It is a pity you did not save your old pictures, I can imagine how you did feel, there are sometimes very good moments especially doing outside the picture, the nature has its single moments and sunset will be not the same second time. But this is another reason to visit these place and may be you have better quality camera too this times.

Reading what you describe it confirms again and again that many different religions have the same origin. I like the statues, because they have three dimensional form and it feels like real. As to the smiles you are right that is something that may catch the eye of the viewer,people immediately start to think why that one is smiling. Thank you for your pictures and explanation :)