I woke up in the morning and went for a quick gym session. It is still funny how much attention my PowerDot setup gets here. People keep stopping, asking questions through translators, curious about what it is and why I am using it. Unexpected conversations, but kind of fun.
I managed to train back and shoulders and then did my knee physiotherapy. After that, I packed my bag, had a quick breakfast, and we headed out for more sightseeing. This time it was personal. We followed family tracks, visiting places connected to my parents-in-law’s past, old homes and schools. Slower, more meaningful, less touristy.
At 13:00, we arrived at the train station and took the bullet train back to Taipei. Heavy backpack, a lot of walking before boarding, then a very welcome one-and-a-half-hour ride where I could finally relax. That contrast mattered.
We reached the hotel, changed quickly, and I barely managed to start an ice session before needing to leave again. Taxi to Taipei 101 for a fancy dinner. One hour sitting in traffic was not great for the knee, but the dinner itself made up for it. 86th floor, good food, good atmosphere.
Something important happened there. I started walking using only one crutch. And surprisingly, it worked well. I could manage my own plate, help the kids, move more freely. I still noticed weakness in my fingers, but overall I felt less disabled. That feeling alone was worth a lot.
Back at the hotel, swelling was up again. Ice session, late night, and a small party in the room before finally going to sleep.
Today was long and imperfect, but it felt like a step toward independence.
Key Takeaways
- Recovery tools spark curiosity and conversation, even abroad
- Heavy travel days still increase swelling
- One-crutch walking improves autonomy and confidence
- Sitting too long is as challenging as walking too much
- Functional independence matters more than perfect recovery metrics
- Ice remains essential after long, dense days