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Irelands best sights

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Some Of Irelands Best Sights

Which are the top rated sites in Ireland? We have now discussed the wide range of vacationer choices which make it enjoyable to travel to Ireland, however the very first time you check out any country, you will find a few sites you actually “need to see”, and Ireland isn’t any different.

There are numerous “top ten listings” for virtually any country. We do wish to point out to you that any kind of checklist is obviously another person’s concept of what’s important…. whether or not it’s best sites throughout Ireland or even what you ought to see before you pass away. Make use of these types of lists, however do not define your vacation by them.

With that said, listings are helpful with regard to homework. Let us go to our leading sites throughout Ireland…

When considering some of Irelands best sights, the very first site we would suggest will be the Bru na Boinne… that is Celtic or Irish for “Palace of the Boyne”. At times this region is known as the “Bend in the Boyne…” That is a looser interpretation, however , these sites ARE upon the banks of the Boyne River. It is actually a number of sites, that collectively constitute an significant historical megalithic area.

You need to discover Newgrange and Knowth. They are remarkable prehistoric passage tombs. Find the ancient stone designs and carvings round the exterior. You actually will need to take a tour; you cannot investigate these by yourself. You actually can pick to visit one or both. Prepare to turn up early on because tours fill up during the peak season.

The majority of guidebooks will advise you that you ought to view the Ring of Kerry… a road circuit which encompasses 3 peninsulas within southwestern Ireland. It really is an excellent drive with a lot of castles and shoreline and also the lakes of Killarney. It really is a lovely drive, however it has a tendency to get congested. In the event that you intend your journey for Springtime or Autumn, you can observe it together with lesser crowds.

To get a much less congested option, think about traveling the Dingle Peninsula as an alternative. Its got less crowds of people all year round, but it has got lots of coastal scenery as well. Drive to the sweet town of Dingle after that go ahead and take Slea Head Drive, a route out along side Atlantic. Furthermore there is an historic church, the Gallarus Oratory, plus some beehive huts (known as “clochans”) resided in by Monks within the Dark Ages. You will additionally view a Stone Age ring fortification along the trip. Here is a fascinating fact… Slea Head is the actual position in Europe nearest to America.

You should see the Cliffs on Moher as well as the Burren. These natural marvels are a fascinating counterpoint to one another. The Cliffs of Moher happen to be topped with green and dive many hundreds ft in to the Atlantic. The Burren is really a barren yet enchanting moonscape of limestone karst full of megalithic tombs as well as celtic crosses.

For the purpose of pure picturesque wonder plus some excellent Irish tales, you have to view the Giant’s Causeway. It is inside Northern Ireland. It really is an all natural wonder plus a spot packed with legends. 1000′s of polygonal columns seem to make-up a huge stairway. It is great fun for you to allow local people explain the different tales concerning the giants which are meant to have constructed this “causeway”.

Dublin is really a city certainly well worth viewing. We do not remain long within cities, however , you ought to view Trinity College to go to the Library to see the Book of Kells. It is a duplicate of the 4 Gospels from the New Testament, however what causes it to be special is the fact that this had been transcribed by Celtic monks during the Dark Ages… around 800 AD. All these calfskin volumes happen to be extravagantly illustrated… genuine pieces of art.

Whatever you decide on, you are going to discover your very own top places within Ireland. Keep time for simply rambling about. The entire country is actually gorgeous, and also the people happen to be friendly. You cannot go wrong.

In Australia thousands of people living in the state of Queensland have been ordered to abandon their homes because of rising floodwaters.

It is the second year running that summer rains have caused serious problems in Australia.

Duncan Kennedy reports from Sydney.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-16895069

In Australia thousands of people living in the state of Queensland have been ordered to abandon their homes because of rising floodwaters.

It is the second year running that summer rains have caused serious problems in Australia.

Duncan Kennedy reports from Sydney.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-16895069

Wales staged a thrilling late comeback to launch their Six Nations campaign with a stunning victory over a crushed Ireland in Dublin.

Leigh Halfpenny’s last-gasp penalty sealed a remarkable victory in a see-saw encounter in which the lead changed hands five times.

The visitors led 5-3 after the first of two tries for centre Jonathan Davies, but Rory Best’s score gave the Irish a 10-5 interval lead.

