'Robinson on a deserted island': Living in the safest place on earth, no Covid-19, was comforted by Mother Nature

"Robinson on the deserted island"

For over 30 years, Mauro Morandi has been the only resident of a beautiful island on the Mediterranean coast. For the past few weeks, his "hermit hut" has been an appropriate isolation site to monitor the global Covid-19 crisis.

Morandi, a retired teacher, came to Budelli Island, off Sardinia, by accident when trying to sail from Italy to Polynesia 31 years ago. He loved the clear waters, coral reefs and beautiful sunsets so he decided to stay.

He took over the island from the previous sitter and now at the age of 81, he is still there, also known as Robinson Crusoe of Italy.

The stone house of Mauro Morandi. Photo: Slate Magazine

Every night, he slept in an old stone house and woke up in the morning surrounded by Mother Nature. He enjoyed exploring bushes, cliffs and talking to birds at breakfast as they flew in and out from the window of the small kitchen.

Despite this, he was still following the news, knowing that Italy had cordoned off to stop the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, then to the rest of the world.

In his solitary world, he said that he now feels he is "the safest place on earth".

" I'm fine, I'm not afraid ," he told CNN via his cell phone - his connection to the outside world. " I feel safe here. The island offers comprehensive protection. There is no risk. No one comes here, not even a boat passes ."

The opportunity to discover yourself

Like many of us, Morandi's main concern is the situation of family and friends - people living in northern Italy, Modena, one of the areas where Italy's most recorded Covid-19 cases.

" They are facing hard times ," he said.

Mr. Morandi's life has not changed much since the outbreak of the disease in Italy, except that he had to wait longer for food from the land due to strong government restrictions.

This means, the island visitors during the winter have come to an end. Over the years, he has grown accustomed to welcoming, making friends with them and sometimes sharing his meals with them.

The island's habitat is still quite unspoiled. Clear turquoise sea, lush wild vegetation, purple rocks like natural sculptures and fresh air.

Left alone, he spends the day admiring the sea, breathing fresh air, collecting firewood, preparing meals and - of course - posting on Instagram.

" I get bored, so I kill time by taking photos of beaches, wildlife and landscapes, editing photos and then sharing these on social networks and Instagram ," he said. . " I have a lot of followers ."

He said that if the blockade is still long, tourists will not come to the island until July but the prospect of a quieter summer does not worry him.

Morandi also advises people in isolation in Italy and elsewhere that there is no need to be upset at home for a few weeks but instead, this is an opportunity to discover more about yourself.

He said, "despite having its own island" but with the harsh Mediterranean winters, he still spends months indoors.

" Every winter, I close the door indoors, don't wander the island for months, but instead kill time by standing on the porch under the canopy. So why can't people stay here?" home for two weeks? That's ridiculous . "

Many people cannot stand being alone

Morandi said he used to be a champion wandering around Europe every year and then became the only resident on the island.

" I just don't feel like traveling anymore - no interest ," he said. " I understand that the most wonderful, adventurous, adventurous and satisfying journeys are the journeys within the soul, whether you are sitting in the living room or under a tree in Budelli. That's why. Having to stay home and not doing anything can really make many people feel difficult . "

But he added: " I never felt lonely ."

In Morandi's view, most people do not want to be alone because they cannot stand the feeling of loneliness and the blockade forces many to face this.

According to him, the current crisis is an opportunity to re-evaluate their own lives but he thinks many people will not make the most of this opportunity.

" Perhaps some individuals will recognize it but most are already familiar with the whirling amenities and lifestyle ."

Meanwhile, time passed in Budelli as usual.

This winter is softer, with temperatures like spring and the sun warm. The island's habitat is still quite unspoiled. Unpolluted. Clear turquoise sea, lush wild vegetation, purple rocks like natural sculptures and fresh air.