Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Thanks Francis, and best wishes to you and the big family in Madagascar.

Best regards to everyone.

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, I believe. His practice was near Pontchaillou Hospital, and he lived near Boulevard de la Duchesse Anne. Best regards, Paule BOUVIER

Hello Mr. TOURBEZ, the years your father was there match the presence of a soldier named Gérard Payet. I mainly place him in Ivato in 1961/1962. Maybe your father remembers him? I’d love to find this person. My family and I knew the Payet family well since we lived in the same building, and our mothers also worked together. If by any chance you have news of him, thank you in advance. Such a beautiful time and a wonderful country—one we don’t forget. Warm regards (signed as "colimaçons"). Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your reply

Hello Jeanine, unfortunately my dad passed away in 1981 and my mom joined him in 1987. Try searching online—there are many Payets in La Réunion. Best, Paule

I have the same photo on the same coconut tree from 1969

Hello Jeanine, unfortunately my dad passed away in 1981 and my mom joined him in 1987. Try searching online—there are a lot of Payets in La Réunion. Best regards, Paule

Hello Paule, thank you for your reply. I didn’t mean to, but I’ve stirred up painful memories about your parents—I’m so sorry. I’ve tried searching online, and yes, there are a lot of Payets. I tracked you down because of the years mentioned in your posts. I’m starting to lose hope of finding this person. It’s really kind of you to have responded. Warm regards, Jeannine

Hello! During your stay, did you live in Bahuhaut at the bottom of the Queen’s Palisade? We were there from 1968/69 and met a family named Fabre. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello! During your stay, did you live in Bahuhaut at the bottom of the Queen’s Palisade? We were there from 1968/69 and met a family named Fabre. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hi, I was indeed at the Ivato airbase from 1969 to 1971, but I was housed in the Ivato staff housing because I worked at the STS reception center. I’m sorry, the name Fabre doesn’t ring a bell with that family.

Hello! During your stay, did you live in Bahuhaut at the bottom of the Queen's Palisade? We were there from 1968/69 and met a family named Fabre. Looking forward to hearing from you.

No... I was in Ivato in 1964/1965. Sorry. I now live in Gironde (Cérons). The coconut trees were so beautiful!! Best regards, Pierre FABRE

Thanks for your reply! Ah, Madagascar back then—what a wonderful time. It was definitely the three best years of my life. I was a student teen, and it was an extraordinary country. Safe travels! Thanks for your reply.

Hi nosybeen, I was also at Ivato the same year!!!!

Hi NosyBeen, Me too, I was at Ivato the same year!!!!

Hello,

Which unit were you in? I was in GMG Garage from November 1964 to September 1965 and in Nosy Be in June 1965 as a driver. Pierre FABRE

Hello everyone! Pierre, anytime works for you! I’ll be in Nosy Be from April to June. Olivier Péron is coming for a 3-week visit! We’ll get to travel by pirogue! My little village is starting to run smoothly.

Photo from March 9, 2019 A little week in the pirogue village of Nosy Be.

Hello Francis, Lucky you to be revisiting the Malagasy "Tahiti" (that’s what we called it back in 1965)!

Have a great stay, and say hello to my favorite trees for me: the coconut palms.

Best regards, Pierre

Hello,

I’m also looking for someone who might have known the Amporaha military vacation camp in 1968/69. During my military service (which lasted 13 months at Ivato Air Base), I was stationed in Nosy Be during those years to set up the large tent canvases and clean the bungalows for nearly 4 months, from March to around June 1969. I have wonderful memories of it, and I’m planning to return to Madagascar next May (38 years later...) and spend a few days in Nosy Be after 3 weeks of traveling.

Hi Yvon,

It’s been 13 years since you posted your message... In 1969, I did my military service at Ivato, in GAM 50 (Commander Le Morvan). In September, I had the chance to spend 3 days at Amporaha camp, but that’s a long story... I’ve been back to Madagascar—and especially Nosy Be—several times, but not since June 1977. Looking forward to hearing from you and maybe swapping some memories. Jean-Jacques

VERY SAD NEWS

Hello everyone,

The site is open again. This thread brought back memories I had of Amporaha and BA181, allowed me to meet Francis some 40 years later, and even stay twice in his village with some "young Yéyés".

But here’s the thing—I want to pay tribute to Francis "Lenossybeen", our friend, who passed away on May 24, 2024, at the age of 70. Just two months earlier, maybe less, he had returned from his village in Madagascar. As always, he called me to share the news. But this last time, I found Francis tired, his voice weak. On the afternoon of May 24, he fell asleep, his thoughts in Madagascar, and never woke up. "Head in Nosy-Be and feet in France"—that was his signature on this forum.

For the past year or two, he had been concerned about his village and was looking for a way to keep it alive with the help of the younger generation of Malagasy people who had lived there. This project of sharing between Malagasy and *Vazahas* was close to his heart. He made his dream come true by building the village near Amporaha, and many of us contributed just as Francis wanted—simply by spending a few days or weeks living with and like our Malagasy friends, often with Francis because that was his joy. These are also the incredible memories he left me with.

