Pangandaran East Beach, West Java, Indonesia

Pangandaran is a town and district of Pangandaran Regency within the province of West Java, Indonesia. It is located on the southern coast of the island of Java. A well-known surfing beach has made Pangandaran a popular tourist destination. On 17 July 2006, an undersea earthquake measuring 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale triggered a tsunami which engulfed the resort area and caused destruction as far inland as half a kilometre. Over three hundred people from the town were killed

Maribaya Waterfalls, Lembang, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Waterfalls, recreation grounds and a magnificent gorge make Maribaya, just a few minutes east of Lembang, a very popular resort. On Sundays this is a particularly crowded spot.

Minibuses and horse carts are frequent from Lembang. Maribaya draws many Bandung residents on Sundays because of the hot springs which are channeled into a small public pool and various private cabins. Some come here for the children's playground and horseback ridding (about $3/hr.), and many just to have a picnic in the park.

A magnificent walk leads through the Cikapundung Gorge to Juanda Park, about an hour and a half away. The path leads first to a waterfall (unfortunately, no swimming is possible) and then in to the gorge. Farther on the path forks: left leads out of the valley again, up the slope and to an other fork where turning left takes you to an impressive view points just above Maribaya; the path to the right takes you to Dago. Walking further through the gorge you reach Juanda Park, passing Japanese World War II bunkers along the way. Another hike back to Bandung begins at the new car park posted "Curug Omas", which is 5 km from the Lembang crossroads and before you reach Maribaya. This path provides far better views than the rail in the gorge. This trail, too, goes to Juanda Park or, some forty-five minutes longer, to the Ciumbuleuit area. Directions Go straight (east) at the Lembang crossroads and follow the charming tree-lined road. Some 4 km from Lembang the roads begins to dip steeply into the Cikapundung Valley. If you go by horse cart you have to walk this last downhill section. The Maribaya recreation park is 5.5 km from the crossroads.

Sendang Gile waterfall, Lombok Island, Indonesia

Sendang Gila waterfall (Sendang Gile), which attracts many thousands of Indonesian and foreign visitors annually, is Mount Rinjani national park's best known attraction. Located at about 600m above sea level, the waterfall is an easy 20 minute walk down a graded trail and steps from Senaru Village, which is the main access to Mt. Rinjani National Park. A pleasant alternative return route winds along the edge of the steep valley, following the irrigation canal. For the more adventurous, the “second waterfall” Tiu Kelep, is another hour’s walk upriver from Sendang Gila. The scramble over rocks through the tropical forest is rewarded by the beauty of the waterfall and a swim in its deep pool. It is said locally that every time you swim behind the main waterfall of Tiu Kelep you become a year younger! With access from the main road, the “third waterfall” Betara Lenjang is a true rainforest adventure strictly for rock climbers with local guide and equipment.

Ampera Bridge, South Sumatra, Indonesia

Ampera Bridge is a Vertical-lift bridge in the city of Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, which is the landmark of the city. It connects Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir, two regions of Palembang. It can no longer be opened to allow ships to pass.

The bridge was planned during the era of Indonesia's first president, who wanted a bridge that could open and be a match for London's Tower Bridge. The funds for the construction came from Japanese war reparations, with the Fuji Car Manufacturing Co. Ltd being given responsibility for design and construction. However, at the time, Japan had no bridges of this type, and Fuji Car had no bridge-building experience. The official opening was carried out by Minister/Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Ahmad Yani on 30 September 1965, only hours before he was killed by troops belonging to the 30 September Movement. At first, the bridge was known as the Bung Karno Bridge, after the president, but following his fall, it was renamed the Ampera Bridge.

For a few years after it was opened, the center span could be lifted at a speed of approximately 10 meters per minute to allow ships of up to 44.5m in height to pass underneath. However this only occurred a few times, and after 1970 it could no longer be opened. The official reason for this was that the 30 minutes needed to raise the bridge was causing unacceptable delays, and that in any case silting of the river had made it impassable for large ships. However, according to architect Wiratman, who acted as a consultant before the construction, the design of the bridge was flawed from the outset because of the soft mud on which it was built. He maintains that his concerns were ignored for political reasons, and that as the towers' foundations shifted, the bridge deformed to the extent that it could no longer be opened. The ballast weights needed to balance the wight of the bridge were removed in 1990 to prevent possible accidents were they to fall.