Day 17 – Tokyo: A Change of Plans, a Hospital Visit and More Ramen!

Well, today was supposed to be our big day exploring Tokyo, but as we have discovered throughout this holiday, sometimes life has other plans for us!

Gaby and I had been looking forward to a full day of sightseeing. We had planned to visit some more anime stores, which were definitely high on Gaby's list, before heading off to explore some of Tokyo's famous sights.

Unfortunately, another spanner was thrown into the works.

Poor Joe was becoming increasingly concerned about the stomach issues he had been experiencing, and he felt that he really needed to visit a hospital to get things checked out properly.

After everything he had been through since our departure from Gibraltar, I could understand his concerns. Although he had been gradually improving, he was still not feeling completely himself, and the last thing we wanted was to begin our journey home with any uncertainty about his health.

So, we decided to divide and conquer!

Gaby headed off to explore the anime stores on her own, whilst Joe and I made our way to the Emergency Department at St Luke's Hospital.



I have to say, this certainly wasn't on our list of must-see attractions in Tokyo!

And would you believe it, Joe now has his very own Japanese health card!



Between the medical centre aboard the Seabourn Encore, the clinic in Osaka and now a hospital in Tokyo, I think Mr C has certainly experienced more of the Japanese healthcare system than we ever anticipated.

Thankfully, the doctor we saw was absolutely lovely and spoke excellent English, which made the whole experience so much easier.

Everyone was incredibly patient and took the time to listen to Joe's concerns, explain what they were doing and make sure we understood everything.

After carrying out the necessary examinations and tests, we received some very welcome news.

There were no blockages!

This was a huge relief, particularly for Joe, who had been worrying that something more serious might be going on.

The doctor did explain that his inflammation markers were elevated, so he prescribed a short course of antibiotics.

At least we now had some reassurance and a plan for his treatment, which helped put our minds at ease.

By the time we finally left the hospital, it was already late afternoon, and the weather had taken a turn for the worse.

The rain had started, and after spending most of the day in the hospital, we were both feeling rather hungry.

So, we decided to find somewhere nearby for a quick bite to eat.

And what did we find?

Another little ramen restaurant!

This one was tiny, with seating for just eight people and a menu offering only two options.

I always find these little places fascinating. Rather than having an enormous menu with endless choices, they concentrate on preparing just a couple of dishes.

And clearly, they were doing something right, because people were actually queuing outside in the rain, waiting for a seat!

Thankfully, we managed to get ourselves settled and enjoy a much-needed meal.

There was something rather comforting about sitting in a small, warm café, enjoying a bowl of ramen whilst the rain fell outside.

Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel to meet up with Gaby and hear about her adventures.

Unfortunately, by this point, it was already getting dark. One thing I have noticed about Tokyo is how early the evenings seem to arrive, and with the rain continuing, I really didn't fancy heading out again.

To make matters worse, I had been carrying a sore throat and cough, and I was beginning to feel that I needed to take things a little easier myself.

After all the travelling, the busy days exploring and the worry about Joe, I think my body was telling me it was time for some rest.

So, I decided that a quiet evening in the hotel was exactly what I needed.

And what about Joe?

Well, despite spending much of the day in the Emergency Department, he was feeling well enough to venture out for dinner.

And where did he go?

The sushi restaurant, of course! 🍣

Honestly, I don't think anything will ever come between Mr C and his sushi!

After all the worrying he had done about his stomach, it was rather reassuring to see him feeling comfortable enough to head out for something to eat.

As I settled down for the evening, I couldn't help but reflect on how different today had been from what we had originally planned.

Instead of sightseeing around Tokyo, we had spent most of the day in a hospital.

But although it wasn't the day we had hoped for, I was grateful that we had been able to get Joe checked out, that the doctor had been so kind and that the results had given us some reassurance.

I was also pleased that Gaby had been able to continue exploring and enjoy some of the things she had been looking forward to.

Travelling certainly teaches you to be flexible!

Sometimes you have to change your plans, adapt to the circumstances and accept that not every day will be filled with sightseeing and exciting adventures.

And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is simply look after yourself and the people you love.

With our time in Japan drawing to a close, I am hoping that we can all get some much-needed rest and be ready for the journey home.

Tokyo, you have certainly given us some memorable experiences — although I think we have now seen quite enough of your medical facilities! ❤️

🌿 Daily Reflection

Not every day goes as planned, but our health and the wellbeing of those we love will always matter more than any sightseeing itinerary.

✨ Highlight of the Day

The enormous relief of hearing that Joe had no blockages, and the kindness and patience shown to us by the medical team at St Luke's Hospital.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 7 - Lanzarote: Sunshine, Family, and a Tale of Two Ports

Image
The day began in a haze — quite literally. A thick morning fog had settled over the ocean, and for a while, the ship’s horn sounded regularly as we carefully made our approach toward Arrecife, Lanzarote . The mysterious mist wrapped around us like a soft blanket, but as we neared the island, the clouds lifted , revealing a clear blue sky and glorious sunshine. Disembarkation was a little slow today, as most of the excursions were departing at the same time, but eventually we were off the ship and ready for a wonderful reunion. Cousin Joe had sent us detailed directions and was waiting patiently for us at the port. Or so we thought! As we stepped out, we began walking… and walking… and walking . Poor Joe’s back was not particularly pleased about this unexpected trek, and as we checked in with Cousin Joe, he reassured us he was “just nearby.” What none of us realised was that there are two ports in Lanzarote — we had docked at the old commercial port , while Cousin Joe was waiting ...
Read more

Day 5 - A Day Without Wi-Fi: Casablanca Adventures and Serendipity at Sea

Image
  Another beautiful morning greeted us as we sailed into Casablanca — sunlight glinting off the water as we arrived into the port. There was an immediate sense of arrival in a city filled with colour, culture, and history. But as we soon discovered, Casablanca had a little surprise in store for us. Because it’s a naval port , all Wi-Fi was cut as soon as we docked — and it stayed that way for many hours, long after we had left the harbour. At first, the silence felt strange, a sudden digital stillness in our usually connected world. But as the hours passed, it began to feel… refreshing. A day without Wi-Fi turned out to be a quiet gift — unless, of course, you’re Joe! Joe had to head into town to collect the medicines that were missing from our luggage. Since no taxis are allowed into the port and the shuttle bus had already left, two kind gentlemen kindly offered him a lift into town . It was such a lovely reminder of the goodness of strangers and the small kindnesses that m...
Read more

Day 3 - Our First Day at Sea: Finding Our Rhythm

Image
  There’s something magical about waking to the gentle movement of the ocean. This morning, I slipped out onto the deck just as the sun began to rise — soft hues of pink and gold spilling across the sky. The ship was quiet except for the sound of the waves, and it felt like the perfect setting for a mindful start to the day. I walked the deck, breathing in the salty air and feeling gratitude wash over me with each step. After my morning walk, I found a quiet spot for meditation and my daily EFT tapping session — a grounding way to tune into the energy of the sea and the peace of the moment. Afterwards, I treated myself to a blissful morning in the spa — a pampering start that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant. Meanwhile, Joe enjoyed a lazy, leisurely morning in our suite catching up on his broken nights sleep. We met later for a lovely lunch in the Compass Rose restaurant, enjoying fresh, beautifully prepared dishes and the gentle hum of conversation around us. J...
Read more