Well after booking the tickets for me , Penny, daughter Jaime Lea and son Jack ( who is living in Brisbane) months prior we were on our way to Brisbane. Arriving at the airport J.K (John) picked us up and we were his guests for the time we were there at his and Julie's place.
We were given a great cooked lunch, so John your talent on the BBQ was never mentioned, and sat around for an hour or so before he took us to Carindale Shopping centre to catch the bus to Suncorp Stadium. What a shopping centre. While we were at Johns place my daughter accidentally dropped her iPhone in the sink. NOOO its the concert and no iPhone. So while at the shopping centre we decided to look at repairing or buying another iPhone.
This is going to cost me a fortune for sure but after looking like typical tourists walking around the shopping centre we found an Apple Store. Holy moly what a store. All the assistants are in red shirts with ipads and the store was packed. But after explaining our predicament one of the assistants said a new phone will cost $229.00. I stood there in shock thinking your kidding, is that for a new phone or one out of the garbage bin. No a brand new phone. I could not say yes quick enough!!
With the new IPhone in hand we waited at the bus station looking at the board to work out the next bus and how to get to Suncorp. We looked like typical tourists. Bus number 200 we had to wait for so we sat on a bench waiting. Next minute it turned up but not where we were expecting it so after a quick "lets run" we got on the bus but not after asking a dozen questions about how to get to Suncorp and is this the right bus. We should have had shirts saying "We are from Cairns be gentle".
Gee don't they drive like its a race. I had no idea where we were but he yelled out to us saying "get off at the Gabba bus station and catch the City Flyer no 61". No problem I said so off we got and waited for the next bus. Not long and bingo bus no 61 appeared. I thought these guys know their s#%t. On we hopped and again I asked the question to the driver is this going to Suncorp, yes, fantastic ahead of time I thought.
The bus only had a few people on it so we spread out and enjoyed the ride. Next stop I swear half of Brisbane hopped on. Boy you can tell who uses under arm spray. Our stop was coming up and there were about 20 people blocking our way to get off the bus. So after asking politely to move and pushing our way through we exited the bus at Suncorp. I need a drink after all this excitement.
We had 30 min to kill before the gates opened so Penny and Jaime Lea decided to go to the Bon Jovi souvenir stall. Wow, is that legal to sell clothing at that price. But it's a once in a lifetime event so after I accepted my eftpos card back with shaky hands and we walked to where we had to enter and waited. Jack turned up and we walked in to the stadium.
The crowd was only small as it was early so we headed to the beer stand. I looked at the prices and cried. There was a security guard there and asked him to arrest them for what they were charging. A beer $7.00 in a plastic cup and a wine in a small cup $7.80. I asked the person behind the counter what vintage is the wine, 1993 or maybe 1996, he just looked at me and said the plastic trays are 80c also to carry the drinks. Once again it's a once in a lifetime show so why not. Funny after a few beers they could have charged me double and I would have paid.
We made our way to our seats and enjoyed the first band being Kid Rock. Not bad.
The crowd started to arrive waiting for the main event. After a few beers nature called. It was a good walk up the stairs, as we were sitting right on ground level. So I had to make sure that I could master them if I have too many.
The Concert
The time had come and Bon Jovi hit the stage to the roars of the crowd. He started with a few old songs and then went into some newer songs. The stage show was incredible with big screens up so that you could see what was happening.
It was very hard to get great photos on the iPhone but we all enjoyed the concert. As it was their last concert they came back for one encore after another. In the end his voice was getting horse but he gave it his best. Well over 3 hours of non stop music. Well worth the money to see them.
With the concert finished we joined, what seemed like a million people making their way out and followed them as we made our way to the bus station. We finally arrived back at Carindale Bus Station where John picked us up. Approx 11.50 pm. I must say that the public bus system in Brisbane is unreal. Why drive. We showed the driver our concert tickets and the trips were free.
A great trip, fantastic concert and a massive thanks to John and Julie for their hospitality and for picking and dropping us at the airport. Many thanks John and great to catch up even for only a short time.
Mark (the exhausted Bon Jovi groupie)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
