16 July 5:27AM 

Good morning!! Just woke up from a sleep. Looks like we'll arrive soon. I'm really looking forward to seeing Japan for the first time in my life.  You know how everything just looks so beautiful in the sky? It's kinda like getting the whole perspective and it'll all look clearer and you begin to appreciate everything… Little wonder heaven is always 'up there'. 

16 July 12:40PM Fukuoka

Wheeeeeeeee!! Chillin' in my gorgeous abode for the next 4 days. I love the decor of this palace, I tell ya!! Love the toilet, the authentically Japanese touch given a modern update… love the prospect of having Bon Jovi in this hotel!! We might be having a dinner with them tomorrow… can't get better than this!!  Just took a walk around Canal City and shopping's gonna be great I'm sure!! Can't wait to explore this city further!! 

16 July  6:21PM Fukuoka

The day was spent without excess Bon Jovi talk. Company's been okay and I made some small purchases. I'm kinda tired though. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Well, at least I'm still looking forward to the concert… By the way, I'm still looking out for the Japanese kids. I've always loved their free-spirited style!!  Some sightings for today:   A "Statue of Liberty" atop "The Sun Hotel."   A quaint and cozy eatery where we has lunch today.  Apparently, Fukuoka ramen is the best in Japan!! It seems that not only the ramen was delicious, so were the chefs… And we're one step closer to meeting the band!! 

17 July 11:02PM Fukuoka 

We went to Tenjin today and boy, was it a shopper's heaven!! The stuff they have here is as Japanese as it can get!! But despite preserving their old traditions well, the Japanese are a modern lot too. After all, you have chic cafes all over and big names like Tower Records, HMV and even Virgin Music Superstore springing up everywhere.

I was told I wouldn't be meeting the band as the scheduled meet-and-greet was cancelled. My heart literally sank but I have to put up a brave front and go on, don't I? I'll find a way out. I finally got the confirmation that the band is staying in Grand Hyatt too… Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… It's just so exciting, ain't it? 

Unfortunately, the band did not join us for dinner at Ginnan Restaurant. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. The media and contest winners from all over Southeast Asia had just begun to spill in today and I got to meet the bulk of them at dinner. After that, we proceeded to a bar for a drink and to chat a little. This is one of the most rewarding sessions if you ask me. I actually got to sit in and listen to of the people some who work with and for Bon Jovi talk about their experiences, regarding the band or otherwise. This is something money or sheer luck at a contest can't buy. I'm really thankful.

We were given a goodie bag during dinner which contained an official concert T-shirt, a tour program, 2 stickers and a set of instructions for Universal staff and media, which I really enjoyed reading. It kinda makes me feel *important*… It seems that they will be having a "bars-on-stage" (BOS) idea, where contest winners and members of staff and media will be allowed to sit for 2 songs during the concert. I really don't know what to make of all this. I mean, being at such close proximity to the band? I certainly hope I'll be able to contain myself!! It's now beddy-bye with lotsa expectations…