The man lived alone on a deserted island for 31 years.

The term "gap-year" is no longer unfamiliar to young people as they take a break from work and studies to experience different aspects of themselves and life. But for Mauro Morandi, the 81-year-old man in the story below, he spent 31 years living in solitude on the Italian island of Budelli.

It all started in 1989 when Morandi's boat broke down and he landed on the island. Around the same time, the caretaker of Budelli Island retired, so Morandi decided to stay and manage this beautiful island.

Now, after more than 31 years, Morandi, also known as the "Robinson of Italy," decided to leave at the end of April 2021 after years of pressure from the authorities.

In 2016, when Budelli Island was officially recognized as part of the Maddalena National Park, authorities argued that Mauro Morandi had no right to live there and demanded his departure. However, 8,000 petitions from nearby residents refused his eviction, so the demand for his departure was temporarily suspended.

Morandi said, "I want to live here and I will die here. When I die, I want to be cremated and my ashes carried away by the sea breeze." Morandi believes that all life will eventually return to Mother Earth, and that humans are all part of the energy that sustains this planet.

Morandi says he doesn't like people, which is why he lives in isolation. However, during tourist visits to Budelli, he carefully instructs visitors on how to protect the local plants and conserve the ecosystem. He always tries to make people understand that the plants here need to live and thrive.

AN ETERNAL LOVE FOR NATURE

Morandi says he's not an ecologist, but he understands the flora and fauna very well from his many years here. He believes they thrive largely thanks to his care and protection. He always wants visitors to understand the beauty of the plants "not just with their eyes, but also by feeling it from within."

There were periods of up to 20 days when Morandi didn't communicate with anyone. He found peace within, spending most of his time sitting on the beach, simply listening to the waves and the gentle breeze. "It's like a prison here, but it's the prison I chose for myself," Morandi shared, adding that he never regretted living here.

He often collects ginkgo wood, brings it back, and carves it into various shapes, which he then sells to tourists visiting the island. The money raised is donated to non-governmental organizations in Africa or Tibet.

Morandi often takes commemorative photos to document the changes on Budelli Island over the years, reads books, and studies the life philosophies of Greek philosophers. Perhaps this is why his personality and introspective way of life have become increasingly formed.

Until Wi-Fi was installed here, Morandi began sharing everything about his beloved land on social media. He hoped to create a connection between people and nature by allowing them to admire its beauty.

Morandi's favorite time of day is watching the sunset over the horizon, a moment when he feels relaxed and peaceful. He says, "We humans always consider ourselves superior beings and think we deserve to be worshipped, while nature is what truly deserves our care and respect."

Although reluctantly, Morandi shared on his personal Facebook page at the end of April that he had decided to leave after years of pressure from the authorities.

Here is some information about Budelli Island:

Budelli Island is part of the Maddalena Archipelago National Park, north of Sardinia, Italy. Among the seven islands of varying sizes in the park, Budelli is considered the most beautiful, with its Spiaggia Rosa coastline featuring stunning pink sand beaches. These are the "creations" of tiny organisms with pink shells (belonging to the coral class) that can only be observed under a microscope.

In October 2013, the island was sold for €2.94 million to a New Zealander after the previous owner went bankrupt. However, Budelli Island remains the property and under the management of the Maddalena National Park according to the laws of the Senate.

Huyen Chau