How dangerous was the turbulence on this commercial flight?
Very little to go on (non-pilots are lousy at classifying turbulence) but my best guess is that you experienced moderate turbulence. 

If it was severe, your description would have been something more like this:


  I couldn't focus my eyes to see. Someone who wasn't belted down was
  flung violently against the ceiling, then slammed to the floor. The
  captain was very assertive, telling the FAs to be seated immediately and
  that all passengers must strap in. The flight attendants wedged the
  service carts into the gaps between the seats and asked some
  passengers to hold them down, before sitting down and securing
  themselves in with their full 4 point harness. During the worst of it, there was no way anyone would have been able to stand, even if you were holding onto the seats or walls. Some overhead bins
  popped open strewing their
  contents about the cabin. There was coffee, cups, plastic glasses,
  books, etc. flying around EVERYWHERE. Several
  people had to be taken off the plane by stretcher.


Pilots are not "scared to land". If it's not safe, they will divert. If the approach is wrong, they will "go around" (both perfectly normal) and spacing issues are the most likely reason. Why would the captain lie? 

Ask a pilot.

The reaction of passengers is not a good indicator of the level of turbulence but the bottom line is, aircraft are designed to cope with the worst turbulence, and then some. You were perfectly safe.

I have to take issue with your use of "air hostesses", I believe you mean "cabin crew" or "flight attendants".  We stopped calling them that when we realised that they are actually professionals with a vital safety role as their primary function and are of both genders.