History Channel's Hidden Cities: Java, Indonesia

N.B. From the History Asia Channel's website:

Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia's Java was formed mostly violent volcanic events but that hasn't stopped it from becoming home to teh capital Jakarta and growing into the most populous island in the world.

In this episode, presented Anthony Morse ignores the fact that the region is still a active volcano zone and explores an artificial cave system carved out of molten lava by WWII Japanese troops.  He also uncovers a centuries old religious complex in East Java that was buried by volcanic ash and digs up evidences of a Dutch castle hidden beneath the town of Semarang in Central Java.

Premiers 07 November 2010, Sunday, 10 p.m. (GMT +8)

Encores: 09 November 201o at 11 p.m.; 14 November 2010 at 9 p.m., and 26 November 2010 at 10 p.m.

     The Philippines definitely have a lot in common with Indonesia.  For one, we look a lot like the Indonesians (and the Malaysians, Thais, Vietnamese, etc.), after all, they were one of our ancestors.  And, like Indonesia, we are also an archipelagic country; we both lie in the Pacific Ring of Fire; thus, we also suffer from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.  

     I haven't been to Indonesia though I would really love to visit Bali, Borobudur and Yogyakarta. But definitely not now, not after after the twin calamities struck our Southeast Asian neighbor: earthquake and Mt. Merapi's eruptions.  Speaking of Mt. Merapi, presenter Anthony Morse was in Mt. Merapi during the filming of the episode, definitely shot before the eruptions, as can be seen on the photo below:   

Caption says: "Volcanologist Eko Teguh (left) and presenter Anthony Morse (second from left) climbing the slopes of the active volcano Mt. Merapi."

     Let us watch the show for our travel research on the world's largest archipelago, Indonesia.  Also, let us pray that Mt. Merapi calms down, and that Indonesians and fellow travelers alike therein remain safe.