Hi Dan,
It is great that you are coming for a visit. Two weeks is a sufficient period to have a good relaxing look around which also takes jet lag and travel time into consideration.
Here are some random thoughts for you to consider:
You do not say a date but I would recommend January or February as the weather is very nice. February, centering around the 16th, is the best time to meet others from this board on Corregidor.
The places you mentioned to visit in Manila are well worth the time. Your wife will like Intramuros in general. Fort Santiago is only part of it. There are other places of minor significance but honestly I am no expert on this city. EXO and batteryboy may have other suggestions depending on your interests and schedule. Short visits like these are great while you adjust to the time zone and climate.
I can recommend a hotel or two when you get closer to your travel dates. Reservations a couple months before your trip would be fine. That guarantees you get the hotel and specific dates you want.
I can give you money and taxi tips later.
I have heard people say just show up at the terminal or book a trip to Corregidor from your hotel when you get here. That is the dumbest advice you can hear. Imagine coming halfway around the world and find out they are fully booked or a ferry is scheduled for maintenance (or any other reason they come up with) the day you want. That does happen.
January and February is “peak” time. The Corregidor Inn, the best place to stay, has only 31 rooms and you probably won’t want to put your wife up in any of the “alternatives”. Reserve ahead for peace of mind.
For travel from Manila to Corregidor, your only choice is Sun Cruises. Here is a link to their web site which includes costs, schedule, on-island accommodations (Corregidor Inn) and contact information.
www.corregidorphilippines.com/Reservations can be made online and again, reserve two to three months before you travel. Reconfirming a week or so before the trip is recommended. I can help you with this if needed.
Perhaps let some of us know if you have specific locations that you want to visit. We can help with info on how much you can do in your time there and the difficulty level.
Karl is best to comment on boat rides to other islands excluding Caballo. It is off limits. Boats can be rented but the tides and how calm Manila Bay is that day are big factors.
On Corregidor, today’s roads are a mix of old roads and trolley lines. This can be confusing to a first time visitor if you are using old maps and trying to find some remote location. If you are interested, I am sure that one of us who lives in the Philippines wouldn’t mind showing you around. That would save you a lot of time finding things.
If this is your first time for international travel to areas well away from what your body is used to, I would recommend you visit a Travel Clinic. A regular GP is useless at this. Travel clinics have doctors specializing in travel related illness. I can quote you such things as Hepatitis A&B shots and an anti-malarial but the situation changes frequently so only they would have current information on the precautions for where you are heading.
Many people do nothing and catch nothing but I think that is taking an un-necessary risk. The consequences of catching a tropical disease is not fun and can last long past the date you return home.
Go to the clinic now, some shots require multiple visits over a period of months and a booster after a year.
Final health related caution. Corregidor and similar areas are highly ADDICTIVE. Visit at your own risk. Numerous repeat visits might be required to live a relatively normal life after the first trip. You have been warned…
If there is anything specific you need send me a private message and I’ll see what I can do.
Hope to meet you next year.