Dataran Pahlawan

I knew it as Padang Bandar Hilir, the open area bordering the Famosa - St Paul's Hill - and the many primary schools. Mother mentioned that when she and Father first arrived in Melaka to set up home, this area was the sea which later, like most coastal areas near Melaka town, became reclaimed land. We called this padang "the Reclaimation Ground". Later when the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra chose this spot to proclaim the date of Malaya's independence, they changed the name to "Padang Pahlawan".

The Famosa and St Paul's Church in the background bare witness to the ever-changing happenings since 1511. There used to be a hawker area nearby with their push-carts, where you could get all sorts of food - mee rebus, rojak mamak, rojak china, satay, cendol, ice kacang etc.etc... Eating in the open, sitting on little stools, with the sea breeze blowing, is something I really miss.

Today, the Melaka Government has upgraded the area to attract more tourists and business. Below the padang now is a huge shopping complex called "Dataran Pahlawan".

One of the entrances to the Padang from the Bandar Hilir school complex.

The soon-to-be opened Carrefour building bordering one edge of the padang.

Architectural structure facing Carrefour building ...

Here's the Mahkota Parade shopping complex bordering yet another edge of the padang. The tall buildings behind it are the apartment complex of Century Mahkota Hotel.

Thus you can see the tremendous changes done to the former Padang Pahlawan. Not bad eh to good old Malacca! Want to go brisk-walking there in the early mornings, anyone?

Today is the last day of 2007. Goodbye 2007.... Welcome 2008... Que sera sera ....