Mt Merapi in central Java erupted in October 2010. The hot volcanic ash destroyed many bamboo trees along the way. I went there a short while after the eruption to see what had become of the landscape. On arrival, I told my Indonesian friend, "Wow, so pretty to describe the landscape.", describing the patterns formed by the fallen, once-hardy bamboo trees. My friend instantly replied, "When pretty, watch out", a gentle reminder that I am standing on dangerous ground as the volcano might erupt anytime yet again.