other information, contact me via private message or preferably by phone: 01 30 32 74 32 Best wishes to all The Nosy Be local

Happy New Year 2010. Patrick

A thousand apologies—I forgot to upload my New Year’s card. Vélouma. Patrick

Hi there,

Just a quick message to say I’m in Mérignac and I spent time at BA 181 and, of course, at Amporaha from 9/1967 to 9/1968. What were your dates there?

My email address: claude.pellerin@sfr.fr