Hawaii: Day 8 (Maui)

We started our day at the Maui Swap Meet in Kahului, where we bought some fruit, a baked good, and a burlap zip-up bag. Lots of jewelry and crafts to browse, too.

Next was breakfast at Nalu's South Shore Grill, where I got a kimchee bloody mary, Dave got some kind of ridiculously awesome ahi tuna benedict, and I got eggs, potato, and toast - the potatoes were particularly good, as was a side of fruit we ordered (no melon!!). We had been recommended to Nalu's by a bartender at Maui Brewing. If there is a line, remember that the bar is first come, first served; we got right in!

After breakfast, we headed to the Upcountry, which we weren't sure why it was called that until we started ascending the slope of Haleakala. It's up!

First stop was Maui Alpaca, a cute little fiber farm with a small herd of alpacas and angora bunnies. We got to walk the alpacas around the farm a bit, which was fun because they munched and hummed a lot. Dave got a 9-month-old cria (alpaca baby) who hopped around adorably.

Mine in particular, Lola, is a huge female who got that way by eating tons of snacks (I got to feed her some grapes, in addition to lots of weeds she likes). That said, they look bigger than they really are right now because they are about two weeks from being shorn.  

My girl Lola

After the walk, we got to hold angora buns, which are always super floofy and lazy, making them fun to cradle and pet. Dave got a big white girl and I got a chocolate gal. They have a few albinos and even a lilac one, which is sorta rare.

We had been worried about the weather for today, because the whole thing would be spent outside and the forecast was looking bad, but it ended up a very fine day!

Next stop was the Ali'i Kula lavender farm, which does have lavender to smell and also a shop where you can buy all sorts of lavender items, but they also had a neat botanical trail area where you can explore beautiful tropical plants. One person we met even found a chameleon friend in the trees on the property!

Lavender

Next up we visited the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm, sort of on a whim, but it ended up being one of my favorite stops of the day. The goats are super funny, and you get to feed them! We also got to pet a day-old baby goat. The babies in general are super cute, and you can get a tour just of them.

At the end, we got a fresh goat cheese flight, which included a bunch of flavors: black pepper, chive, sun-dried tomato, horseradish and cayenne, herbs, and one with jalapenos, artichokes, cilantro, and lime juice. It was so smooth, flavorful, and tasty! I realized super fresh goat cheese would also taste great on bagels and made a note to try it when we got home.

Everyone recommends the distillery Ocean Vodka, so we did stop for a drink, but not a flight. The spot has great views and I could see it being a popular sunset destination.

Next up, we drove up to Haleakala National Park for hikes, bird watching, and to see the sun set. I was frankly terrified driving up (and eventually down) the road, but Dave had a blast and logged some new bird friends.

Haleakala

The sunset was beautiful, but it got very cold at over 9,000 feet above sea level! At any rate that makes two national parks on one trip.

Sunset over Haleakala

On our way back to town, we stopped at Mahalo Aleworks for a flight and a quick dinner; the beer was OK, I think we both preferred Maui Brewing. But those two breweries are the only ones currently brewing on the island, so I'm glad we tried them (we also got to try the other brewery, Kohola, who normally brews but was lost in the fire).

Tomorrow - our last day - will include a farm brunch and, if weather cooperates, the road to Hana!