Davies’s second try put Wales back in front before Tommy Bowe appeared to have given Ireland victory, only for a George North try and Halfpenny’s kick to steal it from under their noses.

Wales, exhibiting much of the free-flowing rugby that marked their run to the World Cup semi-finals, appeared to have blown their chance when Halfpenny failed to convert North’s try from out on the left touchline with four minutes left.

Analysis

Jonathan Davies
Rugby union analyst

“What a great game of rugby. Both sides played their part. Wales played with width and depth, and the ferocity of their backline was the difference. It was an immense performance to come back when you have a player in the sin-bin. To get that penalty to win the game was a tremendous effort.”

But the visitors persisted and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris conceded a penalty 30 metres out, which Halfpenny – who had taken over the kicking duties from Rhys Priestland – drilled between the uprights.

Until that point it appeared the goalkicking failures that cost Wales so dearly at the World Cup would come back to haunt them, with Priestland missing two penalties and a conversion.

But Halfpenny held his nerve to condemn Ireland to their first defeat in the opening game of the Championship for eight years.

Wales made their intent clear early on, full-back Halfpenny eschewing a kick to touch to run from his own line. But Priestland’s clearance failed to relieve the pressure and the visitors were swiftly penalised at the breakdown, allowing Sexton to make it 3-0.

There was an impressive collective confidence about the visitors though, and they should have hit back immediately after two minutes of sustained pressure on the Irish line.

A cheeky line-out throw to Bradley Davies saw the lock charge up the left touchline before Wales set up camp on the Irish line. Jamie Roberts, twice, and Mike Phillips were both held up short in the right corner before North escaped down the left, and Ryan Jones crashed over.

But Best and Conor Murray did just enough to stop the former captain grounding the ball, at least to the satisfaction of the television match official (TMO).

Davies scores Wales’ first try in Dublin

Wales got the try their early endeavours deserved, however, in the 14th minute. More quick ruck ball saw Phillips feed Priestland and the fly-half stretched around Tommy Bowe to feed Jonathan Davies, who dotted down in the left corner, after confirmation from the TMO.

Priestland’s conversion from the touchline came back off the upright, but he should have extended Wales’ lead with a penalty from straight in front of the posts in the 19th minute, only to see it come thumping back off the left upright.

With locks Bradley Davies and Ian Evans and flanker Ryan Jones willing workhorses with their ball-carrying, Wales continued to dominate possession.

Giant debutant wing Alex Cuthbert came off his flank to good effect, Jones indulged himself with a cheeky grubber kick down the right touchline, and Priestland spotted space for a cross-kick, but Sexton arrived just ahead of the onrushing North.

Ireland, struggling to make any advances themselves, managed to disrupt Wales whenever they went to the middle of their line-out, picking off three Welsh throws inside the first half-hour.

The hosts gained what appeared a rather soft penalty, Phillips adjudged to have impeded his Ospreys team-mate Bowe on the touchline, when the scrum-half’s momentum seemed to make the contact accidental. But Sexton failed to take advantage, pushing his penalty attempt wide.

Best goes over for Ireland in Dublin

Ireland finally built up a head of steam as half-time approached and got their reward, quick hands from Murray, Gordon D’Arcy and Fergus McFadden, and an incisive thrust from Bowe, putting hooker Best over for a popular try, Sexton adding the conversion for a 10-5 lead.

Wales returned after the interval without

injured captain Sam Warburton

, who picked up a dead leg and was replaced by Justin Tipuric, while James Hook entered the fray at full-back with Halfpenny switching to the right wing for the departed Cuthbert.

Sexton’s second penalty on the resumption made it 13-5, before Priestland – whose kicking from hand also became ragged – missed another attempt from wide out, his third miss of the afternoon.

That was the cue for Halfpenny to take over the duties, slotting the next attempt after Sean O’Brien was penalised on the deck.

Wales, suddenly revived, were back in the lead two minutes later with a stunning score. A tap-down from Tipuric at the tail of a line-out saw North launched off his left wing, evading two tacklers before a wonderful offload out of the back of his hand sent Davies haring in for his second try. Halfpenny added the extras from in front to put Wales 15-13 ahead.