Francis, "Lenossybeen", thank you for everything you did to bring together the former members of BA 181. Without you, the military family of the Big Island—beyond the air force—and the generation of Yéyés who accompanied their parents wouldn’t have been able to reunite as you made possible. You contributed in every way: organizing events, creating a website, forums, connecting people... Now, you’re missed.

This message isn’t the conclusion of this thread. Let’s keep sharing, exchanging, and meeting up. That was the ambition and joy of life for our friend Francis.

See you soon, Olivier Péron

Hey Olivier! So glad to hear the forum is back up and running! It’s been a while since we exchanged those old photos—seems like we’re the ones getting old now… I was saddened to hear about Francis passing a few months ago. I remember when we used to go hunting for *Fanihy* at night around Amporaha (not sure if it was with him or his brother Georges…). I’d shine a light into the trees, and when we saw the eyes glowing, he’d rest the rifle on my shoulder and take the shot. The next day, his mom would cook them for us. Not long ago, I was planning one last trip back to Nosy Be to visit the beach where a few remnants of the main building—where the bar and restaurant used to be, with the kitchens out back—still stand. I camped there for a week back in 1998, I think, cooking rice every day and buying fish and chickens from the fishing village. They taught me how to make fire with *Koba-Koba*, coconut husks. Showers and drinking water came straight from the well. We had Micropur tablets to purify the water. The fishermen took us out to the sacred islet for a day, and I spent a long time wondering what would happen if they never came back!

On the other hand, for those who haven’t been back to Nosy Be since their youth, it’s a real shame to see what the island has become. Even the Malagasy working in bars, restaurants, and hotels (mostly in Ambatoloaka) are embarrassed by what the *Vazahas* (foreigners) come there to do…

Enough nostalgia! See you on the forum, and a big hello to anyone who remembers me. Bruno

Hi Bruno!! I’m so touched you’re the first to reply! It’s been over 50 years since we last saw each other, and yet, with Bernard, we were such good friends! Yes, we exchanged some really nice long emails. I’ll send you another one. Indeed, in Amporaha, back in 2019, the concrete structures that housed the generator(s) were still there. Francis showed us and explained it all. If I understood correctly, you’ve still got that adventurous, somewhat solitary spirit. You didn’t hesitate to stay in the village. I’ve seen photos but never a front-facing one—I remember a shaving session, for example! In Amporaha, I was impressed by Catherine’s work with the Malagasy children. We visited her twice. The second time, among other things, we brought a whole bunch of school supplies for the kids. As for the sacred islet, I took a nasty spill on the rocks while carrying a "soubic" of pots and pans! It was early in the trip, and because of that, like during the 2013 trip, I ended up with an infection in my leg! Victorine treated me with poultices made from four-pin leaves and cinnamon baths... Unlike the first trip, this time I’d packed the right antibiotics!!! That same day, I was also disgusted by the behavior of two or three old vazaha geezers between 70 and 80 who had landed on the islet with two or three beautiful young female companions. Anicet, our Malagasy friend, wasn’t happy about it either. As you said, it’s shameful for white people. During our first trip, with Mumu, Christian and Geneviève, Philippe and Marie-France, we were sitting at a table in Nosy Komba. Two pigs—very French ones—sat not far from us. A young girl, very beautiful, came by. She was traditionally made up and was asking for money in exchange for photos. I think Christian took at least one. The two pigs next to us did nothing but make obscene gestures with the bottles they’d ordered. What a disgrace, those vazaha pigs! There was a time when a girl of about 12–15 turned her head away as I passed her. Anicet explained that she was afraid I’d kidnap her... No surprise there. On the other hand, during the previous trip, a girl of about 15–17 sat down next to me and offered to share her orange. Patrick’s wife, Honorée, was with me, and with her help, I was able to chat with this sweet girl. What contrasts. If everything were right in this world, this country would be paradise! Better to think about the Sakalava canoe trips with our Malagasy crew and Francis! So many great memories—like when, between the coast of the Big Island and two islets (one a sugarloaf), heading toward Amerdine, the sail tore and the engine wouldn’t start! The wind was pushing us toward the coast, and luckily! We had to bivouac on the beach. The next morning, the locals told us about a nearby waterfall... totally unexpected. I can’t resist sharing a few photos of the situation... We’d been sailing for two days... finally, a shower! Mandatory stop: At sunset: The improvised camp: Jobé (if I remember correctly), the canoe captain, repairing the sail: A good shower! Your cowboy servant in 2019, Robinson?:

Don’t be fooled—he’s got a belly and is five years older! See you soon!!!

Hello, Pierre Fabre sent me the following text in a Private Message. It was a handling error, and he’s inviting me to share it with everyone. Here it is:

Hello everyone,

Happy to resume the discussions....

A daughter of Francis had told me about his passing in May. What sadness... he was a TRUE character! I’d told her that NOSY BE was in mourning. I’d met him very young in June 1965 during my stay as a driver at the camp. I knew his family well. I saw him again several times when I lived in Paris; an extraordinary person! I returned to Madagascar in 2007, particularly to the base where I was able to see the same vehicles I used to drive 40 years later: what a disaster!

In Nosy Be, I saw the deforestation but still found my favorite tree: the coconut palms. So many good memories...

Best wishes to all, with much nostalgia. Pierre FABRE