Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Francis,

Here’s a slide with quite a few people. On the left: ??, Geneviève Tavel, Colette Martin, maybe Christian’s brother, ?? On the right: ??, Christian Mayor, Assouvi, and ???

Good evening Christian,

That’s definitely my brother Bernard on Colette’s left. It’s great to see these photos. Best,

Christian.

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

Hi Francis, it's been a while since I was last on the forum. I'm taking this opportunity to post some photos of Madagascar and its surroundings... velom... and mora mora... vasa. Best regards, jlou82😏

Hi everyone,

Nosy Be Fascene Airport— arrival or departure? That little pang in the heart. The magic of the place and the moment is still there! The scent of ylang-ylang, pepper, and drying coffee...

Have a great weekend! Zoma

Hello,

I just stumbled upon this search notice for people who attended the Nosy-Bé Air Force holiday camp... and well, that’s me. I was part of the 70/0 class and assigned to communications (I even got to visit the air base 30 years later—what nostalgia!). I was under the command of Captain Vezan, a friend of my father’s... I spent about two months in Nosy-Bé, which at the time was a little paradise... Feel free to contact me via my personal email. Talk soon!

Hi, it's great to reconnect with a fellow alum from Tana! I’m also from the class of 70/0. I’m on the forum—I’ve posted some old photos under the username jlou82. You might find some pleasant memories of Nosy or Tana there... I invite you to check out my profile on the site *Linternaute*; *Les Copains d’Avant*. I’ve uploaded some photos of Tana and its surroundings, including the IVAT base—you’ll find them in the folder “My Memories.” My contact info: jean-louis.loss@orange.fr. Best, jlou82

Good evening everyone, and welcome to mesrob, I was away for a while due to phone issues (completely out) and internet problems caused by switching to the 2-box TV system! (and we're not even in mainland France!!!) I recently reconnected and got back in touch by phone with: Mr. Pautrot (67-69), Mrs. Saout (58-59) (her husband passed away), Mrs. Evrard (67-69) (her husband also passed away). They remember: Bour, Lenhard, Luhern, Mr. Weittman (62-65), Margaret Cholley (67-69), Siodmak (70-71, called up), who is in touch with Alain Mayet (called up 70-71), and is looking for Claude Dupont (called up 70-71, barman at Escama). More to come in the next episode, and don’t forget to post the names and years of the people you’re looking for. A big thank you to Christian and Geneviève for reconnecting! Here are 3 photos: 1) Christian and me in '69, 2) 40 years later, yikes!! 3) Some of the called-up guys might recognize themselves? See you soon, Francis

Francis,

I’m reaching out to let you know about a correction—I was in Madagascar in ’69–’70 (class 69-04), along with A. Mayet, C. Dupont, JM. Viaud, the seminarian G. Boucher, S. Picard, JJ. Crété, B. Lefèbvre, and C. Colin. We left Nosy Bé in mid-July ’70. Best regards, Joseph Siodmak

PS: Love your info on the site! !

Hi Joseph, All good for the correction, and great call mentioning your buddies' names—now we just gotta get started! Did you recognize any of the cooks? Here’s one of the last photos taken in November 2003 at Amporaha. The boat is named "Vazahalava," the name given by Malagasy people to Mr. Émile. The second photo was taken in July 2007. Here’s the state of the road at the entrance to Amporaha—the road splits just before to head to Amarina Hotel (5 stars) on the beach to the left of Amporaha: Ambohiday. Right now, there are two hotel constructions at each end of Amporaha beach. I’ve reconnected with Thieux Paul, Weittman Françoise, and others in preparation for the end of the week. See you all soon, Francis

Hello everyone, hooray! I’ve reunited with our two star animators who created the songs "Nossi-Bé" and "Amporaha" (which I recently managed to transfer from my old audio cassette to CD—so any fans out there, take note!). Viaud J-M (1969-1970) and Ravard Doumé (1970). Still missing the third guy, "Yann" (1970), but it shouldn’t be long now. I’ve also recontacted Mr. Thieux Paul (1968-1969), Pastisson Jacques (1971-1973), Mariet Joseph (1966-1968), Beluche Michel (1970-1971), Pré Maurice, Bouchet Gilles (1970), and Picard Serge (1970). For addresses and other details, please still contact me privately at lenosybeen@orange.fr. See you soon, Francis......

