Aramcon Lynette Hardy Starts New South African Business Venture
- Community
- Annuitants & Former ExPats
Author: Aramco ExPats
Released 17 April 2007
After 17 years of service to Saudi Aramco, Lynette Hardy is leaving the oil business for something a bit more laid back. While she may be hanging up her executive secretary’s cap, Lynette is hardly ready for retirement. Starting May 1 she’ll begin her new career as an administrator, chef, tour guide, wine aficionado, and activities coordinator.
These tasks and others will be undertaken as part of her new role as proprietor of Nenya, her own recently purchased bed and breakfast in Hout Bay just outside of Cape Town, South Africa. The little resort got its name from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium where it translates to Ring of Water. One look at picturesque Hout Bay reveals how appropriate the name is, as Nenya’s power was preservation, protection, and concealment from evil. All these virtues and more lie in wait for those who travel to this exotic locale.
This quaint fishing village is located in an area of outstanding beauty just 20 minutes driving time from Cape Town. The Bay rests on the edge of one of the world’s most scenic ocean drives with Chapman’s Peak lying in one direction and Cape Town itself in the other.
Lynette’s magical getaway is nestled comfortably among South Africa’s wine growing region. The most famous of which, Constantia Valley, is a mere 10 minute drive down the road. Guests with a penchant for horseback riding will take great pleasure in riding the wine route. Best of all, Lynette says, “your horse will always know the way home!” Or, if guests prefer to ride along the shore, Noordhoek Beach on the other side of Chapman’s Peak provides seven kilometers of pristine, white sand.
For those who prefer less terrestrial outings, whale watching trips depart regularly from the local marina. These tours run from mid-August to mid-October during the whales’ migration past the Cape. Not surprisingly, the protective ring of water of Hout Bay is a favorite stop for these large cetaceans.
A stay at Nenya provides all the culinary delights expected of an inn located within such close proximity to the sea, and bicycles will be available to guests anxious to make the three kilometer ride into town in order to sample the menus of many top class seafood restaurants.
Nothing will build that appetite faster than shooting 18 holes on the local links. South Africa is renowned for its golf courses, and several world class courses are within easy reach of Lynette’s new home.
Guests will look forward to starting each day with a full European breakfast complete with fresh fruits, hams, salami and local cheeses. Fresh, homemade baked goods such as breads and muffins will round out the meal. Vacationers returning from a day at the beach will delight in making it back in time for afternoon tea. As extravagant ice cream deserts and “strictly non-diet” chocolate cake are all promised as part of the package. Of course, guests are also welcome to just grab a sundowner and enjoy a relaxing sunset from the comfort of Nenya’s spacious deck.
Travelers looking to absolutely spoil themselves will be glad to know that massages and other relaxing treatments can all be enjoyed in the privacy of their own room upon request.
If all of this wine drinking, horseback riding, fine dining, golfing and massaging sounds a little too laid back, Lynette is more than happy to steer the adrenaline junkies toward something a bit more exciting. Nenya is a mere stone’s throw from excellent abseiling (Yanks know this as repelling), surfing, paragliding from the top of Table Mountain or helicopter rides around the Bay. Not extreme enough? Some local tour operators even offer to take willing adventurers scuba diving with South Africa’s famous Great White Sharks!
Aramcons are no strangers to exotic locales, and Lynette Hardy hopes more than a few of them will find their way down to her new home at the ends of the Earth. While the frozen wastes of Antarctica may lie distantly over the southern horizon, Hout Bay is a subequatorial paradise with much to see and do. First among them? Catching up with a fellow Aramcon who’s just beginning the next chapter in her life. Starting a new journey is always exciting, but Lynette would love nothing more than to swap old stories of familiar things like souks and snack bars and even her old bay, the one we call Half Moon. So head on down to Nenya and say “marhaba” to the owner. She’ll know exactly what you mean.
Lynette welcomes communication from her former colleagues, who can reach her at 19 Meadow Lane, Hout Bay 7806, Cape Town, South Africa; Tel: 27 21 7905361; or hardylx@hotmail.com, or can visit her bed and breakfast Web site at www.nenya.co.za.