I absolutely loved this series. I don't agree that SP was patronising at all. Infact compared with the usual suspects regularly rolled out to do these travel documentories I think she came across very warm, friendly and sympathetic towards the people she met along the way. She seemed very genuine in her concern too and wasn't prepared to just accept much of the propaganda she was being fed. She seemed to get on extremley well with everyone she met. I especially loved last night when she asked a lady "what her husband did while she (the lady) was cooking, cleaning, working, childminding etc". The answer came back (via an interpreter) "he just talks bullshit" 
I would love to see her do a lot more similar programs.