Program 714: Uniquely Georgian; Amsterdam 2023; Puzzle of Polynesia

Hear what it's like to visit the Republic of Georgia, where Europe meets Asia, and borders Russia. Get an update on the scene in Amsterdam, where new regulations attempt to minimize the impact of "nuisance tourists," and a renovated riverfront has become a pleasant alternative to the crowds of the central city. And hear how Polynesian navigators populated the most far-flung islands on earth. It's all on the next edition of Travel with Rick Steves.

• Tour guide and travel writer Tim Tendick
• Amsterdam-based tour guide Dennis Gerrits
• Christina Thompson, author of "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia" (Harper Collins)

• Tim Tendick posts photos and observations from the dilapidated spas of Tskaltubo in Georgia on his Vagabond Urges website. It includes information about his tours of Romania.
• Dennis Gerrits offers custom tours of Amsterdam and Holland.
• Advance online purchase of a timed-entry ticket is required to visit the Anne Frank House.
• Amsterdam's waterfront on the River Ij has become a popular destination in recent years.
• Christina Thompson is the author of "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia."  Christina is also editor at the Harvard Review Online.
• Information about the Polynesian Voyaging Society and its landmark sails around the world using traditional navigation techniques. The Hokule'a is embarking on a multi-year Pacific circumnavigation, starting in Juneau, Alaska in June 2023.

• 4 Wings, "Penelope," Café del Mar, vol. 5  (collection) / Fontana-MCA
• Sunday Manoa, "Eleu Mikimiki," Sunday Manoa III / Panini Records
• Nor Serount Dance Ensemble, "Alblouzit," Armenian and Caucasian Folk Dances / Hollywood Music Center
• Victor Karpenko, "Folk Dance (Ukrainian)," Folk Dances from Black Sea (collection) / Musical Ark
• Nor Serount Dance Ensemble, "Alblouzit," Armenian and Caucasian Folk Dances / Hollywood Music Center
• * Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra, "That Happy Feeling," James Last and Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra: Back to Back / Universal Music Belgium
• A New Funky Generation, "Labumba '98," Café del Mar, vol. 5 (collection) / MCA
• Barrio Jazz Gang, "Chok-A-Blok Avenue," Saint Germain Café: The Finest Electro-Jazz Compilation (collection) / Wagram (France)
• AVC_AVCD_0719_03001_The_Marketplace_APM
• AVC_AVCD_0719_02201_At_The_Cafe_APM
• Guster, "Amsterdam," Keep It Together / Reprise
• Lena Machado, "Ku'u Wa Li'ili'i," Rough Guide to the Music of Hawaii (collection) / Rough Guides
• * Saucetone, "He Aloha Noa Honolulu," Saucetone (digital download) / Blue Pie Productions
• Peter Moon Band, "Tropical Storm," The Best of Peter Moon / Panini Records
• Klangraum, featuring Maisey Rika, "Maori Beat," Manako (soundtrack) / Fuego (Germany)
• Laora Tahiti, "Mai Te Po A Ui Ui Mai," Drum Beats of the Pacific (collection) / Hula Records
• Arthur Lyman, "Waimea Cowboy," Authentic Hawaiian Favorites / Essential Media Group
• Magical Power Mako, "Sea of Joy," Lo Pop Diamonds / Altavistic
• Galliard String Quartet, "Ahe Lau Makani," Songs of Liliuokalani / Wa Nui
• Alfred Aholo Apaka, "Na Moku Eha," Rough Guide to the Music of Hawaii (collection) / Rough Guides
• Kiri Te Kanawa, "Matangi," Maori Songs / EMI
• Jazzamor, "Fly Me To The Moon," Café de la Noche (collection) / Sunswept Records
• The Beau Hunks and the Metropole Orchestra, "We're Out For Fun," Our Relations: The Original Score by Leroy Shield (original score to the Laurel and Hardy film 'Our Relations') / Basta Audio-Visuals
• Moonalice, "Coconut Wireless," Dave's Way, vol. 7 / A Minor Label

• In the billboard, and at 13:32 in segment A, Tim Tendick says most cars and houses he saw in Georgia displayed a Ukraine flag, to show solidarity with them in the current war.  In the segment A open, Rick also mentions free digital nomad visas issued by Georgia and "Putin's war."  Rick adds that Tim is just back from his latest visit to Georgia.
• Tim adds at 9:49 that Tblisi can be a bit expensive, compared to other Georgian cities, since attracting "digital nomads" to the capital.
• Rick starts the discussion on Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and anti-Russian demonstrations in Georgia, at 12:00.  Tim explains that 1/3 of Georgia is currently occupied by Russia, and that much of the graffiti expresses anti-Russian sentiments.
• This week's segment B interview about Amsterdam discusses changes to the city since the pandemic closures.  Rick opens with a mention of his first return to the city, following the pandemic closures.  Dennis discusses new regulations prohibiting tours in the city's Red Light District, and new rules that discourage "nuisance tourists," which includes restricting non-residents from making purchases in the city's "coffeeshops." Dennis adds that new marijuana shops are not allowed to open, and their numbers have been declining in the past ten years.
• Dennis and Rick discuss recent limits on Air BnB rentals in Amsterdam, starting at 28:31.  They also talk about the continued closure of the Amsterdam Museum, and the need for timed entry reservations to get into the Anne Frank House, and the Rijks and Van Gogh Museums.

Chicago in spring -
ancient river and the trees
all one clover green

Here too the lover
all the poets sing about -
full Chicago moon
— Deborah A. Bennett, Carbondale, Illinois

Friendly like a gift
Hanging out in Madison
You feel at home
— Art-Paul Schlosser, Madison, Wisconsin:

Dante whispers, soft
Medici majesty reigns
Duomo spirits rise.
— Catherine Johnston, Spokane, Washington