www.nst.com There are lots of places in Kelantan where you can go for a picnic but one of the more popular is Pantai Irama in Bachok.
This is the venue of the annual Pantai Irama Bachok Beach Festival, usually held in the middle of the year, when both young and old turn up to take part in the festivities.
This beach adjoins other beaches on the coast of Kelantan. The beaches have exotic names: Pantai Bisikan Bayu (Beach of the Whispering Breeze), Pantai Irama (Beach of Melody), Pantai Seri Tujuh (Beach of Seven Lagoons), Pantai Cinta Berahi (Beach of Passionate Love), which has been given a more “morally correct” name, Pantai Cahaya Bulan (Moon Shine Beach) while retaining the same old acronym – PCB.
There’s also Pantai Ru Dalam, Pantai Badang, Pantai Mek Mas, Pantai Kundur and Pantai Sabak.
Why Go
Pantai Irama is just 18kms from Kota Baru (popularly known as KB). The beach here is the cleanest in the area, with clear waters. The sea is shallow – a plus point as children can swim in safety, with little supervision. The locals here are genuinely friendly, which makes visitors feel welcomed.
Facilities
There is a huge playground with swings and other equipment for young ones if they’ve had enough of the beach and the sea.
Pantai Irama is mainly for day-trippers, especially on Fridays and Saturdays (the weekend in Kelantan) and during school holidays and public holidays.
If you wish to stay overnight, there are chalets where, for as little as RM60 per night, you can get a room with basic facilities like ceiling fan and attached bathroom.
Where To Eat
There are many food stalls selling local delicacies. You can get satisfying meals like nasi berlauk, nasi kerabu and nasi dagang as well as snacks like the East Coast ‘signature’ crispy – keropok (fish and prawn crackers).
If you’re thirsty, there’s fresh young coconut water, teh tarik, coffee, ais-kacang etc. Don’t forget to ask for kurang manis (less sweet) when ordering your drinks as beverages in Kelantan tend to be on the sugary side as its people love sweet stuff.
How To Get There
Pantai Irama is just 18kms from Kota Baru. From Kota Baru, head south along the coast. There are clear signboards pointing to the beaches. Don’t speed though as the road is narrow. Watch out for children and farm animals.
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