Official match stats

Wales

32.25

Minutes in possession

39.54

2 (0)

Scrums won (lost)

3 (0)

5 (0)

Line-outs won (lost)

10 (4)

6

Pens conceded

7

4

Turnovers won

2

153

Passes made

201

30

Possession kicked

22

127 (9)

Tackles made (missed)

94 (9)

8

Errors made

4

2

Line

breaks

2

(delivered by Accenture)

But back came the hosts, a series of thundering drives forcing Wales to fall offside on their own 22, with Sexton nailing the kick to make it a one-point game going into the final quarter.

The dynamics of a hitherto even contest were altered with 15 minutes left though when Bradley Davies was sin-binned for a tip tackle on Donnacha Ryan, bringing back unpleasant memories for Welsh supporters after the events of the World Cup semi-final when captain Warburton was red carded.

The visitors immediately compounded the setback by losing their own line-out ball inside the 22, and Ireland – led by the charging Paul O’Connell – went for the kill. Wales scrambled desperately in defence, but when play was switched right, Sexton and Kearney exploited the extra space to put Bowe over in the right corner.

Sexton failed to convert from wide out though, and was also off target with a penalty attempt from inside his own half to keep Welsh hopes alive.

Four minutes from time they grabbed the reprieve after kicking a penalty to touch, Roberts and Jonathan Davies combining to send North charging through Bowe and D’Arcy for the try in the left corner.

Halfpenny, faced with half the Irish team charging up at him, pushed the conversion wide of the right upright.

But moments later Stephen Ferris was also adjudged guilty of a tip tackle, on Ian Evans, and yellow carded and Halfpenny made no mistake from in front of the posts to spark wild Welsh celebrations.

Ireland:

R Kearney; Bowe, McFadden, D’Arcy, Trimble; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, O’Brien, Heaslip.

Replacements:

O’Gara for Sexton (74), Reddan for Murray (77), Ryan for O’Callaghan (63).

Not Used:

Cronin, Court, O’Mahony, D Kearney.

Sin-bin:

Ferris (80)

Wales:

Halfpenny; Cuthbert, J Davies, Roberts, North; Priestland, Phillips, Gill, Bennett, A Jones, B Davies, Evans, R Jones, Warburton, Faletau.

Replacements:

Hook for Cuthbert (41), James for A Jones (70), Tipuric for Warburton (41).

Not Used:

Owens, Powell, L Williams, S Williams.

Sin Bin:

B Davies (65).

Att:

51,000

Ref:

Wayne Barnes (RFU).

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16882998

Wales staged a thrilling late comeback to launch their Six Nations campaign with a stunning victory over a crushed Ireland in Dublin.

Leigh Halfpenny’s last-gasp penalty sealed a remarkable victory in a see-saw encounter in which the lead changed hands five times.

The visitors led 5-3 after the first of two tries for centre Jonathan Davies, but Rory Best’s score gave the Irish a 10-5 interval lead.

Davies’s second try put Wales back in front before Tommy Bowe appeared to have given Ireland victory, only for a George North try and Halfpenny’s kick to steal it from under their noses.

Wales, exhibiting much of the free-flowing rugby that marked their run to the World Cup semi-finals, appeared to have blown their chance when Halfpenny failed to convert North’s try from out on the left touchline with four minutes left.

Analysis

Jonathan Davies
Rugby union analyst

“What a great game of rugby. Both sides played their part. Wales played with width and depth, and the ferocity of their backline was the difference. It was an immense performance to come back when you have a player in the sin-bin. To get that penalty to win the game was a tremendous effort.”

But the visitors persisted and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris conceded a penalty 30 metres out, which Halfpenny – who had taken over the kicking duties from Rhys Priestland – drilled between the uprights.

Until that point it appeared the goalkicking failures that cost Wales so dearly at the World Cup would come back to haunt them, with Priestland missing two penalties and a conversion.

But Halfpenny held his nerve to condemn Ireland to their first defeat in the opening game of the Championship for eight years.

Wales made their intent clear early on, full-back Halfpenny eschewing a kick to touch to run from his own line. But Priestland’s clearance failed to relieve the pressure and the visitors were swiftly penalised at the breakdown, allowing Sexton to make it 3-0.

There was an impressive collective confidence about the visitors though, and they should have hit back immediately after two minutes of sustained pressure on the Irish line.

