MV Logos Hope

The floating bookstore landed in Manila. It is docked at Pier 15 Southharbor, Port Area, Manila, until 14 March 2012.

It is owned by a Christian charity organization GBA Ships. Logos Hope was designed to replace MV Doulos. The latter is also a floating bookstore that went around the world. It had its final voyage in the Philippines in 2009 before it was de-commissioned. Logos Hope is continuing the tradition of Doulos of spreading knowledge, hope, help and charity around the globe.

MV Logos Hope, the 4th ship operated by GBA Ships, is twice as big as any of its previous ships.

I went on a weekend. There were too many people! It took me 30mins before I reached the counter for the payment of entrance fee (Php20 only).

Parents and their children composed majority of the crowd.

It was hot while waiting in line... and I didn't bring a fan. Sigh.

People were allowed to enter by batch. I endured the line sans the scorching heat of the sun.

See those lifeboats on the deck?

Upon entry, you will be led to a small area for a short film showing regarding the ship and its mission. Then you will be ushered to the bookstore afterwards.

You cannot skip this. You may be allowed to enter the bookstore only after the film showing.

An entire wall was dedicated to an exhibit of the humble beginnings of the ship.

A wide selection of books… for your own picking! Name it, they have it: parenting, fiction, biblical, cooking, self-help, medical, entertainment, children’s books, etc. The novels are mostly classics and those written by Christian authors.

Most authors were unheard of (for me!) . I only recognized David Baldacci, CS Lewis and Antoine de Saint Exupery.

For chef wannabes, this is the IT place!

I spent so much time in the COOKBOOK Section =)

Narnia is available. Sold at 100 units (100 units = 100 pesos). No Harry Potter or Twilight books though.

Regular bookstores sell this at almost Php300.

A lot of souvenir items were also being sold. There were shirts, caps, baller IDs, mugs, postcards, etc.

Priced at Php150.

I had a hard time going around. It was really crowded. Good thing the aircon was functioning well, otherwise I could have fainted.

The crew said that it is not this crowded on weekdays.

Jampacked!

The books being sold were really cheap. There were also special priced items, 50% off, 3 books for Php500, and the cheapest I saw (at Php25 only) were Hannah Montana and Highschool Musical books.

This is a haven for kids. So many books for children, for both boys and girls! The books were arranged according to suitable ages. This area is the most crowded.

 

After the bookstore, The Journey of Life Diorama Exhibit is on display. Lesser people here, mostly were resting and sitting on the floor, probably waiting for their companions who might still be in the bookstore.

Then there’s the International Café.

Also very crowded.

It was an amusing experience. I was especially happy to see kids running around, who might have boarded an actual ship for the very first time.

Wearing my Traveling Dress for the 7th time! =)

The ship will be sailing to Subic on March 15, and will be staying there until April 8.