Eric R.
Yelp
"It's your golden hour
You slow down time
In your golden hour (Oh-oh-oh)..."
Early morning wake-up call courtesy of coqui frogs chirping and roosters crowing is what country living is all about. Waking up in rural Kea'au and on a whim deciding to drive across the Big Island to Kamuela is what my Bestie, Kyra & I, decided to do. We honestly did not want to enjoy our last day on the Island in the rain hopping mud puddles, so we both vibe'd a drive!
The drive over was something you don't see on O'ahu or San Francisco lol... we decided on the Saddle Road which is miles and miles of Parker Ranch-land, the cows, rams, horses, and native birds were a joy to see. And when we passed by Mauna Kea, I told Bestie to look at the snow peak, and the joy in her eyes warmed my heart. Who would have thought a 50-mile drive would be so special as Golden Hour by JVKE played...
The Sun broke out along the way, but all the time, as enjoyable as the drive was, as hella cute my Bestie glowed, I was jittery and in need of coffee STAT! Lol! And waking up we had no clue where we would get coffee until we approached Kamuela! Serendipity it is!
Bestie started Yelping as we approached where Paniolo Cowboy life is alive and well... she tossed out a few names, some mainland chain names meh, and Waimea Coffee Company! We agreed that let's keep it local and we headed directly to Waimea!
Waimea Coffee Company is located in a rustic looking outdoor shopping area. Book shops, gift shops, people enjoying the day on the porch or lanai, country and soft rock guitar playing greets us at the doorway. We immediately fell in love with the vibe. Just easy going and no one in a rush. Not much cafe tables, but just enough inside and outside to keep customers happy. Picnic benches on the grass area with roosters!
The menu was more than we expected... crafted coffee drinks and teas, baked goods, and even lunch items. We had no desire for lunch as we already had plans lined up for later. I chose Hot Peppermint Mocha and Bestie chose Iced Chai Latte (almond milk), Coconut Loaf, Coconut Macaroon added. Just note to check-in before ordering because there's a Yelp discount if you do! We didn't know until after we ordered the drinks, but Bestie used it for the loaf! :)
We managed to find a spot on the communal table which allowed us to really soak up the country ambiance! Ok, ok! Most customers were tourists but hey the Wood don't lie! :D Just a nice spot to collect ourselves after the country drive! Oh my! After my first sip of the Peppermint Mocha I knew it was of high quality - then I read they use Kamuela coffee! Bestie enjoyed her Chai Latté and she was kind enough to share her Coconut Loaf which paired nicely with my drink. The Coconut Macaroon was tasty, but heavy and on the richer side, and probably not the best choice for pre-Brunch, but hey I love my Coconut, so...
In the end, we both really enjoyed collecting our thoughts at Waimea Coffee Company. Highly recommended if in the area... top quality drinks, a solid menu, the country vibes was strong here. Not a place to be in a rush, but a spot to take a step back and enjoy the moment. Serendipity was on our side once again... and as JVKE said...You slow down time;)