A Beagle In Hong Kong: Pearl Jam

Mark and I just returned from 8 days in Australia as we followed Pearl Jam to 3 concerts in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Mark's dream vacation.......

It was actually one of my best vacations too since it was certainly an adventure.

We didn't plan much other than the plane tickets, the concert tickets and a half thought out plan to drive from Sydney to Brisbane to see the much talked about Gold Coast.

Lots of pictures and videos which Mark's loaded on Youtube already.

More Videos

He did a video compilation too if you want to see a lot of Eddie Vedder intermixed with a few pics of me and Mark.

A few highlights of the trip:

The itinerary was:
Day 1: arrive in Melbourne
Day 2: wake up and go wait in line at stadium starting at noon (general admission tickets so wanted to get as close to front row as possible)
Day 3: fly to Sydney
Day 4: wake up and go wait in line at stadium starting at noon
Day 5: Pick up rental car and start drive to Brisbane
Day 6: Drive, arrive in Brisbane
Day 7: wake up and go wait in line at stadium starting at 10:30a.m
Day 8: Fly home

Hotel Drama

Coincidentally, Britney Spears was also touring in Australia at the same time at the same cities so in Sydney and Brisbane, we couldn't find hotels.

In Sydney, we stayed in a Backpackers hostel. At least we were able to get a private room.

In Brisbane, on the night of the concert, we got to sleep in the car on the side of the road. Our plane left early the next day so we just roughed it since the concert didn't let out till 11:00pm

Ten Club

For Pearl Jam highlights, since Mark's a member of the Ten Club fan club, we got priority tickets and early entry so we could get the best spots.

There were about 150-200 other people like us that went to all the shows and sat in line with us and we got to know several of them (sitting together all day and slammed up against them during the concert, how could you not?)

About 1500 fan club members got the early entrance each show but there were only about 150 of us die hards that showed up early.

Some fans came the night before and spent the night. They got front row center each and every time. One of the guys had Eddie Vedder's face tattooed on his arm. Now I know Mark is not the most fanatic fan. In fact, he's mild in comparison to some.

We met Kate and Jared in line in Melbourne and ended up sitting/standing next to them at all 3 shows and getting to know them. Sydney was their 1 year wedding anniversary and they celebrated with Pearl Jam tour.

Melbourne Concert
In Melbourne, the concert was great and we were about 3 or 4th row.

Sydney Concert

In Sydney, the weather was 41 degrees C which is about 110 F. Plus it was humid. It was MISERABLE in line waiting in the hot sun all day and when we finally got in the stadium. We were happy that we got right up near the front near the railing.

However, the Sydney crowd was crazy and as soon as Pearl Jam started, the crowd pushed forward and we were squished for the next 2.5 hours. I was drenched in sweat within minutes, much of it from the sweaty people surrounding me. I just thought of it as a good workout and enjoyed the sweaty detox. Eddie Vedder was sick for Sydney show so couldn't sing much and the show wasn't as good as Melbourne.
Brisbane Concert

In Brisbane, it was HOT again, but they brought us crazy ten club waiting fans shade after awhile so we wouldn't wilt. This was my favorite concert. Mark is debating between Brisbane and Melbourne. Great songs and we were real close right on the rail for breezes and leaning.