Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Hi Francis, I’ll be in Tana—at least at Ivato—tomorrow between 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM for a two-hour layover. We’ll probably grab a bite at the "Grill" or "Gastropizza." If you’re still online tonight and have a mobile number, send it to me via PM before 4:30 AM tomorrow. I’ll call you as soon as I land at Ivato (or even before I leave if I manage to reach you). Cheers, Franck

Hello and sorry for the late reply—been traveling! I’m a retired rail worker... and I have a house in Gironde, among other places. I’m not part of the FABRE family from Tana, but I was stationed at the base from November ’64 to October ’65 as a gas station attendant and driver. Back then, I knew Madagascar better than France, not to mention the "Nosy Be dream." If you’d like to chat more: pjf.lesnomades@club-internet.fr Best regards,

Hi everyone,

Franck, I’m sorry—I left the next day at 3 PM. My number in Madagascar is 032 46 825 95, and from France it’s 00 261 324 682 595. The short stay is going well, and a promise is a promise: here are some photos. I’ll be away for about ten days because I’m sailing by *boutre* (wind-powered) to Ananalava (toward Majunga) to find a large pirogue for the association. I’ll share more photos when I return.

Best to everyone, see you soon! Francis

Hi Francis... and stop making us drool with those photos. Hope your stay on the dhow is going well. As for us, we're heading to Hendaye for a week where there are fewer coconut trees!!! See you soon, take care. Pierre

Hi Francis,

Today, Friday the 13th of June 2008, I’m scraping together everything I can—even the bottom of my drawers—to try and win a round-trip ticket to Madagascar. Watch out, ladies!!! I’m scraping today 😏.

Thanks for your photos, Francis—don’t hesitate to take more. I’ll make a selection for the clip I want to create: *Nosy-Be Yesterday* and *Nosy-Be Today*, along with the Nosy-Be song in two versions that we’re going to work on with the authors and Steph Néfoliov and the backing vocalist MLT.

It’s great that you’re sending us fresh images from Madagascar. Go for it—it lets us escape a little. Here in Aquitaine, just like in the Basque Country, we miss the coconut trees. The pine trees just don’t have the same effect, and I’ll add that the weather’s been awful since March. I think we’re heading for a lousy summer. 🏴‍☠️

See you soon, safe travels, and smooth sailing. Send us photos of Nosy-Be as soon as you can. Cheers, Patrick Romé 😉 Greetings to all who love Madagascar

Hi Francis, Thanks for the great photos. No worries about the meet-up at Ivato—we were two hours early anyway, and the layover was quick. If I ever head up north, I’ll give you a call on your phone in Nosy Be. Maybe we can do a "vertical"!!!! Cheers, Franck

As you may know, I was passing through Ivato last week and heard some bad news: the three hangars dating back to 1929, located to the left of the control tower when viewed from the runway, are going to be demolished to make way for a new VIP building. The fourth hangar, which was behind the first three, is already partly torn down.

That’s the update.

Best, Franck

Hi Francis,

It was great chatting with you on the phone Sunday from the Hellville market. I could hear in the background that there was also a Fête de la Musique going on over there? I could just picture the scene... songs, laughter, and colors everywhere. Here are some photos from '68-'69 so you can revisit the same spots 40 years later.

Say hi to GA when he arrives.

Take it easy, but *mora mora* Nini & Chris

Hello everyone, I’m sorry I can’t reply to each of your emails individually—there’s no ADSL in the cyber cafés here in Nosy-Be (yes, there are a few, and they’re always packed). Tradition dictates *mora-mora*… uploading 6 or 7 photos takes over an hour, even when they’re compressed! I’ve got a surprise in store for Guy Assouvie—40 years later, that’s worth celebrating! The *Fête de la Musique* is stretching every night until the 26th: Independence Day. Back from Analalava now, empty-handed but with an *amazing* adventure under my belt—ups, downs, and all! You can still reach me at: lenosybeen@orange.fr, I check emails every 10–15 days, or via SMS at 00 261 324 682 595. Warm regards to all, see you soon! Francis

Hello everyone,

Still as part of our search for former residents of Madagascar and Nosy-Be, if anyone has information about the GAC family, there were Nathalie and Bertrand as the children, and the father was a camp leader in Amporaha, I’d be delighted—along with the growing Nosy-Be community—to reconnect with this family. Some great memories and photos could also help expand our database for a future nostalgic film. Thanks to those who might have any leads, and please pass this search message along. The world is small! If we’re currently enjoying good times with our Nosy-Be memories and meet-ups, it’s thanks to efforts like this. Thank you all! Best regards, Patrick

🙂 A photo of Nathalie... during our fun pétanque games! See you soon with all my friendship! 😉

Hi Christian, hi Francis.