A cheeky line-out throw to Bradley Davies saw the lock charge up the left touchline before Wales set up camp on the Irish line. Jamie Roberts, twice, and Mike Phillips were both held up short in the right corner before North escaped down the left, and Ryan Jones crashed over.

But Best and Conor Murray did just enough to stop the former captain grounding the ball, at least to the satisfaction of the television match official (TMO).

Davies scores Wales’ first try in Dublin

Wales got the try their early endeavours deserved, however, in the 14th minute. More quick ruck ball saw Phillips feed Priestland and the fly-half stretched around Tommy Bowe to feed Jonathan Davies, who dotted down in the left corner, after confirmation from the TMO.

Priestland’s conversion from the touchline came back off the upright, but he should have extended Wales’ lead with a penalty from straight in front of the posts in the 19th minute, only to see it come thumping back off the left upright.

With locks Bradley Davies and Ian Evans and flanker Ryan Jones willing workhorses with their ball-carrying, Wales continued to dominate possession.

Giant debutant wing Alex Cuthbert came off his flank to good effect, Jones indulged himself with a cheeky grubber kick down the right touchline, and Priestland spotted space for a cross-kick, but Sexton arrived just ahead of the onrushing North.

Ireland, struggling to make any advances themselves, managed to disrupt Wales whenever they went to the middle of their line-out, picking off three Welsh throws inside the first half-hour.

The hosts gained what appeared a rather soft penalty, Phillips adjudged to have impeded his Ospreys team-mate Bowe on the touchline, when the scrum-half’s momentum seemed to make the contact accidental. But Sexton failed to take advantage, pushing his penalty attempt wide.

Best goes over for Ireland in Dublin

Ireland finally built up a head of steam as half-time approached and got their reward, quick hands from Murray, Gordon D’Arcy and Fergus McFadden, and an incisive thrust from Bowe, putting hooker Best over for a popular try, Sexton adding the conversion for a 10-5 lead.

Wales returned after the interval without

injured captain Sam Warburton

, who picked up a dead leg and was replaced by Justin Tipuric, while James Hook entered the fray at full-back with Halfpenny switching to the right wing for the departed Cuthbert.

Sexton’s second penalty on the resumption made it 13-5, before Priestland – whose kicking from hand also became ragged – missed another attempt from wide out, his third miss of the afternoon.

That was the cue for Halfpenny to take over the duties, slotting the next attempt after Sean O’Brien was penalised on the deck.

Wales, suddenly revived, were back in the lead two minutes later with a stunning score. A tap-down from Tipuric at the tail of a line-out saw North launched off his left wing, evading two tacklers before a wonderful offload out of the back of his hand sent Davies haring in for his second try. Halfpenny added the extras from in front to put Wales 15-13 ahead.

Official match stats

Wales

32.25

Minutes in possession

39.54

2 (0)

Scrums won (lost)

3 (0)

5 (0)

Line-outs won (lost)

10 (4)

6

Pens conceded

7

4

Turnovers won

2

153

Passes made

201

30

Possession kicked

22

127 (9)

Tackles made (missed)

94 (9)

8

Errors made

4

2

Line

breaks

2

(delivered by Accenture)

But back came the hosts, a series of thundering drives forcing Wales to fall offside on their own 22, with Sexton nailing the kick to make it a one-point game going into the final quarter.

The dynamics of a hitherto even contest were altered with 15 minutes left though when Bradley Davies was sin-binned for a tip tackle on Donnacha Ryan, bringing back unpleasant memories for Welsh supporters after the events of the World Cup semi-final when captain Warburton was red carded.

The visitors immediately compounded the setback by losing their own line-out ball inside the 22, and Ireland – led by the charging Paul O’Connell – went for the kill. Wales scrambled desperately in defence, but when play was switched right, Sexton and Kearney exploited the extra space to put Bowe over in the right corner.

Sexton failed to convert from wide out though, and was also off target with a penalty attempt from inside his own half to keep Welsh hopes alive.

Four minutes from time they grabbed the reprieve after kicking a penalty to touch, Roberts and Jonathan Davies combining to send North charging through Bowe and D’Arcy for the try in the left corner.

Halfpenny, faced with half the Irish team charging up at him, pushed the conversion wide of the right upright.

