Auckland day 3.

The day starts off friendly, with a sunrise over the sea. I leave early and despite rush hour (which wasn't there yesterday!!) I arrive on time at the workshop. Thankfully, I get a loan car (`here's the key, just refuel...we'll be in touch...) and can drive to the east coast today, to the Tasman Sea.

First, I head to Piha, a well-known surfer hotspot. Swimming here is said to be very dangerous due to an undertow, and besides, it's too cold for me. At the beach, I climb Lions Rock, it shines yellow in the evening light, hence the name. Upstairs, there's time for a break, I lean against the Maori totem and absentmindedly watch the play of the waves.

On the way back it hails and rains a little bit.

Next stop is the next beach section, Karekare...

I hike through a quaint bush landscape for 10 minutes on a narrow footpath before reaching the sea... Black sand also characterizes this beach, in the rainy weather it appears gloomy. Parts of the movie "The Piano" were filmed on this beach, quite fitting, and all the while the roaring of the surf...

Finally, a quick stop at a small waterfall, then I drive back to the workshop.

My initial diagnosis of a bearing damage to Lima was wrong, apparently the water pump is causing the noise. So I am referred to another workshop, the boss there wants to find out first if he can get the required parts, the pump is still sealed. So the story continues tomorrow.