I like the incredibly high contrast in the first one. I don't know if it is, but the horizon line feels off to me, like it's tilting to the right. LOVE that deep black sky. Cropping to a panoramic is the right choice for me.
Number two... that rock behind the statue and the white buildings in the background just pull focus and ruin my enjoyment of the statue. Again, the horizon line feels off, only this time tilting left.