MV Doulos, the floating bookshop

The idea of having a book fair on a ship is fascinating, especially if the ship is the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship that travels all over the world. The MV Doulos, meaning the servant, welcomes book lovers onboard in Kaohsuing Harbor (Fisherman's Wharf) from April 3rd~28th, Hualien Harbor from May 1st to 12th and Keelong Harbor from May 15 to June 3rd.

I visited the ship yesterday, visitors onboard must go through a chamber where the crew were hosting small games to raise funds, whereas the book fair was held one level above, on the deck. I was hoping to find books from all over the world in various categories, but from what I could see, 70% of the books were Christian or spirit lifting related, 20% were english books for children leaving only about 10% that were Chinese books, cooking, dictionaries etc. I couldn't find a book I wanted, not even a mug that had Doulos mark on it! The weekend crowd sucked out all the fun of reading books leisurely on the deck in the breeze from the ocean. I passed the tour of the ship and left the ship wondering why I visited the ship on a crowded Sunday!

Transportation to Fisherman's Wharf in Kaohsiung: 5 min walk from 2nd Exit of Sizihwan station (orange line 01) of Kaohsiung MRT.

Entrance fee to the book fair: NT$10/person; tour to the chambers and the bridge of the ship: NT$100/50, adult/child .

Opening hours: 10:00~22:00, Tue to Sat; 14:00~22:00, Sun to Mon.

More information about the ship, schedule, or to be a crew of Doulos, ect. at http://www.doulos.org/