Doulos Hope docks in Manila: Your guide to the world's largest floating book fair
The world's biggest floating library, Doulos Hope, has finally arrived in Manila!
After making waves in Subic and San Fernando (and some parts of the world), the beloved book fair is open to the public until April 14. After that, Doulos Hope sets sail for Batangas City from April 16 to 28, allowing more bookworms to hunt for affordable literature.
In case you didn't know, duolos is a Greek word that means "servant." Thus, it makes sense that the sailing book fair means "servant of hope," a way for the organizers to amplify "literacy and education, cross-cultural cooperation, and social awareness and reflect God's compassion for the world in the ports and countries they visit."
The floating library carries over 5,000 titles in different genres, including children's storybooks, PaperMills classics, books for inspiration and spiritual growth, and encyclopedias, among others.
Tickets
Tickets for the international floating book fair Doulos Hope are now available through their website.
Tickets are priced at P50 for adults, while children aged 12 and below and senior citizens aged 60 and above are free of charge—the ticket, whether physical or e-copy, must be presented for admission on board.
Meanwhile, the Port Fee is at P6 Accepted payment on board is via cash or credit cards.
Booking slots will be opened every Sunday night. As of writing, more than 20 slots are available starting Thursday, April 11. Slots before the said date are now fully booked. However, walk-ins are allowed, but visitors who booked their tickets online will be prioritized.
After this, the vessel will be stationed in Batangas City from April 16 to 28, although tickets for this are not yet available.
Schedule
The ship is docked at 25th Street, Port Area, Metro Manila, and is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays to Thursdays, and 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Fridays to Sundays. It is closed on Mondays.
Parking
Doulos Hope can be found behind the Manila Hotel and the nearest landmark is Eva Macapagal Super Terminal.
According to the organizers, visitors attending the affair can park their cars at Manila Ocean Park or Quirino Grandstand, which is about a 16-minute walk from the venue. However, they highly recommend using public transportation when visiting the area.
Others also noted that the ship is not wheelchair-accessible. Based on the experience of some visitors, the walk is not friendly for Persons with Disability (PWD) and "frail" senior citizens, especially due to the excessive heat.
"Those needing walking aids need to prepare," a Facebook user wrote in the comment section.
Doulos Hope is run by the German-based non-profit organization Good Books for All (GBA Ships e.V.)
Since its founding in 1970, over 50 million people have enjoyed the hundreds of tons of books donated by the organization's vessels during their more than 1,600 port visits in more than 160 countries and territories.