So many memories... Philippe Guillotin. I remember you and have a few photos of Nosy-Be where we’re all together. I found you again thanks to Marie-Louise Troin and Muriel Cruchou. Such joy. See you soon.

I was in Nosy Be in 1962 as a sports instructor at the Ivato base.

Hi Francis, I’m Marie-Jo (VENTURINI). I was in Madagascar from 1968 to 1971, and of course, I used to go to Nosy Be—so many wonderful memories. I’ve been searching for my old friends for a long time, and one day I discovered the "Copains d’Avant" website. That’s how I found my friend Philippe GUILLOTIN. We decided to dig deeper because I was determined to find Jean-Michel NOURREUX and Hervé MUIRON. And now, I’ve reconnected with Christian and Nini, Muriel, and Marie-Louise TROIN, whom I spoke to at length on the phone. Thanks to Christian, I also found Jean-Michel—it was such a magical moment when I heard his voice again. And now, I’ve discovered your site through Marie-Louise. I’ll send you the few photos I have; maybe you can put names to some of the faces (my memory’s a bit fuzzy on the names!!!!). I really can’t wait to see all of you again. The words "CAMP D'AMPORAHA" mean "HAPPINESS."

I’m also looking for Dany LATASTE and Patricia ELIETTE. In the messages, someone was wondering if the GUILLOTINs came to the camp—the answer is yes, I have photos. I’m eagerly waiting for your news. Kisses. Marie-Jo

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

Can anyone give me news of Maryvonne LE BECHEC, who was at the camp in June 1965? Her father was a Commandant at the time and a pilot with the GAM. Thanks.

I’m Mayet Alain. I was a driver at the camp back in ’69/’70. My buddy was Siodmack J, the cook, and we’re still friends. We’re looking for Dupont Claude, aka Georges.

Hello everyone, The holidays are already over, so I'm back. I wasn't online much in Nosy Be because the 3 times I tried to send photos, it was either impossible, a power cut, or the network was overloaded... Welcome to those who joined us in the meantime—don’t forget I’m much better on the phone (just a little chatty...) than on a computer! The little trip went relatively well. Nosy Be is changing: the main road in Hell-Ville has been completely redone, there are even signs at every street corner and pedestrian crossings... (uh, I’d say for now nothing’s being respected, but...) and soon there’ll be more 4x4s than 4Ls... even a convertible BMW sports car! You’ll understand why I avoid the city and only feel good in the countryside with my fisherman friends. I’ll resize the photos so I can post them on VF. Cheers to everyone, see you soon! Francis

Hi Alain, You can reach me by phone at 01 30 32 74 32 or lenosybeen@orange.fr Best, Francis Here are some recent photos: Photo 1 and 2: moonrise in the west and sunrise in the east—perfect harmony between east and west, Mother Nature still teaches us lessons!!! Photo 3: the Hell-Ville market (temporarily closed) Photo 4: it's a party every night at the market square for a week until 26/06, Independence Day celebrations Photo 5: arrival at Fascène by R-G Assouvie, 40 years later! Photo 6: our two means of transportation Photo 7: a little live crab Photo 8: on the left, Amarina Hotel ***** and across, 500 m away, Amporaha To be continued... PS: For those having trouble accessing the site, just type "amporaha" in Google search and you’ll get there directly! Best to all, see you soon! lenosybeen

Who was at Amporaha in 1962? Personally, I was detached from the sports service for 2 months—it was the best time of my service.

to voisin101, you can reach me by phone at 01 30 32 74 32 or lenosybeen@orange.fr, I sent you a PM @ + lenosybeen