Japan (Dec 2013)

JJ in HND and KIX (22nd – 29th Dec 2013)

Type: Tour

Day -2

Daddy and Mummy rush T2 to the clinic as he had developed a fever with temperature soaring to 40 degrees C.

Dr Ker administers the usual suppository (we had been accustomed to the Voren/Voltaren “bullets” by this time) and the temperature subsides. Jono boy is drinking lotsa fluids and but kicking up a fuss in adamantly protesting the “fever patch” we stick up his forehead and back…

Day-1

Temperature continues to be in range of high 30s but no longer spiking to the 40s. We see this trending down but are still concerned as we were unsure about whether or not the trip would happen. Worst case, we would split the team up – Daddy to stay with Mutton boy and Mummy to travel with Jo and the gang to JP per plan. Bags are packed bearing in mind the 2 possible outcomes at this stage, with us scrambling on the phone with friends (Andy and Judy) to borrow a single stroller for Jo since we would ditch the twin pram if T2 wouldn’t be able to make the trip.

Day1

D-day arrives and littl’ boy still has a temperature, circa 38 degrees. We rush to the doc again in the morning and he clearly says “no travel”. Albeit disappointed, we head home and let Jon continue to rest. It wasn’t until 3-4pm thereabouts Daddy J makes the call to GO! as Jon was by now up and about in the house with his toys. While SQ636 wasn’t scheduled to depart until 2200hrs, we make a dash at (literally) throwing Jon’s clothes back into the suitcase… including the med kit, double iPADs (yes, I’m ashamed we were victims of the iPAD-nanny syndrome which could have accelerated Jon getting on prescription glasses by 6!) and of course his faithful Mummy Koa stuffling.

Soon we’re at the airport, and as soon as the plane was airborne, the nice flight attendants helped setup our bassinets and soon we’re sleeping like babies through the red-eye flight with no IFE, no drinks and no fuss.

Day2

We get in early to HND 530am the next morning… YOKOSO Japan!

It is Emperor Akihito’s birthday on 23rd December and its a National holiday in Japan!

We join in the festivities outside the Tokyo Imperial Palace!

I think the original plan was to visit Disney at Urayasu today but we chose to stay behind and take the day slow with Didi’s condition. Thankfully the fever had subsided by now, but we didn’t want to stretch him too much. Went to the hotel when it was time for check-in and pretty much had some snooze time to recover from the night flight. When we kids get up, we take a stroll outside to soak in the nice weather!

Day3 – Christmas Eve!

We pretty much take the day slow again and explore Tokyo.

Mutton is well enough and frolics around the mall while Jo is in the loo 🙂

Note there was a time Mummy was still about to carry us both! 🙂

Soon the kids are famished and what do we find ourselves eating in Japan? Ramen of course!

After more walking and walking, we head back to the hotel for family Christmas Eve dinner…

Day4 – Lake Kawaguchi Onsen

The next day we set off early for a long coach ride towards Kanazawa and Lake Kawaguchi…

Jo tags with Mummy for some girl-bonding time!

Arriving in the onsen resort to be greeted by Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel and a nice Kaizen dinner which Didi speedily slurps up.

Daddy: What language does Hello Kitty speak?
Mummy: Japanese of course!
Daddy: No, Hello Kitty has no mouth 😡

For the record, the kids did not go to the onsen, they were fast asleep already when Daddy J and Grandpa J went for their first attempt at the Japanese public bath with a small white towel and a BIG story to tell when the kids are older!

Day5 – Mt Fuji!

One of the most vivid memories for Daddy and Mummy (as they tell us) was a time they were both able to wear us in our baby sacks (aka our Baby carriers)! Soon after we learnt to scurry off on our own!