'Optimism that has grabbed Sydney is outrageous' - Part 2

Those who will be venturing out especially at night, will be the girls (and other genders!) of King's Cross, the biggest red light district in the southern hemisphere.

The athletes will probably keep away from 'the Cross' during competition, with rumours that some of them are actually sleeping in oxygen tents to build up their O2 levels before their events. But like the girls from 'the Cross', Sydney at night now takes on another, more seductive form, if that's at all possible, as light shows wrap her in opal, outback ochres, sunset blues and gentle pinks.

The Harbour Bridge, now in her 68th year, complements her more ostentatious mate, the Sydney Opera House. The five Olympic rings made out of 170, 0000 lights have been hammered on to the side, of Sydney's Coat Hanger (what the locals call the bridge because it so resembles a clothes hanger).

The giant 75m by 35m rings on the bridge will remain lit for the duration of the Games. Six venues around the city come to life every evening having been set aside as public party zones with giant screens and non-stop concerts by some of the country's most popular performers.

They give onlookers hours and hours of live world-class concerts only interrupted by Olympic moments flashed up on giant video screens. Organisers say they can't predict how many will turn up to the live sites through the next few days. Who knows? Who cares? The more the merrier seems to be Sydney's motto now.

The stunning Harbour is as busy as ever. Now docked at the Quay is one of the world's biggest and most expensive liners, the blinding white Crystal Harmony.

Apparently you can pay up to $ 10,000 a night for one of its luxury cabins. But before you rule it out completely, remember drinks are free. While you can't actually smell the money, you can pick up the scent of Armani cologne in the bulging restaurants and packed bars now open 24 hours a day.

Tanned Americans in bright red jumpers stroll alongside manicured Milan-type fashion folks who stand to watch street side musicians and comedians working the growing sidewalk crowds. Inside the Sydney 2000 official Olympic store, shoppers go through racks, bins, and shelves of memorabilia like locusts, taking home fuzzy mascots, shirts, caps, jackets, swimsuits, and even a special edition "Olympic Barbie."

While they shop, they pass displays, which hold such vital information as the kilo metres of toilet paper and hot dogs that will be consumed by everything Olympic (14,960 and 38.1 respectively), and the amount of garlic that will be used to prepare athletes' meals (400 kilos). And the number of towels that will be used by athletes - if piled up they will reach higher than Australia's highest mountain Mt Kosciusko.

Even the Sydneysiders, known around the country for being a bit short with those who dare to ask for directions or advice, have at last found their long-lost manners - conversations instead of grunts.

In fact Sydney's two-week festival of fitness, franchising and fans could have positive effects on Australia's tourism industry for two decades, according to a leading industry figure.

The general optimism, which has grabbed Sydney and all those in her by the throat since the opening ceremony bash, can only be described as outrageous.

Professional Management Group

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