TSUNAMI survivor Claire Rowlands, from Smeaton, has issued a public thank-you to the people of Samoa from her Sydney hospital bed, after arriving back in Australian late Friday.Mrs Rowlands, 55, a teacher at Ballarat High School, is in a stable condition in the Nepean Hospital, in the city's north, where her daughter Jane said she is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her long-time friend and fellow school teacher Vivien Hodgins in the disaster.Ms Rowlands, 24, said it was not yet known when her mother would be able to return home.Mrs Rowlands and Ms Hodgins, 56, were holidaying at the Samoan beach resort of Lalomanu when the tsunami hit early last Wednesday morning."Despite their terrible losses, the Samoans continued to look after tourists and foreigners and saved the lives of strangers," Mrs Rowlands said, expressing her gratitude to the people, authorities and government of Samoa."I am so lucky to be alive, but am shocked and overcome with sadness at the loss of Viv and the pain of her family."Jane Rowlands said her mother was receiving treatment for cuts, bruises and shock, and might require plastic surgery on a leg that was operated on in a Samoan hospital to stave off infection.She said her return to Australia evoked a rollercoaster of emotions in the family."I can't describe the relief and excitement we feel to have her in Australia and hear her voice," Ms Rowlands said. "However we are finding it difficult to comprehend both the loss of such an incredible friend and the terrible ordeal our mum had to endure."Viv was a truly extraordinary individual and the response of the Ballarat and Victorian community to her death is a tribute to the beautiful person she was."The Hodgins-Mays and Viv are foremost in our thoughts."Ms Rowlands said her mother also wished to thank the Australian Government, which arranged a medically assisted flight, the Australian Federal Police and Australian doctors working in Samoa to assist the injured.