But moments later Stephen Ferris was also adjudged guilty of a tip tackle, on Ian Evans, and yellow carded and Halfpenny made no mistake from in front of the posts to spark wild Welsh celebrations.

Ireland:

R Kearney; Bowe, McFadden, D’Arcy, Trimble; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, O’Brien, Heaslip.

Replacements:

O’Gara for Sexton (74), Reddan for Murray (77), Ryan for O’Callaghan (63).

Not Used:

Cronin, Court, O’Mahony, D Kearney.

Sin-bin:

Ferris (80)

Wales:

Halfpenny; Cuthbert, J Davies, Roberts, North; Priestland, Phillips, Gill, Bennett, A Jones, B Davies, Evans, R Jones, Warburton, Faletau.

Replacements:

Hook for Cuthbert (41), James for A Jones (70), Tipuric for Warburton (41).

Not Used:

Owens, Powell, L Williams, S Williams.

Sin Bin:

B Davies (65).

Att:

51,000

Ref:

Wayne Barnes (RFU).

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16882998

MATCH PREVIEW

The prospect of swift revenge is no doubt quietly tantalising and terrorising the respective minds of Ireland and Wales supporters, and its players, who will all be brimming with the nervous excitement that any Six Nations opener between Celtic cousins brings.

Though many of Declan Kidney’s squad are insisting that the opportunity to get their own back on the Welsh for that

World Cup quarter-final heartbreak in Wellington four months ago 

is not a motivating force, it foreshadows this match more than any other factor.

That, and the unavoidable, glaring absence of talismanic captain Brian O’Driscoll, who is injured. The wily centre will not feature in this tournament for the first time since 1999.

Continue reading the main story

“Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand. They’ll want to redress the balance, but they’ll find us in just as determined a mood”

Warren Gatland
Head Coach, Wales

Munster’s Keith Earls was chosen to replace him but pulled out on Friday due to the illness of his new baby girl. Fergus McFadden has duly been called in and the spotlight on him will be intense.

Fly-half Jonathan Sexton, too, will be under the microscope. He has won his place back from Ronan O’Gara, and must prove that he can stamp his own authority at fly-half with the shadow of Ireland’s all-time record points-scorer looming over him.

Though Ireland don’t start with their totem of the past decade, there is still a settled look about them: the pack is unchanged from the one that got knocked out of the World Cup.

Wales came so close to reaching the final in New Zealand, losing in agonising fashion to France in the last four. But their thrilling passage to the semis has fuelled hopes in the Principality that more success – after the Grand Slams of 2005 and 2008 – could be just around the corner, if they can negotiate this hazardous first hurdle.

“Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand. They’ll want to redress the balance, but they’ll find us in just as determined a mood,” said coach Warren Gatland.

That challenge is made a little tougher, perhaps, by the absence of the towering blind-side flanker Dan Lydiate. But centre Jamie Roberts and fly-half Rhys Priestland were both passed fit on Friday – a major boost.

And much interest will also focus on the continued development of number eight Toby Faletau, a youngster who former Wales flanker Martyn Williams describes as the ‘

most naturally gifted player he has ever played with

‘.

Wales have won on just two of their previous six visits to Dublin in the Six Nations, but have beaten the Irish in their last two meetings. Let the battle commence.

MATCH FACTS

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• Of their past 10 Six Nations meetings, Ireland have won seven, Wales have won three.
• Warren Gatland’s side have won their last two Test matches against Ireland in all competitions.
• Wales’s only victory in Ireland since 2000 came at Croke Park in 2008.

Simon King
5 live weather forecaster

After the very cold conditions, it will actually turn milder in Dublin with a high of 8 degrees. There will however be pretty cloudy skies and the small chance some light rain at times.

IRELAND

• Ireland have won their opening Six Nations match for the past seven seasons.
• They are looking to win back-to-back Six Nations matches for the first time since 2009, when they took the Grand Slam.
• Ronan O’Gara will break Mike Gibson’s record of Five/Six Nations tournament appearances if he comes off the bench against Wales.

WALES

• Wales have lost their last three Test matches.
• Hooker Huw Bennett will win his 50th cap – only the second Wales hooker to achieve that feat after Garin Jenkins.
• No Wales player scored more than two tries during the 2011 Six Nations tournament.
• James Hook was the fourth-highest points scorer during the 2011 Six Nations tournament.