I'm looking for anyone who stayed at the camp in June 1965. I was the supply truck driver... and at BA181 from November '64 to October '65. I revisited these places with great emotion just a year ago. Thanks

Hello, I stayed in Amporaha in June 1965 (BA 181 IVATO from 11/64 to 10/65) as a driver. Such a wonderful time!!!! I went back in March 2007: nostalgia and so many emotions!! I live in Paris but come to Cérons (33) every two weeks. Best regards and maybe see you soon. Pierre FABRE Phone: 01 42 57 04 78 Email: pjf.lesnomades@club-internet.fr

Hello, my name is Pierre FABRE. I was based in Ivato from 11/64 to 10/65 and was a driver at Amporaha in June 65—what great memories! I went back in March 2007 via a rough track with barely any vegetation left (but hey, they’ve got to eat, so they make fires!). Still, the magic remains, and I shed a few tears—I’m not ashamed of that. I took photos in the same spots again; it’s incredible... Best regards.

good evening, here are the people we’ve reconnected with (and thanks for the welcome and the big-family spirit of AA): - Mr. and Mrs. - Bouillon Jean-Claude 67 to 70 - Mr. and Mrs. - Lataste André 59 to 62 and 70-72 - Mr. and Mrs. - Porte Lucien Nov 67 to Aug 69 - Mr. and Mrs. - Tison Francis 68 to 70 - Mr. and Mrs. - Gabriel - Mr. and Mrs. - Jankowski 70 to 72 - Mr. and Mrs. - Galdiolo Georges 07/70 to 07/72 - Mr. and Mrs. - Gellé 62 to 65 - Mr. and Mrs. - Lauzeral Yvan - Mr. and Mrs. - Marcesse Lucien 59 to 62 - Mr. and Mrs. - Dubois André 59 to 62 - Mr. and Mrs. - Ryszowski Francis 69 to 71 - Mr. and Mrs. - Le Donge Alfred 60 to 63 - Mr. and Mrs. - Urcun Jean (deceased) and Marie-Thérèse 65 to 68 - Mr. and Mrs. - Delozanne Edouard (deceased) and Nicole 65 to 68 And here are the people we’re still looking for: - Troussart - Bouscaillou - Chamalet - Lagé - Lapalud - Dezetter - Favareu and others to come with your help by contacting me at: lenosybeen@orange.fr see you soon, the Nosy-Been PS: The two photos of Angiabe were given to her in December 2007—this is also what collecting photos is for. Thanks on their behalf!

Hello Francis, I didn’t get back to you, but I returned from Madagascar and Nosy Be on February 7th after a tropical storm in Nosy and a weakened cyclone over Tana. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to catch up with your friend Patrick in Nosy, and on top of that, the roads (well, the *path* was impassable)—even leaving the hotel was a nightmare!!! I’ll try to send you some photos from the good old days and some recent ones. I have to go back to Nosy Be for work in 2–3 months. I’ll keep you posted, and we’ll talk on the phone. Philippe * A little nostalgia trip with the old garrison mess in Antsirabe

I don’t have the pleasure of knowing you, but I just dreamed a little while looking at your slides. Could you tell me the date the photo was taken on BA 181, photo 48 (8 KB)? I was myself in Tana from 1959 to 1962 and from 1966 to 1968. Cheers! Allain

I don’t have the pleasure of knowing you, but I just dreamed a little while looking at your slides. Could you tell me the date the photo on BA 181 (photo 48, 8 KB) was taken? I was in Tana myself from 1959 to 1962 and from 1966 to 1968. Cheers, Allain

Hello Allain, the photo was taken on the tarmac of BA 181 at Ivato in the 1970s. I invite you to check out my photos on this forum under the username jlou82, or on the site "Copains d’Avant." See you soon on the forum, and to all the friends of Madagascar—jlou82

Thanks for your reply! In 1970, I thought there were no more Dakotas or Dassault 315s at Ivato, but Nord Atlas planes—it seems one can even be seen in the background. I’m in the 54, greetings, Allain

The Dakota on the tarmac used to belong to Malagasy aviation. There were also Nord 2000s and Alouette IIs, among others... Best regards, jlou82

Good evening everyone, here’s the latest update on people we’ve reconnected with: Mr. and Mrs. Alain Yvon and Madeleine (59-61) and (66-68) / Mr. and Mrs. Favareu Roger and Yvette (64-67) / Mr. and Mrs. De Gouville Denis (70-71) / Mr. Jean Gilbert (69-71) / Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman Marc (70-72) / Mr. and Mrs. Fontaine Pierre (70-72) / Mr. and Mrs. Cazaillet (?) / Mr. and Mrs. Angelier Bernard (?) / Mr. and Mrs. Natali Raymond (deceased) and Thérèse (67-69) / Mr. and Mrs. Boulle Serge (May 66-Dec 68) / Mr. and Mrs. Llanguas Joseph (66-68), with more to come..... See you all soon!