Delayed, Rerouted, Lost

It began well, with an easy couple of flghts up to Ak from Wanaka, then a great BBQ with Hamish on Thursday night. Then early friday morning ew headed to the airport for our flights to Japan. we met lee at the airport, checked in, then chris and Lee left me to take their airnz flight to Osaka. I boarded my qantas flight to Osaka via Sydney. Then, there was a problem, a technical problem. So we sat on the plane for 2 hrs, then we disembarked. by this stage i had missed my connecting flight in Sydney. Then we waited another 2 1/2hrs before flying off to sydney. once in Sydney i find that i have been rerouted thru singapore to Osaka, landing 1 hr before my next connection thru to sapporo. so rather then arriving at 8pm sat night and spending a night in osaka, i'm landing at 7am the next day. So i wait in Sydney for another 4 hrs before boarding my flight to singapore. I get thru Singapore smoothly, then get on my next flight to Osaka. I go to collect my bags, and...... no dice. Actually no bags. I fill out the missing bags forms and rush to meet the next flight and find Chris and Lee waiting. we get thru to sapporo easily then wait for another 1 hr before the 2 hr bus ride to Niseko. 34hrs of constant travel and i finally make it to Niseko. Despite having to rent board, boots bindings and pants, and buy everything else the whole crew, myself included have a killer day riding today, with blue bird conditions ( see right) making it easy for all to get their bearings. Forecast is for a lot of snow over the next few days.
Current baggage status is, board bag might be here tomorrow night. Suitcase is missing in action. Thank god for travel Insurance.

Matt