Railay Beach is one of Thailand’s most stunning seaside retreats. | National Geographic Travel

Our plan was to spend the day relaxing at the world-famous Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand. However, when we saw a sign pointing to the Railay Viewpoint we made a spontaneous decision to go on a hike. We were not prepared for this hike and ended up climbing up the muddy and slippery trail in flip flops and swimsuits. A few days later I got a rash on my leg, and I’m pretty sure it’s from a parasite I picked up while hiking barefoot in the mud. Was it worth it? Yes. But don’t make the same mistake