TEAM LINE-UPS

IRELAND

: 15 – R Kearney; 14 – T Bowe, 13 – F McFadden, 12 – G D’Arcy, 11 – A Trimble (Ulster); 10 – J Sexton, 9 – C Murray; 1- C Healy, 2 – R Best, 3 – M Ross, 4 – D O’Callaghan, 5 – P O’Connell (C), 6 – S Ferris, 7 – S O’Brien, 8 – J Heaslip.

Replacements: 16 – S Cronin, 17 – T Court, 18 – D Ryan, 19 – P O’Mahony, 20 – E Reddan, 21 – R O’Gara, 22 – D Kearney.

WALES

: 15 – L Halfpenny; 14 – A Cuthbert, 13 – J Davies, 12 – J Roberts, 11 – G North; 10 – R Priestland, 9 – M Phillips; 1 – R Gill, 2 – H Bennett, 3 – A Jones, 4 – B Davies, 5 – I Evans, 6 – R Jones, 7- S Warburton (C), 8 – T Faletau.

Replacements:16 – K Owens, 17 – P James, 18 – A Powell, 19 – J Tipuric, 20 – Lloyd Williams, 21 – J Hook, 22 – Scott Williams.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee

: Wayne Barnes (England)

Touch judges

: Dave Pearson Stuart Terheege (both England)

TV

: Geoff Warren (England)

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16882998

Flooding in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales has forced thousands of families from their homes.

It is the second year running that summer rains have caused serious problems in Australia.

Widespread flooding in Queensland last year killed 35 people, damaged crops and infrastructure and hit coal production hard.

The BBCs Duncan Kennedy reports from Sydney.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-16889399

Severe flooding is threatening parts of New South Wales and Queensland in eastern Australia, with towns cut off and thousands of residents evacuated.

More than 10,000 people in communities affected by the floods have been left stranded, authorities said on Friday.

Queensland has declared a natural disaster in the south of its state.

The BBC’s Kimberley Soekov reports.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-pacific-16876258

3 February 2012
Last updated at 04:44 GMT

The town of Moree in New South Wales “looks like an inland sea” from the air

Severe flooding is threatening parts of New South Wales and Queensland in eastern Australia, with towns cut off and thousands of residents evacuated.

More than 10,000 people in communities affected by the floods have been left stranded, authorities said on Friday.

A military helicopter was sent to the northern New South Wales town of Moree with bedding and supplies.

“From the air it looks like an inland sea,” said New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell.

Moree is reportedly facing its worst flooding in more than 35 years, with more than 2,000 people ordered to evacuate homes and buildings.

Water levels at the Mehi River there had peaked and flooding was expected to continue for several days, emergency officials said.

“As you fly over the centre of the town there are streets that look like canals that have more relevance to Venice than north-western New South Wales,” said Mr O’Farrell.

In the town of Mitchell in Queensland, about 200 people have reportedly been forced to evacuate after floodwater inundated their homes.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the hospital had also been evacuated and five schools were closed, following fears that the Maranoa river could reach a record 10-metre height.

The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia also issued a severe weather warning for parts of Queensland on Friday.

Massive flooding in Queensland last year killed 35 people, damaged crops and infrastructure, and hit coal production hard, driving up prices.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-16866168

Maria Sharapova’s fashion statement

rom that point on she didn’t look back, out-powering and in many rallies outwitting her more experienced opponent.

She immediately broke the Sharapova serve and backed it up with another break in the eighth game before serving out the set.

It was one-way traffic in the second set as Azarenka grew in confidence and Sharapova’s challenge faded.

Break points in the first, third and fifth games were all greedily snapped up as Azarenka romped to the title.

“I can’t wait to be back next year, I’ve had an amazing month in Australia. It’s a dream true,” Azarenka said afterwards, AFP reported.

Article source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_europe/~3/URPk8g-6DeM/index.html

Brandy Yanchyk goes after adventure at the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, experiencing the steepest abseil in the world into the black abyss of an underwater river.

Get in touch with the BBC travel programme Fast Track via

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Watch Fast Track on the BBC World News channel on Saturdays at 0430, 1230 and 1930 GMT or Sundays at 1930 GMT.

Article source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/1/hi/programmes/fast_track/9687491.stm