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With her son, Luca, and daughter, Wren, the author prepares to partake of fish delicacies, a constant during the family’s journey down the Mekong River. © Jeff Opperman

Mother Water, Fish Water

Jeff Opperman's wife recounts the experience on the river known as the mother water, and the wonderful food that comes from it.

Sunrise over the Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area in southern Laos. Photo by Jeff Opperman

Lost Actors in a Haunting Landscape

Read Jeff's latest update for the New York Times Green Blog: "We were in tiger country."

Irrawaddy dolphin, Mekong River. Photo © Jeff Opperman

The Dolphin's Tale

A bedtime story comes to life for the Oppermans, as they catch a glimpse of the few remaining freshwater dolphins in the Mekong.

Small fish caught by Jeff Opperman and his family with cast nets on the Mekong River. Photo by Jeff Opperman

Slideshow: Bamboo Poles and Baited Hooks

Tag along as the Opperman's spend an afternoon fishing, and learn about the famous Mekong giant catfish.

A mural next to a small Buddhist shrine in Luang Prabang, Laos, reflects the importance of the giant catfish in the Mekong River culture. Photo by Jeff Opperman

A Gentle Giant of a Catfish Fades From Sight

Read Jeff's latest article for the New York Times Green blog: "People say there is a dragon in the river."

Conservancy scientist Jeff Opperman and his family encountered this elephant outside their room at Xe Pian National Park in Laos. © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Video: An Elephant Encounter

Jeff Opperman's children feed elephants bananas and sugar cane in the Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area. © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Slideshow: Visit to Xe Pian Conservation Area

Jeff and family encounter domesticated elephants and water buffalo while staying at the Kingfisher Lodge in Xe Pian.

Conservancy scientist Jeff Opperman and his family recorded this video at Conservation International's Mekong Turtle Conservation Center, where Jeff's two kids released some captive-raised Mekong giant soft-shell turtles. © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Video: Baby Softshell Turtles Head Home

Four Thousand Island © Jeff Opperman

Slideshow: Four Thousand Island

See the Mekong by air, floating bungalows and some amazing flying insects on this next part of our journey.

Van Vieng, Laos. © Jeff Opperman

Slideshow: Into the Heart of Darkness

Idyllic valley or overrun party town? The family makes a brief stop in Vang Vieng.

The Mekong River Journey: Downriver to Luang Prabang (c) Jeff Opperman/TNC

Video: Downriver to Luang Prabang

Swimming in the Mekong River. © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Slideshow: Downriver to Luang Prabang, Laos

Travel down the Mekong from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang through these awesome photos!

Fishermen hurling nets along the banks of the Mekong in northern Laos. © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Beyond the Myth: The Bounteous Mekong

Read Jeff's New York Times Green blog. "For nearly the entire length of our trip, the river was producing food."

The Mekong River Journey: Scenes from the River Basin (c) Jeff Opperman/TNC

Video: Scenes from the River Basin

From Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong. Photo © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Slideshow: From Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong

The next stage of the journey brings together Buddhist temples, bikes and a lesson in catfish.

We took a boat ride through the khlongs (canals) of Bangkok – a network of interconnecting channels off of the Chao Praya, the river that bisects the city. Photo © Jeff Opperman/TNC

Slideshow: The Journey Begins

Follow the Opperman family from Ohio to Bangkok, where their journey begins in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

On the way to our plane, hoping it will take off. (c) Jeff Opperman/TNC

Revenge of the White Christmas

Will the trip be over before it even begins? Read what happens when Winter Storm Draco provides a White Christmas.

Exploring the Mekong’s Uncertain Future (c) princeroy/Creative Commons

Exploring the Mekong’s Uncertain Future

Jeff's first post for the New York Times Green blog. "Picture a river that has catfish the size of bears."

Jeff Opperman and his family are about to undertake an epic adventure. (c) Jeff Opperman/TNC

Mekong River Journey: An Introduction

This winter break, one Nature Conservancy scientist will travel with his family to the Mother of All Waters.

Jeff Opperman and his family are about to undertake an epic adventure. (c) xile/Flickr

Mekong River Quiz

Test your knowledge about the mighty Mekong River and the people and wildlife it supports.