Not the Tom Hanks in Cast Away, It's Mauro Morandi who chose to be away.

We are in a time where we have to isolate ourselves whether we like it or not. Even with isolation, we are at ease with the support of technology, working from home, delivering food items, and other necessitates at our doorstep. Ever imagined living alone, on an island, with no one, no technology to support, can't hear anyone talking except for the sound of waves and winds and occasional legal battles about your existence for a long time?

Meet Maura Morandi, who has been solely guarding and protecting the flora and fauna of this beautiful island of Italy called Budelli, near Sardinia. He has been at it for the last 32 years. Budelli is considered the most beautiful island of the seven islands of Maddalena Archipelago National Park. Budelli is famous for its spiaggia Rosa (pink sanded beach). It gets it pink shade from the microscopic corals and shells. Budelli is one of the uninhabited island except for the sole occupant Maura Morandi.

How it all began?

Mauro Morandi calls himself a rebel and was on his way to Polynesia from Italy in search of a better life but ended up here at this beautiful pink island in the year 1989. Mesmerized by the beauty of the island he decided to stay put. Fortunately for him, the caretaker of Budelli was retiring from his job and Morandi happily took over the position. Next three decades, he protected the island in solitude, taking care of the ecosystem and enlightening the tourists who visit the island. Later on, the island was closed off to tourists to safeguard its ecosystem. Hence for a long time, Morandi became the sole custodian, the only person living on that land.

In 2015, the rule changed, La Maddalena National Park took over the ownership of Budelli, forcing Morandi to fight for his survival. He fought several battles to keep his hut intact and the land he loved and cared so much at his sight. Nevertheless, this Robinson Crusoe of Italy has had the support of people worldwide fascinated by his story. This support was the reason why he could hang in there till today after getting various eviction notices.

There are no rocks that have not been touched by Morandi, he knows the trees, plants and the paths all too well. They were his companions. He used to carve on rocks and make sculptures to pass his time.

Ciao to his paradise.

Morandi came to the limelight again when he posted on Facebook about leaving the island on April 25th, 2021. He told The Guardian newspaper that he would not be too far from his home, he is moving to a small flat at a nearby island of La Maddalena looking at his favorite sight, the sea.

“I wouldn’t know where else to go live, certainly not back home in the north, nor what to do — this is my life. I just don’t see myself playing cards or bowls.” the 81 year old told.

Internet found its way to this island and Morandi a few years back. Being so isolated from the world, it was brave of him to adopt the social media culture without much hesitance. He keeps posting pictures on his Facebook page and share a piece of his paradisiacal life and life's purpose for his followers to see. He was there, cleaning the beach side, making paths and teaching others about this place's ecosystem. He was no trouble except for making little amendments to the little hut he lived in, which was formerly a WW II shelter.

Budelli without Morandi

His followers on Facebook and the rest of the world are finding it hard to accept this new Budelli without Morandi.

The La Maddalena National Park authorities want to turn this place into a center for environmental education. The reason why he has to leave his home for so many years. He is not the Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away who tries hard to escape the island's isolation, Morandi embraced the isolation of Budelli island and finds it difficult to live a life different from Budelli's.

Even today, his supporters are pledging solidarity and tell him to fight for his land he beautifully cared for. Like Morandi, I would like to believe the island would be in good hands and they would take care of it well like him. Morandi believes in looking at the beauty of things around and living with them in harmony. Let us take Morandi's words of advice to heart, to see the beauty in our environment by protecting it.

My heart wishes that the authority listens to the plea of Morandi and his supporters to let him live his last years in solitude at this island he loved so dearly.