The First Lady visited a store selling art craft products at Inpres Market in Balikpapan City, which is two hours away from the Nusantara Capital City.
Iriana, dressed in a white kebaya blouse and grey hijab, arrived at the market in a white car.
Her visit drew the attention of the market's traders and visitors, who began clicking her pictures on their mobile phones even from afar.
She headed to Balikpapan City from the Presidential Palace in Nusantara City. She earlier accompanied President Joko Widodo to inaugurate the Pulau Balang Bridge connecting Balikpapan City to Nusantara City.
"I am proud to have sold my products to the president's wife. She just suddenly entered my store," Purnama, a store owner, stated.
The First Lady was interested in purchasing a small beaded bag priced at Rp650 thousand, which she bargained for Rp600 thousand.
"She likes cute and small bags, and she bought three bags, totaling Rp1.8 million," Purnama remarked.
The bags she bought were made of rattan and adorned with red and white beads.
In addition to bags, Iriana bought other handicrafts of East Kalimantan, such as necklaces and bracelets bearing the Dayak Tribe's unique motifs.
"The total she spent in my store is Rp4 million," Purnama stated.
The Inpres Market, locally called Bonsay Market, is a center for purchasing souvenirs, especially handmade crafts, in East Kalimantan.
The market was launched in 1983, and it has now become an attractive tourism destination and reference for tourists to buy souvenirs.
The market, which sells beads, bags, textiles, and clothing, not only attracts tourists but also officials and celebrities in the country.
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Translator: Nyaman P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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