I first heard about this "ship full of books" a few years ago. Since then, I wanted to visit it and buy books that I can add to my bookshelves. I never had the opportunity until this year when my Victory Groupmates invited me to visit the ship together. Finally, I had my chance.

On the 10th of March, some of us attended church so we met at the GT-Toyota Center. Then we drove to Pier 15 berth 4, South Harbor, Manila afterwards in three separate vehicles. We left past 1 o'clock in the afternoon and arrived there past 2 o'clock. We bought our light lunches at 7 Eleven because there was only a Cafe inside. So we ate before proceeding to the ship. We got inside around 3 o'clock because of the long lines along with the hot and humid weather due to the intense rays of the sun. But no biggie.
When we entered the ship, there was a Mexican/Brazilian tour guide who gave us a quick orientation. Then we were all left to do our own explorations.


The bookstore was shaped like an oblong. We entered at the right side of the ship, went around the store, and then arrived at the same place we entered.

The first sets of books I saw were the Classics. They were priced lower compared to the ones in local bookstores though the book covers were different. Beside the Classics were the Inspirational and Christian books that totally caught my eye. I found some good ones I bought for me and my family: When God Doesn't Make Sense, Grown-Up Girlfriends, and What God Does When Men Lead. On the other side, I saw many cookbooks, travel books, lifestyle books, atlases, dictionaries, etc. At the end of this section was the music section where many Christian artists and bands could be found. They were also relatively low-priced. At the center of the section were the Bible section and some toys. I saw some great Bibles over there in affordable prices but not much that I really liked. The next section before the counter were completely Children's books, activity books, toys, animal books, etc. I didn't find anything that I liked either. I didn't get to take pictures of these sections because there were too many people inside. I had to squeeze my way in towards the shelves.. or just move! Haha. I almost lost my brown hat which Joni found at the cashier for me. Silly me!


I added two more books in my cart: 100 Days Out: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Best Attractions in the UK (Oh yes, I am claiming this trip!) and Low Fat Cookbook for my Mom. I bought five books all in all. Happy girl!

In the last section, there were many textbooks of various subjects in very low prices. We just passed by and walked to the walkway full of decorated walls. It was a little "kiddie" so we didn't take pictures. At the end of the walkway was a mini-hall wherein a large group of people were all listening to a Chinese guy sharing God's Word. We didn't stop and listen because we had to meet our friends at the Cafe. They were sitting at one of the tables. We ate pizza and shared our stories and views.




I am glad I visited M/V Logos Hope. I loved how they embraced diversity and employed people from various cultures all over the world. I loved how they serve with smiles and brought their love for God in their work like the super passionate Chinese guy at the mini-hall. But of course, I had some failed expectations such as the variety and uniqueness of the books, the space ('cause I thought the store was more than one level). Apart from that, I am thankful for the experience.

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We drove back to church for the 5pm and 7pm services to praise God for the wonderful day. I even saw someone again. How can I forget you when you are always around?! Turn around, K. Just turn around. Lol.

Many people would have wrote a blog about the scenes in the movie but I wouldn't do that to spoil the others, especially the fans. I just need to express what I feel though I really don't know how to do this right now.

10 whole years of the Potter fever had passed. Thanks to the wonderful J.K. Rowling for creating such a character, a series, and a story that could possibly be kept forever in a whole lot of people's minds. I believe I was in grade 3 when the first Harry Potter book came out. I bought the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and started reading each book that comes out bit by bit. Some of them I borrowed from friends and some I have downloaded in .pdf format so that I can read it in my Palm pilot whenever I went. Yes, I honestly got madly addicted to the series that I didn't stop until I finished each book. Harry Potter marathon!

When I watched the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 with my whole family tonight (sorry for my brother because he watched it twice in two consecutive nights), I was dumbstricken at the end. I think I like the word dumbshocked more because shocking was the best way to describe "The End" and the fact that it ended perfectly. I overheard one girl said, "Isn't it the best ending ever?" I couldn't help but answer in my head, "It was!" But I was too shocked to let the ending register. I was just sitting there quietly on my chair looking at the credits with a blank face. Please do not get me wrong because I loved it. This always happens to me every time I see something I really loved. I get dumbshocked. Dumbstricken. Dumbfounded. Whatever. I am too dumb to respond.

Well, I honestly could say "It was not the ending I am expecting" like most people. I would wholeheartedly agree for we do not want it to end in the first place. We wanted it to be a neverending story wherein J.K. Rowling could bring us to the Potter world for the rest of our lives. But it still has to end for all of us, right? So that was why I am not giving any badass comments on this movie. It was not one of those movies that ended and all I had to say was, "Ano ba 'yon? (What the?)" or "Anong nangyare? (What happened?)"  True, I craved for more at the end. But isn't it what people always do? People are never going to be satisfied with how the books come out in the movies. Our imaginations are extremely wider than a director's imagination alone.

So yeah, blimey Kaye! It was the best ending that it could ever be.

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Just like what Neville Longbottom has said.. even if Harry Potter may open at the close, he is still going to remain in our hearts. He will always be around.