Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

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