Rescued backpacker lost 12kg during Australian outback ordeal
Carolina Wilga was found by a driver on Friday, after disappearing on June 29 near the remote WA town of Beacon, about 300km northeast of Perth.
The 26-year-old returned to social media on Monday night, posting photos from her hospital bed in Perth.
Wilga is playfully smiling and holding a bunch of flowers in one image, surrounded by a vast array of food.
"When you need to gain 12 kilograms back," the Instagram caption read.
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The second image is a close-up of the tasty delicacies, including chocolate and pastries.
"Thanks to the German Consulate," the caption said.
German backpacker Carolina Wilga recovering in a hospital in Perth. (Source: WA Police )
Wilga suffered cuts, bruises, dehydration and fatigue during her ordeal in bushland, where overnight temperatures fell to almost zero.
In a statement on Monday, she thanked her rescuers and explained why she left her Mitsubishi van, which police found about 35km from a main track in a dense bush nature reserve.
"Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food and clothing there," she said in the statement issued by WA Police.
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"The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly.
"As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost."
Wilga also thanked the driver who found her, describing the woman named Tania as a "rescuer and angel".
"Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community," she said.
She believes she survived because of an "incredible outpouring of support".
"The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments," she said.
"For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."
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Police previously said Wilga spent just one night with her van after it got bogged in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve bushland.
She followed the sun and walked 24km west, thinking that would be her best bet of finding a road.
She had minimal food and water and was in the elements for 11 nights.
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