I made it back to Japan

The joy of travelling again... actually I'd forgotten that the first bit is horrible.
The stress of packing can only be eclipsed by the stress of packing for a photo trip.
Trips to cold climates obviously require loads more warm & heavy clothes. But for a photographer that means taking only 1 smart/casual thing to wear because you need to add into your checked luggage: a tripod, insulated snow boots, rain/snow protection for both camera pack and cameras, crampons (for snow/ice), an assortment of hats gloves socks (I have 2 hats & 3 pairs of gloves), warm ski pants, long johns & a heavy warm/waterproof jacket. And in addition all the non sensitive/electronic photography gear, that can withstand the loving attention your bag gets from airport baggage handlers, needs to be relocated to your checked in bag - reducing space even further.
Oh yes, and if you are female then add in all the other stuff you need to survive, shampoo, moisturizer, mascara etc etc.
So then it's a 3am alarm call because Air NZ changed the Wellington/Auckland flight to 6am & check in closed at 5am for bags checked direct through to Narita. 
And after that, travelling is all about hurry up & wait. Hurry up & queue.
Wait, why am I doing this again?
Note to self: just remember how good it felt to be at the bottom of the world during Covid.

Ok, 34.5 journey hours (with no sleep) & I'm here and safely ensconced in my first hotel room.  Which I have to say given the space constrictions in Tokyo is pretty reasonable. I even have a bath - yes it's short, but then so am I.
I have to fess up that despite my meticulous planning I did get lost on the way to the hotel, it didn't help that I was so tired, but I made it.
This is the only pic I have taken so far. The gradation of colour through the atmosphere was quite cool. I'm taking it easy this morning as I have a full on late afternoon into night shoot planned.
Mataashita - pronounced maa taa ash ta. (see you tomorrow).