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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Kaleidoscope -> 
One of the most northerly bars is up for sale
    2020-09-21  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

WHEN it is dark for more than 100 days in the depths of the bone-chilling Arctic winter, even the polar bears want to get into the Svalbar — one of the most northerly pubs in the world.

Located in a former mining town on Svalbard, just 650 miles (1,046 kilometers) from the North Pole, this unique bar and restaurant has been feeding and watering Arctic and wilderness explorers for over a decade.

With winter temperatures locked at minus 18 degrees Celsius for weeks on end, the pub has a captive audience among the 3,000 permanent residents and 70,000 tourists who visit Svalbard, the Arctic island archipelago set among the roaring seas between Norway and the top of the world. And now the bar is up for sale — and it’s expected to sell for a cool 1 million euros (US$1.18 million).

“You must like excitement and have a good portion of adventurous spirit to run a bar on Svalbard,” owner John-Einar Lockert said.

The new owner will need to keep customers’ spirits up – human and bear – while the Northern Lights swirl through the long winter nights, and refresh them after snowmobile safaris during the 24-hour summer days.

“It is an exciting place to run a bar and we have a flourishing night-life and culture scene.”

Other less dangerous wildlife within a short snowmobile ride away include reindeer herds, arctic foxes, sea birds, arctic geese and walruses. And the islands’ fjords are packed with whales.

Husky dog-sleigh safaris are also popular.

The Northern Lights – an atmospheric phenomenon of swirling colors – grace the clear Arctic skies from October to February.

“The polar bear came to the bar last year, during the night,” John-Einar explained. “He walked past the bar and looked in the window.

“It was a cold night and he was probably looking for a warm place to have something to eat. He could smell the food.

“It was lucky that we were closed.”

While part of the Kingdom of Norway, Svalbard has its own government and has tax-free status.

Longyearbyen enjoys all the modern conveniences of any Norwegian city, but residents need special skills to live at the latitude of 73 degrees north.

John-Einar explained: ‘There are some skills you must learn if you live on Svalbard.

“You must know how to shoot a gun to protect yourself from polar bears.

“It is winter from November to May or June and you need to know how to ride a snowmobile. It is the only way to get around in the snow.”

Europe’s most northerly landmass, the Svalbard archipelago was probably first discovered by Viking explorers but was not settled until the 17th century when it was used as a staging post by whalers who plundered the rich oceans for the valuable sea mammals.

Now the islands’ main revenue is Arctic adventure tourism, with more than 70,000 visitors last year.(SD-Agencies)

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